How do you handle lazy lab partners?

sweetbeet · Jul 20, 2007

I've had this happen to me this term. We had to pair up with the entire table (4 of us). Two of us are nursing majors and this is a required and important course for us. The other two are an elementary ed major and a sports management (???!!!) major. They were rushing through stuff, not following directions, moving ahead without us, just didn't give a rat's orifice. After our first lab, my nursing lab buddy and I talked after the class and planned our attack. We told the other two outright that we need this class and are not going to screw around and if they didn't like it, they could find other partners. We all had to agree to work together and pull our weight. Well that went over like a ton of bricks so we talked with our instructor and she had no problem with me and my nursing lab partner to just pair off. We have more work to do between the two of us, but we both know how important this is and are doing much better.

Good luck.

misserlizzer · Jul 20, 2007

The teacher's I've had WANT to know if a partner isn't pulling weight. Can't hurt to mention something.

misserella8036 · Jul 20, 2007

I always end up with crazy people. One used to take her dogs pain meds and eat whole chocolate cakes before class, and the other accused everyone of cheating off her and would stand up and scream at everyone. :uhoh21: :uhoh3:

casi, ASN, RN · Jul 20, 2007

I normally put my foot down, and take over the division of work. When a lab partner has that lost and confused look on their face I jump in and offer help right away.

justme1972 · Jul 20, 2007

I had one of those this semester and I overheard another girl that had the same issue with her partner. We both went to the professor and were allowed to team up and the two "lazy folks" stayed together.

coolpeach · Jul 22, 2007

I usually have had really great lab partners. The first couple of science classes it might have been luck. I usually sit at one of the very front lab tables on the first. Maybe only serious students choose to sit in the front so my lab partners have been good ones.

After the first couple of science classes we all kept running into each other in the other classes, and chose to partner together there also.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2007

I have had good lab partners. On the first day of class, walking in, I scan the group like crazy and then sit next to the most responsible, smart looking person I can find. I'm sure this won't always work, but it has worked for me so far.

I have to disagree about talking with the professor, though. It just seems unprofessional to me, to talk to the prof about a bad partner. I would work it out on my own or even do all of the work myself. At least I would know it was done correctly if I did it all myself.

Just like employers don't want to hear about conflicts with co-workers (unless extreme) and want you to work it out, I don't think professors want to be involved in this kind of thing. JMHO.

4x4country · Jul 23, 2007

my question is a little different, how do you pick a partner and not a friend. I know a few people from preqs, and socialized really good with them. Since we are the only ones that know each other, we sit by each other, however, I am not comfortable with their strive for achievement. I love to learn about nursing, its my life, I strive to get straight A's. My friend, likes to goof off, and never cares about her grades, as long as she passes or gets a C. However, I really like her as a friend. I would like to get another lab partner however how do I tell her NICELY, since she just assumes that we are going to partner up. Plus, I would like to meet new people and friends. I dont want to make tension between us, but I also dont want to do all the work any suggestions?

coolpeach · Jul 24, 2007

4x4....

You could go in the first day, and find a table with only one seat left, and sit at it. Tell her later you didn't see her.

You could also tell her before hand that you consider her a really great friend, and don't want to ruin that by being lab partners. Explain to her that you generally don't get along with people you work with, and would hate to ruin your friendship with her.

sweetbeet · Jul 24, 2007

I have had good lab partners. On the first day of class, walking in, I scan the group like crazy and then sit next to the most responsible, smart looking person I can find. I'm sure this won't always work, but it has worked for me so far.
I have to disagree about talking with the professor, though. It just seems unprofessional to me, to talk to the prof about a bad partner. I would work it out on my own or even do all of the work myself. At least I would know it was done correctly if I did it all myself.
Just like employers don't want to hear about conflicts with co-workers (unless extreme) and want you to work it out, I don't think professors want to be involved in this kind of thing. JMHO.

I respect your opinion, but do disagree. We are students and I refuse to do all of the work on top of everything else I have to do. Why should my lazy lab partner get a good grade off of me! I definitely don't want that person to get ahead in the program on my skill and no their own.

coolpeach · Jul 24, 2007

In multicollinarity's defense.....

In all of my prior labs (Biology, Chemistry, A&P 1, A&P2, and Micro) each person had to turn in their own work even though they sometimes worked on the same cat, speciman, or project. This would mean that if someone didn't do something then they may not have the answers for their own paper unless you gave it to them. I know in Chemistry, and both A&P's we had quizzes at the end of each lab over what we did that day. If you didn't really do it or pay attention then you would get a bad quiz grade.

I am not sure I would complain to the professor either I would just do the work, and not share my answers with my lazy lab partner. In the end it will all be very clear to the professor when her lab work is incomplete, incorrect, and she fails her quizzes.

What will happen if you complain? All of my labs have been very full labs with every sit taken. The professor cannot just go up to someone else who has chosen a lab partner, and pull their partner, and switch them for your partner. She can talk to your partner about not being lazy, but I am not sure how much good that would do. It might also create more tension at your table without producing any affect. She cannot kick the student out of the class if they have paid, are not disrupting the class or cheating. We are all adults (or should be). There are a variety of reasons we might not get along with someone (we think they are...lazy, smelly, unattractive, too old, too young, abrasive, mean, rude, to bossy, maybe they want to do everything, odd, strange, the list could go on and on). I have had lab partners who I had to stand up to and say "Hey it's my turn". In my opinion they would have done everything if I would not have stood up and made them share lol (sort of the opposite problem you have).

Part of the learning process it learning to get along with all sorts of people (even difficult ones). I just feel this is one of those situations where you have to handle things yourself. If some of the class has dropped you could talk to someone who's lost a partner, and see if they would mind if you move then tell the professor your changing partners. You could talk to your partner or just do your work, and don't share answers with your partner, and let her stand on her own merit.