Why are they even still a thing? They’re halfway acceptable when you’re in elementary and maybe even high school but after that, what is the point of group projects? Especially when you get to college, it’s just cruel to force complete strangers to somehow completely rely on one another to get a decent grade. And for whatever reason, in many other aspects of life, you’re taught not to rely on anyone but yourself to get things done. How contradicting. But can we really just talk about putting an end to this dreaded torture that is group projects in college? Nearly every semester since I’ve been enrolled, I’ve had to hear the words “group assignment” and shudder in my seat. Just the thought of having to forcibly interact with people I have never met AND somehow get them to care as much about my grade as I do makes me want to drop a class. And I’m just being 100% honest. That could possibly be a bit on the dramatic side but from my point of view, it’s totally rational.
My theory on group projects is that professors just don’t want as much work to grade.. so they take what could be 30 assignments and mash them all into maybe 5 or 6. I’m not accepting the whole “team building” spiel and how working with others makes you a more well rounded person and build social skills and blah blah blah.. because if working alone is how I excel, why would you force me in an environment that hinders that? And please explain to me how running after other people to do work that affects your grade helps my well roundedness? I’ll wait…
Everyone is, more often than not, in completely different stages of life. Even more so while in college. You may have some people with kids. Some people who don’t want to be in school. Some people who simply don’t give a shit. Some people who live, breathe, and eat school. Some people who only have time outside of school to work to pay for school. We may just genuinely not be able to find the time in our schedule to commit to meeting with and/or collaborating with others on something we may do a way better job with on our own.
This semester, I enrolled in 5 classes. Of those 5 classes, 3 of them required group projects (one other class suggested it be done in groups but c’mon). Don’t get me wrong, some experiences are better than others. I had one group where we worked really well together. We all formed a plan (mostly because we were forced to submit one), met our deadlines and everyone was on the same page as far as getting it done for a decent grade. Another group is okay at best.. not as much structure but things are smooth for the most part. And then I have another team where I shit you not, I have not seen them once the entire semester (even though it’s a hybrid class where we meet once a week). There was a discussion board where we all just commented on a post to put ourselves in a group. I had tried many times to maybe meet up after class or meet outside of class one day when everyone could make some time and what do you think came out of that? I’ll tell you. The first portion of our work was almost due and I had been the only one working on it (despite me having 4 other classes to keep up with). No one bothered to bring anything up, no one offered to take part, NOTHING. We did have a group chat which is how we were barely staying in contact. But I’m amazed at how the semester is basically done, and so far, I’ve done all of the work and I don’t even know what these people look like. Is that not completely effed up!? Doing work for people who not only do I not know but have never even seen once. LMAO. That is so funny to me.
While we’re laughing, I’m reminded of a previous group project experience where we set a meeting time and when the day came and all but one showed, we messaged him and his response was “I’m currently burritoed in my blanket guys so I’m not gonna make it”. Kudos to this guy for his honesty.. but WTF!?
If anyone can relate at all as you’re reading this possibly very silly rant, I propose we join forces and form a coalition to ban group projects in colleges and universities nationwide from this day forward. We can call ourselves “The Anti-Group Project” Group. Oh, the irony.
W.
whitty lianne 