Walking into class, whether you have friends there or not, can be one of the most nerve-wracking experiences on the first day of school. Some either feel out of place or in an awkward position where they feel they have to include others.
When teachers are the ones to pick groups or partners, it creates a more friendly environment; no one feels left out or in an uncomfortable position of inviting someone whom they might not know while still learning to be on task and how to work with others..
Teachers are there to guide students and educate them. Part of that is forcing you to befriend others without having to feel the pressure of needing to interact with someone, whether it’s school work or just a friendly conversation. Hannah VanderFeen, an outgoing LHS student, relaxes when seeing a teacher pick her partner.
“I love when I’m in a class with no friends, and I see that the teachers have already picked partners, because then that just takes a level of stress off my body. When I have no friends in class, I know I’m super talkative, and I know that the other people already have friends [in the class] and their own little groups, so it’s just harder for me [to interact], and I get scared,” said VanderFeen.
Working with others one might not know very well, it can be easier to stay on task. One might create simple small talk, but it does not go much farther than that because they simply would not know much about each other. LHS student Evangeline Emerson believes she works more efficiently without friends.
“I can’t focus when I am with my friends, that’s why I like working with other people because I just keep talking,” said Emerson.
While some students do prefer to work with their friends because it is more comfortable for them, it can create a loud and off-topic environment. Students will feel an urge to get off topic, and it is difficult for the group or partners to focus on the task at hand. LHS freshman English teacher Abby Berke claims that being able to work with partners also depends on maturity.
“If [the assignment] is something where they need to be really efficient and get things done quickly, then I will probably pick the partners because otherwise they tend to get off task and only pick their friends. It also just depends on the class and the kids that are in that class. I have more mature classes and more immature classes,” said Berke.
While it is more fun and entertaining to work with friends, it can be better to have pre-assigned partners and groups because it’s easier to split the task. Everyone knows what they are already good at, no one feels left out, and no one will slack off because they’re held to a higher standard.
