Every university has its little annoyances, the small academic habits that make students collectively roll their eyes, sigh dramatically, or send memes into the class group chat. So we asked, “What’s your BIGGEST academic ick at university?” And over 2,700 NWU students voted on Instagram.
The results were loud. Honest. Hilarious. And painfully relatable. Here are the four academic icks that dominated NWU student life, ranked by your votes.
🥇 The Disappearing Group Member (55%)
You know them. You’ve worked with them. You’ve suffered because of them.
This was the runaway winner, by a landslide. The group member who:
- Reads the group chat but never replies
- Reappears the night before submission
- Says “Guys, what must I do?” at 22:58
- Uploads their section in WordArt font size 8
NWU students have spoken:
Ghost mode is the biggest academic red flag.
It’s not just an ick, it’s a trauma bond.
Why This Happens (And Why It’s a Problem)
- Uneven workload: When someone disappears, the rest of the group often ends up carrying most of the work.
- Poor communication: Sometimes people don’t respond or show up, making planning impossible.
- Deadline panic: Group members who ghost until the last minute trigger a spike in stress and lower quality work.
- Trust issues: After one or two ghosting experiences, trust erodes and that impacts future group projects.
How to Handle Disappearing Group Members: Real Advice
Here are some tried-and-tested strategies to deal with this common (and incredibly annoying 🙄) situation:
- Set Clear Expectations from the Start: When you form your group, have a quick chat (virtually or in person) about who will do what, when. Agree on roles, deadlines, and check-ins.
- Use Shared Tools: Use Google Docs / Teams / OneDrive for live collaboration. This way, everyone can see progress and contribute, even remotely.
- Regular Check-ins: Schedule weekly (or bi-weekly) meetings — even if it's just 15 minutes. Use WhatsApp or Teams. These check-ins help you catch non-participation early.
- Make a Work Plan: Break the assignment into small tasks. Assign each part to specific people. Use a shared to-do list or Trello board.
- Communicate Early: If someone stops replying, send a calm, friendly message. Remind them of upcoming deliverables and ask whether they need help.
- Escalate Wisely: If someone continues to disappear, don’t wait until the last minute. Speak to your lecturer or tutor, and explain your group’s situation respectfully.
- Use Peer Mentors and Academic Support: Getting stuck in a group about having the right support:
- NWU’s Centre for Teaching & Learning (CTL) offers Academic Peer Mentors, tutoring, and supplemental instruction.
- For help with time management, writing, or group-work dynamics, the CTL Academic Skills Development Workshops are a goldmine.
- Take Care of Your Well-being: Group stress is real. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, the Student Counselling & Development (SCD) office is here for you, for both academic stress and emotional support.
- Leverage Library Support: The NWU Library’s Ask Us! page is super helpful when you need help with research, structure, or referencing.
If group assignments stress you out, check out our full blog “Surviving Group Assignments: A Purple Guide” It’s packed with more tips, real student stories, and resources to help you thrive in any group.
🥈 WiFi Crashing at the “Submit” Button (24%)
There’s nothing like the emotional rollercoaster of submitting at 23:58, clicking “upload”…and watching the WiFi icon drop to one bar.
Your heart stops. Your soul leaves your body. You remember every decision that led you to this moment. But somehow, the assignment always goes through at 23:59:59.
NWU students, your resilience deserves a medal. 😄
🥉 The “Is This for Marks?” Student (13%)
The lecture is going well. No stress. No pressure. Then someone raises their hand and asks the four words that change the atmosphere instantly: “Is this for marks?”
Suddenly, everyone’s alert. The lecturer smiles ominously. The notes start flying. And the student who asked becomes the villain of the episode. NWU students agree: It’s an ick because it exposes how unprepared we all are.
🎒 Early Bag-Zippers (9%)
It’s 10:54. Class ends at 11:00. The lecturer is mid-sentence. Then… Ziiiiiiip. One person starts. Then another. And suddenly it’s a whole zipper orchestra.
Every class has that one person who packs up three minutes early like they're catching a flight. It’s not chaotic. It’s not disrespectful. It’s… an ick. A very loud ick. 🙃
💛 What This Poll Really Showed Us
Beyond the jokes, the comments, and the chaotic honesty, this poll revealed the best part of NWU student life:
We’re all in this together. The same struggles. The same small annoyances. The same laughable moments that make university life unforgettable.
From vanishing group members to WiFi heartbreak, these aren’t just academic icks. They’re shared experiences that connect students across all three NWU campuses.
And honestly? We wouldn’t trade them for anything.
