Reflection - Linh Boi Tu - 0119081
Reflection - Linh Boi Tu - 0119081
Reflection - Linh Boi Tu - 0119081
Based on my self-assessment, my communication skills are decent, but I know there is always
room for improvement. Since starting this course, I have realized that oral communication is
something I could work on. This class has been an eye-opening experience for me. Thanks to it, I
learned how to communicate effectively with people, both verbally and non-verbally.
For me, being genuine in communicating my personality and values to others is the key
to building strong relationships and connections. I try to express myself through my actions and
words, showing kindness, empathy, and respect towards others. Whether it is through
conversations or sharing stories, I aim to let people see the real me and understand what I value.
However, after studying Chapter 3 “The Self, Perception, and Communication”, I realized that
being open and honest is not always good, especially in disclosing personal information in the
workplace. I need to be cautious and consider the organization's culture. From this chapter, I can
take away the lesson that testing the waters with a trusted colleague or manager and finding a
balance between self-promotion and bragging is important. Alongside that, the choices I made in
the "Understanding Your Communication" activity revealed that I have strong emotional
intelligence, meaning I can balance awareness of my emotions with concern for how other
people feel. That is true because I am quite good at listening to others, self-reflecting, and
I tend to be an action-oriented listener. I value getting the job done, and my task orientation can
help teams stay on track. On the other hand, I might be frustrated with inefficiency, and I should
be mindful of not overlooking the importance of building strong relationships. That is why I
spend every day practicing better listening in a few steps. First, I make a conscious effort to be
present in the moment and give my full attention to the person I am listening to. This means
putting away distractions like my phone and focusing on what they say. I also try to maintain eye
contact and use nonverbal cues like nodding or smiling to show that I am engaged in the
conversation. Another step I take is to avoid interrupting or jumping to conclusions. I always let
the other person finish their thoughts before responding and ask clarifying questions if I am
unsure about something. This helps me truly understand their perspective and prevents
impact on my relationships. It has helped me to avoid conflicts and has allowed me to connect
about embracing my personal style and using it as a form of self-expression. I love trying out
different fashion choices and hairstyles that match my personality and mood. It is like wearing
I dress in a way that shows competence and professionalism. When hanging out with friends, I
might dress more casually to show that I am relaxed and approachable. Expressing myself
introduces tips for sending and interpreting nonverbal cues mindfully. I learned a lot from this
chapter and pay more attention to my posture, facial expressions, and gestures. As a result, I have
incorporated body language in nonverbal communication and noticed that just a simple smile or
a friendly handshake can make a positive impact on others’ impressions about me.
In my family, the parenting style most often used is authoritative. My parents used to set
clear expectations and rules. They were strict and conservative with me when I was a child. As I
grow older, they gradually encourage open communication and only provide guidance when
needed. They believe in fostering independence and allowing me to make my own decisions,
while still offering support along the way. As for my sibling relationships, it is a mix of
supportive and occasionally competitive. We have our ups and downs, but at the end of the day,
we always have each other's backs. We share a lot of laughs, inside jokes, and memorable
experiences together. Growing up, we learned to navigate conflicts and compromise, which has
strengthened our bond over time. Our family climate promotes a healthy balance of
independence and support, and our sibling relationships have evolved into strong connections
what we have always done, I learned some new strategies for successful family communication.
For instance, negotiating privacy rules and coaching conflict management, which help maintain
boundaries while addressing important matters and help create a safe space for discussing and
resolving issues.
Futhermore, Chapter 8 presents different aspects of friendships, like how long they last,
the level of sharing, their activities together, the sense of obligation, and their communication
styles. It also provides tips on avoiding communication patterns that can harm relationships
which I can use to strengthen my relationship ties. This chapter’s "Understanding Your
Communication" activity helps me realize that I have loyal friends, and that is definitely
something I am really proud of. When it comes to my role, I would say that I play as a
‘connector’ in my friend group. I am the one who loves bringing people together, organizing get-
togethers, and planning fun activities for everyone to enjoy. Just two weeks ago, during
Thanksgiving break, I organized a hiking trip for my Asian friends. We all love being outdoors,
so I thought it would be a great way to bond and have an adventure together. I found a beautiful
hiking trail in Little Rock and shared all the details with everyone. I made sure to check in with
everyone during the hike and after reaching the summit, we took a group photo to celebrate our
achievement. It was so rewarding to see everyone having a great time and forming deeper
connections. Playing the role of the connector allows me to contribute to the group's
Overall, this class has helped me become a better communicator in my personal and
professional life. By taking this class, I have been able to acquire knowledge of oral
thinking and listening skills. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn these skills and apply them
in real-life situations.
Class Feedback Section
I hoped this class would help boost my confidence, enhance my public speaking skills,
2. Did the class fail to meet or exceed your expectations? Why or why not?
different areas. Besides, your breakdown of scores, clear announcements, and detailed
instructions made a positive impact on my GPA. I appreciate how you made everything
I’ve gained valuable skills in expressing myself effectively, understanding others, and
building strong connections through communication. This class also helps me improve
my public speaking, active listening, and interpersonal skills. These skills will be useful
in my personal and professional life, allowing me to connect with others and convey my
I like the interactive classroom activities. They were so much fun and engaging. They
5. If you could change one thing about the class what would it be and why?
Sometimes, it can get a bit boring to read a whole chapter and watch lecture videos at
home, trying to memorize everything for quizzes. But putting in that extra effort really