Self Evaluation of my academic year

This year the University was different from the previous two because the first semester we had a bunch of each of the five specialty of psychology and then, the second semester, we had optional subjects. In this semester each one chose the classes that want to take, the year was special because now every one begin to choose the specialty that we want to continue, and then we will delve into the diploma course. One consequence of this new method was that the course was divided into different subjects and we mix with the students of fourth year. Something new was that I was not with my friends in all subjects, except one, and now I'm seeing my friends less.

The first semester was a lot of work months for each of the specialties (clinical, legal, educational, community and labor). It demanded us many test and work, and that meant many hours of study. Several of these studies we performed in group, that sometimes was more complicated for the short time we had. I think the effort finally paid off and I had good results in all areas. Also I got to know more about the specialties of psychology and now I have clearer what specialty I want to study.

The second half was more relaxed than the first one because I decided to take four theoretical subjects and also take english and yoga (because it is an olbigation to make two subjects of sport in my career). The classes I chose were: Use of Hallucinogens in Psychology, Clinical Psychology Infant - Juvenile, Recruitment and The Therapist: Known from the Emotions. The topics are varied because I have to make at least one subject of each specialty (although I do not like). I think this semester was quieter, I had less academic requirements and more free time, but this didn´t mean to set me carefree. I fulfilled all requirements with the advantage that I had more time to devote to each subject.

Now at the end of the year I can say I had two good semesters. I think this was the year I learned more knowledge about my future profession and I like that, because the first two years were more introductory. I like to choose the classes that I will take, but it also means responsibility, I hope take good decisions. Also this year I finished my english classes and sports and that means that next year I will have 100% theoretical subjects, so I think I will need to rest during the holidays and prepare for a demanding year.

A problem in my University

Currently at my university there is a problem of low participation, but they are activities that involved and motivated only a small group of people. This was reflected this year in which there were no demonstrations as long as in previous years in that university classes stopped by problems and complaints of students.

I think it is very important to motivate all students to participate in various activities organized by the faculty and student center, but I think this task is complicated because many people not really believe that they can make further changes and improvements, so they choose not to participate.

To improve this situation I think that first we should organize a panel discussion in a modern and effective way (for example via internet, facebook or forums). The idea is that people write in the webs and say what are the real reasons that lead to not participate, since only by knowing this we can start looking for effective solutions.

After obtaining this information would have to start planning for new forms of participation that finish with the causes that led to non-participation. Thus most people would agree to participate and be motivated. I always keep in mind is that you should propose small goals to start, so people see that they can achieve, and then set goals and major changes.

The greatest benefit of these improvements is to increase the number of people who participate in the decisions of the students in their careers, duties, benefits and entitlements, ensuring greater participation that can then be enhanced by the participation of staff and administration. Not forgetting that you must always start with small goals and then be magnified.

My friends =)

My best friend is named Dominique, but I called her Domi. She has very good mood, always makes me laugh, even when I'm not happy. She is like an artist because she likes draw and paint and she studied architecture. I consider Domi is a very intelligent person, never had to study hard and always has good results. Domi is a concerned friend like a loving mother. We have a great time when we go to parties or on vacation with other friends.

I knew Domi at school, we were in the same school since we were in second grade, but we were just classmates in sixth grade. We met in sixth grade but we were not friends, I shared with other colleagues who are still my friends. I even remember that sometimes we got very bad relation and even we fought, but over time we matured and now we have a beautiful friendship. That's how we are good friends so far.

The characteristic that I value most is a friend to accompany you always, even in bad times. I think it's fun to be with people for entertainment, but it is important when they support you even if you're sad or troubled. I also think is important that we share a larger group of friends, and I am lucky to have him because we still maintain a group with my other friends at school, is difficult to stop seeing each other after so many years together and many shared experiences. I hope my friends consider that I also have these characteristics because friendship is always constructed between two or more persons.

I'm still in touch with my childhood friends, many of them are of the same school where I studied. But I am also talking with other friends, for example, the neighborhood where I lived for some years. I also have some friends from my first school on msn, but we never got together.

Analyzing the secrets in families

A very interesting topic for psychologists are family problems, its causes, content and solutions. In this occasion I will speak about a report of Oliver James that discusses the motives of the secrets of parents and children in the family.

Some studies claim that in general people have secrets for altruistic reasons, to care for others. Many couples hide their infidelity to maintain the relationship, this does not mean that's good, but at least it is thinking about the other. When somebody are hiding something they generally feel bad about it, and statistics show that one in four relationships were found lying.

For adolescents, the reasons to keep secrets are usually because they want to feel independent, teenagers do not want to be under the supervision of their parents. But paradoxically when teenagers kept secret and hidden things, parents are more motivated to investigate and uncover its secrets (review computers, rooms), which eventually leads to teenagers have to hide their things even more, and so there are more secrets in the family.

There have been studies that found that parents believe their children are more hidden secrets that really make, and this perception is closely related to whether parents have been good or bad. All this eventually generates a vicious circle.

To read this study may enter to:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/sep/12/secrets-lies-perception

My pet

I have a lovely dog, her name is Flower and she is very affectionate, even with strangers and has many other friends of his race in the neighborhood, all children also like to play with it. Flor came to my house for my birthday, was a surprise gift. She is very sweet and looks like the puppies of TV commercials, it's funny like a little clown and very playful like babies, also she likes to have all the attention of people. The only pet that I had previously was a canary but soon escaped from his cage, I think it is better because now is free, also was not very entertaining.

I think my life would be very different without my pet because she is with me every day and she turn up my mood when I'm worried. I not think it necessary to have a pet, but I have to admit that every day is better if you have one.

I think it's important for children to care for their pets, because they can learn to be responsable, and learn that having a pet can be very entertaining but also they must take good care of it. It is also necessary that pets also feel happy at home.

I personally would consider adopting an abandoned animal, but not now because right now I have to take very good care of Flor, and I want to be a good owner.

I'm so sad about the puppies that were abandoned in Chaiten, but a friend who will be veterinarian told me that in his university had a plan to help them so I think that will be in good hands.

What to do and where to go in Santiago

I think that a tourist can visit many places in Santiago, and although it is not the most entertaining city in the country, Santiago is the capital and you can do many different activities. For example, a tourist (depending on age) may visit the Cerro Santa Lucia, the zoo, the Bellavista neighborhood and many other parts.

In Santiago, a tourist could do many things like go to get some ice cream, make a camping, going to museums, go skiing in the snow or just take a walk and a coffee.

If I had to recommend to a tourist five places to visit I would say:

1) Spend a weekend in the snow. he could take one of the buses that leave daily, and let the ski equipment in the sky park. I recommend this place because there is everything to have a good weekend.

2) I'd also recommend having a picnic in the "Nature Sanctuary", for that would have to leave early in the morning and to take food for lunch, also I recommend to take warm clothes for the evening. I like this place because it is quiet and relaxing.

3) In addition I would recommend visiting the Museo de La Moneda as there are always interesting exhibitions and he can know more of the culture. It would be good to go in the afternoon after lunch.

4) If the tourist liked to visit the snow I would recommend to go ice skating at the Parque Arauco track, it just needs to arrive early and have enough energy, right there is a place for lunch if you get hungry. It can be a fun time but he must be careful of falling.

5) Finally I would recommend going for a drink at a pub in Bellavista to know the city at night, there he can meet some friends. This place is good because he can choose various places.

Before the start of Transantiago I was in the school and I used very little the public transport, so that I can not say much of that time, but I think that the old buses were more uncomfortable and old. Just when Transantiago started I was in the south in vacations and I came to Santiago when the system was starting, so the change was very difficult to me, I had to do a test run to calculate how much I would take me go to the university. In that time, I used to take two bus and it took me like a fifty minutes, and I used to wait in the bus stop even more that twenty minutes, now it’s that much, I think it has been improving a little with time.

I recently changed from home and now I live closer to the university but the problem now is that you never know how time it's going to take the bus to pass, for example, get here I took from twenty minutes to an hour, and this is so much different.

I think that the system is better than in the beginning, but remains a poor transport system because there is no orden of times and Santiago have a lot of jams in the “pick hours” and I think that is even dangerous for people because it can cause a lot of accidents.

So, to improve the system I would regulate the frequency of the buses making it more reliable, that way people have more confidence in the system and I would campaign for people to take the initiative to use other means of transport.