Irresponsible groupmates

Dear Ate Xyla,

This August, we are given numerous projects in every subject, most of which are done by groups.

My problem is that in every group I was assigned at, the members are irresponsible especially the leader. My friend, who coincidentally happens to be in almost every group I’m in, and I are the only ones doing the job. And sometimes, a single subject requires 2-3 projects which should be passed this week.

We let them try to cooperate but they won’t. The worst part is the leaders, though girls, doesn’t care anything about us. They don’t inform us what to do.

The worst problem is that I hate people that benefit from my hard work. But then, I have no choice. It’s either pride or grade.

Help me Ate Xyla. You’re the first person I knew that I could get help with my problems. What should I do so that my friend and I don’t have to suffer and work hard for our groupmates’ grades.

Yours truly,

Andrea

 Hello, Andrea! I’ve been there in your situation so I do understand how you feel. During my college days, I was the leader. What I did was talk to them and write them a letter about their laziness. I even told them that if they don’t cooperate, I have no choice but to exclude them from the members’ list. I was harsh, I know. But it did work.

In your case, I think you need to have an open forum. Tell them that the project is a group grade; it should be a group work then. If they still don’t want to cooperate, it’s either you tell your teacher/professor about it or keep mum about it. But really, I don’t think you should tolerate them because these type of people wouldn’t learn. They would just take advantage of you if you keep mum about it. You have to tell them in a nice way that what they are doing isn’t helping.

Good luck!