Final Reflection on Learning

13 weeks ago, I was sceptical about taking ES2007s. I was doubtful on whether I could manage the workload for the module given that I was in the last lap of my race with my Final Year Project(FYP) and other modules hounding me. Today, however, I should say that I have no regrets having taken the module. It has shaped my verbal, non verbal skills and knowledge in so many ways that I think I would have regretted it if I left NUS without taking it. Most modules nowadays attempt to make you a good presenter and a good team player but what ES2007s did to me was much more than that. It made me a person with assertiveness.

I have always been submissive. I used to believe that saying "no" to someone was really unkind. I used to help my schoolmates with their assignments such that I soon became the "ask for help" person. I was taken advantage of. Taken advantage to do their homeworks and projects. One lesson in ES2007s on assertiveness opened my eyes to the possibility that I was being submissive. I realised that because I was constantly meek, many people took the chance to make use of me. They used me to get their school work done, they used me to get their projects done, they used me to get their errands done. I realised that maybe it was time I started being assertive. I started standing my ground and saying no to people.

The change from then was profounding, the pressure on me to do someone else's work was lesser, the pressure on me to share my assignments for them to copy was lesser. It felt like I had a mind of my own and a voice of my own. I still remember Dr Radhika saying during my group's discussion on how it was important to find your voice in this world. That line struck a cord and today, I think I have found my voice and my stand. The fact that I learnt this before my entry to the workplace has indeed been the biggest gift that ES2007s has bestowed on me:) For that, I am truly grateful for having taken the module.