Work in groups

Sometimes you will be required to work on an assignment, project or class presentation with a group of fellow students. Group work can enhance your social skills, build self-esteem and confidence, and promote tolerance through the sharing of alternative ideas and points of view. Working in a group helps prepare you for team environments in the workplace and teaches you a range of values and competencies that employers look for in graduates.

Manage the process

It takes time for a group of individuals to become a team. Set some ground rules:

Meet team members as soon as possible to get to know each other.
Decide how to communicate—face-to-face meetings, online through email or group discussion forums.
Create a schedule of meetings with agendas.
Decide on team roles to keep everyone on track.
Be inclusive and treat everyone with respect and courtesy.

Understand the assignment

Take time to analyse your assignment topic.
What is the assignment asking you to do?
Identify specific tasks and estimate the time required to complete them.
Prioritise tasks, set deadlines, and allocate tasks to team members. This ensures the work is divided fairly and effectively.
Use meetings to regularly review progress and revise deadlines.