Ask Jasmine: Seven Ways to make group work less painful

Posted on Monday, December 5th, 2016

I hate working in groups – there are too many personalities and there’s always someone who doesn’t pull their weight! But my courses involve a lot of group work. How do I deal with this?”

Group work is challenging, no doubt about it. Students often come away from group projects feeling like other members have not contributed enough. Difficulties with planning and managing time, and allocating responsibility often leave students feeling frustrated and resentful.

You might not like it, but professors assign group work for a number of important reasons. Gaining exposure to group work while you are still in college provides a great opportunity to learn how to effectively collaborate, give and receive feedback, and manage potential conflicts. These are skills that will undoubtedly benefit you in your future career.

Group work also allows you to share different perspectives and learn from your diverse peers. Effective groups engage in open discussions that respectfully challenge each other’s beliefs and assumptions. This is what college is for! These experiences will help you to develop stronger communication and critical thinking skills.

The next time you find yourself working in a group, try to use the following tips:

1. Create a supportive atmosphere

You are all in this together so make sure that people feel included and valued. Positive feedback is great! This will help to strengthen the group rather than weaken it if challenges arise.

2. Listen and acknowledge

You can do this by paraphrasing and summarizing what they’ve told you. If everyone feels heard they will be more invested in the project, increasing your chances of success.

3. Set clear objectives

Make sure each group member has an understanding of their role and specific responsibilities. Write it all down and review this each time you meet in order to assess progress.

4. Be prepared to meet halfway

You can’t be part of an effective group without compromising.

5. Have open conversations

If a group member is not pulling their weight, be prepared to express your concerns. Start by being empathetic and supportive. Try this: “I know you’re really stressed about school right now, but I’m feeling a bit anxious because I don’t have your slides yet for the presentation. Could you send them to me today?”

6. It’s about the journey

Remember that the professor is not only interested in the final product. The process itself is a learning experience that is going to help prepare you for your future career. Treasure this time as an opportunity to practise for the real world!

7. Make an appointment

If you are interested in speaking with a counsellor about improving your interpersonal skills, make an appointment with one of the counsellors at your campus.


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