Group work can be motivating. It gives people a chance to understand themselves better, meet new people, share and learn different perspectives and ideas, and divide the burden of projects. But we've all had our fair share of group work and sometimes, things just do not work out. For reasons, we act a certain way or have to deal with group mates that act a certain way. Group work then, just becomes the bane of your existence.
These are the people who will ramble on and on without any particular focus (about something everyone already knows). When people start zoning out and hint "we've all read the article", it's time to stop. Sometimes, the passion for a single point just leads off into an entirely different discussion. Good news is, sometimes it garners some abstract ideas and opinions but when deadlines are close, honey, ain't nobody got time for bedtime stories - which leads us to the sleepyheads.
The group mate that is tired every few minutes and never fails to make it known. Sleep deprived? Welcome to life. It's fine to cut these people some slack if they say it once, but really, some people don't even try. They literally slump on the table asleep. Like, find elsewhere, go home. Or at least apologise and attempt to stay awake and offer to contribute.
The first things out of their mouth would be about how they partied so hard last night or if you're going to the party tonight. It's not wrong to have fun, just don't turn up drunk or hungover and complain about it.
5. The nothing-is-good-enough
I wonder if these people actually do appreciate anything in their lives. No point or idea anyone comes up with or work others do is, well, good enough. These people will nitpick at everything but don't exactly produce anything better that make their point valid. Basically lots of complaints but no work done.
6. The baker
These are the angels. Whatever they lack in work they make up in distributing goodies around the group. At least to me, it seems like a pretty fair trade. Keep them donuts rolling and I won't mind doing some extra work!
7. The clueless
I really am not sure if these people really are that oblivious or they just don't even bother. These people need to be fed with everything because accessing the internet seems like mission impossible to them. They will be the ones who's sole excuse is "Oh, I don't think I can do it, because I don't know what's going on." (refer to above gif) Honestly, why else would these people think its called a RESEARCH project?
These are sometimes also the link masters. You know, the ones who post a few links and then they're done with their part? Why would I need a whole page full of links on their research? That is not finished work, its practically throwing work at others. Like, anyone can search the topic and copy paste a few links. I wonder if they ever just hand in a list of links for their assignments honestly.
8. The Titanic
The greatest actors - the know-it-alls. They will NEVER ask for help even if they know they cannot do it. They will still reassure the group they've got it all down and done a fabulous piece of work. But when the last meeting comes, there's only one word to describe it - doomed. These will be the people who will reference comedy websites and wikipedia (a whole chunk of data), or have an entire essay on a presentation slide.
9. The forever sick
These group mates are always the ones who fall sick at the most convenient of times. It's understandable when it is legit, or else, at least be smart about it. Some will be "too sick" for a meeting and then post photos getting wasted and what not. That is just stupid especially when everyone in the group can see it.
10. The MIA
I'm not sure which is worse, the person not being there from the start or disappearing halfway. Actually, even though I wonder what these people are up to, I believe its simple and fair to deal with - if they cannot be bothered with their grades, why not just make their lives easy and share the credit with people who deserve it. I think the scariest are the people who promise to get something done and then ditch right at the last minute without any notification or reason whatsoever. (How would anyone even be that terrible right?) Trust me, its ridiculous the people you meet in groups sometimes.
All in all, group work doesn't need to be a pain and most of the time people actually are really nice. It's just the handful if infamous pain-in-the-asses that make you cringe.
And because of them every time you hear there is group work you be like:
But we'll all get through it in the end. When its done, it's done, so...
(fingers crossed you wont get placed in a bad group for the next)
x
