We've all been there. The teacher announces a new project that is usually worth most of your grade. Then the utter shock and dismay you feel when you realize this project is an assigned group project.

Not just a group project, but an assigned one. Then you find out who the members in your group are: a nightmare!

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My personal experience with group projects has been, and I don't mean to be dramatic, devastating. Nobody's communicating, nobody's doing their part, and it feels like I am the only one contributing. It seems that everyone expects me to do everything for them, and sometimes that is exactly what happens because my grade depends on it.

Sure, letting a teacher know about your situation could help, but really, it can be embarrassing. If your group gets in trouble, which they should, then they will be mad at you for the remainder of the project, leading to less desire for communication. Or, the teacher does nothing at all, which is even more frustrating.

Here's the hardcore truth: sometimes you just have to deal with these people, and accept that they will be careless, whether you like it or not. The question is, how can you be the leader when no one will listen? It seems impossible, but it's not. Here are a few tips and tricks that will make your academic life so much easier when it comes to those dreaded group projects:

Set Clear Goals for Each Team Member

The first thing you need to as the leader of your group is to set clear goals for everyone involved. Everyone must have an assigned role at the beginning of each meeting to ensure equal distribution of the work. Let them know what you expect them to do, and clearly outline the goals of each role.

For example, list the three main roles to your group members:

1. Researcher: gathers information and collects data from online or textbooks, and then presents this research to the group.
2. Writer: writes the rough and final drafts (whether this be a presentation, essay, etc.) based on the researcher's information.
3. Organizer: schedules the group meetings and ensures proper communication. Keeps the meeting on track and keeps the work neat.

Then, have each team member volunteer for the role they want so they could feel a better sense of responsibility. Having them volunteer instead of forcing them will also ensure better cooperation, and help those careless members accept more accountability.

Depending on the size of your group, there may be more than one of each. And, you will find that the roles of each person will often need to change, when one role is needed less. It depends on the group's progress, and your evaluation that day. One meeting in a group of three might have two researchers and one organizer, and the next meeting might have two writers and one organizer, for example.

Furthermore, note that everyone is an editor, meaning that everyone must keep track of the quality of their own work and must be willing to give feedback on other's work when needed.

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Split the Assignment into Multiple Parts with Multiple Due Dates

A lot of group members will not contribute to the project until the very last minute, such as the night before it's due. This is frustrating for you and the rest of the group because you can't really edit what they wrote or see if they're doing it correctly. However, creating multiple due dates for the assignment will not stop these people from procrastinating, but it will allow you at least see their work before you all submit it to the teacher, because they will at least be motivated to complete each part by each due date, even if it's still at the last minute every time.

So, to do this, split the project into three or more parts. This can be something like the research, the first half of the rough draft, the second half of the rough draft, and the final draft (when the project is actually due according to your teacher).

Let's say your teacher gives you three weeks (21 days) to complete the project, and you split the project into the four parts I outlined above. Make the research due in 3 days. Allow 7 days for the first half of the rough draft, and another 7 days for the second half of the rough draft. Then the final draft will be due in 14 days, which is when the project is actually due.

Clearly state the due dates with your group, making sure that each team member understands that they must submit each part by its respective due date. No exceptions. Have the organizer mark the due dates in a calendar and have them remind the rest of the team the due dates frequently.

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Create Mandatory Group Meetings

Group members often won't take accountability because they assume no one will point out their lack of contribution. It's important for you, a pain that it is, to make sure that they know you are keeping track of their work. If they know someone is keeping tabs on them, they will make more effort to get their work done.

Set one to three mandatory group meetings, either in-person or over the phone/Facetime, during the course of the project. The amount of meetings you make depends on how long you have to turn in your work.

During the meeting(s), ask how everyone is doing and see if anybody needs help. Have the others ask questions if needed and ask questions yourself, too. Check everyone's progress, and if you see that someone has done basically nothing, and the project is due soon, point it out. Say something like:

• "Hey, name, the first half of the rough draft is due in two days, and I don't see any of your work. Do you need help with anything, or is there anything you are not clear on?"

Or, if this is your third or more time checking in on them, and they still haven't done anything, say something like:

• "Name, the final draft is due tomorrow, and you still haven't done anything. I have checked on you multiple times to see if you needed help, but you said no, so there should be no reason why you have nothing written down. Your lack of effort affects the rest of the group. I need you to finish your work right now. Please let me know if you need any help."

If you are more introverted, it's okay to say these things over text. As long as you're direct and polite (I know, annoying), your words should make an impact on them because they are going to feel embarrassed.

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When Team Members Still Refuse to Listen

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, team members just won't listen. Some of them simply don't care. Some do absolutely nothing in group projects.

This is often rare, because most people like getting good grades. However, if this does happen to you, and if the teacher won't help, be petty. You have the right to be petty.

First, make sure the project is all finished. Then, write everyone's names, with a description of their contribution next to their name. Yes, literally list who was responsible and who wasn't. Do something like this:

• Full Name: Contributed a little research, wrote a fair share of the rough draft, edited the final draft.
• Full Name: Contributed a lot of research, wrote a little bit of the rough draft, put together the final draft.
• Full Name: Designed the slides presentation, edited everyone's work.
• Full Name: Contributed nothing.

Don't forget to write a description for yourself, too.

Maybe the teacher won't care who exactly did what, but it is nonetheless embarrassing for that careless student who refused to do anything, especially if the group has to present the work to the class.

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Final Thoughts

Group projects can be annoying, especially when they're assigned. Sometimes you have to step up and be the leader, no matter how much your team members drive you crazy. Just remember to stay calm, professional, and breathe. As frustrating as it is, you can do it.