SELF-ASSESMENT

ESP course wasn't the most easiest subject in this semester but it brought a huge benefit for my English. Some things were easy done, others not, but now, when I am finishing this course, I can say that I am satisfied in my achievements. So now I am going to evaluate each of tasks which were done in these few months.
ESP definition tests
This task was the most difficult for me. I just couldn't learn so many words in one day ( because I always have left it till last day). That was my mistake which I believe will not transfer in my future subjects.
Moodle tests
That was quite simple task for me. I am glad in my performance in these tests, because it definitely raise my final grade. In my opinion these tests are great idea, because it helps to consolidate knowledge. 
Online lisining practice
This activity includes listening, True/False, Synonym match and gap filling exercises. Mostly this task was quite easy. Maybe sometimes synonym match was a bit difficult because of unknown words, but generally I enjoyed doing this task and I think I was doing it well.
Traditional listening
Traditional listening to cassettes was very difficult for me. I can't even understand why. Maybe the reason is that traditional listening was difficult in themes, used vocabulary and pronunciation. So I had to be very focused while listening those records from cassette.
Online exercises 
There were two types of online exercises: from Feldman's course and from AP psychology review. Both were almost the same type and similar to Moodle tests. So that wasn't hardly done. 
Power Point Presentation
This task was the most interesting in whole course. I felt pleasure doing it. That looking for information, reading, writing and all that work was really inspiring. There were a few mistakes, but I think I can evaluate myself very good, because it gave me excellent experience.
Short talks
This task helped me to gain my grade after my vocabulary tests. There were no difficulties to prepare at home in given theme and I done it quite good, I am satisfied in that. There were interesting to look for information over interesting themes, to get new, unheard information.
Speaking improptu
That was simple for me. I have no difficulties in talking English, I think I can do it easily. Certainly, not always it is so easy to find words which express the ideas which I want to say, that requires experience which I also get in my ESP course.
To sum it up
I have to admit that not all activities were done so good how I expected but I noticed what I am doing wrong and I will try to not repeat my mistakes in future works. On the whole I can say that I am satisfied in my work on ESP course, I am happy to be given this opportunity to gain my knowledge and improve my English. 

References:
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/exams/exam-listening/listening-tasks
http://365lettersblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/letter-writing-topics.html
http://www.daviddisalvo.org/the-daily-brain/2012/5/9/talking-about-ourselves-gives-our-brains-a-boost.html

Psychology of a Bully

   Bullying is a serious issue that is faced by many people. It can cause lifelong psychological effects that may require therapy in order to overcome. Bullying is a distinctive pattern of deliberately harming and humiliating others. It is important to know that bullies are made, not born, and it happens at an early age. 
   There are different types of bullying: physical (physical violence), verbal (name calling, teasing), intimidation (making victim to do something) and cyber bullying (internet). Bullying occurs at work, at home, on the internet but most likely at schools. 
   Bullies come from all walks of life. They are often people who believes that bullying can give them repect and power, surround them with friends. Also a person can become a bully because of problems in family or sometimes the only explanation is that a bully is a mean and cruel person who feels satisfaction by hurting others.
   It is interesting that psychologists used to believe that bullies have low self-esteem and hurt others to feel better about themselves. But new research shows that bullies have excellent self-esteem, they usually have a sense of entitlement over other and lack of compassion.
   Talking about victims, anyone can become the target of a bully, but often there are people who do not have many friends, in some ways are different (appearance or behavior), shy. Bullying can cause depression, panic attacks, physical ailments and even contemplation of suicide. It may sound strange but there are negative effects on the bullies too. Compelling research confirms that bullies are twice as likely as their peers to commit crimes and four times likely to be multiple offenders. Sometimes bullies can actually hate the way they behave but somehow fell justified in doing so because of the fact that they were bullied as well. This felling tends to override the feeling of empathy which makes psychological mess for the bully. If a bully is not stopped his behavior could affect his future life.
   Bullying does not have to be a reality that one must live with. It has to be revealed by telling someone who can help to change bully's behavior. Victims should understand that something wrong is not with them, that bullies have problems and it has to be dealt. It is very important to stand up for your self calmly and self-assured.
   To sum it up, I have to say that bullying is serious problem and it is very important to stop it. It may not be happening by you personally but it is everyone's responsibility to help to stop it.


References:
http://www.theravive.com/research/The_Psychology_Of_Bullying
http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/adult-bullies/
http://www.asirpsichologija.lt/index.php?id=410&category=12
http://www.bluedragontkd.net/stopbullying.htm

Psychology of fear

   People are very complex and the way they react to many situations is based on physiological and psychological factors. Fear is familiar emotion for everybody because it accompany us every day.
    Fear is defined like a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger. It is powerful and primitive human emotion. There are two stages of fear, biochemical and emotional. Our bodies respond in specific ways, when we confront a perceived danger. Physical reaction to fear includes sweating, increased heart rate, high adrenaline levels. The emotional response to fear is highly personalized. Some people are like adrenaline junkies and practice extreme sport or other dangerous activity. Others have a negative reaction to the fealing of fear and avoid fear - inducting situations at all costs. 
   Fear is a normal emotion but when it comes irrational it becomes phobia which is a disorder. Many people can resign with their phobias and live normally. For example, person with phobia of water just avoids go swimming. But other people can't live normally and suffers, so they need professional help. One of phobia treatment is systematic desensitization. This technique works gradually. For example, a client with the phobia of snakes spends his first session talking about snakes, later client would be led through looking at pictures of snakes, playing with toy snake and eventually he would be given to hold a live snake. It should be mentioned that phobias develop quite early, in adolescence.
   To sum it up, fears are concurrent part of our lives. It alerts us to the presence of danger and helps to take care of ourselves. Fears have positive meaning until it start to impediment our life.


References:
http://phobias.about.com/od/introductiontophobias/a/psychologyfear.htm
http://www.futurehealth.org/populum/page.php?f=The-Psychology-of-Fear-by-Saberi-Roy-100903-820.html
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fear
David. G. Mayers. Psychology. 2000. 

šD

Psychology studies at MRU and Maastricht university

Studying is the most important period in every human's life so it is very important to choose right studies. I chose psychology because this is the only field where I can see myself. My aim is to get Doctoral degree and work in scientific psychology so I am interested in clinical and social psychology. I choose Mykolas Romeris university and I am very glad about that so I want to compare it with Maastricht university.

Maastricht university

Maastricht university is in Netherlands.This university is relatively young (university got Maastricht name only in 2008). This university offers a wide choice of academic programmes, all of which are designed to bring out the best in its students. There are six faculties: Arts and Social Sciences;Business and Economics;Health, Medicine and Life Sciences;Humanities and Sciences;Law;Psychology and Neuroscience. Also there are some cultural activities including drama,dances,music and sport. Moreover,Maastricht university has a modern library which offers electronic and simple forms of books. This is very comfortable for students.

Mykolas Romeris university

Mykolas Romeris university is also young (university got Mykolas Romeris name in 2004). This university has six faculties and one institute:Economics and Finance Management; Politics and Management; Law; Social Policy; Social Informatics; Social Security and Institute of Humanities. Despite studies,there are cultural activities like dance,theatre,visual arts studios and others.Also MRU has very modern library with many reading-rooms,where students can study undisturbed.

As a student of psychology I must to compare studies of psychology in these universities so there is some similarities and differences. In both universities student can get all degrees of psychology. To get Bachelor degrees it takes 4 years in Maastricht and 3,5 in MRU.Annual tuition fees are almoust the same. In Mykolas Romeris university it is 5520Lt and in Maastricht about 6100Lt. There are more differences taking about subfields. Mykolas Romeris university offers only 3 subfields of psychology (Social,Law and Bussines psychlogy) and Maastricht university offers 6 subfields (Development psychology;Cognitive Neuroscience;Neuropsychology;Health and Social psychology;Psychology and Law;Work and Organisational psychology).

All things considered I have to say that Mykolas Romeris university offers qualified studies which amounts to other abroad universities.I am glad to have apportunity to be and study here.

References:

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/web/Main/AboutUM/History/ImportantDates.htm
http://www.mruni.eu/en/
www.mastersportal.eu/students/browse/programme/16787/forensic-psychology.html