[blueerica]

Man, I'm depressed about my groups and my classmates this semester in general. I've bitched and moaned about it in my LJ and on here, but damn it, I'm just at my wit's end.

I have group projects coming out of my ears, as usual. Some semesters, you have people not willing to put forth as much effort, some semesters you get people who don't put forth any effort. Whatever. In a way, I'm a bit used to it by now. What gets me down is that I haven't got a single good group this semester. The one good group I have isn't even for a class, it's for a competition the school is in against 18 other universities around the country. As prestigious the prize and portfolio materials are in this, people just aren't putting up as much as they could on it. But oh well.

Another class, Promotions, we have an opportunity to plan some IMC for Carl's Jr. The project is worth a good chunk of grade points, plus there is a prize of $300 in free Carl's food to be split amongst the group. Which could keep me fed for the rest of the semester for free. It's also some more portfolio fodder. I have what seemed to be a pretty good group. We had great ideas, and things seemed promising. Except that a.) no one seems to check their emails, b.) no one seems to want to find a meeting time and c.) some other crap I don't want to list.

What stings is that I was originally in another group that didn't have enough people. The prof decided to break us up, putting us in (what I see now as) essentially weak groups. I thought I had a decent one, but it seems they're only full of ideas and enthusiasm when I'm around. When I'm gone, I get few responses.

Then now, as I'm in the computer lab to work on another research assignment, one of our competing groups for Carl's was in the same computer "pod" as I am. I listened to them write up their proposal (which we should be doing), I listened to them come up with storyboards (which we should be doing), but worst of all, I envied them. I want to be in a group where people get together to get good grades. I want to be in a group that puts forth at least a modicum of effort toward the greater good of... I don't know... greater goods. And damn it, they even got homeboy who's late to every class to show up on time. (I have him in two other classes). I mean, they get him, and I can't get my peeps to respond to an email. WTF is up with that?

Though I'm done with my other assignment, hearing them talk about plans (I was trying not to eavesdrop too hard - I don't want to accidentally duplicate any of their ideas) made me really sad. Why don't I get groups like that?!

*STOMPS FEET*

Thanks for letting me rant.

I figure at least realizing my actual situation will allow me to go forth and start writing up the proposal by myself. ^&@%!!!