Group projects are driving me insane

Molly Christianson, Contributing Writer

Group projects in lieu of a final are not a gift — they are a nuisance. 

I like to get things done early and have everything done by Thanksgiving. I don’t enjoy having to organize a time for our group to meet, only for it to ultimately be rescheduled and completed the night it’s due. Maybe I just have horrible luck with my assigned groupmates — they always seem to be people who only work at the last minute — but it genuinely drives me insane. 

When my class grade and GPA are at stake, I don’t want to also worry about my group members. I know a lot of our professors already have a lot on their plates during this time of the semester. 

However, if they’re planning on assigning a group project, would sending out a Google Form asking students to describe their work style, and then assigning groups based on that, be so hard? 

Let us have a say in our work — don’t stick us with randomly-assigned groups of people who we barely know at the tail-end of the semester. 

I am a Type A person, so I often assume that things like this are just a me issue — but I know this problem is widespread. I have yet to meet someone who genuinely enjoys randomly-assigned group projects. While I tend to gravitate towards people with a similar work ethic to me, even my procrastinator friends don’t love group projects. 

The pull between Type A and Type B group members often causes unnecessary strain. While a Type A member is assigning tasks — and likely being a bit controlling — a Type B member might be behaving more realistically, conscious of the fact that there are still three weeks to do the project. In most cases, the Type A member will do the project themselves in a fit of rage, and the Type B member will feel one of two ways — guilty or agitated. 

My issue with group projects is not rooted in a lack of communication or patience, but it boils down to the timing of the project assignment; the end of the semester. Things tend to go awry when no one’s schedule aligns, as people have other finals to worry about and we are all burnt out. 

I think a final should be an independent assignment, whether that be through a traditional exam or an independent project. Being able to work alone not only allows you to better understand your own scope of knowledge, but also allows you to work at whatever pace best suits you. 

In the end, it is up to students to meet in the middle of each other’s preferences and needs, and make their lives easier. 

If projects can’t be created in a group-friendly manner, we shouldn’t be having group projects.