[Dark_Dreams]

I alone am responsible for my success and failures. I have accepted this for quite some time. However, there are times when we have to work in groups. One of the ways I assure that i am successful is I gather all the contributions, make sure it is all in order, clean anything up if necessary and then turn it in. This way I always know it was turned in on time and all the formatting and such are absolutely correct.

I am working in a group right now. The week started Tuesday and we have assignment due tomorrow at 9am. I emailed the group on Wednessday just checking in and trying to organize who would do what. No one responded. On Thursday I stated which part I would be doing and needed to know what other were doing. On Friday I again mentioned what i would be doing and that I would also go ahead and be the one to turn it in. I made it very clear that I needed all input by Monday at 8pm. I did receive one reply. She told me what she would be doing and the deadline was perfectly acceptable. However got nothing from the rest of the group. Sent another email Saturday again explaining when the material needed to be to me and to let the rest of the group know what parts were still not covered. I agreed to take an extra part because we have 5 parts but only 4 members. I still received no other replies but the one. Contacted instructor to verify these students had not dropped the class and to explain what was happening. She got back to me. This morning, she emailed the other group memebrs who had not replied earlier. About an hour later one member replied to me. I responded to her letting her know when I needed her stuff. She then sent me a reply 15 minutes ago telling me that she cannot meet the 8pm deadline.

So here I sit. I told her she needs to get it to me because other members of the group have already agreed and she has had plenty of time to do this. So do I wait for it and hope she gets it to me? I did tell her that i understand she has class till 9 but to get it to me by 10. Or do I just do her part and the other part that we do not have covered? It's not like I don't have anything else to do.

I hate working in groups. I may not be the best when it comes to time management but when it comes to stuff like this, I am aware that their grade hinges on my participation. It's one question for goodness sake. I have done 2 questions and all told it is right about 3 pages.

UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whine whine whine

[Nola22]

Dark, I totally understand your frustration and annoyance at the lack of collective effort and responsibility on the part of your fellow project participants. If I read your post correctly, you should have received that last student's contribution by now...so, have you? Or did you end up having to complete the assignment yourself?

I admire your strategy when it comes to ensuring success with group endeavors. I've often taken on extra work or helmed projects for the same reasons. I hope you get the excellent grade you deserve. Keep us posted!

[Dark_Dreams]

I should be in bed already. I have to be awake in 5 1/2 hours. No I have not received anything. Even the one person who said I would have her stuff by 8 have not sent anything. I am giving it 20 more minutes at which time I will send it what i have. The teacher is aware of the situation. She also knows that I have to have it turned in tonight since I have to commute to school. She is aware of my commute and the time I have to leave. It is due at 9am. I will send it by 11pm tonight. Turning it in 10 hours early is not early. Hell they have had a week to do this. It isn't like I don't have other **** to do.

I did not do their part. I did complete 3 of the 5 questions but I did that partially because there were 5 questions and only 4 people in the group. I chose to take the extra his go around. I also did the other once since apparently one group member is missing which means 5 questions for 3 people.

I will turn in what I have. Those who did not contribute will lose the points, not me. I have documentation of every email sent and when. If they ahve a problem they can take it up with the teacher

[Nola22]

I hear you with sending it as is. The last time I had to participate in a group project for a grade, there was a lot of hemming and hawing about how the final presentation should take shape, and I made sure to document everything in case there was a problem down the road. We ended up doing really well, but only after someone stepped in and took charge. That person just so happened to be me...

The presentation exceeded even my expectations, and I wound up feeling very proud of the contributions of my fellow students. Getting to that point was no easy feat, though by comparison, I believe I may have had it slightly easier than you--at least all the other students in my group wanted to participate, even if we'd had a rocky start, some hesitation, and disagreements.

Get some rest Dark, and all the best to you.

[Dark_Dreams]

Ok the one who has been in contact through the week sent me her part. Very apologetic that she didn't get it to me sooner. Apparently some technical issues which is actually undersstandable. So in the end everything but one question is complete.

On the plus side, this particular assignment is not for a grade. It is a practice one. However, anyone who does not participate will lose 20 point. So she and I are now in the clear. I wonder if I should jump on right before I leave then send it in. Then again, it isn't like that other girl has not had a chance to do her part. Why should I stress it in the morning?

[Nola22]

Let the student who didn't do her part face the music, Dark. You've got enough to deal with, as you've stated, plus your commute to school. As long as you're sure her lackluster performance doesn't reflect poorly on your or the other group members' evaluation in any form, you did the best you could here.

If I were you, unless mandated by the instructor, I wouldn't work with this person again!

[Dark_Dreams]

I do not have much of a choice. We are linked I think for the remainder of the semester. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

Anyway, they both got their stuff to me so I have put it all together. I had to ask for a reference page but it is all together and ready for submission. I think I am gonna need some 5 hour energy in the morning.

By the way, other assignments have suffered because I have to put in extra time and energy into this damn thing

[Nola22]

I can tell how annoyed you are, Dark--I don't blame you! It sucks that you are stuck with these potentially unreliable group members for the duration of the semester--is there no way you can petition the instructor for a reassignment?

It's uncool other work has suffered thanks to these circumstances too...you'd better set these people straight before it gets worse. Of course, I hope it works out on its own, which would be best.

Skip the 5 hour energy stuff in favor of a high protein breakfast--yogurt, eggs, oatmeal...not all taken at once!

[Umbral_Seraph]

I've always hated being forced to do group assignments. The loss of control really gets to me too. One of my biggest pleasures though is when I complete a group assignment completely alone.

[Dark_Dreams]

So the assignment was turned in (though I just realized something wasn't included but I am going to send that in just a minute. No biggie).

We do have more projects that need to be done and we are supposed to rotate who does certain things. This means that I will not be responsible for turning in the final project. This really bothers me. I know that I cannot control everything and that others need to have the responsibility but I hate having to trust someone else to protect my grade. And since everyone was so late and getting the stuff to me, how can I be so sure they will turn the stuff in on time?

I have a couple weeks before I have to worry about this though. I can sleep for tonigh though