I'm confused, what should I do?

[Diamond]

hello people. I had a long and stressful day today and something unfortunate happened. The last thing I want to do is bring misery into other people's lifes. So if you also had a long stressful day, then do not read it. Go away and do something that will make you feel happy. I'm just confused about what I should do about it. would really appreciate it if you some of you can give me some pointers.

Since I joined the community, I feel like I've become a much more sociable person. This means having more social interractions with different groups of people. Of course, mainly girls.

I managed get myself into a group of 4 girls because we had to work together for a group project. I enjoyed the experience of working with them, they are all exchange students, one's from Germany, another one from Sweden and 2 from netherland. Everything was going well until today.

Basically we had to produce a report about 2 different countries, and today 3pm was the deadline. The report was finished yesterday, but later we discovered that we need to do more work on it as the report is lacking the analytical aspect of it. I decide to take the responsibility because I thought I knew what I doing. I told them that just leave it to me and I will get it done in time.

I believe I made a good decision but the problem for me was that I had another piece of work to do. and didn't finish that until 1pm. Then I spend an hour on improving the group report in hoping for better marks. Unfortunately there was lot of people printing and for some reason my work was lost, maybe some ****er took it. I also got a text from one of my group member asking me go out for a coffee because they going back to Sweden for Christmas. I replied that I will hand in the work on time and don't worry about it.

I looked at the time, its 2:30pm and I still need to get a taxi to get myself to the place to hand in the work. Then I heard a familiar voice from behind "Tom! what you doing?" I turned around and saw one of my group member steering at me looking shocked. "why are you still here? The deadline is 3pm, do you have a car?" I start to panic a little and start to feel the pressure. "I will, just waiting for the printer". "well, if you don't hand this in time, I gona kill you" she said it with a angry tone. I didn't have time to responde so I just walked off in a hurry. but those words been resonate in my head all day.

By the time I got myself there, I was already 5min later. The guy has collected all the work away. this leaves me with no options but put my work into the empty post box. Then 5min later, another guy came down to check the box and he took my work away, don't know if that's a good sign or not. Now I'm setting here feeling confused, I just got back having a meal with friends because its my birthday tomorrow. But I will meet them for a coffee tomorrow, but I don't know what to do. Should I just be honest and tell them what really happened? I just hope they don't kill me.

[nick pagan]

I would say don't tell them yet. Find out if you actually have a problem first. Speak to the official persons involved with the collection of the papers and ask if they paper has been accepted. If yes, then you have no problem.

If no, then explain why you were 5-minutes late and be honest and say how you got your timing slightly wrong, had some problems with the printing of the paper and how you hope that they will be understanding. You can say that you feel very stressed because other people depend upon the result and that you don't want to let them down.

You didn't make a huge error and most people respond well to a heartfelt and honest plea for understanding.

If this doesn't succeed then you must accept responsibility for the consequences of a tardy submission. You can explain to the group, along with all ideas you have for getting a solution - such as writing a letter to the relevant head authority or whatever else you think might work.

Don't give your friends things to worry about and to feel bad towards you about until you know the full situation and have some possible solutions worked out.

I hope that this helps you.

Take care,
Nick
Nick Pagan