Check out my progress on Groupwork Gripes
Group projects. Few words could strike such utter despair in my heart. Perhaps due to current trends in higher education or maybe just the good fortune of particularly cruel professors, I have been blessed with not one, not two, but three group projects this semester alone. My experiences in these groupwork settings have served to only reinforce my feelings toward them—I loathe them entirely.
Ever since high school, I have shuddered at the mention of group projects. It is not that I am resistant to collaborative work in general; rather it is the inevitable social loafing that occurs in group projects. Apparently, I must wear my type A neuroses on my sleeve because I seem to attract a certain profile of student when forming groups for classwork. I am sure it comes as no surprise that I am a little, shall we say, Anal Annie when it comes to completing assignments—I like them to be completed in an organized and timely manner, and I also insist that they be grammatically sound, of course. As I’ve discovered over the years, not everyone operates this way. Let’s just say that this semester alone, I’ve been stood up and written an entire “group” report by myself—twice.
With all that said, I realize that working in groups is a part of life, and I will have to learn to cope with its annoyances. Flexibility and collaboration are skills I have yet to master;)
How do you feel about groupwork? Love it or loathe it?
My gripe session occurs today of all days because my agenda included mucho groupwork, with a presentation in the morning and preparation for another one in the afternoon. Plus, I turned in a paper this morning too. Needless to say, I am ready for some relaxation time. I know no better way to unwind than to talk about food…
While reviewing my presentation notes this morning, I enjoyed a big bowl of Banana-Coconut Breakfast Pudding, formerly known as Banana-Coconut Blender Cereal. I decided to re-name the dish this morning because it’s just so…pudding-like. I likes it. A lot.
For lunch, I made a big batch of Avocado Hummus. Really, it was just another excuse to indulge in my favorite flavor combination of late—avocado and chickpeas, that is.
Once dinnertime rolled around, I decided to try my hand at homemade salad dressing. This one was inspired by a white bean-walnut bruschetta recipe I’ve always enjoyed. I used similar ingredients to transform the flavor into salad form. I simply blended walnuts, Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, basil, oregano, & a little stevia for sweetness. ‘Twas delish.
Alright, chill-time is officially ON. Ta-ta for now, lovelies.
PS If you’re interested in learning more about the Eco-Clamshell program, check out our video.
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I’ve been plagued by group projects this semester as well
My groups members ALL live on campus, in the same dorm; and so that leaves ME to have to commute to meet with them. Oh and they wanted to meet tonight at 11:00pm (!!!)… um NO!! I put my foot down and told them no.
Alright, now I’m all riled up, haha
I hate group projects. I *would* like them if my group members did any work that was somewhat beneficial to whatever our project is. I usually become the leader and tactfully assign roles, depending on what everyone’s strengths/weaknesses are. So far I’ve had success with that, but I usually still have to “clean up” the end results so we can get an A. >>
HELLO PEOPLE. IT’S CALLED A WORK ETHIC AND COMMON SENSE. god damn it
I’m as riled as VeggieGirl now.
Pretty much hate group work. I am totally type A and have a tendency to be a bit of a control freak so me and delinquent group members don’t really mix!
Oh I hate group projects! The one time I let someone else do the last look-over before handing it in, I was apalled when I got the final project back and saw the changes he made. I can’t believe what low standards some college students have! Plus it’s impossible to get the whole group together usually. BUT, I did have an amazing partner (similarly Type A) for one project and it made me love group work! So I guess it’s not group work in general, it’s the people in the group…
… I’m sure you’ll need it!
Good luck with yours
I definitely need to try avocado hummus and making my own salad dressing!
Uhh if you’re anal Annie then I’m controlling Casey…seriously lol I don’t like group projects either!
I am not a big fan of group projects either – they take forever an I dont learn as much! Love the avocado hummus – two amazing food combined!
I hate group projects!
I don’t trust other people in doing stuff right, too many times they have failed me. I prefer to do things on my own
I just hate group project! there’s always someone who doesn’t do the work, always long hours of useless discussions! oh.. mine! I’m glad i’m done with school projects!!!
I empathise so much. It seems to be fate that the hard-working individuals inevitbly get paired with the slackers. Like you, I have single-handedly had to rescue group projects in the past and it makes me furious that those who put no effort into it at all leech all of the life and soul from those who do, coast along and then get the same darn mark at the end of it as those who have busted their butts off to drag the project/presentation up to the highest grade.
There was one partiuclar project which actually drove me to the point of a nervous breakdown: I ended up in the lecturer leading the module’s office, crying hysterically. And he docked me marks for it, because apparently I needed to ‘grow a pair.’ Not the most appropriate words from a University Lecturer, I know. I’m bad enough in social situations as it is with my social anxiety disorder, let alone with the added problem of grades (which I am also somewhat anal about).
Add another girl to your ‘I’m riled about this’ list
I think group projects are unfair, unnecessary, and only cause heartache for everyone. I have NEVER met anyone who likes them.
~Jess~
I don’t mind groupwork as long as everyone in the group is equally enthusiastic about whatever project is at hand. That said, throw in a slacker or two and I go nuts.
Also, just read your post on dressing. I’m the same way
I love Annie’s green goddess dressing but I’ve lately started making my own which is fresher tasting and downright yummy! 
I make a version of John Robbins’ green dressing (basically parsley, lemon juice, EVOO – blend)
Great dressing! Bookmarking.
I hate group work. I’m wildly competitive, solitary, and tend to assume that people are unintelligent until proven smart, which isn’t a great group project equation.
I actually used to like group projects, as long as I got a good group! As a communications major, I had a group project in almost every class. They usually turned out to be fun, and I made some new friends in the process!
I am another one who hates group work/projects. I am very similar to you regarding the organization and expecting that my peers will work on a neat and timely manner, and I also have ended up having to do most of the work by myself more than once.
Working as a team is actually great, but it seems that some people only do it well when they are in a work environment and they need to assure their paycheck at the end of the week/month.
I have got to try that breakfast pudding, I love pudding texture and it looks so delicious on your bowl, as does the hummus with avocado, will make that one too!
Ana
Aw I’m with veggiegirl and mitri! I have 4 group projects due right now… its insane and its in grad school- I mean seriously- we are all adults with full-time jobs ( I have two!) and other classes. We know we need to work well with others but cmon its not the school’s job to do that. The problem most of the times is SCHEDULING not social communication skills. Meh. Gripe.
We have a video counseling session on monday and wednesday next week, a video project on lyme disease due on thursday, a video project for a diabetic clinic, and a mock counseling interview. I mean hello?!!? The school doesn’t even have that many cameras for everyone! Haha
Glad you’re in my group. Seriously. What would I do without you to back up my frustration? I’m glad Anal Annie put together our power point slides or else we’d have a mess of bamboo plates and g-chat dialogue in them.
group <3
Like you, I always hated group projects. I wouldn’t necessarily describe myself as Type A, but I I am very “fair-minded” and always hated that I did more work that others in the group. I quickly learned in the business world that nothing is fair and some people work their butts off while others slack off, yet no one seems to recognize the hard workers!
I’ve always hated group projects for the same reason as you. I felt like I was working overtime and people were getting a free ride. Glad you’re done with 2 of them already (even if you had to do them yourself).
i am with you. i HATE group work. it makes us over achievers bitter
I am not a fan of group work. I am far too much of a control freak- I want things done my way on my time. Hehe. I definitely work best alone.
Love the new name for blended cereal! Have you tried it with Chia seeds too? I found and made a recipe recently that was basically bran flakes, soy milk, chia and cinnamon blended and mixed with raisins. SO GOOD!
I was never a fan of group work, unless it was a simple and straightforward project where everyone’s individual work was clear. Alas, this was not often the case!
That breakfast pudding looks incredible!
Depending on who I am working with – I would usually prefer to work independantly. I am a procrastinator and I know that people hate that “type” to work with, but I also feel like I don’t work to my potential unless I’m under stress. Although, give me a deadline and I’ll meet it!
ha, also was not a fan. unless i had an especially excellent group (my best friends all tend to be about as ‘anal annie’ as i am
).
i love making salad dressings – i usually improvise! i just pick a vinegar, usually use olive oil (but sometimes sesame or something for an asian-style meal), then add various combos of any of the following:
ginger, honey, salt, pepper, soy sauce, mustard, other spices
i like annie’s too but my own concoctions are better!
I am not the biggest fan of group projects either. I may have some issues with being a perfectionist and over controlling.
I need to make some avocado hummus again – it was so good!