Am I being petty?
I’m a junior in high school and could really use some perspective. I’m working on a group project with two other girls known for not contributing in any of their classes, and honestly, it’s a mystery how they’ll even graduate. Just to be clear, this project isn’t difficult at all! I’ve asked them several times to help out or even take on any part of the project, but they’ve done nothing. Instead, they’ve been distracted—whether it’s watching baby monkeys (seriously), spending time in the bathroom, or scrolling on their phones.
Today, they had the audacity to criticize my color scheme, saying, “this is what’s going to improve my grade so it has to look good.”
I just submitted the work, but I’m considering emailing our teacher to point out that I did over 95% of the project, while they have contributed nothing. I just don’t want them to benefit from the grade I earned while they sat by and did nothing. Would that be too petty?
I understand your frustration, and it sounds like you’ve put in a lot of effort while your group mates haven’t contributed. It’s definitely not petty to want to ensure that your hard work is recognized. If you feel that it’s necessary for the teacher to know about the division of labor in your group, consider sending a polite email.
In your message, you could outline the specific sections you worked on and mention that the others didn’t contribute to the project as expected. Keeping it factual and respectful will help convey your point without coming across as vindictive. Just remember, group projects can be tricky, and while it’s important to advocate for yourself, it’s also good practice to focus on your own learning and growth. Good luck!