What is Lifewide Learning? Hear from the winners of the Lifewide Learning Prize 2009/2010 about their Lifewide experiences and how these have helped to make their own education more complete.
A student’s view on Lifewide Learning and the Surrey Lifewide Learning Award
‘Recently graduated with a First Class Honours, I am now doing an internship with my dream company to continue to build skills as part of my professional development. Completing the Surrey Lifewide Learning Award at this stage was much more useful than I imagined.
Evaluating my own development is not unfamiliar – I keep a “What I Did/Do” document where I regularly scribble down anything which could go on my CV, and I have files which could go on a portfolio in place. The process of compiling these thoughts and evidence into a single document was therefore pretty easy. What made the real difference was the process of articulating my strengths and weaknesses in the form of a 2000-word essay or a portfolio. Having to write it in a limited space meant that I had to pick the essence out, and at the end of it, I can say that I have completely “renewed” my own perspective on myself because it is simply amazing to read (and be reminded) how I evolved professionally, and at the same time set a higher standard for the current or future pursuits.
A real-life example – I have been working on my verbal communication skills which had much room of improvement. Yesterday at work, I was afraid to ring people because at the back of my mind, “I have a problem talking to people”. When I got home, I completed my essay for the award. Today, I spoke confidently over the phone… perhaps because I realised, or was reminded that I had in fact improved these skills of mine through various experiences. All I needed to do was just that!
It is just like one of my favourite quotes, which says:
“Be proud of how far you have come, and have faith in how far you can go.”’
For more information visit Surrey Lifewide Learning Award
