The group project: For many undergrads, these three words conjure up feelings of annoyance and anxiety. Sure, you have confidence in your own abilities, but getting a project done while trying to regulate a group of your opinionated fellow students? That’s a whole different story. Whether you’re the one who ends up doing all the work, or you’re being overlooked in a group of pushy students, there are things you can do to transform the project into a more positive, efficient experience. Savvy Miss tracked down Thad Kousser, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of California, San Diego, to get some real advice on tackling the dreaded group project.

Savvy Miss: Often students dislike group projects; some people feel that they’re pulling all the weight while others get undeserved credit. What’s a good way to avoid this? How would you advise a student to make her group more effective?
Kousser: If you can break down a project into smaller pieces and make everyone responsible for one of them, this can discourage freeloading. It will be really clear and embarrassing if someone fails to come through with their piece of the project, so hopefully that will scare them into pulling their fair share.

SM: What’s the best way to deal with problems among teammates? Should students keep problems within the group, or is there a time when a student should approach the professor or T.A. with the issue?
Kousser: I think it is always fine to talk with a professor or T.A. to get their advice about how to deal with group issues and to keep them in the loop about problems, but don’t look to them to resolve things for you. Part of the educational value of a group project is working these things out on your own, so you should view your professor like a coach in this game, not a referee.