Hello everyone:

College and work frequently require teams. Before you groan too much, let me give you some tips on picking the right people for your team.

First, pick someone with your same work ethic. If your idea of “turning something in on time” is two days early, don’t pick someone who turns it in at 11:58 if it’s due at 11:59. You’ll drive each other nuts.

Next, find someone with the same idea of doing research. Are you a googler? Don’t pick a library geek. See the last sentence of paragraph two here.

Then, locate someone who wants the same grade you want. If you are determined to get an A, then don’t pick someone who is happy with a C. Revisit the last sentence of the previous paragraph.

Do you have to have team meetings after class? If you work the day shift, don’t pick a teammate who works swings. You have to meet and it just isn’t going to happen if your schedules are very different. Do you have transportation to meet with someone who lives a distance away? That is a factor, as well.

Finally, do you get along with the person? Don’t pick an obnoxious know-it-all if at all possible. That is tiring and just not worth the bother.

Good luck with your team. As they say, it makes the dream of good grades work.

Best,

Dr. Sheri