As Good As It Gets

Time flies. To me, it feels like I just came back from my exchange programme in London and I’m still struggling to get used to the pace of studying in NUS. And yet, 13 weeks have passed.

This module was one that I started out not really enjoying due to the amount of work that had to be done with each session. However, it turned out to be one of the modules that I grew to love and enjoy so very much. It was a pleasure working with Brad and the wonderful classmates in Group 8.

I’ll be honest here. I bided for this module for various reasons other than truly wanting to improve my communication skills. Firstly, I was told it was a really slack module by a friend (Well, to all those who thought the same, we were proven wrong, weren’t we?). Secondly, there was no final examination and I really do prefer modules that do not have a final exam so I can focus on studying for my other core modules. However, after taking this module, my perspectives have changed. I have gained so much from this module in this one semester.

I’ve gained much more confidence in myself when it comes to writing, be it for a semi-formal setting as in the blog posts, or for more formal settings such as writing business correspondences, job application letters and the resume. I do have a personal blog, but it is not as formal as this one. Initially I was really afraid of the comments I’d receive at the end of each blog post, I don’t know how my fellow classmates would react to my writings. But with time, this fear was transformed into excitement to find out what they have to say, and also how I can improve. It made the whole learning process all the more fun and enjoyable. I love to read blog posts and the comments that follow. I like to put myself in the other person’s shoes for a bit and to see the world through their eyes.

I’ve also picked up some pretty good presentation and sell-yourself techniques. Thanks to the feedback I’ve received from Brad and my fellow classmates, I now know what some of the flaws I have in my presentations and I will work to correct them. Through the mock interviews (though it was kind of staged), I feel I am aware of some of the things that the interviewer might look out for. With knowledge of these and resume and application writing skills, I might just be able to market myself to clinch my ideal job in the future, just maybe. The mock interviews were so much fun! Playing a role that is different from who you really are, like playing the bad guy (recalls Joshua’s evil persona); and knowing how your classmates feel about your performance. I remember Jie Ren telling Goh Chern (I think) that I was going to be a very strict interviewer and just recently, I learnt that Diana (1) found it hard to be mean to me. All in all, this made the mock interviews a really fun experience.

Indeed, the writing, interview and presentation skills were great takeaways from this course. But, the greatest takeaway for me is the wonderful friends that I have made. All these experiences wouldn’t have been as wonderful as they were if it wasn’t for wonderful classmates and an ever so supportive lecturer. They have provided me with encouragement and have made the sessions fun. Preparing for the various assignments might have felt like a chore, but attending class was one of the things I look forward to on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Thank you Brad for the patience and guidance you have showered us with. Thank you Clement, Diana, Emily, Glenn, Godwin, Goh Chern, Jasper, Jie Ren, Jolene, Joshua, Kian Leong, Kun Lin (pity you couldn’t join us for the last session), Pei Rong, Rohan, Weiying and Zhisheng for being such wonderful classmates. It has been a pleasure working with you all! :)