How to Work in a Group for a College Project

If you are in college, and let’s face it, you probably are if you are on a dorm supply website, you have a lot of assignments to take care of. Many assignments and projects you get assigned in college are to be done by yourself, but sometimes you have to work in a group. Here are some tips to make sure that your experience working in a group is great and not a nightmare.

1. Make sure everyone in their group knows their role

There are many different roles in a group, and if people do not know what their job is, it might not get done. No matter what is needed: research, a presentation, or some other special task, make sure there is somebody to fill that role. Optimally, the task someone is performing should match pretty well to their skill set. For example, a good public speaker will be a better presenter.

2. Make sure there is a leader

This kind of follows the first point, but a leader is a special role in a group. You might be thinking ‘yeah, that sounds like the perfect role for me, I get to do no work and tell people what to do.’ A leader that acts like that is a poor one. The leader must make sure that everyone is on task, and even pick up tasks that nobody else is doing. They need to be the ones that keep the group together, set a good example and organize everything.

3. Organize and plan

This may seem obvious, but make sure that you have everything well organized. With some many people working together, communication and order may be lost. Have the contact information for every member of the group: cell number, email, etc. Set deadlines for certain tasks and decide as a group when something is finished.

Have a schedule of when to meet and where, whether it be a classroom, conference room or dorm room. A dorm room might be hard to meet in without a white board. Dorm Co can help in that case with our Wall Wizard – Dry Erase. Plan everything in the comfort of your dorm with this dry erase that come in sizes from 5 feet to 40 feet, not inches, feet. Check out our Wall Wizard Dry Erase.

4. Keep on task

It can be easy to become friends with group members. You may go out on a Friday with them and when the group meets, just blab. It is important, however, to stay on track when meeting. Unless you do not mind sitting for hours and getting nothing done, the meetings should be structured. Make sure that everyone brings what needs to be brought, and the meeting can go smoothly.

5. Make sure the group is cohesive

Finally, although there is the danger of getting nothing done because of socializing, the opposite may be worse. If you and your group do not get along, it might be hard to get the job done. If there is a problem with group members, do something to fix it, you can change groups, remove those who are slacking, etc. The group needs to be cohesive. Even one person not doing their part can take away from the end product.

Follow the tips above and you will be on your way to a successful group project. As long as everyone does their part by putting the time and effort into the project, there is a good grade in your future.