Has it ever happened that your groupmates don’t collaborate? I’m sure it has. In this article, I’ll address this topic, which, by some miracle, doesn’t cause fatalities every year (for now).
If your groupmates aren’t collaborating, the first thing you need to do is identify why. If it’s because they are shy, approach them and start a conversation. If they lack the necessary skills, help them understand the topic. If it’s a free-rider, set a limit.
Keep reading, and I’ll explain in more detail what to do in each case.
The Irritability of an Infamous Injustice
This is a topic that stresses out many students, and I’m sure that if you’re reading this, it’s because you’re currently very concerned about it.
Take a deep breath, relax, and let’s start addressing this problem with some strategies to try to find a solution.
In college, having a study group is important. But most of the time, forming a group is an unrealistic goal. This leads to you ending up in a group with people who do nothing (one, in the best case).
Suddenly, all the responsibility falls on you.
Whether it’s a practical assignment or a presentation, you realize you’ll have to do everything, and maybe, with luck, one of your classmates might help. All of this seems unfair and frustrates you. I completely understand. We’ve all been there at some point.
First, let’s look at where the problem comes from.
The Annoying Obligation of Teamwork
From early education, we are taught to team up. By the time we reach higher education, whether in high school or college, this is emphasized even more. And it’s no surprise, as humans are social beings, and no matter what profession you choose, you’ll have to deal with people. That’s completely true.
But it always happens in university that after forming a work team, one person disappears, another promises things they never deliver, and other group members simply don’t collaborate.
However, when it’s time to submit the completed assignment, everyone wants their name on the cover page.
Do professors see this? Do they understand the torment of the person who takes on all the responsibilities? Do they realize how unfair it is?
In my opinion, they know and don’t care. Grouping students into teams saves on educational costs. It’s easier to grade 7 assignments than 35. Simple as that.
But I won’t go into more detail here because I could get off track. Let’s move on to possible solutions.
What to do if your groupmates don’t collaborate?
Now, let’s address possible solutions. Since I know this issue frustrates you, I can almost read your thoughts. But no, you cannot and should not resort to physical or verbal violence.
I believe there are different ways to approach the problem, depending on the attitude of the uncooperative teammate.
First, you need to determine why they’re not collaborating. It could be one of the following reasons:
- They don’t understand the subject matter
- They are antisocial or shy
- They are freeloaders
Let’s see what’s best to do in each case.
When your teammate wants to collaborate but doesn’t have enough skills
If the uncooperative teammate has a lower level than the others and struggles to grasp the subject matter, the right thing to do here is to act like a soldier helping a wounded comrade in the middle of a battle. In other words, be supportive.
Take some time to explain the concepts they don’t understand. Additionally, the team could assign them tasks based on their level. This doesn’t mean giving them the task of typing up the work once it’s finished, but rather involving them in tasks that truly add value.
By doing all of this, you might gain an important ally—someone who, at some point, could be at your level and help you out.
When your teammate has difficulties with socialization
If their lack of collaboration is due to a lack of social skills, there’s nothing easier to fix. This can be resolved by building trust. A group meeting outside the educational setting can help.
Combining some study time with moments of relaxation can allow them to find common ground and gain confidence. Before you know it, they will be a part of the group and won’t hesitate to speak up and contribute or take on tasks without being asked.
When your teammate is a freeloader
The worst-case scenario is having a teammate who doesn’t collaborate and is a freeloader.
If you notice they’re not doing anything for their benefit, or if they always take the easiest tasks, then you’re dealing with a freeloader and a bad teammate.
If you find out that, in addition to doing nothing, they’re excelling in other subjects or taking more courses than you in college, and doing well, put a stop to it.
Never let anyone build their academic career at the expense of your work. In high school, you could talk to your teachers to clear things up. But university is different from high school. In university, you’re on your own (though there are some universities that are the exception).
How to put a freeloader in check
- By talking. Always talking! Although sometimes you need to be firm.
- Expose them in front of the rest. Hold a meeting and bring to light all the advantages they’ve been taking at the expense of your work and your teammates’. Seek support from others and demand that they commit.
- Threaten to kick them out of the group. It may be an empty threat, as some universities don’t care how groups are formed, but if you say it with enough conviction, they might believe it.
As the saying goes, better safe than sorry. That’s why it’s important to choose your group and form it with people who share the same values you have when it comes to studying.
A problem with no magic solutions
There’s not much more to say on this topic. I’m sorry I can’t offer you a magic solution for when your groupmates don’t collaborate.
The best thing you can do is form a group with people you already know to avoid these situations.
If you’re already dealing with this problem, I’m sending you all the energy and good vibes so you can overcome it somehow.
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