Self - assessment

   When I was starting my ESP course, I didn't even imagine how it will change my attitude to it. There were a lot of activities to do, such as ESP definitions tsts. moodle tests and so on. All these things helped me to improve my english, but I'd like to analyse each of them.
   ESP definitions tests. Definitions was the part that frightened me the most. I have written just one of three and I was surprised with the results. Now I regret a little bit that I haven't written other two.
   Moodle tests. The most interesting thing about moodle tests was that after doing one by one of them, you can improve your reading skills. Sure, there were a few moments when you can't do the more one because it was too tiring and exhausting. But I think I coped with them quite well and mad as much efforts as I could.

   Online listening practice. Online listening practice was sometimes quite difficult because of the quality of sound. Sometimes I listened to the text and tried to hear what it was told, but it seemed impossible to do that. However, it helped me a lot. Now I can listen to the text fluently and now I do less mistakes not even in listening, but also in true-false matching, synonym matching and gap filling.

   Traditional listening. Traditional listening is an easier one. We listened to the text from cassettes at school, so this way of listening is more convenient. On the other hand, there was one text that I couldn't even understand what a person is talking about because of  the specificy of his talk. Moreover, sometimes it became a little bit boring to listen to long lecture through the tape. But it also helped me to improve my listening skills.
   Online exercises from Feldman's course book. Sometimes exercises from Feldman's course book seemed like some kind of tragedy because at first it was difficult to recognise the phrase or just a word or to choose correct variant. After some months it became easier to recognise and notice important things and to use knowledge in doing exercises.

   Power point presentations. The first time when I made my presentation I was quite upset because it was called as unprofessional presentation and performance. But when I did my next presentation I was very satisfied because I realised that I have already understood the specifics of doing them. So it was meaningful to me.
   Short talks. Preparing to speak short talks was the most exciting part. I liked it very much because preparation for it took not so long. Moreover, we had to talk about many topics that were not included in coursebook, so I got more knowledge. I hope so, I have improved my speaking skills, although it's still sometimes hard to talk without any preparation. It's the area where I should do advance.
   Speaking impromptu. Speaking impromptu without at least two minutes of preparation would be difficult. But it is quite easy to speak if you have some minutes to prepare. Telling opinion and making discussions is very interesting and I have also improved my skills. I didn't notice this, but when I look back, I understand my achievements.

   To conclude, ESP course gave me a lot. I improved my speaking, listening and studying skills because there were a lot of activities to do. Now I can feel, that I have learned something and I have something to say, but it is not the end. There is a big space where I have to try to improve my abilities and I expect the chance.

Psychology of Self-Esteem

 People have heard about psychology of self-esteem, but not many of them know what actually it is, how to improve it and what influence self-esteem does on people.

  Some people say that "self-esteem comes from estimable acts". But is it true? Some researchers describe it as overall evaluation or appraisal of his or her own worth. Unfortunately, they don't mention the problems of low self-esteem. Dr Fuller emphasizes problems of self-esteem. People tend to make "blocks" for themselves to make correct actions. They have negative core beliefs, for example "I can't succeed", "I'm not deserved that", "I'm unlovable" and etc. Moreover, one more problem is that people do not resolve painful or traumatic experiences, which leave a big mark into their self-esteem and so they don't trust themselves. In addition, self-esteem is developed largely through interactions with important others, especially parents, siblings, peers, teachers, mentors, children, employers and romantic partners. And as a consequence, we trust in ourselves or not.

   Now let’s talk about people with low self-esteem and healthy self-esteem and how to recognise them. At first, people with low self-esteem rely on the opinions of others and compare themselves with others while people with healthy self-esteem are capable to assess themselves and still be able to value and accept themselves unconditionally. They know their strengths and limitations realistically but it doesn’t disturb them to live.

   Also, there are some tips to raise your self-esteem, according to Dr Fuller, I will mention the most important ones. The first one is to pay attention to your own needs and wants. It also includes activities such as relaxation, eating healthy food, exercising, dressing clothes you like. Moreover, it is advisable to give yourself awards for doing something good. Also, people who want to increase their self-esteem have to do things that make use of their talents and the most important that they shouldn’t be afraid of doing something new, for example communicating with people who treat them good or make a discussion while eating a meal with others.

   To conclude, there are just some factors to improve low self-esteem that could help others to change their lives. Every person is worth for love, respect, happiness and luck. And the most important thing that people are worth to respect themselves, to trust themselves and live the way they want.

References:
http://drrussfuller.com/psychotherapy/improve-self-esteem/

http://psychology.about.com/od/sindex/f/what-is-self-esteem.htm

http://pjvanoverschot.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/self-esteem/
http://isucceedbook.com/expert-perspective/success-principles-six-behaviors-that-increase-self-esteem-by-denis-waitley/attachment/self-esteem/

Summary: The Mystery Of Memory

   Over the centuries it was interesting to know what memory is and how to improve it. The first discoveries were made about long-term and short-term memory.

   The human brain contains 100 billion nerve cells and each can make up to 100000 connections with cells, which are close to. When a new memory is created, a new connection springs there.

   Memory includes recovering factors, for instance, procedural memory explains how to do something, while declarative memory describes that, for example, something with all its components is called a bicycle or something else.

   There are also other interesting phenomenons about memory. For instance, recognition versus recall. It's very hard to recall faces when actually it's easy to recognize them when you see them. It's difficult to remember more than 15, for example, photos after seeing them, but when a person sees them, he or she can recognize them and the amount could reach 10000 or even more.

   The one more sort of memory is photographic memory. Children who are less than age eight can remember snapshot-like fragments, associated with smells or tastes of colours. Most of us lose this ability when grow up.

   There are some strategies to remember forgotten things. It's easier way to retrieve information by remembering things about the situation or person's name we want to remember. We can give some questions for ourselves, for example, 'Where I met that person?' or 'Why I was in that situation?' And the main point is that every factor is stored in different area of the brain.

   To conclude, neuroscientists still try to discover what is the bond between brain processes and brain regions that lets us know everything properly.

References:http://beamazinglearning.wordpress.com/tag/working-memory/ (looked at 2012.04.09.)

http://editastonciute.blogspot.com/2010/11/mystery-of-memory.html (looked at 2012.04.09.)
Longman. "Focus On Advanced English C.A.E.", Series editor Sue O'Connell, 2007

Studies of psychology at MRUNI and abroad

There are many universities in the world where you can study at. And it depends on a quality of education for your specialty. I would like to compare studies of psychology at Mykolas Romeris University and Birmingham City University.

Mykolas Romeris University's Department of Psychology in Lithuania suggests us studying program to get Bachelor's degree, which lasts for 3,5 years. This undergraduate program is quite shortened and costs 5220 Lt per year. However, this university hasn't an ability to have part time studies. Although, there are many advantages such as possibility to participate in Erasmus program, MRUSA (Students' Representative Body of Mykolas Romeris University). Also, you can do scientific research, which is very meaningful for studies of psychology. In addition, this course gives you a lot. YA student deepens his or her knowledge of this subject with theories, achievements of scientists and possibility to do experiments in laboratory. Also, accommodation is also important. If a person lives at MRU hostel, he or she has to share the room with two or even three other students. Moreover, students have to share bathroom and kitchen with others, so sometimes it could be difficult to live there without having individual space.

Another one Birmingham City University in England is quite different. Studies last for 3 years, but you also get Bachelor's degree. Studies are a little bit expensive there, it's £8,200 per year. Moreover, there are part time studies there. They last for 5 year and cost £1,025 per 15-credit. However, you should not be afraid of the cost because it is convenient to get a loan for it. This university is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), the course covers a broad range of psychology disciplines: health, criminal, forensic, business and organizational. You also have an opportunity to apply for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the Society (GBC) enabling you to train or study in chartered psychology divisional areas. A course is fulfilled by modern technologies. Moreover, university has four laboratories. Birmingham City University offersa range of housing options, from self-contained flats to adapted accommodation for students with special requirements. Their housing is safe, secure and affordable and offers you the chance to live and study close to the centre of Birmingham, England's second city. Moreover, this accommodation is managed by universitiy's Accommodation Services team. You can call them during office hours, or put forward any concerns to a dedicated Student Representative who works closely with the team.

In conclusion, it is important to choose the right university to study at. Studying psychology at universities abroad is better because there is more modern equipment to do research than in Lithuania, so if we want to be more educated and have more experience of our subject, we should study abroad.

References:
http://www.bcu.ac.uk/student-info/accommodation (looked at 2012.04.09.)

http://www.bcu.ac.uk/courses/psychology (looked at 2012.04.09.)

https://www.mruni.eu/lt/busimiems_studentams/bakalauro_studijos/studiju_programos/psichologija/ (looked at 2012.02.05)