Lab partner is more competent than me and tends to steamroll

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In summary, the speaker has a lab partner who is highly skilled and disciplined, but this creates a problem for the speaker who feels their own work is not up to par. The lab partner often rewrites the speaker's sections of the joint reports, making the speaker feel incompetent and disconnected from the work. The speaker's girlfriend believes it is the lab partner's problem for being a perfectionist, but the speaker is not sure what to do. The speaker has an almost guaranteed A in the class but is more focused on other classes where they are struggling. The lab partner's behavior may cause problems for them in the future, and the speaker is unsure of what they want to happen.
  • #1
Drokrath
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I'm currently taking a sophomore-level circuits/electronics lab. My lab partner just transferred from out of state in January, and is already probably in the top three in our class in general. He does very well in the two classes I share with him and seems to have fantastic discipline. The course isn't particularly challenging, I have a high A currently.

The problem is that he has much higher standards and is much more capable than I am. I could deal with this earlier in the semester when we were doing labs and writing separate reports. He could write his own detailed and extensive report, and I would write my own. The problem arose recently, as we began doing weekly "projects", where we have to write a joint report together.

I do my best to contribute and write sections of the report, but for the past three weeks he has gone back later and re-written all of the sections I wrote. I can't really argue with this, because his writing is simply just better than what I can do. I don't think my ability is below average for the class, though it's difficult to tell as I've only had him as a partner. I think he just has higher standards than the rest of the class does. He also comes to our meetings/class with the reports outlined and half-written. Last week, we were about halfway through writing the report, and he told me I could just go ahead and leave and he would finish up the rest.

I feel no ownership of the work that is being done, and I feel like an incompetent idiot when trying to collaborate with him. He's usually polite about it, and never demeans me or anything. I can just tell that he doesn't think my work is good enough to turn in under his name (even if my name is on it as well). I also can't warrant spending a ton of extra time being a perfectionist about this class that I have an almost guaranteed A in when I am taking other classes where I'm in danger of dropping to a C, and could be studying for those.

I'm not really sure what I'm looking for here, just a place to vent or get advice I suppose. I'm just not really sure what to do and i feel utterly useless. I've talked to my girlfriend about it and she's of the opinion that it's his problem if he wants to be a perfectionist, but this doesn't make me feel any better about myself.
 
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  • #2
It's hard for me to sympathize much for your plight. The thing about working in collaboration with another student is that both students get the same grade. A problem with this that some students complain about is that not everyone in the group puts in the same amount of effort, yet all get the same grade.

Even though you say you currently have a high A in the class so far, the rest of what you wrote suggests to me that you are happy to just coast along, and put more effort into the classes you're not doing as well in. Your girlfriend can describe him as a perfectionist, but from your description of him as being well-prepared when he comes to class and highly disciplined makes me think that he's an excellent student, and doesn't want to have his name associated with what he perceives as substandard work. You didn't describe the changes he's made to the work you've done on the joint reports, so I don't know what his criteria are.

I see two possible choices for you -- either accept the status quo, or put in the extra effort necessary so that your work is taken more seriously by the other student.
 
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  • #3
You should probably be very grateful for him and learn from him.
 
  • #4
It sounds to me like this is something you need to talk about with your lab partner. Learning to effectively navigate and advance a joint project is one of those soft skills that can be very important in a person's career. Even if your partner ends up with a great grade in the class, if he's undermining your efforts without your consent, that's a behaviour that's likely to get him into trouble at some point (not necessarily with you).
 
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  • #5
It's not clear what you want to happen.
 
  • #6
Choppy said:
It sounds to me like this is something you need to talk about with your lab partner. Learning to effectively navigate and advance a joint project is one of those soft skills that can be very important in a person's career. Even if your partner ends up with a great grade in the class, if he's undermining your efforts without your consent, that's a behaviour that's likely to get him into trouble at some point (not necessarily with you).
This. How much time is he spending on these assignments? Is the amount unique to this class or across his entire curriculum? What about in comparison to the other top students, both current and previous? What do other students think about it?

A lack of skill of properly working together is something that can destroy not merely careers but lives as well, in particular that of the person incapable of working together. Perfectionism, often rampant and praised within science education, is actually not always as good as is it is claimed to be.
 
  • #7
When you read the re-written report, do you find yourself thinking, "oh crap, I didn't realize that"? Or do you think "yes, that's what I meant, nicely said"?
 

1. How can I communicate with my lab partner about their tendency to steamroll?

It is important to have open and honest communication with your lab partner. You can start by respectfully addressing the issue and expressing how their behavior makes you feel. It may also be helpful to suggest setting aside specific times for each person to lead and contribute ideas.

2. What should I do if my lab partner consistently ignores my input?

If your lab partner consistently ignores your input, it may be helpful to have a one-on-one conversation with them to discuss your concerns. You can also try to assert yourself and speak up during group discussions to ensure your ideas are heard. If the issue persists, it may be necessary to involve a third party, such as a professor or mentor, for mediation.

3. How can I build a stronger working relationship with my lab partner?

Building a strong working relationship with your lab partner requires mutual respect, effective communication, and collaboration. You can try to get to know your lab partner on a personal level and find common ground. It is also important to actively listen to their ideas and give credit where credit is due.

4. What steps can I take to improve my own confidence and competence in the lab?

Improving your own confidence and competence in the lab may involve seeking additional training or resources, practicing new techniques, and seeking feedback from your lab partner and other colleagues. It is also important to remember that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, and it is okay to ask for help when needed.

5. How can I handle conflicts with my lab partner in a professional manner?

Conflicts with lab partners can be challenging, but it is important to handle them in a professional manner. This may involve actively listening to each other's perspectives, finding common ground, and compromising on a solution. It may also be helpful to involve a third party for mediation if needed.

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