How to succeed at online group study with less stress

Working virtually with other students can be tricky. Learn how to succeed at online group study with less stress and better results.

Online study brings a range of benefits, from greater flexibility to the development of valuable workplace and transferable skills. However, you might be reading this and worrying about the challenges that come with remote collaboration and online group work.

If the idea of organising your schedule, managing different personalities and having to contribute to tasks virtually scares you, you’re not alone. Online study doesn’t need to be stressful, and with the right approach, it can be one of the most valuable and supportive parts of your learning journey.

This guide explores how to succeed with online study and make the most of your experience at the University of Sunderland.

Set Clear Expectations and Goals

One of the biggest causes of stress in online study is uncertainty. Small issues can seem big when shared goals are not being agreed upon, communication is difficult, and deadlines aren’t met. If you set your expectations early, you can make sure you are all aligned on the ideal outcome.

Here are some productive tips to create a positive online study experience with your peers:

• Agree on your shared goals early on by understanding the brief together, identifying the deadline and clarifying what success looks like.

• Decide on your best form of communication – this could be through Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, or email. Try to check in with one another on any updates you might have at least once a week.

• Delegate the project roles amongst yourselves – split research, set a mini deadline, and use shared trackers to keep on top of everything.

• Put agreements in writing so that everyone is clear about where they stand.

• Be honest about your availability from the start. If you have work schedules, childcare, different time zones, or caring responsibilities, make it known from the start for full transparency.

Once your expectations are agreed upon and aligned, you will be setting yourselves up for success.

Assigning Roles

Assigning roles is important when working online to avoid any confusion or overlap in responsibilities. In virtual group settings, some people stay quiet, whilst others may feel more confident leading. Establishing clear roles early on can help create a more balanced and collaborative work environment.

1. Identify everyone’s strengths; some people might be better at research, whilst others might thrive when presenting, organising or editing work.

2. Balance the workload by dividing tasks fairly. Try to avoid one person carrying the load, as this can create unnecessary tension.

3. Assign a project coordinator to help keep communication organised and ensure deadlines are being met.

4. Most importantly, allow for flexibility as everyone has different responsibilities outside of study.

When roles and responsibilities are clear from the start, students will benefit from being more productive, organised, and collaborative, easing stress overall.

How to Communicate Effectively

Communication is an essential part of success in any relationship. Becoming proficient at this skill during study is the gateway to becoming successful in your professional career. However, because this is all conducted online, this can break down due to the lack of face-to-face interaction, and intentions can be misread. 

Choose One Main Communication Channel

Having a forum for regular check-ins can help you and your peers in the long run. Using the likes of WhatsApp groups or even using Sunderland's learning platform, Canvas, can be useful in keeping communication consistent and ensuring you are all aligned on your shared goals.

Set Expectations

Don’t assume that everyone’s time is shared – your peers will all have different schedules to your own, whether they have children, care needs or are simply unavailable to respond straight away. It’s best to be upfront about your outside commitments so that no one is disappointed or panicked, and they are realistic about their expectations.

Keep Communication Respectful and Professional

Remember, studying at university is the template for how you will perform in the real world, especially in your chosen career. Ensure your tone can’t be misunderstood and avoid passive-aggressive messaging. Communicate with good intentions and be present.

Schedule Regular Check-Ins

Make time for regular check-ins with one another so that you are all up to date with what you are working on. Have a weekly video catch-up to review how far you’ve come and how you can all pull information together to create the piece of work you’re happy to submit.

Speak Up Early if There’s a Problem

If you have a problem with how something is being conducted, have a conversation early on to avoid awkward encounters further down the line. This helps to keep everything clear, so everyone knows where they stand and what they are comfortable doing.

There are more useful tips on how to work collaboratively in a motivational way, which can result in a proactive and high-performing team here.

Managing Different Personalities

Everyone has a different working style, and with that comes differing personalities. However, being patient and being adaptable are important when communicating online. Some other important tips to remember are:

1. Respect different communication styles. Some people like to use their voice, and others might not be as confident. It’s important to listen and not be judgmental about other people’s viewpoints.

2. Avoid making assumptions about others. As aforementioned, tone can be misinterpreted, especially in the digital world. Be mindful that delayed responses don’t equal ignorance, and people may have urgent commitments outside of online study.

3. Try to encourage equal participation because the quieter peers may need a push in the right direction. It is also useful to rotate responsibilities so that everyone can experience different ways to build their skills. Most importantly, try to ensure that it is a safe space to share ideas.

4. Address any issues you may have calmly and early on. Whether this is done privately or in a group setting, making sure there is clarification before potential confrontation is important.

5. Make sure you all share the same collaborative goal. Not everyone has to work identically, so long as you all want the same outcome, working differently can strengthen projects.

Learning how to work with different personalities is incredibly valuable during university, as this is an essential skill to bring to the modern workplace, especially if they practice remote or hybrid working.

What to Avoid in Group Projects

Even the most organised groups can face challenges, and certain habits can make collaboration harder. Recognising your group's habits early on can help group work run more efficiently.

Here is a list of things to avoid when working on group projects.

• Poor communication, such as ignoring messages, disappearing for long periods and leaving responses until the last minute.

• Leaving tasks until the deadlines. When you rush, it increases stress, affects the entire group and creates avoidable tension.

• Making assumptions – don’t assume someone is or isn’t doing a certain thing. This is where clear communication is vital.

• Most importantly, avoid conflict. When frustration builds silently, this can make you resentful of others. Address your concerns early on to work in harmony.

Many group project challenges can be avoided thanks to effective communication, mutual respect and clear organisation. Once this is established, working together will become seamless.

How Can You Deal with a Group Member Not Contributing

There may come a time when you will have a difficult encounter with a group member. It may be their work isn’t being dealt with fairly, or someone is simply not contributing. Dealing with this calmly and professionally is the most effective way to avoid matters escalating.

Don’t Jump to Conclusions

Don’t automatically assume someone isn’t pulling their weight because of X, Y and Z. There may be valid reasons behind any behaviour of disengagement. It’s best not to react emotionally and try to approach the situation with an open mind.

Address the Issue Early

Frustrations tend to build when nothing is said out loud. Be transparent with one another and communicate in a way that ensures you all share the same goals.

Refer to Agreed Expectations

When in doubt, refer to what you all agreed on previously. Reiterate deadlines, responsibilities, shared agreements and accountability so that you are all clear where you stand.

Stay Solution-Focused

It’s important to remain solution-focused when working in an online group setting. If there seems to be an issue. Finding workable compromises to keep the project moving is the best way to work harmoniously and avoid conflict.

Escalate to a Professional if Needed

If a situation doesn’t resolve through using the above techniques, it may be time to reach out to a tutor or module leader for support and document the situation as best as possible. 

Working with new people whose personalities you’re unfamiliar with can be daunting, but with the right techniques and a positive mindset, most uncomfortable situations can be negated. If you are interested in reading further about how to resolve conflict in a professional environment, you will find more tips here.

How Online Group Study Helps You in Your Career

Studying online is a fantastic prerequisite to being a part of a modern workplace. Connecting with others online and successfully collaborating are major life skills that are advantageous not only to yourself but also to most employers. With most workplaces operating either through hybrid or remote working, you will gain transferable skills when you choose to study an online programme at The University of Sunderland:

1. Communication skills are vital not only in the real world but especially in the digital world. When you present your ideas clearly, can collaborate across different platforms and give out professional messaging, you are setting yourself up for success.

2. Time management and organisation are of the utmost importance; it shows a level of respect for yourself and others, and when you have these skills finetuned, the work will flow better.

3. Having the ability to work in teams and collaborate is what a lot of employers look for. Yes, working independently is important online, but when you show an ability to work with differing personalities and a willingness to be adaptable, those are skills you will carry for life.

4. Problem-solving and conflict resolution are skills that are vital when managing disagreements and battling setbacks. When you find solutions collaboratively, you’re showing a team spirit that will transcend through the work.

5. Using tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and shared online documents helps you build confidence with digital collaboration that will also be highly useful in the modern workplace.

These experiences help students prepare for professional working environments. In turn, this will provide long-term value upon successful completion of your chosen programme.

If you have any questions or simply want to have a chat, please reach out to our team, and we would be happy to discuss further either by phone on +44(0)191 300 4580 or by email at enrolments@online.sunderland.ac.uk.