In or first class, we conducted an activity on 1st Impressions of each of each other and the feelings associated with doing such an activity. Most of us took turns in reciting what we had to say and some of us didn't elaborate on our first impressions of the other class members, which I thought was the objective of the activity. I went ahead and gave my first impression of the other students and felt ok, yet unsure of the effect my words would have, especially the thoughts which were not 100% positive. I felt this way because I am well aware of how interaction between people can be facilitated by using positive regard. In my experience, people don't take too well to criticism. In the context of the activity though I felt it was ok so, I commented on how I felt some people were not as confident in their disclosure of poor travel experience or significant reading; something I felt a little dissonance over because I had recently finished reading "political" books by Tom Brokaw and Jesse Ventura which didn't seem to fit what I sensed to be the prevalent mindset of the class, so I spoke about Stienbeck. Many other students didn't mention 1st impressions so I felt I might have been out on a limb a little. Anyway the result was good because I realized that I needed to be more flexible in my interpretation of the activity and be open to other students" diverse interpretations. We don't all perceive the same things. As a counsellor, I need to be more aware of personal perception. .
One of the points the leader alluded to was that we must be aware of how 1st impressions should not be written in stone. I feel that I can read people fairly well, so I tend to see them through the clothes they wear, the tone and content of their speech and body language for example. Regardless of my perceived confidence in this area, I need to be aware of many variables which may influence the way people look, act or talk on any given day.
