Freshman Seminar Experience

I would like to start out saying I really did like Freshman Seminar, it was a different type of class. I learn a lot more when I participate in hands-on activities rather than just theory based lectures. This class had a lot on activities which were fun and interactive.

After people graduate from high school and go to college they wouldn't expect a class like this, I know I didn't  It was nice because we learned things by doing examples of them. It’s one thing to say “teamwork is important” another things is to actually have a group do an activity together other than the normal class project.

I also liked the fact that although we had games and fun activities the essential points still got across. We learned how our study plans work and the correct way to enroll each quarter. Other significant things were taught as well such as how to do a resumé and techniques for applying for a job and going to interviews. These things will come in handy during everyday life. Overall I did enjoy my experience in Freshman Seminar.    

Lunchtime Scenario

 

     During today’s class we learned about the different types of personalities passive, aggressive and assertive. I was given a scenario where a person who I work with always took more than the given lunch time and I was supposed to talk to this person according to my personality.

 

     I happen to be a very passive person I don’t react aggressively to situations; however I don’t keep things to myself when they need to be said. I tend to take in a situation let it settle and then do something about it, that way I can think thoroughly about what I will do or say. Life has taught me to be this way I have learned that if a person reacts in a violent way it will make matters worse and if the person just lets things happen and doesn’t stand up for things… well that just doesn’t seem like a very nice way to live life, everyone will walk over that person. It’s all about finding the balance and knowing when and how to act.

      Knowing me, the first one or two times that the person exceeds their lunch time I would let it slip, it because everyone makes a mistake every now and then. If it continues to happen I would address the issue. I would talk to the person when it is just the two of us, I don’t think it is necessary for others to hear because this may humiliate the other person, or maybe he or she will become defensive and start justifying himself /herself because others are around. After the setting the scene I would let my coworker know that I have noticed that more lunchtime has been taken and that it affects the flow of the rest of the day because it interferes with the next person’s lunchtime. Not only that but also the way work gets done. I would speak to the person in a direct yet respectful way so no feelings are hurt but that the message is still understood.

      If even after the talk the problem still persists I would have another similar conversation in more serious tone. If even then it still continues I would report the case to the person in charge of us. We can’t expect to fix everything all the time by ourselves, if we do … great and if we can’t it is ok to ask for help.

 

I think I would handle the situation pretty well. Communication is the key to solve issues. There is no need to be aggressive to others and we shouldn’t keep quiet either because something we say to make a huge difference. It would be great if people were more assertive in this world a lot of problems would be solved faster and some problems wouldn't even happen to begin with. Maybe we can't change the world but we can make a change in ourselves, and that's were it begins.

 

The geese (Los gansos)

In this exercise I believe I was the “team worker” (#6 on the list). I cooperated with the members in my group in a very positive manner when we were trying to build the balloon tower. Although I don’t believe that this will apply to every time I work in a group related activity. It depends on what the task is and my level of knowledge in that area. That’s most likely how it is for other people too and possibly at times we can even fall on to more than one category of the list.

The video about the geese was very interesting, the way they help each other naturally says a lot about working as a team.  In their case teamwork isn’t used just as way to fly but also survival. Humans should learn from the geese.  Sometimes we may become so preoccupied with achieving our own personal goals that we put aside our teamwork abilities.

Some people if not most people prefer to work individually because they can work at their own pace and do things exactly as they wish. However what we have to realize is that with a well organized group the project being completed will have better results in less amount of time. It’s all a matter of distributing the tasks well, setting dues dates and completing them on time.  Working together can be less stressful and more productive when all the members of the team cooperate.

Our team has chosen … lesson.

(Chicos que lección de los gansos vamos a escoger?) 

Homework #1 (freshman seminar)

My name is Maria Jose Madrigal Segura and I am currently studying psychology. There are various reasons why I am pursuing this career, but I can say that the main motive behind it, is my passion for the human brain and how it works. I just think that it is amazing how each part of it has an important role on the human body and how it can control us, but most importantly how we can learn to control it. Within our brain lies our personalities and that’s where the interesting part is because every human is different; however at times we do act in a similar nature when exposed to certain situations. That would be the scientific side of why I like psychology.

In this career the psychologist does not tell the patient what to do and he or she is not an advice giver, but instead helps the patient get through situations or lets them see things from a different point of view. This is great, the fact that a person can help another overcome a hardship or life struggle, is very rewarding. Once we understand the human brain and the way it makes us work we can understand people and why we behave the way we do. This type of understanding can really ease communication between one another. For example let’s say that there are some family issues happening within a household, a family therapy session would do good. Sometimes people need help or an outsider’s point of view to realize things maybe they already knew but just didn’t know how to go about them.

Just like how we have doctors for our bodies, psychologists are doctors for the mind. Even at times people may need someone to listen to them to relieve stress by venting and they didn’t trust anyone else enough to do so. I want to be able to work with children and families and help them get through their issues. I want to have a positive effect on people’s lives. I am glad to say that I am studying what I like and enjoying every moment of it.