Student learning reflections

Students have told us that the Our Health projects allow them to develop skills and attributes beyond those acquired through their current programme of study.

Improving Communication and Liaison Skills

In my capacity as a point of liaison, I successfully contributed to a positive relationship between the Cheyne Gang and myself. I was able to integrate myself, which was beneficial when conducting interviews with the members to try to figure out what their opinions of the breathing techniques were, what their expectations of the students were, and so on. The student group was given the opportunity to present their projects. I seized this opportunity and spoke in front of people I was unfamiliar with, which was a challenge to me. This event helped me improve my abilities in public speaking and communicating.

Improving Time Management Skills

I want to improve my time-management skills and manage the meetings facilitated by the group. I have come to notice how difficult it is to plan a meeting with 7 students of different disciplines and hence different schedules and commitments. Therefore, my goal is to help manage everyone’s time so that we do have a chance to meet at least once a week. I would like to do this by asking for everybody’s timetable so that I can find places where most, if not all, members are free to talk, even if it’s only for 30 minutes.

Improving Creative Thinking

Throughout my project I have noticed that I am improving in my creativity skills. I am constantly coming up with ideas which could benefit the team and our project. I was happy to get feedback from my fellow team members. Someone told me that I was able to make an impact on the group by coming up with ideas which helped the group- something I hadn’t considered I was doing.

Improving Leadership and Diplomacy Skills

I had the opportunity to develop this skill over the last few weeks. Group members felt frustrated with the lack of effective teamwork, while others felt helpless as they were already overwhelmed by their other academic work. Meanwhile, there was a sense of anxiety around the fact that the project was coming to a close and team members were not sure of what their next steps were. I realized that this was an opportunity for me to help the group as a leader. I tried to empathise with the different group members, while also suggesting consolidating the information we had so far. I realised that now, it is time for me to take a slightly more active approach where I gently, but firmly emphasise that together we must move the project forward.

Improving Perspective Taking Skills

I developed my perspective taking skill by setting aside my thoughts, feelings, motivations, intentions and considered others’ emotions. I worked on determining whether or not my behaviour should change based on the information I receive and make any necessary changes to suit my audience, if possible. I would also do this by imagining myself having the same experience as another person and using my own similar past experience to understand another person’s situation.

Improving Organisational Skills

As part of my Our Health project I have seen major improvements in my ability to work under pressure in the last two months. I have seen this improvement reflecting in my academics; even when it gets stressful, I am still capable, nevertheless, to meet my deadlines and perform very well. In the past years, this would have only been possible if I set out so much time to do so. Usually, if I were to be working under pressure, I would be performing badly because of my inability to deal with my anxiety. I have improved in my ability to work under pressure as a result of the development of my organisational skills.