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#Overcame a passive attitude; gained confidence #Improved expressiveness, a more active college life #The catalyst that changed me
I gained confidence. In the past, even if I wanted to say something I would just keep it to myself, but now I say what I want and it has become natural to express my opinions to others. At school, whenever there was a chance to present I would always refuse, but now I step forward and present.
-"Jaegeul Jaegeul" humanities debate that changed my life / Shim Eun-ryeong, gap-year participant |
Actually, at first I didn''t want to participate in the humanities debate class.
Although during consultations with CEO Ahn Si-jun I was recommended the class as a way to improve my weak expressive skills, at first it was difficult to voice my thoughts in class and there were times I didn''t want to attend.
When we debated, the older students spoke well with evidence, but when a chance to speak came to me I had nothing to say.
Efforts to overcome it
But since I had already started, I felt I wanted to change myself. So I prepared diligently before going to class.
Before class started we each had time to talk about the newspaper articles we had read. At first I read the paper without much thought and had nothing to say, but gradually I organized my thoughts and prepared what to say, so I had more to talk about in class.
At first I would blank out during debates and have nothing to say, but I started taking notes on others'' remarks and, while reading the book for that week''s debate, I considered which parts might come up as debate topics.
At first I couldn''t express myself, but by preparing in my own way I became better at expressing myself and gained confidence. Receiving praise from the teacher and fellow participants also encouraged me to express myself more.
Advantages or uniqueness of the humanities debate class
There were many students and the instructors didn''t just lecture; we were able to give and receive feedback to each person.
I also felt burdened at first, but later I liked that there were actually many opportunities to speak.
What changed through this class
I gained confidence.In the past, even if I wanted to say something I would just keep it to myself, but now I say what I want.It has become natural to express my opinions to others.At school, whenever there was a chance to present I would always refuse, but nowI step forward to present..
I still meet once a week to debate with the people I met through the humanities debate, so gaining those relationships is a big benefit.
Also, the knowledge I used to passively listen to in liberal arts classes sometimes became evidence during debates. So now when I read books or attend classes, I don''t just listen passively or accept things without thought—I organize them into my own ideas.
Plans for the future
I want to continue the debate meetings and maintain my relationships with the group members,and if there are opportunities to debate or present at school, I want to participate actively and have an engaged college life.
What humanities mean to me
Something that changed me.
Partly because I changed a lot through taking this class, and because it became a starting point that allowed me to challenge other things I had previously approached passively, enabling my growth.
