What I've Learned

This semester, I've learned quite a lot.

First of all, that conflict isn't a bad thing. It's a great way to solve issues that have already occurred and prevent issues from becoming larger than necessary. If one is able to properly address conflict, it really does not need to be a larger issues.

STLC: This is a great tool, and I am glad I was able to learn about it. I think that part of my problem in conflict before taking this course was that I was so quick to interrupt others and not listen to them because I did not always find their feelings to be valid because they were not how I was viewing the situation. However, now I am aware of how to stop, think, listen, and communicate with the person with whom I have a conflict.

I-Feelings are huge, too. I have always had a tendency do assign my feelings to someone else and make them own how I was feeling instead of owning my own feelings, which is wrong. In order to truly solve a problem and avoid defensiveness, it is important to OWN how we are feeling rather than make it someone else's doing.


I think learning about different types of communicators was helpful for me, too, because I learned the ways in which my style was ineffective. I always thought that I was good at communicating because I always gave my opinion. Although this does have its pros, it also can make situations worse by being too assertive and not listening to the other's side and actually HEARING them.

Also, i thought that it was extremely beneficial to learn about mediation. Throughout life, you will be stuck in the middle of an issue and it's a great skill to know how to maturely and fairly. I think that in knowing rules that the mediator is supposed to follow (equal speaking time, no assisting in the conclusion, no personal attacks, ect) is helpful. It was also helpful because these same rules can be applied if I am ever in a situation that is being mediated, I am aware of how I should be acting and what is normal.