Group members not pulling their weight!

L&D4ME · Aug 31, 2005

Hey girl I know how you feel. I took the summer II Dev Psych fast track class and our final was to do a powerpoint presentation on a psychologist. Mind you I was 9 months pregnant at the time. I was paired up with a girl also expecting.

I told her I wanted to have the presentation done at least one week before so if either of us delivered, the other one would have the material.

She came up with every excuse not to be able to have it done on time. Like baby shower, friend flying into town, husband painting baby's room. Finally, I said forget it. I came up with the psychologist, did the work on powerpoint, did all the research, and all she did was do the presentation and gave me a couple of pictures to put in the presentation. I made a 100 and she got 100 just to present. Easy grade for her. :madface: I hope she has a hard time in her other classes to make up for this easy A.

Ok, I am taking chem...w/o giving specifics.
We had to get into groups & come up with a way to remember the polyatomic nomenclatures.
I was the only one doing anything in my group. I came up with a mnemonic for the abbreiviations, but nothing to help remember the charges. (The other group members just stared at their papers, and kept giggling back and forth...."I can't think of anything." OK, I realize that sometimes it is hard to come up with things like that, but at least be saying words, be writing like you're trying to come up with something........anything that makes it look like you're at least trying to help!
So, when it was "our" group's time to say our mnemonic, I said, "Well, I'll go ahead and say what I came up with."
Then, in lab, I felt like I had to lead, ask the questions, etc for our group or NOTHING would get done.
I was hoping to get people that could help me, and here I feel like I'm doing everything.
...And these people are pre-med student.
PUUUUUULLLLLEASE! :angryfire
I just need to vent!!! I don't want to be a $*!, but I can't do all the work to give everyone 300 points for labs & presentations. I do the work, they pass the class. They understand the book work, plus get an easy 300 points from me doing the work, they pass the class, I may/or may not.
Am I just being a big whiney baby here? Luckily this class is only 8 weeks. I just know I'm not going to sit back and giggle b/c I can't think of anything to do that our group has been assigned. I have to do the leg work, or it's my grade in jeopardy!
ok.....I feel better now that I have that off my chest!.
OHHHHH, and if you are in my chem class, and in my group, ya need to chip in some of the leg work, b/c this isn't a free ride. ty

Fun2, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2005

Maybe she is getting a double dose of diaper duty! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

stpauligirl · Aug 31, 2005

Congratulations, you show wonderful leadership skills which will take you far in your future career. I know how annoying it is if people don't pull their own weight but trust me....you will come out the winner, no doubt. In the end you do everything for YOUR grade. YOU will be the one who will get spot in nursing school, and later the job. The world depends on YOU.....the others are lost if not out right gone without YOU because you are doing all the learning. Med school??? They have to pass everything first. Don't get intimidated.

I felt the same way about people in my Sociology class. We had to do a research project. I felt like everything was put on my shoulders....but guess who had the big fat A in the end...none of them did. Last semester I felt someone constantly took advantage of me in my Chem lab, and once again I had the better grade in the end. Don't matter how frustrating it gets....remember you do it for you, and you alone in the end. HANG IN THERE!!!!

LKG6 · Aug 31, 2005

...And these people are pre-med student.
PUUUUUULLLLLEASE! :angryfire

Do you think they will get in and go through med school?

Do you want to talk to your instructor about your situation?

Katie

Fun2, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2005

Well, they are pre-med students.....that doesn't mean a thing. lol

I'm glad others are understanding on this.....I almost expected a lashing....lol

I really don't want to say anything to the instructor because he probably sees it. I ask 95% of the questions in the class, I ask 100% of the questions in my group, and I am the most outspoken. (Which is very strange as to how shy I really am!) lol

I know that someone will stop them even if it's in med school.....they can't be free-loaders and expect to become doctors.

Micci · Aug 31, 2005

Social Loafing. People have a tendency to socially loaf when they are put in groups, in which the outcome is not solely dependant on their performance. When there is a group and nobody but you is taking initiative, then just assign them something. Say, "Alright, I am going to work on this part of the project, who wants to team up with me. OK Jane and I are going to do this part, and could you both do the other part. If we all do the work, it will go faster and be some easy points toward our grade in the class." Sometimes people will stop loafing and get with it, if they feel that everyone will suffer for their inaction. Also, everyone is not a natural leader and will wait for direction. I am naturally a leader (or bossy, if you ask my sisters) and that is what I did when people were not taking charge during Bio labs. I also try to sit near older adults, because they tend to be more serious about their work and we have more in common.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Aug 31, 2005

You really need to talk to your instructor. It's not fair for one person to pull the weight.

This is why i hate groups.

lalajenn · Aug 31, 2005

I don't think you are being whiny at all. I would be furious if I was going through that. I would tell the teacher too though about it. I can't stand having to do all of the work while other people are goofing off. Just very annoying. Today was our first Chem lab and it seems like I have a good lab partner. Good luck!

Fun2, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2005

While I don't mind helping, or nudging someone one to come up with the correct answers, I don't want to do everything.

If it continues, I may say something to the instructor.

I don't like group work either. No one is as serious about my education than I am! :banghead:

ughhhh 7 more weeks to go. :uhoh3:

BoonersmomRN · Sep 1, 2005

I hear you Fun2Care!

Back when I took Molecular Biology we were in groups of 4. Of my 4 only 1 was " semi-interested" in what we were doing. The other 2 sat there and chewed gum all lab long. They'd ask for the results and then walk out. Well 3 weeks in I said that's ENOUGH. I went to the Prof. and basically said my eudcation is important to me...I need lab partners that participate. She moved me.....in the end run I wound up w/ 1 other person...but that person is now a good friend. DO NOT let other people slack off and bring you down.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Sep 1, 2005

Thanks BoonersMom. (and...I hope you're feeling better!) :)

I hear you Fun2Care!
Back when I took Molecular Biology we were in groups of 4. Of my 4 only 1 was " semi-interested" in what we were doing. The other 2 sat there and chewed gum all lab long. They'd ask for the results and then walk out. Well 3 weeks in I said that's ENOUGH. I went to the Prof. and basically said my eudcation is important to me...I need lab partners that participate. She moved me.....in the end run I wound up w/ 1 other person...but that person is now a good friend. DO NOT let other people slack off and bring you down.