Mature student here (42), surprised at how flaky students are, how to deal?

I've certainly seen it as a mature undergraduate. I remember one of my art history seminars we got split into groups to discuss the readings and literally nobody else had done them...

I'm maybe a little surprised to hear it at masters level (especially given the often out of pocket costs involved in those compared to undergraduate courses for home students!) but it's probably much the same.

I'd say just focus on yourself and engage with things as much as you can - ultimately they're just hurting themselves and while it's frustrating when in e.g. discussion sections or for group work, you can maximise your own outcomes at least.

Also usually group work assignments have some facility to highlight when people aren't engaging/doing the work and to avoid students being "dragged down" by that. Talk to the module leader in the first instance if you are having that situation.

Currently studying an MA, really quite surprised and disappointed by the behaviour of other students e.g. not reading, not studying, not turning up, leaving everything until the last minute, hardly even very interested in the subject. It's got me a little down, especially when it comes to any kind of team or group assignment. There are a few here who are doing their second Master's and they still have very poor organisational skills or willingness to take initiative.

Have there been others who have experienced this? How does this kind of environment/situation typically play out? I don't want to look like the bookworm of the class just because I take it seriously !

Hi,

I would try not to worry about it, I know it can be frustrating but you will find it on every course, no matter what level, but also remember that some people may have things going on at home that could be affecting them.

In my first year there were only a handful of people on my course that interacted with the lectures and most of them either didn't return the next year or had to repeat the year. Now I'm in my 3rd year and I would say 3/4 of the class now all interact with the lecturers/lectures.

All you can do is focus on your own work ethic, and speak to a lecturer if someone who is in your group project isn't getting involved and doing the work. They will be able to help with the situation.

Enjoy your course.

-Victoria
Wrexham Uni Rep

I can't hack lazy *******s and if someone isn't pulling their weight with me, I tell them, to their face, that they are lazy *******s.

Hello Victoria, thanks for your post. It's nice to find someone else who's been through the same thing!

This has only been an inconvenience as the current group work we have been assigned has been limited to mocks. Next semester however we will be required to work in a group for a graded assignment.

I'm dreading this. The other students don't read, don't listen, only do something if it is pretty much instructed. Our practice group was just tragic. I was amazed at how little they were able to take the course seriously, they couldn't stop mucking around.

Maybe a tutor can swap the module around or maybe not, but it doesn't feel comfortable to be the only student on the course to take it seriously. Apart from the lecturers but they're paid to do that!

This doesn't seem to work either. I've never been aggressive, but when it's made clear by myself or the lecturer that they have to study, actually understand the topic at hand, not just throw out opinions without validation or criticality, they can be quite taken aback. When you ask what reading they have done which supports their findings, what theorist or authority has brought this to light or which study, they won't have a clue. That's because they've just made it up. We're 3 months into the course now and this still happens. How do they expect to write a dissertation without citations?

Some don't necessarily lack initiative, they might lack how to assert themselves. Others might not realise they are expected to take responsibility for their learning too. So it's no use shouting at them if this hasn't hit home yet. Most people tend to "go with the flow" when you think about it. I'm not trying to be nasty, but it can be excruciating when a lecturer has given a solid talk about a legitimately interesting topic, and then at the end someone says "Sir is this on the test?"

Put your head down and ignore what other folk are doing. You're better than that.

If you start to experience difficulty in your next semester with your group project speak to your module tutor because they should be able to do something about it.

I would suggest trying to take some sort of charge of the group if you feel your teammates are not really pulling their weight. for example you could split the project into different tasks and get everyone to choose which task they would like to do and then bring it all together. Have regular check in meetings to make sure people know what they are doing, maybe make a whatsapp group for the people in your group.

These are just things that I found helpful, if you find anything else that works for you, please share.

Good luck

-Victoria
Wrexham Uni Reps

Currently studying an MA, really quite surprised and disappointed by the behaviour of other students e.g. not reading, not studying, not turning up, leaving everything until the last minute, hardly even very interested in the subject. It's got me a little down, especially when it comes to any kind of team or group assignment. There are a few here who are doing their second Master's and they still have very poor organisational skills or willingness to take initiative.

Have there been others who have experienced this? How does this kind of environment/situation typically play out? I don't want to look like the bookworm of the class just because I take it seriously !

Hi I turned 44 the week I started my undergrad degree in September im finding its a mixed bag. We have about 47 in our cohort and I think we are yet to have more than 30 attend at any time and that even includes the online learning where you literally just have to open a laptop.

lol i am a typical age undergrad and admit i can be flaky. largely from other deadlines to meet and fear of failure and silly things. Ik this sounds dumb cos it's not primary school or something, but you are really leading by example. ppl will expect more from u as you're more mature, and you just have to live up to that and stick to your guns, even if everyone else is being annoying. hopefully the others will come to respect you and be improved by your example