All 13 entries tagged Wspa

Final entry on Reading and note–making

Workshop Tutor: Han-na Cha

Dear Han-na,

Thank you for your comment. I’d like to now update you on the results from the action points I have set at the beginning.

Last week, I had 4 very difficult exams which tested all the new learning techniques I have implemented since the first blog entry. I was quite amazed by the fact how easy I was able to absorb all the information from completely different topics within such a short period of time. So far, I’ve had 7 exams out of 8, and I feel confident about every single one of them. Since April 17^th, I’ve been studying every day at least for 5 hours. As mentioned before, I prepared a schedule, I tried to vary the topics so as not to get bored and sleepy and I spread the difficult parts amongst the easier ones.

Moreover, I have found out that I had been familiar with most of the things you told us in the workshop – which I have been already using in my own way. Since primary school, I was very good at structuring texts. However, now after the workshop and practice, I feel more efficient when it comes to skimming the text so as to find the relevant information, how to prepare the notes in a more memorable way and how to approach the revision in overall.

As far as mind-maping is concerned, it is a very handy tool to use when a lot of theory comes in and you feel overwhelmed and lost. It creates for you a way of thinking on the exam, it structures your thoughts and the only thing you have to do is to take a blank sheet of paper and draw. I know that it is somehow simplified description, but it’s true. You just have to put your thoughts on the paper which at the end will work as a snapshot from your brain. It makes it a lot more easier to recall all the topics, subtopics and headings.

Regarding 3:1 package, I usually create some kind of “summary of a summary”. I used to call it Bus Notes when I was commuting to grammar school. I guess this was meant by 3:1. I’ll probably use it for my last exam.

So, I hope I managed to met all my action points I have set at the beginning. I’d like to finish the blog with a big thanks to you Han-na for your comments and input you have been providing me with during my blogging. Now, I feel that I’ll be able to manage difficult, time and energy-demanding situations that can occur in revisions.

Many thanks and I look forward to your comment on my final blog.

Regards,
Natalia

: 04 Jun 2012 14:12 |  Tags: A1 Portfolio Entry Final Wspa |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Follow–up on Reading and note–making

Workshop Tutor: Han-na Cha

Heres a summary of how I've been getting on with my action points

Dear Han-na,

Thank you for your feedback and suggestions for improving my learning style. I've just done the VARK questionnaire. Here are the results:

• Visual: 13
• Aural: 6
• Read/Write: 8
• Kinesthetic: 6

This indeed has proven that I'm a visual person type. I've realized that I learn best by drawing charts, using colours, highlighters, pictures or different types of blocks of text - grouping ideas together with one colour, etc.

This was written at the end of the result from the questionnaire:

You want the whole picture so you are probably holistic rather than reductionist in your approach. You are often swayed by the way something looks. You are interested in color and layout and design and you know where you are in your environment. You are probably going to draw something.

Since my last blog, I have sit couple of exams, now I'm preparing for the following, I've got used to writing the notes with cornell note-making (I have to admit that I adjusted it a bit - in the revision materials, it is easier for me to make a summary not in every page, but after one topic).

Also, I've started to use mind-maps for Operations management. The exam is based on two questions out of 8. The tricky thing is that they can ask us to elaborate on a particular sub-topic. Mind-mapping helps me to see what possible questions we might be asked and since I'm a visual learner, it is easier for me to remember what has to be included in which sub-topic.

As far as reading skills are concerned, It really does make a difference when a person gets used to taking breaks, not multitasking during reading and when the topics vary. Every day in the morning, I prepare what I'm going to study, I split the day into several parts so as not to get bored, and it helps. I feel more efficient and fresh.

I tried to find out how to apply the 3:1 memorable packages, but I haven't found how to do it. Do you happen to have any website where to look for the info?

Thanks Han-na for your input and I'm looking forward to your reply.

Natalia

: 26 May 2012 09:23 |  Tags: A1 Portfolio Actions Follow-Up Wspa |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Follow–up on Reading and Note–making

Follow-up to A1_Portfolio_Reading and Note–making from Natalia's blog

Dear Han-na

with a huge delay, I would like to continue with my blogging on the progress in reading and note-making.

As for the action points, for the next 4 weeks in this exam term, I would like to set 3 specific action points which I hope I will find useful for my revision.

1. I will choose one subject on which I want to practise Mind mapping. I have also downloaded into my pc a mindmapping programme.

2. When revising, I prefer creating my own notes from the lecture slides. I will choose one subject where I will use Cornell Note-Making method. I know that this is mainly for taking the notes in the lecture, but I think it might also be beneficial for creating revision notes - especially the summary at the bottom of the page. Or I was thinking about adjusting the system, eg. creating the summary after each topic.

3. My revision requires lot of reading. Therefore, I would like to improve my reading skills. In the notes we were given after the workshop, there are several hints for increasing reading skills. In particular: take regular breaks, print the materials off, don't multitask, after the reading, make notes of what you have rear and vary what you read. I believe that not only will such practices have a positive effect on my reading speed, but also it will speed up my revision in overall.

Thank you Han-na for reading the entry. The update on my progress will follow soon.

Regards,
Natalia

: 25 Apr 2012 09:01 |  Tags: A1 Cha Han-Na Notemaking Portfolio Reading Wspa |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Follow–up on Career planning

Workshop Tutor: Fiona Kent

Heres a summary of how I've been getting on with my action points

Dear Fiona,

Unfortunately, the interview was postponed from April 11 to April 17. Therefore, I couldn't have updated you about how the telephone interview went.

As far as my second action point regarding the preparation for the interview is concerned, I decided not to leave anything to chance. I watched the videos with interviews that Charlie Cunningham recommended me. I found them really interesting, especially the interviewers' comments on applicant’s performance. I learnt quite a lot about the nature of such interviews.

I also googled information regarding the possible questions I might be asked at the interview. I found it helpful because I tried to reply to each of them on my own. With such preparation, I felt during the conversation more relaxed and confident. When you prepare the possible answers, it is easier not to slip into a trap.

For example, one question I was asked was which subject at Warwick I have enjoyed most so far and why. I responded, that business planning - an integrative project based on teamwork was a challenging experience. He asked me which role I played in the team and what I think my strength was. I described him my responsibilities and told him that I like to challenge - improve things - to question new ideas so as to make the most of them. He found an opportunity to ask me a tricky question - don't you think that such approach to brainstorming can be sometimes frustrating?

Well, to be honest, I was surprised by such question. Luckily, one of the question I googled was similar to this one, so I knew that I have to turn it into something positive. I said that when a person knows his or her strengths, it is necessary to know when it is appropriate to use them. So I agreed that it might be frustrating, but I also pointed out that I am driven by achievements and that I like getting things done. When being short of time, I consider - is it worth to challenge the idea? Do we have time for it? Are those 3% of improvement more valuable compared to the progress of the overall project?

I think, such answer was quite diplomatic and it does not show my strength as a weakness. Am I right?

To conclude, the whole interview lasted more than 30 minutes and I had a good feeling about the way the interview went. I was told that I was articulate and my responses were well structured and meaningful. So now I just have to expect the worst and hope for the best.

Thank you Fiona for reading the blog, I tried to meet all the action points I set during the workshop. So now I guess I am going to start writing the final entry for the whole Warwick Skills Portfolio.

Thank you again for following my posts and all the best!

Natalia

: 18 Apr 2012 02:22 |  Tags: Actions Follow-Up P9 Portfolio Wspa |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Follow–up on An introduction to emotional intelligence

Workshop Tutor: Samantha Tarren

Heres a summary of how I've been getting on with my action points

Hello Samantha!

I apologize for the delay in my blog entries. Unfortunately, I was unable to progress with my action points and follow-up posts as quickly as I wished.

As far as my last entry is concerned, I was analysing the importance of non-judgemental listening. I referred to Stephen Covey and his 7 habits of highly effective people. Since this last post, I have been trying to implement the active listening in day-to-day situations.

Having done the workshop on coaching, I found this area of self-development interesting. I have read a lot about coaching, its advantages and disadvantages and outcomes. Self-development as such is one of the main areas in which I can imagine myself in 3-4 years from now. Unlike mentoring, coaching is all about listening to other people so as to ask the right questions. What I started to do is the same thing. When talking to people, I try to listen more carefully. I pay more interest to their actual problems, and it works.

To demonstrate this on an example, couple of days ago I went with a friend of mine for coffee. She was going through a bad life situation, which she though is a vicious circle. I have known her since primary school, so I can say when her problem is real. In such situations, there is not a lot we as friends can do, but I tried to somehow help her to find a way out of it. Sometimes, asking right questions is enough. I have to admit, analysing things is what I am good at. So I wanted to let her to see the problem from different angles. I let her to do the analysis just by asking the questions such as: What can you do? Is there anything else you can do to make it better? Is there any other obstacle you haven’t thought of? What would be the first step you would take if you decided to change it? And so on, and so forth… After an hour, I saw that she was glad that she had someone who listened to her and that she had a change to talk about it.

However, I have to admit that active listening is sometimes tiring. It requires us to pay more attention and put more effort in the conversation than we usually do. It steals from the energy that we usually put into our problems. But it is only a matter of finding the right balance, isn’t it?

As for the summary of the blog on Emotional Intelligence, I feel that through writing about my perception of emotional intelligence, I learnt couple of important things.

First of all, I found out that meditation and mindfulness is not a cup of my tea. I tried, but it didn’t work. I learnt that every person has different ways of relaxing. In my case, running and exercising in overall is the way I should be maintaining the balance between work/studies and relax/life.

Secondly, I wanted to attend the workshop on Time-management. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to but at least, I read Getting Things Done by David Allen and successfully implemented a number of techniques which improve the time-management, such as to-do lists, ecalendars, eat the frog and 2 minute rule.

Lastly, I focused more on active listening. Having attended your workshop and 2-day workshop on coaching, I have a good base for improving such soft-skill. There indeed is a long way to go, but as it is said, the beginning is the most difficult part.

Thank you Samantha for following my blog. Again, I apologize for taking longer time for finishing the blog, but sometimes being reflective requires a bit deeper analysis. I hope I referred to all the things you expected me to and I look forward to writing the final blog for the Warwick Skills Portfolio Award.

All the best,
Natalia

: 01 Apr 2012 16:17 |  Tags: Actions Follow-Up P6 Portfolio Wspa |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Follow–up on Understanding your personality type

Workshop Tutor: Mary Sage

Heres a summary of how I've been getting on with my action points

Hi Mary!

I apologize for such a delay in my last follow-up. There was one last action point to go, unfortunately, the one that takes longer time to put in action:

3. According to ESTJ, I sometimes give less attention to my intuition - I will try to act more spontaneously/to trust my intuition.

You have to agree with me that this goal might sound easy but there is a long way from having said to having done. Since the last follow-up, I have been aware that I have to pay greater attention to the decision-making process.

Interestingly, what I found out is that when it comes to making decisions, I used to leverage the pros and cons, I tried to analyse all the aspects and impact of that decision, and also, I usually try to gather all the data related to the decision. Not only was this process more time-consuming, but also, in many cases, it influenced the final decision in such a way that I over-think a problem with an obvious solution.

One of the most common examples is a test. During the last mock exam from Financial Management with multiple-choice questions, I caught myself questioning the first instinct, hunch. When preparing for the real exam, I found out that in many of the questions where I thought the answer is correct, the first – unchanged answer was indeed, correct. In 5 out of 15 questions, I changed my answer in a way that I replaced a correct answer with the wrong one. And that was only because I was questioning my first answer even if I had been studying hard for the exam.

So I was thinking when I do such mistakes in exams, what is the result in a real life? That’s when I told myself to stop analysing and over-thinking every single step (and some friends of mine can confirm that I did it a lot). Changing the way we think is a long-term process, that is for sure, but it can be changed. When solving a problem or dealing with a situation, every time I ask myself: left or right, black or white, yes or now – decide now, don’t hesitate because it will make no change, it will add no enormous value. The exact opposite – it will keep you wasting your time, your valuable time that can be spent on other – more important things. The way people think can’t be changed in a second but It seems I made a good start, what do you think?

Dear Mary, I want to thank you very much for the time and effort you put into reading my blog, I think I covered all the action points I set for myself in the fist post. I enjoyed working with MBTI personality questionnaire, I feel I have learnt a lot about myself and I look forward to writing a bit more about it in the final blog!

Thank you and have a nice day!
Natalia

: 01 Apr 2012 15:16 |  Tags: Actions Follow-Up P10 Portfolio Wspa |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Follow–up on Career planning

Workshop Tutor: Chris Manley Fiona Kent

Heres a summary of how I've been getting on with my action points

Dear Fiona and Chris,

Here is the follow-up on my progress with the action points I set in the last blog.

Since your workshop, I have been working so much on improving my CV. As promised, I got my CV checked in the C&S Centre. I thought that attending the workshop on how to write your CV provides you with enough information but the opposite is true. The 20 min session, which I had with one of the advisors in the Centre, got far beyond my expectations. I thought that my CV was strong enough, but I found out that there is a lot that can be improved so as to make the CV flawless.

Ioanna Iordanou, the advisor in the C&S Centre, she pointed out during the session that my CV was well-structured and easy to read. However, she also suggested that due to having a number of important experiences, I should change the structure of the CV. The original CV was based on a timeline which was good, but it does not let the CV show the competencies and qualities of the applicant. So Ioanna showed me how to base the CV on competencies. I switched the timeline to the right-side and added the description of the most important skills and competencies that I gained from each work-experience. Now, the CV looks better, the layout is clearer and it presents my work-experiences, educational background and strengths in a more professional way.

As far as the second action point is concerned, I have decided to change it slightly. Due to having one application successful, I was offered a telephone interview. Therefore, I have decided to focus on the preparation for that conversation. I went to C&S Centre again to gain some advice on what to do and what don’t during the interview. On March 16, I spoke to Charlie Cunningham. He gave me several valuable pieces of advice which I am definitely going to implement in the preparation for the interview. The interview takes place on April 11, so I’m planning to go through company websites, skim their annual reports, google some information about the company and Charlie provided me with some resources regarding the types of questions I might be asked during the conversation and some videos which I think will be useful for the prep.

That’s it for now, thank you for reading and I will get back to the blog with updates after the interview.

Wish me luck and have a nice day!

Natalia

: 01 Apr 2012 14:16 |  Tags: Actions Follow-Up P9 Portfolio Wspa |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Follow–up on Understanding Your Personality Type

Follow-up to Follow–up on Understanding your personality type from Natalia's blog

Hi Mary,

Thank you for your respond to my last follow-up.

This is just a quick note where I want to reflect on how I’m getting on with my action points.

As the business project mentioned is progressing, we as a group were working hard so as to get the most of our presentation. We had two main ideas to consider and we had to choose only one. I saw a huge potential in one but my colleague advocated more the second. The only thing that mattered when choosing the idea was the amount of work that comes with creating a presentation and a follow-up business case.

When it comes to planning and creating a structure, I usually have in my mind a clear, effective plan. Well, it has to be said, that even if it is clear to me, not everyone can always spot the advantages that easily. They usually come up with different approaches that suit them more. And so it was in this case too. I had the whole step-by-step plan in my head. The only thing that needed to be done was dividing the work among the team and to check on the progress. Obviously, what I would do as usual, I would try to improve every little part of the presentation. I would take on more work than other members or delegate the work in such way which would provide me with a better control over the work. Basically, I would overwhelm myself with work and responsibility for the overall result and dig myself deeply into stressful situation.

However, I have decided not to push my idea forward and let him to pitch his. Long story short, we divided the work equally where everyone was responsible for their parts and in the end, we merged it together and started to rehearse.

In your last comment, you asked me if this new approach felt right for me. Well, I have to admit that it was a bit unusual to me. I normally work on +100%, but in this case, I wasn’t responsible for the entire project, or I should say, I didn’t take the responsibility for it as whole. As for the 1st action point, I let other people to have an equal part of the work that had to be done. And as for the 2nd action point – being judgemental, or perfectionist – I tried not to compare what they prepared with what I would do/improve in their place.

And how did I feel? Definitely better, more relaxed, with more time to spend on other things. I might have not improved the project by 3%, but it has definitely added 30% to my overall comfort and relax.

So, I have one more action point to pursue. I guess the hardest to crack though.

Thank you Mary for reading this and I will blog more on the 3rd action point soon.

Have a nice day!
Natalia

: 28 Feb 2012 15:32 |  Tags: Actions Follow-Up Mary P10 Portfolio Sage Wspa |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Follow–up on Delivering effective presentations

Workshop Tutor: Bev Walshe

Heres a summary of how I've been getting on with my action points

Hello Bev!

Thank you for your reply on my last blog.

Earlier this week, our group from Business Planning module had a presentation on our product. We were a group of 6 students, but we decided to have 2 presenters only. When preparing the presentation, I suggested creating a prezi presentation. Well, I wasn’t presenting, but at least I want to help them to create the whole concept so as to make the presentation more interesting and catchy. Interestingly, a colleague of mine who was presenting decided not to use prezi. He told me that it is easier for him to use the “conventional” PowerPoint presentation.

It reminded me of your last question regarding the drawbacks of prezi and I did some research on the internet on what people actually think about prezi. 

I personally prefer prezi over PowerPoint because I think it is user-friendly tool which helps you to make the audience engaged with your topic.

However, there certainly are some disadvantages: 

1.     There are different types of audience – especially when it comes to serious topics, or if there are more conservative listeners who might expect you to deliver a presentation in PPT.

2.     Prezi does not suit to everyone. The situation that happened in our group clearly demonstrates that not everyone is familiar or comfortable with prezi. Admittedly, people who have a problem with creating a structure of the presentation might find it difficult to use prezi. In such case, PPT presentation provides them with a clear and uniform structure in the form of slides. 

3.     PPT is also more user-friendly in terms of the cooperation with other softwares, such as Word or Excel.

4.     The quality of the presentation can undermine the value of the content. Or even worse, people can try to cover the lack of content with the beauty of prezi. – In such case, it is up to people to realize that prezi is only a tool – first aid kit for presenters.

To sum up, undoubtedly, there are more shortcomings to mention. What I have observed so far is that prezi offers a new, unconventional way of presenting. Also, it might look like people are dividing into two camps – Prezi vs. PPT. I think, it is practical to know how to use both and to learn, which tool is more suitable for which type of presentation.

Well, at the end, it is not about what is on the screen behind your back, but the content and delivery of the presentation is what matters. 

Dear Bev, I hope that I have covered all the things and action points from the beginning. Thank you very much for your valuable input and questions.

Kind regards
Natalia

: 22 Feb 2012 11:51 |  Tags: Actions Follow-Up P4 Portfolio Wspa |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Follow–up on Working in a Group

Follow-up to Follow–up on Working in a team from Natalia's blog

Dear Trudy,

I know that I should wait for your reply to my last follow-up post. Well, I only would like to write down some of my thoughts on my progress that I have made so far since the start of the second term.

As mentioned in the last post, I’m currently involved in a business planning project which basically consists of a group of 6 people who have to come up with a new product/service or innovation. When establishing the group and dividing the responsibilities among the members, I have decided not to go for the leader position.

As advised in my Belbin feedback (referring to the citation in my previous blog), I stepped back and took on another position with different responsibilities. Basically I hold the position of a group consultant. Not a leader, not a manager, just covering behind-the-scene tasks and support.

Well, I have to admit that I found it quite interesting not to manage the group and set the goals, action plans, etc. Now I have the opportunity observe the behaviour of other people (which as usual you are not able to see due to being too engaged in step-by-step problems).

I actually caught myself thinking about what I would have done being on the leading position. Would I behave as he (the current leader) behaves? Is his style right or he did a mistake? Honestly, I have learnt far more than I would have if competing with him over the position.

As promised, I managed to find the roles within our group. I googled more information about Belbin system and its understanding of the roles within groups. As far as I can say, our 5 members and I, we definitely cover these roles:

1. Our leader: co-ordinator, shaper and specialist (in the field we have chosen for our business to operate in) – usually the one who brings the group together, set and clarify goals. However, when it comes to setting goals, he usually uses some kind of persuasive power in order to win over the others… a bit aggressive style.

2. Resource Investigator – talkative person who seems to be outside of our group, at least his mind always is.

3,4. 2X Teamworker – create positive environment during the meetings + implementers.

5. Monitor Evaluator – always has the right numbers to either support or reject the ideas.

6. and MIE: I would say Completer Finisher – usually get things done or at least show them the possible way.

Our group definitely lacks PLANT – which we felt during the early stage of planning, we were struggling to come up with ideas. It was really frustrating. But non of us was able to somehow adapt that role. I would say the whole group had to adapt it.

So, I hope I have covered all three action points, enjoy the reading and I look forward to your feedback so as to move to the final blog.

Kind regards

Natalia

: 18 Feb 2012 00:30 |  Tags: Actions Follow-Up Hillier P3 Portfolio Trudy Wspa |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem