Many students dislike group projects because the grade they receive is dependent on other people’s efforts as well as their own. Plus, it can be difficult to work with other students, particularly if your professor assigns who is in your group. However, group work is crucial for learning to collaborate, which is a skill you’ll need frequently in your career, no matter what field you enter. Here are a few things you can do to make your group project a success.
1. Have an Introductory Meeting
Instead of trying to dive right into the work, spend some time getting to know your team members. Simple icebreakers can help remove any awkwardness and help you feel comfortable around each other.
After these introductions, decide how often and where you’ll be meeting. This needs to be convenient for everyone, meaning it may include a combination of in-person and online meetings. Also determine how you’ll stay in contact the rest of the time.
Finally, you may like to assign someone the role of group leader. This person can ensure you stay on track and resolve any issues that arise. If no one else volunteers for the role, consider taking it on yourself for the chance to learn valuable leadership skills.
2. Decide on Tasks
Divide the tasks for the project between all of you, making sure it’s clear what each group member’s responsibilities are. When choosing tasks, play into your strengths. Never ask for a task because you think it will give you the chance to show off if you’re unsure you possess the necessary skills: the rest of your group is counting on you.
3. Set Your Own Deadlines
To finish the project by the final deadline, you’ll need to decide when to complete the individual tasks. There may even be some tasks you cannot start until others are complete. Create a schedule that is as realistic and specific as possible.
4. Be Flexible
Use your meetings to discuss where you’re up to with completing tasks and how you can move forward. If a team member is struggling to keep up, consider how you could reassign a portion of the task to someone else to ensure you stay on schedule.
5. Respect Your Team Members
Group projects can be especially difficult when personalities clash or people have differing expectations. Whatever happens, strive to be respectful of your team members. Be patient when someone has a different communication style to you, is unable to dedicate as much time to the project due to other commitments, or doesn’t produce work to the standard you’d like. You’ll gain much more from the experience if you search for solutions than if you become annoyed or frustrated.
Key to a successful group project is having a place where you can meet up and work together on a regular basis. Although this needs to be near campus, dorm rooms are unsuitable because they’re too small to fit everyone from your group comfortably. A better alternative to an Ontario Tech University residence is 17Hundred. In addition to your spacious suite, you’ll be able to use our multiple study lounges. Book a tour to see where you could be living.