A195190

17/7/2025

2. How is your progress?

My progress in the second week is very promising so far. Compared to the first week, I can feel some improvement playing the piano. The reason for the improvement is that I started to practice using the digital piano that I bought. I no longer use an iPad instead, I now practice on a real keyboard. Before I go to class, I’ll rehearse on the keyboard so that I can be more confident while playing in front of my piano teacher. 

For the theoretical part, I have successfully completed my exercise book. As I discussed with my piano teacher regarding the examination, she suggested that it’s better for me to sit for the examination at the end of my posting. She advised me that I should do some model exam papers before I sit for the exam. This is to ensure that I’m exposed to the exam format before sitting for the exam.

3. Points to remember from week 2!

Don't be careless while answering the theory questions, especially calculating the spaces between notes. 

Identifying which rest to use in an empty bar and bar with notes. I'm still a little confused about when to use each type of rest.

4. Your feelings & thoughts 

I felt excited and fulfilled. I’m excited because I purchased a new digital piano. I thought that I would complete my piano lesson using my iPad. But, somehow I managed to get a digital piano. Also there’s a difference between piano and digital piano, a piano must consist of 88 keys but a digital piano may have 44, 61 or 77 keys. The model that I bought has 61 keys. The main reason for me to purchase a digital piano is the slight inconvenience playing piano on iPad due to size and limited touch sensitivity. While the iPad was a good starting point, I began to feel restricted, especially when trying to play using both hands effectively. 

5. ONE good thing from what you did that you can practice now!

One good thing I’ve learned from this week is the importance of being consistent. I’ve been keeping up with my piano exercise sheets and making time each day to practice on my new digital piano. This consistency has really helped me build confidence and see gradual improvement. I now realize that even a small practice session every day makes a big difference, as the saying goes “Consistency is the key to success”.

6. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

This week the difficulty is memorizing the terms and signs. There are a few terms and signs that I have to memorise as these will be asked in the exam. More than that, the terms will be seen in musical notes. To ensure that I play the piano smoothly, I have to understand those terms too. For example, a tie means I have to press the key continuously. So, if a semibreve (worth 4 beats) is tied to a crotchet (1 beat), I would hold the note for 5 beats in total. 

The funny thing is, my teacher said it's easier to memorise musical terms than the medical terms, but for me, it's the complete opposite.

7. Your plan for next week (Week 3)

• To complete model exam papers provided by my teacher. 

• To register for the ABRSM exam

• Explore more on the keyboard that I bought

• To be better than how I was in Week 2 of elective posting

  
  That's all for week 2. Thanks for reading and don't forget to guess the rhyme that I have played.

1. Your name, matric number, date

• Siti Nur Elida Binti Mohd Affendi

• A194339

• 20 July 2025

2. How is your progress?

• Alhamdulillah, for the second week I feel like I have improved quite a lot compared to Week 1. I was given more responsibility, especially at the payment counter. I started learning how to handle sales using the computer system like using F6 to search medication names, F10 to open the cash drawer, F11 for QR payment, and F12 to key in the total. At first, it was quite confusing and I kept panicking when I pressed the wrong button, especially when the pharmacy got crowded. But slowly I started to get the hang of it. Besides that, I also learned how to do health screenings such as checking blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol. I really enjoyed doing that because it allowed me to interact more with customers and observe how the pharmacist gave advice. Overall, I feel more confident this week and more involved in the actual day to day tasks.

3. Points to remember from week 2!

• F6 = search medication name or brand.

• F12 = insert total payment.

• F10 = open the money drawer.

• F11 = QR code payment.

• Always double check before pressing any key (stay calm and focused)

• Communicate politely and clearly with customers, especially during payment.

• Use alcohol swab before doing blood tests & cholesterol test, also handle devices gently.

• Make sure readings from BP machine, glucometer and cholesterol test are recorded or communicated clearly.

• Watch and learn how the pharmacist gives advice especially tone and explanation matter a lot.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

• To be honest, I was quite panicked at the beginning of the week. This was the first time I handled payment and used the computer system, so I was really afraid of pressing the wrong code. There were specific function keys to remember like F6, F10, F11, and F12 and with a queue of customers waiting, it made me even more nervous. I did press the wrong buttons a few times, and I felt so embarrassed. But the staff were very understanding and helped guide me each time, which really helped me calm down. Despite all that, I truly enjoyed doing the health screenings like checking blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol eventhough sometimes i forgot to use the alcohol swab, the staff always remind me and never tired guide me. I love that part because I got to interact more with the customers and observe how the pharmacist gave advice. It made me feel more connected to the healthcare side of things, not just the pharmacy system.

  
  

5. ONE good thing from what you did that you can practice now!

• One thing I am proud of this week is learning to stay calm and composed even when things get stressful. Before this, I would usually panic easily, especially when people were watching me. But now I am learning to take a deep breath, focus, and not rush. I think this is a good skill that I can bring into clinical settings later, especially when I need to deal with patients under pressure. Although I still get nervous when the pharmacy is crowded, I still can managed to overcome my nervousness and slowly build my confidence. It also helped improve my interaction with customers and trained my brain to stay sharp under pressure.

6. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

• Yes, my biggest struggle this week was remembering the function keys on the computer while handling payments. There were moments when I pressed the wrong one and panicked, especially when customers were queueing. I felt clumsy and overwhelmed. To help myself, I wrote down the key functions on a small sticky note and placed it near the counter so I could refer to it quickly. I also repeated the steps in my head whenever I had a quiet moment. With practice and help from the staff, I slowly became more comfortable and less nervous. For screening part, not much problem instead just I forgot sometimes to use the alcohol swab before start the glucose and cholesterol test.

  
  

7. Your plan for next week (Week 3)

• For next week, I plan to focus on learning the medications available in the pharmacy, including their names, brand names, and functions. Also about the brands they usually use and the reasons behind choosing certain products. Hopefully by doing this, I can strengthen my understanding. It is also a good chance for me to become more familiar with commonly used medications that I will surely encounter again in clinical settings.

Matrics ID: A195433

Date: 10/08/2024

✨ Progress so far:

Week 2 has been a huge step up from Week 1! I’ve learnt how to confidently handle customers at the counter, operate the cashier, and slowly but surely memorise more medications especially for flu and cough, knowing which ones are drowsy vs non-drowsy. I’ve also become more familiar with the workflow from receiving prescriptions to packing and explaining medications. Another new thing I learnt was how our pharmacy recycles medication boxes we don’t just throw them away,we cut and keep them for recycling purposes. I also learnt how to stock in new products we receive and how to make and submit a report when certain items are low or out of stock. On top of that, my pharmacist taught me about pseudoephedrine ,what it’s used for, and its role in cold and flu treatment. I also got to learn more about both verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and how these can affect customer experience.

📌 Points to remember this week:

• Always keep calm and patient when dealing with customers especially during peak hours.

• For the BP machine, wait for the “OK” sign before removing the cuff so you know the reading is accurate.

• Glucose meter lancets go straight into the safety bin , no shortcuts.

• Double-check the medication name, strength, and instructions before handing it to the customer.

• The golden rule: Customer is always right ,adapt to their needs and explain things clearly.

• Keep the counter clean and organised it makes the workflow smoother and faster.

• Remember to recycle medication boxes by cutting and keeping them in the designated place.

• Stock new products correctly and label them in the system.

• Make proper stock shortage reports and know the reporting channel.

• Apply verbal and non-verbal communication techniques for better customer interaction.

💭 Feelings & thoughts:

I feel more confident than last week , like I’m slowly fitting into the rhythm of the pharmacy. The best part is when customers smile or thank me for helping them; it makes all the learning worth it. I’m also realising how important communication skills are sometimes, it’s not just about giving medicine, but also reassuring and educating the customer. Learning how to stock products and recycle boxes made me appreciate the behind the scenes work that keeps the pharmacy running smoothly. Understanding pseudoephedrine’s use gave me more confidence when explaining cold and flu medications to customers.

🌟 One good thing to practise from now on:

I’ve learnt that staying calm, polite, and positive can change the whole atmosphere, even when things get stressful. This skill will be useful not just in pharmacy, but in my future medical career too. I also want to consciously use positive body language and clear speech so that my communication both verbal and non-verbal is effective and reassuring.

⚠️ Difficulties & how I coped:

At first, remembering every medicine name, brand, and category was overwhelming. I also struggled to keep up with the speed of experienced staff. One particular challenge was when a customer asked me how many millilitres of paracetamol to give a child. I didn’t know how to calculate the dose at that moment, but my pharmacist guided me step-by-step ,explaining how to use the child’s weight and the dosage strength to get the right amount in millilitres. This not only helped me answer confidently the next time, but also reminded me that it’s okay to pause and learn on the spot.

Another customer requested a three-month supply of metformin, and I struggled to calculate the total needed. My pharmacist then explained the trick ,first ask how many times they take it in a day, then multiply by the number of days and it clicked immediately. I coped with all these challenges by:

• Taking notes of common medications and revising them daily.

• Asking questions instead of guessing.

• Observing how senior staff handle situations and learning from them.

📅 Plan for Week 3:

• Learn more about other medication categories (antibiotics, painkillers, supplements).

• Improve my cashier speed and accuracy.

• Try counselling customers more confidently about medication usage.

• Understand pharmacy stock management — from unpacking to labelling.

• Continue building rapport with customers so they remember my service.

Ameertavarshini A/P V Balachandran, A195553, 15/08/2025

How is your progress?

My progress this week has been significant as I adapted to the responsibilities in the poison section. I was taught to distinguish between Poison B and Poison C, their rules and regulations, their storing conditions, and procedure to be followed in the dispensing of these medications. I got introduced to the record book of Poison C in which the recording has to be complied with the legal requirement by the pharmacy board. I also helped the staff to print and paste barcodes on lastest stock of poisons and arrange them on the shelves. I also had a chance to dispense poison medications to the customers together with the guidance on my supervisor and the other pharmacist to ensure that the correct medication was dispensed based on the symptoms and needs of the customers.

This week,  I was also given a weekly assignment to be submitted at the end of the week, along with a task to create a poster about diabetes. These tasks helped strengthen my research, presentation, and patient education skills. Overall, I have become more confident in handling scheduled medications, following proper documentation procedures, and managing customer interactions in a more professional manner.

Points to remember

·      Poison B: Medications that require a prescription from a registered medical practitioner, dentist, or veterinarian before dispensing.

·      Poison C: Medications that can be supplied without a prescription but require mandatory recording of purchaser details in the poison register.

·      Always record all Poison C sales accurately in the official record book.

·      Verify patient identity, symptoms, and medical history before dispensing any poison medication.

·      Store and label poison medications securely to maintain compliance.

·      Arrange poison stock in an organized and accessible manner for safety and efficiency.

Your feelings and thoughts

This week felt more technical and regulation-focused compared to Week 1. Learning about poison classifications made me realize the high level of responsibility pharmacists carry in ensuring medication safety. Initially, I was slightly anxious about making errors in dispensing but having supportive guidance from my supervisor and colleagues helped me adapt quickly. I also enjoyed the creativity involved in designing a diabetes poster, as it allowed me to combine medical knowledge with patient education in a visually engaging way.

One good thing from what you did that you can practice now?

Maitaning accurate documentation and following proper dispensing protocols before giving any medication to customers.

Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?
Initially, remembering all the procedures for poison medication handling, including the legal requirements, was a challenge. Dispensing poisons required extra care, as any mistake could have serious consequences. I coped by carefully reviewing the guidelines, observing how my supervisor handled similar cases, and asking questions whenever I was uncertain. For the poster task, I managed my time by breaking it into smaller steps so I could balance it with my daily duties.

Your plan for next week (Week 3)
Next week, I will be assigned to the supplement area of the pharmacy. From my observations, a large number of customers especially elderly individuals come specifically looking for supplements as part of their additional nutrition. Many also seek advice on the differences between brands and which product suits their needs best. Therefore, my goal for Week 3 is to learn about the benefits, active ingredients, and recommended usage of each type of supplement available, as well as the distinctions between different brands.This will help me provide accurate, confident, and personalized advice to customers while improving my knowledge in the field of preventive healthcare.

Reflection: Padlet Week/Phase 2

Progress
In Week 2 of my pharmacy elective, I felt myself stepping into a more active role. I shadowed the pharmacist closely during clerking and saw how important it was to not just record symptoms, but also to explore lifestyle, adherence, and underlying health issues. A case that stood out was an elderly patient with uncontrolled diabetes and nocturia. It was eye-opening to see how something as simple as introducing a pill box, recommending diabetic supplements like Diabegard, or encouraging the use of stevia instead of sugar could help make a big difference in their daily management. I also learned how important product safety checks are—like double-checking expiry dates before selling or dispensing anything—which reminded me that pharmacists hold not just knowledge, but also a big responsibility in protecting patient trust.

Points to remember from Week 2

• Clerking isn’t just about taking down symptoms, it’s about connecting the dots between lifestyle, medication use, and overall health condition.

• Expiry dates matter more than we think.

• Customers deserve to make informed decisions, and part of our job is guiding them with clear, unbiased information.

• Elderly patients need extra patience, for example tone of voice, body language, and eye contact can sometimes speak louder than medical jargon, they will feel less reluctant to take our advice that way.

Thoughts and feelings
This week, I noticed myself becoming more confident in patient interactions, though I also realised how challenging it can be to connect with elderly patients. Some struggled with hearing, while others were reluctant to take advice. At first, I felt unsure and even a little helpless. But when I slowed down, spoke more simply, and adjusted my approach, I could see some of them start to respond. It reminded me that empathy and patience are just as important as knowledge. On the brighter side, when a patient came back to thank us or asked follow-up questions, it gave me a strong sense of purpose—it felt like we were making small but real differences.

One good thing from what I learned that I can practice now
I’ve started to practice counselling in a more holistic way. Instead of just saying “take your medication,” I try to talk about practical tools and lifestyle adjustments that can make adherence easier. For example, with the diabetic patient, we didn’t stop at advising on medicines; we talked about pill boxes, stevia, exercise, and the importance of monitoring. These conversations might seem small, but I realise they can plant seeds of awareness that empower patients in the long run, as they can act as an early intervention for some complications like diabetic foot ulcers and so on.

Any difficulties and concerns? How I coped
The hardest part for me this week was building rapport with elderly patients. At first, it was disheartening when some of them didn’t seem engaged. I coped by observing how the pharmacist communicated. They often use humour, relatable stories, and a warm tone and I tried to adapt those techniques myself. I also slowed down, used simpler words, and relied more on gestures. Gradually, I felt the barrier start to break, and those moments taught me that connection sometimes takes creativity and persistence.

Plan for Week 3
For the upcoming week, I want to build more confidence in supplement counselling and handling minor ailments. I also plan to explore the behind-the-scenes processes, like stock inventory and prescription handling, to get a more holistic view of pharmacy work. Most importantly, I want to keep improving my communication especially tailoring my words to suit different age groups and personalities. My aim is to become better at translating medical advice into language that patients can truly relate to and act on.

Sofea Irdina Binti Saifuddin

A187779

16th August 2025

2. How is your progress?

I feel like my progress in Week 2 is so much better than the previous week. Over time, I started to remember the medications more clearly—their locations on the shelves, their functions, and the directions for use. This gradual improvement has really helped me in handling customers more effectively, as I am now able to assist them with greater confidence. I also have improved myself in handling the cashier. Let it be cash, card terminal, QR, and how to document their receipts.

Beyond that, I have also gained experience in managing the order lists for new stocks, such as the quantities, the holding stock, the expiry date, and the sales of the items. Another valuable lesson was learning how to transit stocks between outlets. Sometimes, we would offer our available stock to another outlet, while at other times, we would fulfill requests made by them. This process gave me a better understanding of how collaboration and resource sharing take place across outlets to ensure continuity of supply.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to join online sessions with sales representatives, where they introduced and explained their products in detail. These sessions provided me with deeper insights into their products including the indications and their usage.

Altogether, these experiences have not only improved my knowledge and skills but also given me a better appreciation of the behind-the-scenes processes that keep pharmacy services efficient and reliable.

3. Points to remember from week 2!

• Always be confident when handling customers, as it might affect their trust on the pharmacy.

• Be calm when handling the cashier machines as we might miss or press something

• Be alert with the quantity of stocks and their expiry date before ordering.

• Be alert with the expiry date of the items on the shelf because we can offer the items to the other outlets that might need it.

• The staffs need to understand the products that they sell well to promote it to the customers

  
  

4. Your feelings & thoughts

This week, I felt happy to see my progress as I started to remember the medications better. It made me more confident when helping customers. I realized how rewarding it is to be able to help them efficiently. Learning how to manage order lists and transfer stocks between outlets also showed me how important teamwork and good organization are in pharmacy work.

I also enjoyed the online sessions with sales representatives because they gave me extra knowledge about the products. Overall, I feel more motivated as I realize that each task is helping me improve my skills and confidence.

5. ONE good thing from what you did that you can practice now!

One good thing I learned this week is becoming more confident in remembering medicines and explaining them to others. As a medical student, this is very meaningful for me because it trains me to communicate clearly with patients and apply my knowledge in real situations. It showed me that with consistent practice, I can keep improving step by step, and this is something I will carry forward into my future medical journey.

6. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

One of the difficulties I faced was when customers asked for supplements or vitamins based on their symptoms. I realized that to answer them confidently, I need to know the contents of each multivitamin in detail, so that I can choose the most suitable one and promote it correctly. At the same time, I also need to understand the directions of use, as well as any contraindications, to make sure the advice I give is safe and accurate. To cope with this, I started to review the product information more carefully and observe how the staff explained it to customers. Slowly, I am learning how to provide better and more reliable recommendations.

7. Your plan for next week (Week 3)

For Week 3, my plan is to study more about supplements so that I can give better explanations and recommendations to customers. I also want to get involved in the services offered by the pharmacy, such as blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, and uric acid monitoring, to gain more hands-on experience. At the same time, I will focus on improving myself in handling customers, especially in communicating clearly and confidently.

~Vienietha A/P S.Ganesan

~A195497

~16/8/2025

2. How is your progress?

My second week of learning the violin has been a great improvement compared to the first week. In Week 1, everything was very new to me, from holding the violin to reading musical notes, but now I can feel myself moving forward. Last week, I only played open strings, but this week I started using my first finger to produce different notes. At first, it was difficult to press the string in exactly the right spot, but after several practices, the sound became clearer and more accurate. This made me feel proud because I am no longer limited to open strings, and I can already hear small melodies forming when I play. It gives me hope that as I continue, I will be able to play real songs with better flow and rhythm.

3. Points to remember from Week 2!

There are many points I need to remember from this week. The most important is to always keep the bow moving straight across the strings. When the bow tilts even slightly, the sound changes and becomes rough or uneven, so I must concentrate on keeping my bow in the correct path. I also have to remind myself to hold the bow properly, especially making sure my little finger is curved and not straight. This helps me to balance the bow and control it better.

Another point is to make sure the violin itself does not move while I am playing. Only the bow and my fingers should move. If the violin shifts too much, then the sound will be unstable. My teacher also emphasized posture this week, sitting with a relaxed but upright body, so that my shoulders and arms do not get too stiff.

Most importantly, now that I am using my first finger, I must pay close attention to intonation. Pressing too high or too low on the string can make the note sound out of tune. This requires both listening carefully and memorising the right spot. I also noticed that pressing too hard can make the sound squeaky, while pressing too lightly produces a weak sound. So I must find the right balance. These small details are things I need to constantly remember while practicing.

4. My feelings and thoughts

This week, I feel much more excited and happy compared to last week. I have bought new good quality violin. The violin is slowly starting to feel more natural in my hands, and I no longer feel as nervous when I play (compared to before) . I still make mistakes, but I am beginning to enjoy the process of correcting them. Learning to use the first finger was especially exciting, because it gave me a taste of how real melodies are formed, beyond just open strings.

There are also moments when I feel challenged, especially when the notes are long or when I lose focus while reading the sheet. But at the same time, these challenges make me even more motivated to practice. Every small improvement makes me proud, and I feel more connected to the instrument that I have loved since childhood.

5. One good thing from what I did that I can practice now!

The best thing I did this week was being consistent in my daily practice. I did not skip practice, and even when I was busy, I made sure to at least play for a short while. This consistency made a huge difference. My bowing became straighter, my first finger stronger, and my sound clearer. I realised that playing violin is not just about talent, but about discipline and practice. This is something I can carry forward, knowing that daily effort leads to visible results.

6.Any difficulties or concerns? How did I cope?

One of the hardest parts of this week was memorising longer music sheets that did not have breaks in between. It was difficult to keep track of the notes while also checking my finger positions and bow movements. Sometimes I felt overwhelmed because I had to look at the sheet and at my left hand at the same time.

To cope with this, I divided the song into smaller parts and practiced them one by one. Once I felt confident with each part, I slowly combined them together. I also tried playing slowly first, then increasing the speed only after I was more comfortable. Another difficulty was learning the exact spot to place my first finger, since being even slightly off could make the note sound wrong. For this, I listened carefully to my teacher and compared the sound with the open strings to adjust my finger placement.

I also noticed that when I got too tense, my bowing became shaky. To solve this, I reminded myself to relax my shoulders and breathe normally while playing. This made a big difference in keeping my bow smooth.

7. My plan for next week (Week 3)

Looking ahead to Week 3, I plan to keep practicing the songs my teacher gave me and focus on playing them more smoothly. I want to improve my ability to read notes without looking too much at my fingers, because this will make me more confident in playing longer pieces. I also plan to continue working on intonation by listening carefully and adjusting my finger placement until the notes sound right.

Another goal for me next week is to build more finger strength and flexibility. Since I have only just started using the first finger, I want to practice enough so that my hand becomes more comfortable. I know that soon I will learn to use other fingers too, so this is the foundation I must build now.

Finally, I will continue being consistent in my daily practice, because this is what helped me improve the most so far. By staying disciplined and motivated, I hope to make even greater progress in Week 3. 

~That’s it for 2nd Week!

Rajeswarry a/p Veeranaidu, A192246, 17/8/2025

2. How is your progress?

My progress is getting better. I learned more chords, the ones that are slightly more challenging than previous ones such as Dm, F, Gsus4, and AM7. This week, I also learned the song Evergreen by Richy Mitch and The Coal Miners.

I learned about palm muting. It is basically resting the edge of your strumming hand lightly on the strings near the bridge while strumming, which creates a muted, percussive sound instead of letting the chords ring out fully. It makes the rhythm feel tighter and more dynamic.

I also learned to strum faster, and my tutor emphasized the importance of keeping the wrist relaxed instead of stiff. I started practicing with the metronome at different BPMs to gradually build up my strumming speed while still staying in rhythm.

3. Points to remember from Week 2!

• Hold your guitar neck up at an angle instead of perpendicular to the floor. It helps with barre chords and overall is easier to play that way.

• Following the strumming pattern shown on the app helps, but it’s better to feel the song so you can make your own strumming pattern.

• To practice barre chords, don’t just put pressure on the finger; pull the neck towards yourself.

• I also learned that there are chromatic tuners, not just standardized ones.

• Breaking down a new song into chord practice, strumming pattern, and then combining them step by step makes it easier to learn without getting overwhelmed.
  
  

4. Your feelings & thoughts

At first, since it was a new song, it felt challenging. But as I practiced the chords and the strumming slowly and smoothly, the sound got cleaner and better. I feel more confident now, and playing guitar puts me “in the flow,” so I really enjoy it. Even on tiring days, practicing for just 15–20 minutes still feels rewarding because I notice small improvements.

5. ONE good thing from what you did that you can practice now!

One good thing from what I did is learning how to mute strings intentionally (both with my left-hand fingers and through palm muting). This technique makes my playing sound more polished and gives me better control over the dynamics of a song. It’s something I can apply to almost every piece I practice from now on.

6. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

I learned the F chord, which involves a barre chord. A barre chord is basically using one finger (usually the index) to press down multiple strings across the fretboard, acting like a “capo” made by your hand.

It is really difficult for me to press all the strings at once, and it’s painful as well. My tutor told me to keep practicing, and sooner or later, I will be able to pull it off. To cope, I practiced partial barres (pressing only 2–3 strings at first) and short daily repetitions instead of forcing long painful sessions. I also adjusted my thumb position behind the neck for better leverage.

7. Your plan for next week (Week 4)

• Practice more complicated chords.

• Learn fingerstyle songs such as Dust in the Wind by Kansas.

• Learn the song Linger by The Cranberries and sing while playing.

• Strengthen barre chords by practicing them at different fret positions, starting higher up the neck where it’s easier, before moving back down.
  

Joseph Yeak Wei Juin, A192235, 11/9/2025

2. How is your progress?

I got more used to the format of the meetings, and I made it a goal to do a speech every week. Today, I learned from the top public speaker in the world - Mas Mahathir, who won the 2nd place in the public speaking contest in the whole world! He taught us about storytelling, and the best part is he himself carried the charisma and lived out what he taught! I also managed to volunteer to do a spontaneous speech, given the title of "If money is not a problem, what job would you want to do?". I was nervous as well, but I managed to improve from last week in terms of my body language - this was a feedback given by my mentor.

3. Points to remember from week 2!

- to be a good storyteller, you need to first be a good story collector. Someone used the analogy of 'poke balls'.

- in a story there must be a few crucial components: introduction, conflict, climax, resolution, conclusion; and the most important component that cannot be missed is conflict.

- use the stage more to build stage presence.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

• I feel accomplished that I come back to this place, even though it is daunting. I heard from another friend that it usually is very expensive to enroll in public speaking classes or equivalent courses, but in Toastmasters, we get to do it for a minimal amount of fees. Moreover, I get to expand your network. So I feel fortunate that I discovered something like this.

5. ONE good thing from what you did that you can practice now!

• I can practice having more eye contact with people when speaking to them so that it breaks my bad habit of avoiding eye contact. This is very important because having eye contact with the person I'm speaking to helps me to build connection with them, and it shows that I am confident.

6. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

• The challenging part for me is nervousness, which comes from not knowing what to say when it comes to spontaneous speech. I reassure myself that I am just a beginner and I can't expect myself to be immediately good at it because it takes time and effort. I am also encouraged when I see other speakers who could do it well, and that gave me a vision that it is actually possible if I work hard.

7. Your plan for next week (Week 3)

• I plan to give my first prepared speech - which means I will be preparing a script on my own and presenting it in front. This is another challenge because it requires me to memorise my script and present it in front amidst the stage anxiety.