The Group Project Survival Guide

Few words strike fear into the heart of students quite like “group project.” Working with others on a shared assignment can be one of the most stressful parts of student life. When done right, group projects build essential skills: communication, delegation, leadership, conflict resolution, and yes—patience. Whether you're in high school or university, this guide is your go-to toolkit for surviving (and thriving in) your next group assignment.

1. Choose Roles, Not Just Friends

If you have a say in who you work with, don’t just pick your best friend. Choose teammates who balance each other out. Someone good at design, someone who writes well, someone who’s organized, and someone who’s confident presenting—diversity in strengths = strength in results.

Once your group is set, assign roles early:

• Leader/Coordinator

• Researcher

• Writer/Editor

• Designer or Presenter

  
  

This avoids confusion and ensures everyone knows what’s expected. Use simple planning tools like Trello or Google Docs to organize responsibilities and track progress.

2. Set Deadlines—Earlier Than You Think

Group projects tend to suffer from “last-minute syndrome.” Beat that by creating internal deadlines that are earlier than the actual due date.

Use a shared calendar (like Google Calendar) to mark milestones:

• Research complete by Week 1

• Draft submitted by Week 2

• Final review by Week 3

• Practice presentation by Week 4

This gives you buffer time in case something goes wrong (and it usually does).

3. Use Clear, Kind Communication

Group chats are great—but without clarity, they can turn chaotic. Start with a kickoff meeting (online or in person) to agree on:

• Goals

• Expectations

• Communication style

• Meeting times

  
  

Apps like Slack or even a well-managed WhatsApp group can help—but agree on how often to check in.

4. Track Contributions Fairly

One of the biggest stressors in group work is feeling like you’re doing all the work. Keep a simple log of what each person contributes. This isn’t about spying—it’s about fairness and accountability.

Use a shared spreadsheet or a tool like Notion to record:

• What each person is working on

• Deadlines

• Notes from each meeting

  
  

5. Reflect Together (Even If It's Awkward)

After you submit or present, take 10 minutes to reflect as a group:

• What worked well?

• What didn’t?

• What will we do differently next time?

  
  

This helps build emotional intelligence and prepares you for future collaboration—whether in school, college, or the workplace.

Many universities even offer group reflection guides or peer assessment tools. Check out University of Queensland’s group work resources or your own school’s student support center.

Bonus Tip: Document Everything

Save copies of emails, contributions, drafts, and feedback. Group projects sometimes go off the rails, and having documentation helps you make your case if something goes wrong.

If you treated every group project as a chance to learn more about how you work with others—not just about the subject—how would your approach change? Let us know in the comments below.