Saturday 16 April 2011

#6 Final reflections

Wow,let me just say how quick time flies! It's the end of the semester once again and this has by far been the most fulfilling semester I have in NUS.

When I first read reviews about the module, I was skeptical at first about the workload. Everyone had commented how heavy the workload was but each review ended with how enriching the module had been for them. My senior had also recommended this module to me, thus I decided to just take the plunge and see for myself. And yes,they were not wrong! The workload was overwhelming BUT it was the memories and skills learnt that made it all worthwhile.

There were many firsts for me in this module. First time conducting a peer teaching session, first time writing a cover letter, first time interviewing people (for the mock interviews and proposal), first time using blogger and facebook as a teaching platform, first time giving such a 'different' oral presentation (where the content was not as important as the body language). It amazes me how much we have done within a short amount of time :)

I have definitely gained much from this module. From learning about the 7Cs and applying them to the blog posts, proposal and even during the oral presentation, I have gone from being a person who is very lengthy in words to being more concise in my writing and even in my presentations. I enjoyed the experience of conducting an interview with an external party for the proposal because it allowed me to understand as to how an interview functions.

Of course, physical skills were not the only ones gained. I learnt alot more about EQ from this module in respect that our lives will never be as perfect as we want it to be. We have to learn to deal with situations where we least expect to and this is where good EQ will come in place. I have to really thank my teammates for being there for me all the time, in particular Adeline. This module has allowed me to grow much stronger in character as well as in learning to deal with undesirable situations. Thus, I sincerely thank Brad and my Group 4 classmates for being such a fun loving bunch and making this module one of the best I have ever taken :)

19 Comments:

At 16 April 2011 at 08:07 , Blogger Faizal said...

Hey Paula!

We didn't get to spend much time together did we? Its a waste really I have lots of Malay jokes and you were the only one that could possibly hope to understand them.

In any case its been nice knowing you, and good to know that you have a lot of positives to take away from this module. I'll always remember you as the girl that hit me because I was the one that suggested some the exploding lab question for your mock interview. :)

 
At 16 April 2011 at 08:13 , Blogger Paula said...

Hello Faizal!

Yeah, we didn't spend much time together and now you're going to graduate already :( Actually that mock interview was really memorable. I think I really need to read up more about safety issues in the event you end up being one of my interviewers in future (Please no hahaha!)

Nevertheless, I wish you all the best in your career and sampai bertemu lagi :)

 
At 16 April 2011 at 08:47 , Blogger Adeline said...

Hello Paula! Thanks for thanking me. I also want to thank you for encouraging me whenever I feel inconfident. Your encouragement really helped me in overcoming my insecurities about myself. :)

Yep, it is a pity that we did not get to work together much with Faizil. I supposed he is a fun and humorous person, sure to be very fun working together with him.

But do not worry, you can still see me on fb, skype, msn, hp or at school. haha... I am always around wherever you are, since the both of us are chemistry majors. Very happy to know you at year 2. Should have known you in year 1.

I hope next time we can work together again! :D

 
At 16 April 2011 at 09:18 , Blogger Unknown said...

hey paula,

Time flies. It has been great knowing you. I am sure,there would be have lots of funs and laughter,if we had a chance to work together.

Finally, don't kill me~ haaha!

 
At 16 April 2011 at 09:38 , Blogger Unknown said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

 
At 16 April 2011 at 09:47 , Blogger Unknown said...

Paula,
Good luck for your final exam! And all the best for your future endeavor :)

 
At 16 April 2011 at 10:00 , Blogger Mark said...

Hola senora, Que tal?

I'm glad you learned all the 7Cs in speaking and writing as well as emotional intelligence, because I learned the same, and found lots of importance for them. But I beg to differ regarding workload, I thought it was pretty normal you know? Just like all NUS modules, you have just as much workload as your other modules because if you really compare, your other modules are examinable and you have to do alot of 'workload' for that exam, like your own preparation, your own revision and this are equally if not more demanding and requiring lots of your analytical and critical thinking ability, more so than ES2007s I would say. So workload is pretty normal like all other modules.


When you said this module is one of your best ones, I'm certainly really glad for that, because mine had one of the best foreboding ones instead. Haha! Which is good you know, because you get a certain sense of being on the edge, and oh my word, its so so thrilling and exciting, more thrilling and exciting than your undifferentiated happy-only journey. Because life isn't only about feeling happy, it's about feeling sad, angry, jealous, confused, relieved, excited et cetera. And professional communication is meant for you to learnt only the handling skills for all these emotions, or don't you see the ultimate and fundamental philosophy of professional communication now?

Overall, I'm glad you came out with more knowledge after taking ES2007s, though you should also positively consider some of my words above.


Un besito
Que tu con muchas las felicidades, los amores, y tienes las alegrias y los valores para eventos de dificil en tu vida! Tengo el placer a su conoce, senora!!

 
At 16 April 2011 at 19:09 , Blogger jac.~ said...

Paulaaa!! I love calling your name! :) really gals to know you and have you as a friend in the same major too! You really lightened up the course and despite your petiteness, you have quite the explosiveness. :) Despite so much we've faced, you've definitely not backed down even though it just seems impossible to finish:)

Hope to work with you more in chemistry! :)

 
At 16 April 2011 at 23:33 , Blogger Paula said...

Adeline: Hello! Yes we should have known each other in Year 1 but Year 2 is still not too late. Anyway let's find time to hit the gym together and lose weight together hahahaha! :D

Michael: Hahaha hello don't kill me! (Just in case anyone was wondering,internal joke) Anyway I'm really glad to have known you despite not working in the same groups for the module but we can always hang out even after this module has ended :)

Mark: Well Mark, after 12 weeks, I'd like to thank you for always commenting on my blog entries. I think each and everyone of us are entitled to our own opinions and it the exchange of ideas that makes this module so enriching. All the best after graduation :)

Jac: JACCCCCCCCCCCC :D thanks for the encouragement you've given me throughout the module. And for poking me all the time in lectures hahaha! Hope we'll take the same cores next year as well so I can continue poking you as well :D

 
At 17 April 2011 at 01:14 , Blogger Brad Blackstone said...

Thanks, Paula, for coming on board ES2007S despite everything you heard about the work load. (And thanks to Mark for confirming that the load is not so different from other modules.) Indeed, the load is heavy, the expectations are very high, and the results...well, I was so happy to see how well everyone performed on the oral presentation. That for me is proof that the effort expended by students in preparation, from developing the peer lessons on fundamental skills to adding the finishing touches to the OP slides, was well worthwhile. You can honestly say that you moved mountains in this course, as your list of "firsts" clearly demonstrates.

I really appreciate your individual effort, Paula, and the good attitude that carried you through. As I reflect I recall how you would often be one of the first to respond to my classroom discussion questions, and that you were always intent in knowing exactly how you could improve something that I might have mentioned in my feedback. That sort of enthusiasm can't be taught, but it can be nurtured, and I was very lucky to be in a position where I could work with you this term.

All the best in your future!

 
At 17 April 2011 at 09:14 , Blogger edwinK said...

Hi Paula!

Like Faizal, I think I did not manage to work with you for many occasions. But I'm sure that you'd be as fun a working buddy as the ones that I had!

Well, I'm glad to have had you as a classmate. I've enjoyed ES2007 as much as you have did! Hope to work with you some day in the future ya! And dun forget my name two sems later ah! HAHA!

 
At 17 April 2011 at 09:21 , Blogger .:michelle:. said...

you're the girl who sat beside me and Brad couldn't remember your name on the first day. I've not worked with you alot during this semester, just a couple of times when we changed posiitons. Still, it was always a joy to work with you. You are always cheerful and understanding.

All the best for the rest of your university education. Treasure it. :)

 
At 17 April 2011 at 11:30 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Paula,

We have something in common that is both our mum’s side come from Indonesia (: It was great knowing you, Paula. You are a very pleasant and sincere person. I can still remember the time when we conducted a mock interview with you and you were so nervous yet you did an outstanding job. I have no doubt that you will succeed in future interviews (:

Keep in touch ya. I would like to wish you all the best for your future endeavors.

Cheers!

 
At 18 April 2011 at 01:10 , Blogger mabel said...

Hey Paula!

From your blogpost, I can really see how you've grown throughout the course! You've improved tremendously since the first day we met! It was proven when you gave such an impressive presentation, despite having so many CAs that week! And it's heartening to hear how much you've learnt from this module as well!

It's been really great knowing you, girl!

 
At 18 April 2011 at 02:56 , Blogger Yu Tian said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

 
At 18 April 2011 at 02:57 , Blogger Yu Tian said...

Hay Paula. It’s been really a great time working alongside with you. I can still remember your pain-staking statistical compiling efforts as though it was yesterday. You have truly showed resilience and determination especially at the later phases of the project proposal and presentation. For instance, you have performed supremely well in the OP despite having 4 CAs that week.

In the team, you often got the short end of the stick and often have to do ‘odd jobs’ like Wiki uploads and other smaller but tedious operations. I truly applaud you for the initiative and commitment you have shown designed being assigned these seemly non high-importance but essential roles throughout project as Adeline was busy with minutes, Isaac cooped up with editing and I doing the compiling. A big THANK YOU for tying those loose ends for us.

 
At 18 April 2011 at 08:15 , Blogger Paula said...

Brad: Hi Brad, thanks for the comments. I have to say I really enjoyed attending your classes this semester because there was no teacher-student barrier that most teachers tend to have. It was a joy having so much interaction in class and for once,I wasn't afraid to speak out in class (I tend to just stay quiet and invisible during my chemistry tutorials haha!) So thank you for letting me know that classes can actually be enjoyed and not just be full of dreadful and boring lectures and do keep this way of teaching ;)

Edwin: Hello Edwin! Don't worry I won't forget your name 2 semesters later one haha!

Michelle: Thanks Michelle! I really enjoyed the little but meaningful times we had to discuss the questions and also during the mock interviews. I wish you all the best in your job and future endeavors :D

Eunice: Thanks Eunice! I really like how you speak in class about all that experience that you had overseas because it always makes me want to go on exchange programmes! But alas,I won't have this opportunity but it's still great hearing about such wonderful memories that you had overseas. All the best after graduation :)

Mabel: Thank you Mabel for the comments :) It was great knowing you as well and all the best in your future endeavors :D

Yu Tian: Hi Yu Tian,it was really an eye-opening experience working with you for the proposal and OP because of the different but good style of working method you had. I definitely learnt alot from you :)

 
At 18 April 2011 at 17:36 , Blogger benji said...

Hey Paula!!

Thanks for being such a great great classmate!! You were such a fun addition to the class (and the group during peer teaching)..

Thanks for the many times that you've stayed back and listened to my rants. You're surely a very very friendly and thoughtful girl!!

All the best for your exams yah!!

 
At 18 April 2011 at 18:52 , Blogger Paula said...

Hey Ben! Thank you for listening to my rants as well haha~ It's been great knowing you this semester and I'm glad to have known a dinosaur now :D All the best for your exams too!

 

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home