When your lecturer says, “This will be a group assignment,” the classroom goes quiet. Someone sighs. Someone panics. And someone starts mentally preparing to carry the whole team. We’ve all been there. From ghost group members to last-minute panickers, group assignments are a rite of passage for every NWU student. But fear not, here’s a guide to surviving (and maybe even enjoying?) the group project chaos.
1 Choose people you always see in class
This is obvious, if you’ve never seen someone attend a lecture, what are the chances they’ll show up for a group meeting? Stick with classmates who are present, reliable, and actually exist.
2 Open a Google Doc from Day One
It’s the easiest way to work together in real time, track everyone’s input, and avoid the chaos of five different versions of the same assignment. Bonus: Google Docs auto-saves, no more “my laptop crashed” excuses.
3 Assign roles based on strengths
Got a design guru? Let them handle the slides. A confident speaker? Presentation duty. Someone with good writing skills? Make them editor-in-chief, and we all know there's that person who’s great at referencing, give them the reference list and in-text references. Playing to each person’s strengths = better results and fewer headaches.
4 Use the Writing Centre to strengthen your academic writing
Before submitting, book a session with the NWU Writing Centre. They’ll help polish your grammar, refine your arguments, and ensure your referencing is spot-on. It’s free, and it can turn a good assignment into a distinction-worthy one.
5 Use COMM Rooms at the Library
Book a quiet space where your group can actually focus and collaborate without distractions. It also reduces the chance of “I didn’t get the memo” excuses. These COMM Rooms can be booked through the NWU Library website and are perfect for structured, effective group discussions, especially when deadlines are approaching fast. Even during Load shedding, the library has a backup generator and a free charging station for your mobile device.
6 Keep receipts, timelines & screenshots
Save the messages, voice notes, and shared documents not for drama, but for accountability. If a group member isn’t contributing their fair share, your team can present this evidence to the lecturer. This ensures that marks are awarded based on individual participation, not just the final product.
The relief of clicking Submit as a team? Unmatched! Group assignments may be stressful, but they prepare you for real-world teamwork and give you a few good stories to laugh about later.
So next time the lecturer says, “This will be a group assignment,” just breathe, choose the right people, delegate wisely, book that COMM Room and NWU Writing Centre. Let’s go secure that DEGREE!
