Memorable group

At my institute, one of the first things that is part of the system is dividing the students into groups of 5 or 6. The students are divided into 4 sections and the group members are all from one section. Though I have worked earlier in academic groups, the previous groups were more formed on an informal basis. Generally, my policy is (or at least I would like to believe that my policy is) that whoever asks me first to form a group, I don’t say no. So, previously my group formation was either with someone who asked me first or with some of my close friends.

Forming a group on a random basis is very helpful for you get to learn to work with people you don’t know; people who you are almost meeting for the first time. Such kind of working with a new bunch of people can be very helpful in one’s career especially for jobs which involve constant rotation of people form one team to another.

The institute tries to have a balanced group in terms of work experience of the members, their backgrounds etc. I would say I was lucky enough to get a well balanced group (partly you would see from below descriptions). We were a 5 member group and I would say that the class looked up to us many a times when in need (of at least some group having prepared well for the class). I would describe my group members here (as I see them) and would be very frank:

V (D): I will start with the lady first. She is a very enthu, energetic, ready to do things kind of person. She has excellent networking skills and I guess almost everybody on campus knows her and vice versa. She has one of the coolest of attitudes and is there for you in times of need. A very approachable person, she is always willing to help. She puts in a lot of effort for almost everything and I wonder where she gets all the energy from. She does things as situation demands and is ready to sacrifice personal comforts (sleep etc.) in times of need. But when herself in need, she does tell others about it but wants to tackle things on her own.

K: Eldest of the lot, he is a very experienced person. He seems to have seen a lot in his life and always gives quite good insights from the practical angle. His presence tremendously helped the rest of the group to understand things more clearly. As if this was not enough, he is very modest, down to earth kind of person. He always said that he himself is a free rider when actually he did as much work, if not more, as the rest of us. He always maintained a humble attitude and is someone who naturally generates respect for himself.

ML (S): He is pseudness (in a positive sense) personified. This is the first impression you would have if you work with him. I share a special bond with him (am not sure if he feels the same, but I will like to believe he does). In some ways, we are just opposites but still I can say that among my list of friends he would be right up there. I have learnt a lot from him and am just amazed at his attitude towards life. He remains cool with everything which happens. With initial interactions, one might not be able to appreciate him, but it won’t take long to do so. He has exemplary communication and presentation skills.

PK (OM): He has been a good friend from the time I came to know him. He is someone you can ask for things and not hesitate about it. Attentive to details, he does a good analysis of the situation at hand. He is very good at presenting stuff. He very well knows what he is doing and likes to have a good grip on the subject at hand. Again a chill person and does not mind things. At times, when I behave a little rudely, he is very understanding and does not carry grudges along. Sometimes behaves as a child and sometimes has the maturity of a 60 year old.

Something which goes for everyone is that all of them were ready to share their knowledge etc. and were not afraid of that. So, if one of them got a solution to a problem (say), he/she ensured that the rest of the group gets to know about it as soon as possible. We studied together even for things which were not mandatory to be done together (for e.g. exams etc.).

This group is assigned for the first term and from the second term, one is free to form a group of one’s choice. As you would have guessed that my group remained intact. I haven’t said this to anyone, but I sincerely believe that a major credit for me doing a decent job in the first two terms (and also after that), goes to my group. It is hard to imagine what would have happened if these people had not been my group members.

In the third term, each of us had to be a part of a different group, for reasons which were very external and nothing related to the usual reasons why groups fall apart. Yet we still make it a point to get together periodically for studies or general chit-chat or for going out for dinner etc.

Not every member of the class was happy with the new groups formed in the third term. There were people who were so taken aback by change that they were too reluctant to put in any effort for making the group work. I am happy to say that my group members are ones who are trying their best to make things work in their respective groups and I commend them for that.