Group work. We get it. There’s plenty of reasons why you might dread the thought of having to work together with others from your course. Maybe you’re shy or nervous speaking to those you don’t really know. Maybe you feel like you end up taking on most of the work while others slack off. Maybe you just prefer solo study.
There are sooo many reasons why group projects are a really positive thing and can help you develop the skills you need to make the most of your degree and get ready for your future career.
To help you work out how to make the most of your group work, pick the character which best represents you.
The Leader
You’re a natural leader and worry that if someone doesn’t take charge then you all end up going round in circles and nothing gets done. Although this is great, and it’s certainly true that strong leadership can make sure you all stay on task, make sure that you’re not being domineering and overbearing. Remember that those who are quiet still have important things to contribute, so make sure everyone has a voice. The whole point of a group project is to work together as a team.
The Peacemaker
You hate tension and in a group with a lot of different personalities you feel like you end up spending all your time smoothing things over and making sure everyone is happy. While this is commendable, don’t neglect yourself and your own priorities. Remember to focus on your own work. Sometimes, others need to learn how to get along and face the consequences if they can’t find a way to compromise.
The Workhorse
You keep your head down and just plough on with all the work. You’re a key asset for the team, but make sure you’re not taking on more than your fair share of the work. Others need to chip in and do their bit, so take the time to make sure everyone else is pulling their weight.
The Nervous One
Meeting up with people you don’t know is your worst nightmare and you end up sitting there waiting for an opportunity to make your excuses and leave. This is much more common than you realise, so don’t think you are the only one feeling this way. Although it feels hard, try to use this as an opportunity to boost your confidence and show everyone how much you can contribute. Your voice is important, so use it. And if you need support with your confidence then make the most of the services UWE has on offer.
The Ghost
Ok – this is the one that it’s really hard to defend. The one who never responds to emails, never turns up for study sessions, doesn’t contribute any work, but then gets the same mark as everyone else. If this is you then we’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and say maybe you’ve got other commitments or underlying anxiety which is causing you to behave this way. But, it’s still not acceptable and you need to find a way of getting involved or you risk your module leader finding out about your vanishing act and failing the project.
Finally, if you’re looking for more support on group work then check out this fantastic resource from our Library Service.