This course definitely made an impact for me this semester. I’ve heard many stories from my friends who took this module last semester and truthfully, I had many doubts when I joined the class initially. I believed it to be a helpful module but one with a crazy high workload. As it turned out, I wasn’t entirely wrong. True, it was a module in the manner which Brad always emphasized: like being pushed into the deep end of the swimming pool without swimming lessons or even a life jacket. I felt helpless so many times during this course. But thankfully, the friends I made are really the ones saving me from drowning and bit by bit, I learn to swim with their guidance. I felt that the people I got to know in this class far outweigh the problems I had faced when trying to complete the module tasks.
Still, I know that I’ve learnt many skills in this course. First off, I managed to present myself to an accepting audience in a professional manner and this experience is something I would never be able to get outside of this class. I really enjoyed this, even though it meant a few sleepless nights and anxiety attacks for me. I really had zero confidence and this course definitely helped me grow in ways I never imagined. Another challenge I’ve learnt to deal with: empathizing and learning to work with people with very different personalities. I was not very surprised when I was met with interesting people in this course. I see interesting people everywhere in NUS. But because this module is one which requires interaction and small group discussions (an aspect that other courses in NUS could not provide), I found myself learning to adapt to different people’s way of speaking and thinking. This is a really sensitive and useful skill to pick up, and it is really necessary for me to grow in my people skills as I’ll definitely need this later on in life.
I must say that the 13 weeks really passed by in a flash. I never expected myself to complete so much within such a short span of time. And sad to speak, even though I put in a lot of effort in some of my work, I feel like the results I received do not reflect so. Once again, I know that results aren’t everything and the learning process is more important, but I still can’t get rid of that slight feeling that I’m not entirely satisfied. Then again, I DID learn so much! Even though it was just a short period, I was surprised that everything I’ve done stayed in my mind and I know that this knowledge would be put into good use time and time again.
I must emphasize that this module was really fun, and the friends I made are really great, plus the material I’ve learnt will really be useful. =) Thanks Brad and everyone! You all rock! This semester rocks because of you guys!
hi jac,
ReplyDeleteIt has been great to know you. Thanks for appreciating my jokes and being encouraging.
Dear Jac,
ReplyDeleteYou've always been very kind in your comments. I still remember the first day I met you. We were having an ice-breaker activity and we were supposed to fill in the blanks with names. First thing you told me was, "You don't look local". That really amused me. Haha.
Seeing your blog post, I'm heartened to see how you've grown since then. I'm sure Brad must be thoroughly satisfied too.
Having seen your high-flyer-kind-of-resume, I believe we share the same thought that as much as we wish this is a CS/CU module where grades don't matter, grades DO matter in NUS. As long as we're in such a meritocratic system, we cannot escape. But I think you did pretty alright in this module too. So don't worry so much, nothing much we can do from now on either.
Stay cheery!
Hola hermana, Que tal?
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you learnt so many lessons Jacqueline, and I've been followingly your progress very closely throughout the semester. You struck me as someone who has a gift for wanting to feel joy, happiness, and fraternity with your classmates, and true enough, at the end of the semester now, you have shown me joy, happiness, and fraternity, while I was almost the complete opposite and nearly brought to sorrow.
I don't have your gift Jacqueline, give it to me Jacqueline, don't be so selfish, teach me about this gift of yours! Haha!
Apart from that, you also mentioned you learnt many valuable professional communication skills and I'm sure your mum and dad couldn't be more proud of their precious daughter! Your presentation skills in particular will certainly help you in your professional career because you would be asked to make many presentations as you become more famous in your profession. You also learnt to work with difficult people, and if you did learn well enough, you probably can work well with me, because I can be super difficult! lol! In any case, you are bound to meet difficult and 'strange' people in the professional workplace, and your ability to be comfortable among strange people will determine your emotional intelligence, tolerance and endurance, and ultimately your mental and physical well-being. People in the workplace aren't going to be your nice friends in NUS, I'm foretelling you that they can be some of the most tyrannical people you will ever meet. If you can control your heart-rate to 10 beats per 10 second in the presence of a tyrant or argument or otherwise, then that would be indicative of your EQ and AQ or adversity quotient. Yea you heard me right Jacqueline, 10 beats per 10 second, or 60 beats in 1 minute is needed for you to have calmness and composure.
How I know? Cuz I measure mine before and once I go beyond 10 beats, I start to go out of control and 'lose it'. It's the same for men and women, our cardio functions are the same, so the 10 heartbeats per 10 second rule applies to both genders, except children of course! Oh you can take your heart-rate now too.
Other than that your post has many grammatical and sentence structure errors. You can improve on that too I guess.
Muchas gracias chica,
Que tu saludable y con de las tranquilidades, las felicidades, pero mas importante, que tu con el principe de amor un dia.
Jacqueline has definitely come a long way since the first lesson. Through her “baptism of fire”, she has internalised the principles of EQ and developed effective emotional control and self-confidence. Like a flower blossoming, Jacqueline has gradually learnt to open up to others. What doesn’t kill you apparently does make you stronger.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that Jacqueline did not receive the results she wanted, something we can all relate to and sympathise with. Competition is the dark side of meritocracy. An over-emphasis on ranking everything under the sun has resulted in grade-escalation. Consequently, the bell curve this semester has turned into a Dirac Delta function and I would advise Jacqueline not to beat herself up over what is beyond her control.
Hello Jac! I am glad we took this module together and learn so many useful skills in such a short while. I think you have learnt to become more confident in yourself already. :D
ReplyDeleteHey Jac!
ReplyDeleteIts been quite the experience working with you. You are definitely not like most girls I know.
Its good to know that you have learnt many useful things from this module. Even without a perfect grade there are other positives things to take away from this semester.
Plus if you didn't take this module then you would have never met me!! You keep saying I bully you now but you'll miss me when I'm gone... :)
wads a dirac delta function? lol isaac your english too high tech for me:P
ReplyDeleteAwww thanks guys for the encouragement! Faizal! What do you mean that I'm not like most girls??!! I'm gonna take that as a personal attack>.<! See you're bullying me in public! Haha! Yes yes we'll all miss the funny crazy Faizal! Haha! Wah Isaac you never fail to profound me. Thanks for being so encouraging of me! Aww michelle thanks for empatising! :) let's work hard together! Um mark thanks for writing all that.. Though I can't say I know you well I'm still touched that you said all that... Thanks people!
ReplyDeleteThanks Adeline and Michael tooo! For rocking this module with everyone! ;)
ReplyDeletejac,
ReplyDeleteGood luck for your final exam! And all the best for your future endeavor :)
Hey Jac,
ReplyDeleteIt's been so great knowing you! Your one of the nicest, funniest girls I've met and it really is too bad we never got to be in the same group for anything.
True grades can be bit of a disappointment, even for me but considering how much we've learned I think grades take a backseat here.
I really hope we meet soon and good luck for everything :)
This is a very comprehensive reflection, Jac. I appreciate the way you "open your heart," sharing your apprehensions, expectations and achievements. You also explain well how much the interpersonal interactions have meant to you. That is probably due in part to the fact that this is a tutorial-based course, but also it's an indication of how many of our activities require that you "get up close and personal" with classmates: mock interviews, resume reviews, groups projects, presentation debriefings. In each of these you had to interact and "adapt." You did a very good job of that, making many friends in the process.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your many contributions, Jac. It was nice seeing you not just survive what Isaac called "the baptism of fire" but blossom in the process.
All the best as you continue your life's learning journey!
JACQ!
ReplyDeleteIt was great exciting fun having you around in this module!! Your highly contagious joy and laughter has made our peer teaching so much more enjoyable!
Hope to be able to take more of such fun modules with you in the future!! =D
HEY JAC!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Faizal. You're not like other girls. I dare to extend it even further: you're not like other people. I have not seen as much humility in anyone who has the same credentials as yours. While that is a good thing in moderate amount, please constantly remind yourself that indulging yourself in that is unhealthy ok? You are a great person, ingenious and deserve to stand confident of your abilities. So, don't be afraid of things already ok?
It has been a great pleasure to work with you, along with Faizal and Kenneth. The efforts that I see you put in, along with your very evident self reflections, impress me greatly. And these would be what I would strive to learn from you! Thank you for sharing stuff with the group. It is an honour to have worked with you in this semester.
Hail, Coordinator of coordinators! hahah!!
Hey Jac,
ReplyDeleteIt is a blessing to have known you! Thanks for sharing with us your struggles during this course. In fact, I can completely empathize with you as I felt the same way. The sleepless nights and the anxiety attack...However, I could not agree with you more that the getting to know the class greatly outweigh the problems faced. If we learn to look at the positive things in life, we will be happier people. I am sure you will excel in all area of your life, sister. Just don’t give up (:
Keep in touch ya. I would like to wish you all the best for your future endeavors.
Cheers!
Jac!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Edwin! I find you extremely multi-talented! Yet you've always portrayed such modesty, I really admire that!
Glad to hear that you've learnt so much from this module, and that your confidence has also grown throughout as well! It's been such a pleasure knowing you.
Hi Jac. I don’t know if you are really different from other girls as stated by Faizal and Edwin but you are definitely different from most of the RJC people that I have met so far. You are crowned by tour modestly and humility despite your outstanding credentials.
ReplyDeleteDespite not having worked with you in the module, I enjoyed your company during the lunch we had together. Your humility made you very approachable and there’s no pressure talking to you. However, you should give more pride to your achievements and have more confidence in your abilities. In this society, the way we carry ourselves is as equally important as our abilities. So, shine more brightly ok? You will definitely be a new star in education =)
Uttara! Thanks for being so sweet! You're great too! :) and I've learnt so much from you sharing about your culture! Thanks girl! :)) wishing you all the best!
ReplyDeleteThanks brad! Yes I admit I learnt quite a lot, more than what this module actually offers, and all these is thanks to you and the class! Thanks again! :) I'll work hard!
ReplyDeleteBen! :) thanks for taking this module with me, even though it was at 'gunpoint' lol. Haha it'll definitely be different without you cuz you're really fun! :)
ReplyDeleteEdwin! My dear proj mate! You rock yes you do! :) thanks for helping me so much and no please I'm not so humble la, just shy:) haha! You're such a funny and nice guy mans! All the best k! :))
Eunice! Aww girl you're fab too! Really admired your tenacity during your project and to see you overcome do many challenges! Youre amazing girl! :) thanks for just being there! :)
ReplyDeleteMabel! Haha you seriously rock! Love talking to you and hope we can meet again cuz you're super funny! :) thanks!
Yu tian! Thanks for the compliments but no la I'm just shy! Haha! You're super fun to be with too! Lunchtime breaks are really good for bonding! Thanks! :)) you're a fantastic genius haha so hope to know you better yeah!
Hello Jac :D :D :D :D *pokes*
ReplyDeleteTaking up this module alone was a daunting task for me initially but thankfully I got to know you during the 1st lesson (and of cos through Kai Kee) but I think you really made the days easier for me :) So thank you for being such a great friend and I'm really glad that you have emerged a stronger and better person through this module. Hope to see you around in school :)
WAHAHAHAA! SHY!!! ok la,give it to you. You're shy.
ReplyDeleteHi Jac!
ReplyDeleteYou’ve been a great friend and classmate in this module =). Haha I think our class have bonded due to certain exogenous agents eh? Or maybe the singular noun “agent” is more appropriate :P. Anyway, I’m glad to see that you have learnt many skills thru this course. It’s rather impressive to see that although you found the oral presentation quite scary, you eventually managed to overcome your fears and pull through. Congratulations! I’m glad that you’ve realize that your boundaries are only psychological and have managed to break them. I think that in life, it is important to be willing to go out of one’s comfort zone and break self imposed limitations so that we may actualize our full potential. I’m also glad that you’ve realized that your friends played a critical role in your success, and that you’ve learnt how to work with different people. This is because one of the most important determinants of workplace success is the ability to work effectively with people (hence the importance of effective professional communication, the very thrust of ES2007S). By learning solid professional communication skills, I’m sure that you have made a quantum leap towards being an excellent teacher once you graduate. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors! =)
It was definitely great knowing and working with you during this module. At the beginning of this module, I only knew you as Benjamin's friend. Now, at the end of this module, I can see you as my friend.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see that you have learnt a lot from this module. I myself have learnt a lot too. Also, as our CoC, you have definitely contributed in making Coordonner Les what it is today.
Being unsatisfied with your results is actually a good thing IF it is practised in moderation. A little bit of it will keep you striving to improve. Just do not reach the "it won't be good, might as well don't do it" stage (referring to the interview with Mr Low).
Last but not least, may these memories always remain in your heart and all the best for your exams!