Anyone else hate group projects?

[citylights89]

I know this topic has been posted already in the past, but I just had to rehash it. It seems like they are an unavoidable part of school that everyone has to go through and sometimes it doesn't go smooth. What I hate is when the group decides to wait until the last minute prepare and complete the assignment when I'm asking earlier "Shouldn't we need to meet now?" so it won't be rushed. But they say "No" and I end up forgetting about it until the time gets closer, even though I am thinking "We need to be working on that!". Then they are all like "We need to do this, this, and this by this time! Can you meet at some inconvenient time and place? Blah blah. We don't care about your plans or schedule because this needs to be done! Turn in your stuff as soon as possible, preferably tonight." Its as if my time is less valuable than theirs. I'm tired of this. Next time I need to put my foot down and say "Listen, we better start meeting now and getting our work done because I am not going to have ya'll clog up my weekend because it was decided to wait until the last minute." It never goes well and people get way too agitated. I like to take my time on things, not doing a mad dash to the deadline because other people wanted to and make me look like I'm the bad guy (well girl really). I'm tired of bending over backward to accommodate others time and feel like I still get ****** in the end.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I have been in the same group all semester. We have the anal retentive everything must be perfect girl, the girl who doesnt give a rats behind about anything, and then there is me that works well under pressure and likes to wait. Yeah, how is that for a group dynamic ha ha. I dont know how we ever get anything done but we do.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

I really think group work is a waste of time, unless the goal is to add additional stress to already stressed-out people. I am 40 years old and I am experienced at working with people by now. Even the young students are all adults - we should all know by this point in our lives how to work as a team.

Agree. I've worked professionally before, and nursing is my second career. In no way, shape, or form does group work in an academic setting look or feel like working with people in a professional setting.

Why instructors think it does prepare a student for the "real world" baffles me to no end.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

I have been in the same group all semester. We have the anal retentive everything must be perfect girl, the girl who doesnt give a rats behind about anything, and then there is me that works well under pressure and likes to wait. Yeah, how is that for a group dynamic ha ha. I dont know how we ever get anything done but we do.

This made me laugh. Your group is a hot mess! But you manage to get 'er done.

Still a hot mess, though.

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

A group project wouldn't be so bad if you could pick the group. We are always assigned. On our last project one girl actually emailed me her part THE DAY IT WAS DUE! She also used Wikipedia as her source. Like some others have said, nursing is a second career for me and group projects DO NOT help you understand how to function in the "real world".

[2ndyearstudent, CNA]

Group projects suck.

[thatsthekeyRNC]

I'm so glad I saw this post because this semester has been the worst for group work and right now I'm in the middle of a group PAPER. It has to be the most frustrating experience I've ever had in a group, especially since we did not get to choose groups. I've been trying to take control to get everyone to do their part, but someone always says "well I think we all need an opinion on this". It's impossible for us all to get together to work on it at the same time - it needs to be split up and then put together. It's due next week and I have no idea where we stand at this point. The only good part is that we do get to do an evaluation of each student, but I'd still like the paper to be good overall, not have obvious strong and weak sections.

It sucks because professors always use that excuse "you'll have to work in a group in the real world", so there is no way to get out of it. I'd honestly rather write this 20 page paper alone...I'd be done with it by now.

[citylights89, BSN, RN]

I'm so glad I saw this post because this semester has been the worst for group work and right now I'm in the middle of a group PAPER. It has to be the most frustrating experience I've ever had in a group, especially since we did not get to choose groups. I've been trying to take control to get everyone to do their part, but someone always says "well I think we all need an opinion on this". It's impossible for us all to get together to work on it at the same time - it needs to be split up and then put together. It's due next week and I have no idea where we stand at this point. The only good part is that we do get to do an evaluation of each student, but I'd still like the paper to be good overall, not have obvious strong and weak sections.

It sucks because professors always use that excuse "you'll have to work in a group in the real world", so there is no way to get out of it. I'd honestly rather write this 20 page paper alone...I'd be done with it by now.

I feel you on that one. We didn't have to write a 20 page paper, but last fall there was this group project that caused all sorts of loads of drama and I was caught in the middle of the bickering of 2 members. We had to go the instructor and give our sides of the story. I was the neutral party but it was a mess and we still had work to do when what seemed like a court room argument session was over. Why in the world would they make a group paper? People have different writing styles and if editing isn't done correctly, it would be easy to see in the paper when the authors changed. Not a good look. Granted, we have less projects that what we did that first semester, but its still more than I care to do. I think we've did enough. I rather work on my clinical skills and have extra time to study and read, not figure who's gonna do what by when.

[pinkfluffybunny]

I hate group projects, or group simulations. I hate them even more when I don't get to pick the people that I have to group with. I understand that we have to learn to do things with ppl that we may or may not like, and this may be the underlying reason that they torture us with this but, I spend enough time with ppl that I can't stand in class and in clinicals. I really want to spend time with them outside of class.

[AddisonLawrence03]

I hate group projects b/c there is always someone in the group who is a know-it-all and wants to be in control of everything, and tries to make everyone else feel stupid.

[thatsthekeyRNC]

Why in the world would they make a group paper? People have different writing styles and if editing isn't done correctly, it would be easy to see in the paper when the authors changed. Not a good look. .

This exactly! Now whoever ends up editing it will basically have to re-write parts of it to make it sound coherent and continuous. I understand that research articles and books often have multiple authors and that relates to the "real world" aspect, but I just wish my group was more dependable I guess. I'm very concerned and hoping my own hard work will pay off because it's 30% of our grade!

[Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN]

I have a group project coming up next month in Psychology. I haven't had to do this since high school, so I'm not really looking forward to it. I wouldn't mind if I could get grouped with others who take the class as serious as I do, but I feel like everyone likes joking around and just doesn't care...they're always surfing the web, texting, taking calls during lecture or talking among each other. I just dread the pairings.

[aachavez]

ive always hated group projects. I dont like the idea that MY grade depends on the work of someone else. It might end up ok, but it might not. I'll take care of myself thankyouverymuch.