2008 Woodie Awards
Group projects makes all members unhappy
By Jessica Rupell
Rocket Focus Editor
Issue date: 11/18/05 Section: Opinion
Out of all the things that irk me as a human being, one of the biggest things would have to be group projects. Now, given that most professors claim they have a good purpose and supposedly teach us how to work with others because one day we will have to for a job in the "real world" whether we want to or not, I see absolutely no relevance coming from the student's point of view.
Personally, every group project I have ever done has never really been a "group" project. What it really turns out to be is one or two of the students in the group doing more than half of it on their own because they are the motivated students who want the good grade. And the others? Well, most of them are just there for the grade and put in minimal effort because they just don't care. And yes, I am ALWAYS one of those students stuck doing the extra work. Granted, I know I take on a lot of this myself and volunteer, but that's because I know that unless I do it, it will never get done or will be put together poorly. And truly, I do care about my grades and need to keep them up for my scholarships to stay intact, so I am willing to do the extra work. However, is it really fair to give everyone in the group the same grade when not everyone put the same amount of effort into the project? And is it fair to "punish" the students who actually do their work by just letting others slide by, minimal effort required?
I realize that not every professor grades the same, and not every class requires a group project, but I personally just hate the ones I've had to do. In fact, the two things I say after a group project are a) I now hate group projects even more than I did before and b) if you want something done right, do it yourself.
It's not that I don't trust other members of my groups or have issues with letting others help me, but when it comes down to my grades and the money I'm paying to take the classes for these grades, I care. I realize this may sound pessimistic, and I hope that I don't come off as such, but if you really take a good look around, how many people are here working to their full potential. How many go to parties every night and don't give a crap about their grades? But really, it's not even just caring about my grades. The fact of the matter is, I don't have mommy and daddy paying for much of my education, and so I'm going to work as hard as I can because I am paying for this, just like each and every one of you. Every test, every paper, every project, I am going to put as much effort as I can because I want to be successful and although grades aren't everything, you can't say they aren't important either.
In my opinion, this world would be much better off without group projects. I'm all for working in groups during class and showing how working together we can all accomplish more. But when it comes down to working together outside of class, it just becomes one big mess where some are working and others are tagging along. Life's not fair; I realize this. However, as one of the people who continually picks up the slack for others, it's my time to complain and to say, grow up and do your part, you slacker.
Personally, every group project I have ever done has never really been a "group" project. What it really turns out to be is one or two of the students in the group doing more than half of it on their own because they are the motivated students who want the good grade. And the others? Well, most of them are just there for the grade and put in minimal effort because they just don't care. And yes, I am ALWAYS one of those students stuck doing the extra work. Granted, I know I take on a lot of this myself and volunteer, but that's because I know that unless I do it, it will never get done or will be put together poorly. And truly, I do care about my grades and need to keep them up for my scholarships to stay intact, so I am willing to do the extra work. However, is it really fair to give everyone in the group the same grade when not everyone put the same amount of effort into the project? And is it fair to "punish" the students who actually do their work by just letting others slide by, minimal effort required?
I realize that not every professor grades the same, and not every class requires a group project, but I personally just hate the ones I've had to do. In fact, the two things I say after a group project are a) I now hate group projects even more than I did before and b) if you want something done right, do it yourself.
It's not that I don't trust other members of my groups or have issues with letting others help me, but when it comes down to my grades and the money I'm paying to take the classes for these grades, I care. I realize this may sound pessimistic, and I hope that I don't come off as such, but if you really take a good look around, how many people are here working to their full potential. How many go to parties every night and don't give a crap about their grades? But really, it's not even just caring about my grades. The fact of the matter is, I don't have mommy and daddy paying for much of my education, and so I'm going to work as hard as I can because I am paying for this, just like each and every one of you. Every test, every paper, every project, I am going to put as much effort as I can because I want to be successful and although grades aren't everything, you can't say they aren't important either.
In my opinion, this world would be much better off without group projects. I'm all for working in groups during class and showing how working together we can all accomplish more. But when it comes down to working together outside of class, it just becomes one big mess where some are working and others are tagging along. Life's not fair; I realize this. However, as one of the people who continually picks up the slack for others, it's my time to complain and to say, grow up and do your part, you slacker.
