The first goal was to learn how to make small talk. Before COM150, I often ran into problems when the conversation topic steered in a direction that I was unfamiliar with. In the middle of conversations, I would sometimes clam up and suddenly feel like an outsider. During COM150, I learnt that my slow response was mostly due to my concern of how people look at me. I was always afraid of saying the wrong thing, and hence I would think very carefully before I say anything, resulting in a weakness when making small talk. Now, I am much more relaxed when talking with others about random topics. Although I still think before I speak, I have loosened the restrictions on what I should not say, especially when talking to close friends.
The second goal was to learn how to wear a persona. Before COM150, I would speak to everyone in the same way, regardless of whether that person was a teacher, friend or stranger. The same casual greeting that I gave towards my friends often ended up going towards my professors as well. During COM150, the DISC personality test revealed that I was a high C and D. It was revealed that I could grow as a C and D person if I learnt to focus not just on work, but on people as well. Therefore, I have learnt to talk differently with regards to who my conversation partner is, giving them the respect that they deserve based on what kind of relationship I had with them. Now, I am much more formal with my professors, and while I still joke with them occasionally, I have learnt not to treat them similarly to my friends.
Moving on, I hope to continue to learn about effective communication. In the next upcoming game project, I will be sure to be more vocal in the team, as well as learning how to accept other people's ideas instead of dismissing them.
