Saturday, November 8, 2008

Reflections


If anyone has read my first post, you would have realized the content I wrote was indeed dry. I used to think that being a Science student, I can avoid having to present myself in front of a crowd. When I was first enrolled for this module, I was rather fearful that I might reveal my weaknesses. However, I realized the importance of effective communication everywhere, be it whether you are majoring in Science or Business, you need to communicate with different people everyday, and you probably cannot run away from the oral presentations in future unless like what Brad said in class, we drop out of school and sell bak kut teh in hawker centres. Well, even then, you will still have to interact with your customers.

It has been a tough journey but I am glad that we have completed the hurdles! I have learned to overcome my fear of oral presentations and interviews, especially when I get more practice, I believe I can improve my presentation skills further. I suppose everyone has gained tremendously from this module, from how we actively listen to others, to writing minutes, formal letters and reports, job application letter, to going through job interviews and last of all, to delivering the final oral presentation. These are experiences that I cannot gain from other modules. In addition, besides the ‘professional’ part of the course, I am trained to manage time and prioritize things more efficiently to meet tight deadlines. These precious skills that I acquired from Professional Communication will definitely be very helpful for my future studies and career.

One thing worth mentioning is that this module is one of the most interesting modules I have taken so far because we get to interact as a class, unlike what we always do in other modules, when we sit down in the lecture room and doze off after half an hour. Because of interaction within the class, we learned more from one another and at the same time made more friends despite our busy schedules.
I feel really sad that this fulfilling semester has come to an end, but I am thankful that I have taken this module. I hope to apply these skills that I have gained when I join the workforce.

Now that you have finished reading my post, do you feel that I have added in more personal touch about effective communication rather than the facts of effective communication? Communicating with my readers is what I have learned through writing a blog too. =D

The most useful piece of learning for the uses of life is to unlearn what is untrue. ~Antisthenes

Edited on 9th Nov

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

No no Eileen, you sell Macdonald's right, not bak kut teh. I sell bat kut teh. HAHA.

Phew! What a ride! I think this is the only module which we enjoy so much right? Compare this to our *erhem erhem probability tutorial class*. I think the biggest difference is that Brad actually makes eye contact with us. And he doesn't talk to the floor. hAHAHAHAHAHA.

Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed the module as much as I did. There are soooo many skills and knowledge gained from this module. And I realised you posts have that added personal touch as the weeks go by. A huge contrast from your first post. That's effective communication!

Oh yes, you did great for your oral presentation that day. You worried for nothing! hahaha. good job =)

Angeline said...

Yo Eileen!

I know how well you can sleep in class :p *I've seen that photo* Hahaa. I also agree that you have added more personal touch to your posts! Good luck for the test on Friday! :)

Pei Rong said...

Hi bak kut teh seller,

the probability tutorial class was a disaster! ES rocks!


anyway, I was the "housewife" remember? Brad never fail to relate what we learn to the real life. He also has the "power" to make what he says impactful and will forever stay in the minds of the audience.

I also realised that your "crying session" never starts in this module! Like, finally!!

Besides the many interactions we had with the class, don't you think this is the only module so far(i hope), that we were all laughing non-stop?

I believe everyone has alot of good things to say regarding this module and I shall not repeat them!

Good luck for your test on Friday!!

joyce said...

Ho ho ho Eileen!

Hahaha.. What's up with the bak kut teh and mac seller and housewife?! :p Firstly, thanks to you for acting as a reminder to write blogposts!

I think that the skills we have learnt from this module will be highly applicable in the workplace in future, especially the skills learnt for professional writing and presenting!

I'm glad we made new friends in the class too! :) It's been a fun ride with all of them.

Eileen said...

Dear Xinyi,

Ya man! I agree totally!!! How i wish the maths modules we take have lessons as interesting as this, but i guess we have no choice also.

Hee, thanks for the encouragement! I'm glad we took this module together, at least we didn't waste our time and we in fact gained much from it! Hope we'll keep in touch with the others even after this module has ended...

Unknown said...

Dear Eileen aka TYLB,

hahaha!! Yes, I feel that your recent blog post have a more personal touch as compared to the beginning few entries. Well, I believe that all of us (the pop group) really enjoyed this module and have learnt a great deal out of it and from Brad. =)

Well, really, eye contact is essential in a conversation and when teaching the class. Also, we will want to maintain eye contact when we converse. Lol However, it will have to be in moderation as well!

Once again, it was great working with you! What are the 3Rs?? Reduce, reuse and recycle!!!! =)

Eileen said...

Hi Angeline,

Oh no, you have seen my unglam shots during lectures. Well, that's what we always do in lecture, those who are bored will take shots of those dozing off. LOL!

And true, like what Peirong said, I realise I never start my 'crying session' only in this module. Normally when I attend the 'touching' lectures for other modules, people around me will notice my tears rolling uncontrollably, it's not something that I can help it, the lectures are just too boring!

This is why I like this module because Brad will always grab everyone's attention during class by sharing his own stories and experieces. Yes, everyone loves stories!=D

Eileen said...

Hey Peirong,

Yup I agree that we are always laughing non-stop, isn't that great? haha, means we really had fun for this module!

And good luck for ur quiz too!=D

Eileen said...

Yo Joyce!

Haha, the bak kut teh and Mc Donald thingy was suggested by Brad during one of the classes while he was trying to remind us that everyone can't avoid presentations unless we change our field totally to become food stall holders in hawker centres. And he was just giving random examples saying Xinyi will be selling bak kut teh, peirong will be housewife and I'll be working in Mc Donald's.LOL.

And it's been great to know you guys through this module! And thanks for editing all my blog posts as well!!!=D

Eileen said...

Hey Xiu Wen!

Well glad that you still enjoy working with me although sometimes I'm behaving like YLB.LOL! Haha, and we are always bickering non-stop, no wonder Sammy said we are so childish. Muahahahaha!

And I shall not comment much on having too much eye contact.Haha! Yup, enjoyed working project with you too! ES rocks! =D

weiren said...

Hi Eileen,

it's quite unimaginable. 23 lessons already. I am glad the module has been as enjoyable to you as it is to me. The different setting of the class have allowed everyone to get to know each other better and allowing me to know you as a person, not just a face in the crowd.

There are many learning points through out this modules. None of them are irrelevant to what we need in our future careers.

In fact, I am thinking of forwarding my cover letter and resume the day I graduate.

It's been a great pleasure knowing you.

Cheers.

Tiffany said...

Hi Eileen!

Its the end of ES2007s! and all of us are feeling really sad. but its indeed been a fruitful journey and you know, when i saw xiuwen, xinyi, peirong and your resumes and cover letter, I thought that it was really cute of you guys to pick the same internship! True pop group spirit! haha!

It was really great knowing you and good luck for friday's fun and games!

Eileen said...

Hi Weiren!

It's been great to know all of you guys!!! Yes, there are too many learning points to list them one by one. I am sure we all gained much from this module, I guess everyone has certainly improved his or her communication skills in one way or another! Thanks to everyone=D

Eileen said...

Hey Tiffany!

Tmr will be our last lesson of this module, but I am glad that I had the chance to work with you during class for discussions as well as the mock interview when we both gave the stern looks to scare Xiu Wen!

Anw look forward to the class lunch tmr eh? Good luck for ur quiz too!=D

Sammy said...

Hi Eileen,
I can feel that you make it personal and make it effective just like Brad said.
Through this course, I have also learn the fact that making things more personal could make communication more effective in most cases.
It was a great experience to to work with you, and I had lot of fun working with you and Xiu Wen.
All the best for the coming exam.

Eileen said...

Hi Sammy!!

It's been great working with you for this project too! Once again, thanks for being the pushing force and made this project a success.

All the best for your other 5 modules too!=D

Brad Blackstone said...

Thank you, Eileen, for this detailed reflection. I'm very glad that you feel that you've benefitted by taking this module. I'm also happy that all of us could get to know each other and work so well together. I saw lots of great teamwork happening, including that in your team (and of course in the Gang of Four Ladies!).

Thank you, too, for the accolades mentioned in this post. The only way I can really respond is by saying that it was you guys who made the class what it became, by your willingness to work hard and leave your comfort zone.

I appreciate all your efforts!

Best wishes for a bright future-----