How to survive group work when you’re studying online

July 18, 2024

Group work can be a challenge for anyone studying at university. But how should you navigate group assignments when you study online?

The dreaded group assignment in university has a reputation for a reason. It’s hard to work alongside fellow students when the majority of university assessments are completed alone. You have to learn to balance personalities, expectations, different work styles, and all while aiming to achieve a good grade for the entire group.

When you add to this already stressful dynamic the element of studying online, it might seem like group assignments are impossible to succeed at. But in fact, there are plenty of tools, tips and tricks that can help you not only survive group work while studying online, but enjoy it and do it well. 

What is the purpose of a group assignment? 

Group assignments might seem like a chore, but they actually help you develop core skills you’ll need after university. These skills include being able to collaborate and problem solve with others, manage different personality types, contribute to a common goal as part of a team, and develop your communication and leadership skills. 

• Related reading: How to make friends at uni when you study online

Doing group assignments at university is a key way to gain the experience you need to be able to be a great member of a team in your future workplace. 

What should I do to be a good team player? 

There are some simple ways you can approach group assignments that will support everyone to be good team players and keep the process running smoothly: 

• Have a shared agreement on what the goals of your group are
• Develop a workplan that assigns tasks and deadlines in a clear way, and that everyone can agree to
• Delegate roles at the outset of the assignment, and have one person be the coordinator who makes sure everyone else is completing their tasks
• Have a shared tracking tool or task list that everyone can see and update, so that there is clarity over where tasks are up to, and what each group member is contributing.
• As an individual, stick to your deadlines, communicate if you’re struggling, and offer to help others when you can.  

What should I avoid when doing group work? 

Here’s what you should avoid doing, if you want your group assignment to run smoothly: 

• Don’t assume your group members know what you’re doing. Keep everyone updated on your progress, and let people know if you’re having any issues as soon as you can.
• Don’t try to dominate. It’s easy to want to control the situation, especially if you’re worried about the mark you’ll get. But it’s more important to be a team player and to genuinely collaborate; stick to your strengths and support others across the team, rather than trying to control everything.
• Don’t blame other group members if things aren’t going well. While it’s important for people to be accountable, it’s equally important for people to be treated with respect and to have a chance to explain if they’re not able to complete their tasks. 

How can I make group assignments easier when studying online?

Completing group assignments when studying online might seem hard from the outside, but there are plenty of useful tools you can use to make collaboration easier for remote group work. 

Here are some tips for surviving group work when studying online: 

• Try and meet your group ‘in person’ via a video call as soon as possible in the process. Putting faces to names and speaking to each other will help you get to know your group, and also adds a level of accountability to each other.
• Set up an online shared folder and documents using a tool like Google Docs or Dropbox. If everyone can access the same documents, and update their work live into a shared space, it will be much easier to coordinate the final submission.
• Use a project management tool like Asana or Trello to develop shared task lists, deadlines, and to track progress.
• Set up a group in WhatsApp or a similar messaging app, so you can quickly connect with each other and stay in touch over the course of the assignment. 

How can I deal with a group member who isn’t pulling their weight?

Unfortunately, even with all the preparation in the world, there will come a time in many group assignments where someone isn’t pulling their weight and contributing. It’s important to approach the issue calmly, and to refer back to the group’s shared agreement on the process and the assigned tasks for each member.

Raise the issue privately first, and be open to adjusting the workplan if someone has extenuating circumstances impacting their contributions. Remember, your tutors and lecturers are also there to support you, so reach out if you are finding it hard to move past any conflicts in your group. 

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