Ben Osborne

Well it’s that time again, that last push at the end of the semester. While finals are always at the top of most people’s minds, this stretch of time is also home to an equally stressful (but often overlooked) challenge: group projects. For many many years, I absolutely hated group projects. It’s always so hard trying to communicate, things almost never get done in a timely manner, and you can usually expect at least one person to drop the ball and not do any work whatsoever.

However, here in my senior year of college I think I’ve finally cracked the code on how to avoid this nightmare. Without further ado, here are the lessons I learned after fifteen years of group projects so that you don’t have to learn them for yourself.

Lesson 1: Talk, Talk, Talk

First things first – if you’re not talking, you’re probably doing something wrong. Don’t just rely on that group chat you made a month ago either Zoom call, or good old face-to-face chats are the secret sauce to successful teamwork. I’ve learned that the more groups talk, the better we understand each other, and the smoother things run.

Lesson 2: Know Who’s Doing What

Sometimes, clearly defining who’s doing what can be the only thing separating a well operating team from chaos. Even if every single team member is enthusiastic and knowledgeable on the material, not having a plan of attack can result in a ton of wasted time.

Here’s a good rule of thumb: if everyone is typing their own thing in a giant unorganized Google doc, you’re doing something wrong.

Lesson 3: Be a Shape-Shifter, Not a Control Freak

Projects rarely go exactly as planned, and that’s okay! Personally, I sometimes have trouble relinquishing control and just letting things happen, but trust me, adapting to unexpected twists and turns is far more rewarding than trying to control everything. Flexibility is your best friend in the world of teamwork.

Lesson 4: Don’t be Afraid to Have a Good Disagreement

Conflict is as inevitable in these sorts of things, but here’s the thing – conflicts can be good. I’ve learned that it’s not about avoiding arguments but navigating them constructively. A good team knows how to disagree, find common ground and come out stronger on the other side.

Lesson 5: Pop the Champagne for Wins, But Don’t Forget the Failures

When the team scores a win, it’s time to pop the metaphorical champagne, but let’s not forget the failures. Failures are the not-so-fun (but equally essential) part of the journey. I’ve discovered that learning from our misses is just as crucial as celebrating our hits.

So there you have it! Working in a group is like a crash course in life – it’s messy, unpredictable, but super rewarding when you get it right. From the importance of constant chatter to embracing the beautiful chaos, these lessons have not only improved my teamwork game but also made me better equipped for the challenges life throws my way. Here’s to the next group project – may it be as enlightening as the last!