How can I deal with having to work with lazy people?

Question

I am in college doing a group project with 4 other people.The other people in my group dont come to class half the time, and I keep asking and making suggestions as to who cover what during our presentation. It is a short chapter of a book we have to report on, and I could very easily do it all myself.Should I just write the whole report and do all the talking during the presentation? This counts for 10% of our grade for the course!No one has done any preparation, it is kind of hard when no one comes to class.The professor is quite arrogant and unapproachable.

Answer 1

Do it yourself, don't let the lazies drag your grade down. You'll encounter lazies in the workplace in your later years too. People ask my boss how many people work for him. His reply? "About half of them."

Answer 2

Tell the professor what's going on. Tell the other kids in the group not to bother even standing up or showing up for the presentation. If they protest, then say "ok well if you want any credit for this then help me!" You have to talk to the professor, as arrogant and unapproachable as they may be, they at least need to know that you are having trouble getting your group to do any work, and perhaps ask to switch to a new group if you can.

Chances are the professor is haivng you all do a group project so that you can learn how to work with others in the real world. And when you have a job, not everyone's going to pull their weight. Whichever you think will be the more valuable lesson to the group (either the lesson that if you don't do the work then someone else will, or the lesson being to each his own), then do that.

Answer 3

Even if the professor is unapproachable, you still need to inform them that the members of your group aren't pulling the weight that they should be. Don't ask for there help or suggestions, TELL the professor that you will be doing the project on your own, and do so. It's up to you if you want to tell the other people in your group what your doing, I would tell just to give them a chance to get there own projects done, and to avoid an awkward moment when the professor asks you to present your project, and they all stand up to go with you.

Answer 4

This will go against your grain, I am sure, but I would write out their parts and have them read them at presentation time. In a workplace situation in the future, that is what you will have to do. There are times in life when it is not about being right. It is just about that 10% of the grade, and that is all. If the professor is as unapproachable as you say, I would just do that and move on with getting an education, although others choose not to learn.

Answer 5

Make sure you do the project as chances are your partners will be unprepared. Send an email to your professor letting him know you aren't getting any cooperation collaberating with fellow students. Don't expect a response but he may take this into consideration when grading. I hate partner projects. You never know who will do their fair share or if they will even do their part. Unfortunately, you don't have a choice in the matter. You need the grade. Do what you have to. The others will get theirs when the time comes and they have to do their term papers and final exams. Those are NOT partner oriented. Good Luck!

Answer 6

I would, if unable to approach the others in a group, write them a note stating that you care, it's your grade that will suffer, they NEED to get it together and work as a team with you to finish the project. If that doesn't work, I'd do it myself give copies to the others, brief them and hope for the best, if it has to be presented by all, make sure the others are prepared. If uncooperative still, I'd do what I had to and turn it in and tell the truth. Document your efforts too.

Answer 7

yes thats what i would do. in fact i wish i had done that, i just did my half of the work and let the other girl do her half. big mistake. even though i knew what i was talking about and she didn't the project was still ruined cause the teacher was asking us questions that she should have known and we were like "i dont know" what a disaster. we got a f**** C+ for the project. so do the work and get an A and then when its done complain to the teacher, they will see you did the work and give them a lower grade. not worth falling with them

Answer 8

The main problem with this is the presentation is to be a group effort and the grade is passed out to the group.
Take note of everything you do if you feel that you have no choice but to do it your self.
Your friends are not fooling anyone, especially not your tutors, believe me, they will be found out.
Just make it clear that unless they are willing to take their part in the presentation they will be on their own the next time.

Answer 9

unfortunately you seem to be between a rock and a hard place. since this is a group project and it affects your grade then i suggest you take pride in the project and take charge of the parts of those who are slack and when they come up with a last minute crunch of ideas then tell them no thanks i took it upon myself to finish this project since you were out this day and that day and by the way i didnt appreciate being forced to be in this position by i be dang if you put your unreferenced two cents in on something i worked this hard on. and by the way....i am the one who referenced this out,studied it and i too will present it before the class since you have no clue what is going on! it is killing 2 birds with one stone. 1) you know the concept will be a good one qand the work will be up to your standard because you did it 2) you will have the opportunity to politely let them know that you dont appreciate being forced to do it pretty much alone .

and for the teacher... you would be surprised at what teachers notice! bring it to his/her attention that you are being forced to carrry most of the load because he/she put you in a group of slackers and even if the teacher acts like a jerk once your statement is made that person will bhe forced to think about it and may even help you out.

Answer 10

ugh, I had this happen in college. What I did is I ended up writing the whole thing myself & I didn't not put their names on the paper. One admitted to the professor they were unable to help (they had a medical reason so the professor let them do their own project). Not sure what happened with the others.

Answer 11

confront your group members and handle it. as much as you dont want to, it's a good experience. I can't tell you how many times after college i answered interview questions about how i worked in groups, how i handled sour situations, and what I did when something like this happened. The best way to find out is to tackle the issue yourself! Probably not what you want to hear, but you'll be glad you did it. honesty is the best policy! good luck!