Students know of the trials of group projects. You are all put into a group of about three, you divide up the work and then you end up doing almost all the work. It is not fair, but teachers say they cannot do anything about it. I think that this has to stop.
Teens are old enough now to know that a group project is an example of teamwork. The basic idea of teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision or product. It is the ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organized objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results and sadly, teens just do not do that very often.
I am not saying that teens are incapable of joining together and producing a beautiful project, but it usually turns out that one person does most of the work. If we could solve that issue, group projects would not be such a dreaded task to the everyday high school student.
For the people that do most of the work on the project, you feel like it has to be perfect. You know that everyone in the group will get the same grade and that alone motivates you to try and do it all by yourself. More often than not, you end up working with someone who does not care about the grade they get. One way you can fix this is by standing up for yourself, tell your group members that you aren’t going to do all the work and they have to help. Go to the teacher if you have to, they can at least reprimand your group members. Another thing: if you are allowed to pick your partners, pick someone who you know will help with the work. They may not be your friend, but they will help with what has to be done.
This goes out to those group members that know their fellow group member is doing most of the work: get your act together. I get it, you had a long day, lots of homework, you are tired, they’re willing to do the work, why bother? Wrong. They do it because they want a good grade, as should you, so get off your high horse and do something. Look up some information, help put it together, make suggestions, anything. I am sure the person you are talking to can wait.
I know I sound like I am being mean and harsh, but I need to put it out there. This is overlooked in so many cases and it is a serious matter for a lot of students. So all of you try and remember what you were taught in elementary school: it is all about teamwork.
— By Morgan Yigdal