<p>So for college lab reports we were told not to work with our lab partner on the reports to avoid copying/plagiarism and what not. On the first lab report pretty much everyone did pretty bad on it. I got about ten or so points higher on my lab report than my lap partner, who is also really good friend. Since then my friend always wants to work on lab reports together and every paragraph or table i do she has to see what i write and compare it to hers. She also asks me so many questions or try to rush me so i can get to the part where shes stuck at. It's getting kinda annoying because i know she's capable of doing it on her own and i like to work on my lab report on my own time and pace, in my own room, and in peace. Basically i don't know how to tell her i don't want to work on the lab report with her without hurting her feels or making things akward..any suggestions?</p>
<p>When people do this to me I always say that I didn’t do a great job on the report and don’t think they should look at it because I’m not sure my info is 100% correct. I might then ask if they had a specific question and if so then might say “Well I’m not sure but I think you might want to do x y and z, or at least thats what I did”</p>
<p>This is also why I try not to share my grades, they’re really not anybody’s business.</p>
<p>Some people prefer to do things like lab reports and assignments on their own, others prefer to work in groups. Let her know that you take it seriously when told to do an assignment by yourself, that collaboration risks discovery and possibly an F or being booted out of the class (which shows up on your transcript which a future employer may wish to see), and that while it’s great that she’s so comfortable working collaboratively, she needs to develop self-study skills. If she is having trouble with <em>concepts</em>, then you can give her some pointers, but this does not include helping her with her answers or reports. Tell her to take advantage of the professor’s office hours.</p>
<p>Be firm about finishing or working on yours first and only then comparing reports. If you have to do them in class while in lab, that can be tricky, but if it’s outside of lab you shouldn’t have too much trouble. If she asks when you’re working on it, might be time for a little white lie…definitely help her if you can/want, but you need to worry about your own grades. I wouldn’t let her directly look at your report either - maybe just explain it to her. It will help you this way too because teaching reinforces the information in your mind.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the advice!! I’m gonna try to follow through on it for the next lab report next week.</p>