Collaboration is an essential value in college. University administrators have found that the workplace setting is incorporating more group or team projects into its routine. To effectively prepare college students for the collaborative workplace environment, university administrators and professors are providing more opportunities for college students to work on important course projects in groups.
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While working with others can be a beneficial opportunity, most college students dread the idea. It can be stressful trying to achieve one common goal with up to three other people, who may have personalities and methods of completing tasks that may be different from you. The top fear that students have in working with others: completing the project on their own.
To help you survive group projects and overcome the fear and dread of working with others, I have developed the following tips that will make collaboration a less stressful experience:
- Develop Effective Communication Early.
- Establish Goals and Responsibilities.
- Hold Group Members Accountable.
- Show Appreciation.
- Respect Your Group Members.
Develop Effective Communication Early
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Once you enter your groups, take some time to get to know each other by learning each other's names, majors, and aspirations. Getting to know your group members early on breaks the ice. It also makes it easier for you to communicate with each other in the future.
I also recommend exchanging contact information immediately after forming into your group. The sooner you exchange contact information with your fellow group members, the quicker you can begin working on the project. To develop effective communication, each group member should consistently communicate meeting times, update each other on any project changes, and open the medium for any questions or concerns.
Establish Goals and Responsibilities
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In a group project, it is important to establish the overall project goal and sub-goals of each group meeting because it will provide the group with a clear direction and understanding of the project. To efficiently complete a project, I recommend implementing the "divide and conquer" plan. By having each group member responsible for a specific section of the project, the "divide and conquer" plan reduces the chances of one person completing the project on their own.
Hold Group Members Accountable
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If group members are not contributing to the project, do not be afraid to privately inform your professor about the non-contributing member. Your professor can give the non-contributing member a warning or remove him from the group altogether. I know this may be difficult for some students, who do not want to appear as the "tattletale" of the group, but would you rather accept the non-contributing member's behavior and risk your grade or be labeled as the "tattletale" and receive a good grade?
Show Appreciation
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Show appreciation to group members by giving compliments on the significant contributions that they make to the project. Giving compliments to each other makes each individual feel like a valued member of the group. Showing appreciation creates a supportive group environment, which motivates group members to give their best effort to fulfilling the group's goal.
Respect Your Group Members
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The most important tip for surviving group projects is respecting your group members. By showing respect to each other, group members will feel more comfortable sharing their ideas, some of which may be better than the ideas that you had in mind. Without respect, no one will feel motivated to complete the project, resulting in the project never getting accomplished.
If you follow the above tips, you will survive group projects without fear or dread. Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section. Happy collaborating!
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