ES2007S Post #2: Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

Trent is a 19-year-old student. Towards the end of his graduating year, he and his close friends planned to go clubbing since some of them thought it would be a good way to celebrate their graduation. Trent, who had not gone clubbing before, was excited about this “in” activity.

However, Trent’s mother, Wanda, was uncomfortable with clubbing. All Wanda knew about clubbing were the negative portrayals in dramas. Whenever Trent mentioned about clubbing, Wanda would indicate her disapproval by telling him how dangerous a club is. Wanda had never met Trent’s friends and was afraid he would be in bad company. Trent was adamant on going despite knowing that Wanda was uncomfortable with his decision

Main problem: Eventually, Wanda relented and allowed Trent to go, telling him to not be home too late. Trent agreed. Wanda felt that since Trent was already 19, it was time she went easier on him but did not articulate this to Trent. That night, Trent suddenly sent an SMS home, saying he will be staying out overnight --- something which he has done only once at a school camp. Wanda was very angry. She thought: What if something happen to him? I told him to be home early!

When Trent came home the next day, the mother and son quarrelled over why he stayed out.

What could Trent and Wanda do so that Wanda will feel less uneasy about his going clubbing and his staying out overnight, something which was not planned beforehand?

ES2007S Post #1: Effective Communication Skills

Developing effective communication skills are vital tp me for three reasons:
1. To secure jobs and internships.
2. To build strong relationships with friends, families, colleagues and superiors.
3. To discover more about myself.

To secure a job or internship, a clearly written curriculum vitae, along with appropriate and confident response at interviews are vital. To achieve these, I need to have effective communication skills. Whether at interviews or other situations, when we have a good impression of a person, we are likely to infer that the person has more positive attributes or even disregard negative information about that person.* To leave a good first impression through writing and face-to-face interactions, we need effective communication skills.

Friends, families and colleagues are the people most important to us. Effective communication skills enable me to better analyse their thoughts and actions, learn more about them and thus be able to act appropriately to strengthen our relationships. In doing so, I can foster closer relationships with them and encourage them to open up with me.

Using effective communication skills, I can know more about myself by how people interact with me. I can then take steps to improve myself. For example, when my project mates choose not to consult me on an important decision, it may mean that they think I am not capable of making a correct decision or it is simply due to a lack of time. Using effective communication skills will enable me to verify which scenario it actually is.

*Joseph A. DeVito. The Interpersonal Communication Book Eleventh edition. Pg 87. Pearson Education, Inc. 2007.

First Practical in 6 Months

I had the first practical in 6 months yesterday.

Amazingly, things generally went right. In fact, better than expected. Well.... Truth be told, I am a "practical idiot" [ You can take it as practically idiot, or idiot when it comes to practicals. I do not really mind either way. =) ].

Hopefully things will go on like this for the next 3 months. Let us 加油吧 lab partner!

Hello World!!!

Finally got over the inertia and set up this blog. Hello World!!!