Straight-A student refuses to do all the work on a group project for her lazy classmates, knowing her lowest grade will be dropped: 'You said do all the work or get a 0%. I choose 0%'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Oct 6, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

No one likes a group project, especially the person who ends up having to do all of the work.

This straight-A student had the unfortunate experience of being partnered up with the worst kids in her science class on a group project. After their first meeting, her classmates made it crystal clear to her that they would not be doing any work of their own and that she would be doing it all. They knew she wouldn't want to jeopardize getting a bad grade, so they essentially used her academic drive and work ethic to their advantage.

What they underestimated, however, was the fact that this student was tired of being manipulated by lazy slackers. This was not her first rodeo. She took the opportunity to double-check the syllabus and confirmed that for every student, their lowest grade in the class will be dropped from their final average. For the slackers, a failing grade would not make much of a difference. While it would make a huge difference for the student in theory, according to the policy as outlined in the syllabus, it actually would have no effect on her final grade in practice. 

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  • A group of high school students sitting at desks looking bored in a classroom.
    via Unsplash+ (Giulia Squillace)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • The student kept her knowledge of this technicality to herself all the way up until the day that the group project was due. When her group was meant to turn in their assignment, the author revealed to her teammates that, like them, she did zero percent of the work. Naturally, they were taken aback, but it's not like they could argue with her lack of effort. After all, she did just as much work as they did.

    In the end, what they thought was going to be the easiest opportunity at a decent grade with minimal effort became a total embarrassment on their part!

  • “Do all the work yourself or get 0%”

    In high school I was in a science class that I did very well in. I was top of the class and scored nearly 100% on every test and assignment.
    via wheresmychin
  • The teacher assigned a big group project that would take about a week to complete with a team of four students. Groups were randomly assigned, and unfortunately, I was paired up with three kids who were barely passing the class.
    via wheresmychin
  • In class we are given time to make plans together as a group to divide up work, examine the instructions, schedule times. outside of school to meet up, etc.
    via wheresmychin
  • It was at this point my teammates decided to tell me that they weren't going to do any work on the project. I asked why, and they said they knew I really cared about my grade, so they figured I would do it on my own.
    via wheresmychin
  • They were so lazy they were banking on the fact I wouldn't tank my own grade, so they could benefit off of my hard work when I inevitably got a good score on
    via wheresmychin
  • ed and said the project. I was p that was unfair. They dug in and said "Too bad. Now you either do this project yourself or you'll get a 0%."
    via wheresmychin
  • Two high school students sits at desks in a classroom taking a test.
    via Unsplash+ (Giulia Squillace)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Cue malicious compliance. Now, I could have gone to the teacher and he probably would have sorted this out, but a better
    via wheresmychin
  • idea struck me. So I said "Fine, you win. I'll do what you say." They smiled smugly and thought that was that.
    via wheresmychin
  • But you see, this teacher had a policy that at the end of the semester your lowest grade (excluding finals) would be taken off your record. So, if you forgot
    via wheresmychin
  • to turn in an assignment or did really bad on one test, you got a mulligan so it wouldn't ruin your final grade. I had never done poorly on an assignment all year, so I never needed my mulligan.
    via wheresmychin
  • However, I knew that these heads all did. If they got a big fat zero on a crucial assignment, they would probably fail the class.
    via wheresmychin
  • So, I did exactly as they instructed. I did no work on the project all week. Just sat on it and bided my time. At the beginning of the next week all the students turned in their assignments. My team watched as I sat in my chair, unmoving.
    via wheresmychin
  • Finally one said: CLASSMATE: Hey OP, aren't you going to turn in the project?" ME: Oh, I didn't do the project.
    via wheresmychin
  • They were shocked and asked why the h II didn't do it. ME: You said do all the work or get a 0%. I choose 0%.
    via wheresmychin
  • They were all royally pl d. They all had to do credit recovery over the summer. They hated my guts, but I couldn't have cared less. It was the most satisfying failing grade in my entire life.
    via wheresmychin
  • Four high school students sit at desks in a classroom.
    via Unsplash+ (Giulia Squillace)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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school students malicious compliance group projects teacher entitled people karma high school immature high schoolers entitled people
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