SELF-ASSESSMENT

Wikipedia once said: [] self-assessment is the process of looking at oneself in order

to assess aspects that are important to one's identity. From my point of view, self-assessment
is much more than that. Not only is it a great means of evaluating ones strengths and
weaknesses, but it is also the best way to appraise ones progress and accomplishments in
areas such as education, career and social life. Thus, self-assessment is like a mirror which
portrays oneself in an honest and accurate manner, but a mirror which must be broken in
order for one to reinvent oneself.
As a matter of fact, this is what English class has taught me during this entire
semester: that I and no one else have the power to break this mirror and create a new one, one
that really and truly reflects my aspirations as a student, as a future professional and most
important, as a human being.
First of all, I must admit that the idea itself of peer-teaching frightened me a bit in the
beginning. Although it might sound funny to some people, talking in front of more than three
or four people has always given me chills, let alone having to interact with them. Why? I still
dont know. But the truth is, when I had to deliver on stage, it all actually seemed kind of
fun. Maybe it was the group of students, maybe it was the teacher or maybe it was me making
it all up in my head. The bottom line is that I managed to control my emotions for the
moment and was able to bring to life the idea that Nada and I had envisioned: a live trivia
quiz. Therefore, not only did that boost my self-confidence, but it also pushed me to go
further with improving my communication skills as a medical student and enroll in a local
public speaking course.
Second of all, as future health professionals, it is our duty to be in touch with the latest
discoveries in the medical field. However, in order to do that, we first have to master the
medical terminology and one way to do that is through intellectually stimulating games. In
fact, some of my colleagues and friends, Paula, Andreea and Andreas prepared for the rest of
us an Activity-like game, which brought to light various interesting words that I had never
paid attention before to. Just like that, my vocabulary size increased with a few new words, or
at least I would like to think so. In addition to this, the game involved speaking, miming or
drawing as means to guess the words. In the guise of some ordinary activities, they actually
tested ones abilities of communicating with others. Speaking seemed a piece of cake at first
sight, but as the game was unfolding before my eyes, I realized that I had to find a way to
make my thoughts transparent to my team by only using key-words. And then it hit me: its
just like when a doctor talks to his patient; he doesnt need to use ambiguous and vague
sentences, but more often specific ones. On the other hand, miming the word was more
difficult, but worth it, because I might be confronted as a future doctor with a patient of other
nationality than Romanian or English. By miming, I would be able to tell him the diagnosis
without using any words, but in a precise and effective manner. Last but not least, drawing
the word was the most challenging of them all. Not because it required much talent, but
because it involved materializing your ideas into a picture. I remember our teacher telling us
that US medical students (if Im not wrong) were taking mandatory art courses in medical
school, in order to develop their eye for different colors and textures and then to be able to
apply these skills in day to day work. Imagine how useful these courses would be for all
medical students around the world, not only the US.
However, I am proud to say that, this last semester in English class, I have learned a
few things that have made me grow as a person. The collaboration with my colleagues taught
me that, in the end, solidarity and companionship are all that matter. Not rivalry, but a strong
sense of competitiveness. Not envy for ones accomplishments, but appreciation of ones
work and effort. These are principles that not only students should base their actions on, but
also doctors.
 I do remember that during our last English class, I told my teacher that I wasnt trying
to be a flatterer, but that I was both surprised and appreciative of her getting down of the
Teachers Throne and mingling with us, the peasants. The response was even more
surprising. She told us that in her case, there was never such a thing as a Teachers Throne.
And that made me realize that there should never be such things as Students Throne,
Doctors Throne or any such Throne for that matter. There should just be people helping
people, because thats what life teaches us every day: how to give and receive help.

RARE SECAR
SERIA C, GRUPA 21