Getting Along with Teammates

With build season quickly approaching it’s normal to be a little nervous about spending 6 weeks in close quarters with the same people. For an enjoyable build experience, getting along with your teammates is key. Whether you are best friends with your teammates or aren’t friends at all, here are some helpful tips for surviving build season with all your bridges intact.

1. There will be bickering. Build season is a very stressful time for everyone involved in FRC. Due to this high-stress environment, everyone is on edge and seemingly at each other’s throats. If you find yourself getting angry over little things, just step away and take a break! Getting angry and your teammates will not help anyone, but remaining calm and keeping a level head will usually diffuse a stressful situation.
2. Avoid talking about disagreeable subjects in the shop, such as religion or politics. Everyone is going to have different opinions on these things. It’s best to just avoid these topics before anything gets out of hand.
3. If any team bickering gets out of hand talk to a mentor or trusted adult!!! Mentors are there to help you and your teammates have a good time building robots. If you think that a situation requires outside assistance, talk to a mentor that you are comfortable helping sort things out.
4. Take time to destress. Designated destress times such as lunches or breaks are always a good way to stay mentally healthy and prevent fighting before it starts.
5. Befriend your teammates outside of robotics. Becoming friends with the people you will be crammed into close quarters with during build season is always a good idea! Try team building exercises or social activities with teammates to strengthen your relationship in non stressful situations. Becoming friends can help aid in team communication as well as create a more cohesive building environment.
6. Have fun!!! Build season is supposed to be fun for everyone on the team! If you keep this sentiment in mind and remain lighthearted, build season should be a breeze.
   

Good luck to all teams! We hope everyone has an amazing season!

– Gus D. 3940