SLAMs Newsletter Issue 11
Education: Your Passport to the World
SLAMs Newsletter
ISSUE
Table of Contents •
Five Tips on How to Survive and Thrive in Modern Asia
• Learning Diary: Leadership Development Program
SLAMs are Student Learning Advisor Mentors who received impressively high marks in their courses.
to help you be high achievers too!
2
Nga Nguyen Thanh
3
• Van’s Going Away Ha To Ta
4
• Who Said Teamwork is a Burden Dang Nghinh Xuan
5
• Business Finance - Not just about the numbers
Do Tran Thao Nguyen
7
• Cracking a High Distinction on International Business
Ha To Ta
8
• Prices and Markets
Nhi Nguyen Ngoc Thao
10
Nguyen Van Phuong Mai
12
Phuong Nguyen Ha
13
Tam Nguyen Le
15
Ha ng Pham Thanh
16
• Use Analogies for Complex Concepts
• It is Okay to Step Out of your Comfort Zone
They are qualified and ready
Hien Nguyen Thu
• How to Overcome Prices and Markets
• Introduction to Advertising (Word Search)
11
DECEMBER 2015
5to Tips on How Survive and Thrive in Modern Asia
Hien’s Tips : 1. Don’t just read. 2. Stay focused. 3. Visualize. 4. Relate.
By Hien Nguyen Thu
5. Start early. SLAMs Newsletter Issue 11 January 2016
Students understand students.
4. Relate. Examples from your own experi1. Don’t just read. Make a habit of noting
ence always add some spice to your writing. It
down bits of reading text you find interesting
is YOUR writing after all. Just remember to be
and want to research more about. Those
relevant. You do not want to start your major
points are likely to make up the main frame of
essay with ‘I was born in a summer day of’.
your dreaded major essay or give it an edge.
Well, if your essay is about motherhood or the child delivery culture in Asia then that is anoth-
2. Stay focused. Do not be tempted by schol-
Hanoi SLAMs Sem C 2015
er story. Anyway, you get my point.
ars’ diverse and contradicting opinions. Most of the time you will not be able to sit on the
5. Start early. I know teachers always tell
fence, you will fall off of it! I know it is hard but
you this and we students keep reminding
try to pick a maximum of three main points to
ourselves. But it is not that easy with so many
discuss. Stay focused.
distractions begging for our attention on a daily basis. Just START. Once you start, it will
Saigon SLAMs Sem B 2015
3. Visualize. A major part of Modern Asia is
continue to bug you until it is done. Trust me,
about the people, their lives and their cultures;
it is scientifically proven. Once you start, it will
all of which are colourful and dynamic beyond
linger at the back of your mind and who knows,
the capacity of us twenty-something’s descrip-
when you are in the shower, a brilliant idea will
tion. We are restrained by the word count but
just pop up. And let us not forget drafts that
hey, ‘A picture says a thousand words’.
teachers can give you feedback on. C’mon, you know it works. JUST DO IT!
Learning Diary: Leadership
Nga on KOTO: With its specific identity being a self-sustainable restaurant --that is, equipping unfortunate people with essential skills at the expense of selling its own products-KOTO aims to create a social impact within the business, far beyond merely giving somebody a job.
Nga on Operation Smile: The fact that one in 700 people has a cleft lip or palate when he or she was born makes the number of people who are in extreme need of help a huge one. Operation Smile calls for kind hearts that can in any way contribute to relieve this situation.
Van’s Going Away “Congratulations!” – My bid farewell
By Ha To Ta I mean, I was happy for her. In the whole twirling mix of churning emotions, because for real, the girl
Development
It came quite a surprise for me to see her office sort-
who was smart, hard-working, and just a wonderful
ed without her table, her computer, her papers, and
human being that I was so lucky to get to know, was
Program
all the little things she kept that decorated so well the
gone. But I was sad. Because I didn’t know when I
office and represented her dainty personality. I didn’t
would be able to see her again, talk to her again,
know she was gone, for real.
and laugh with her again. I guessed her presence
By Nga Nguyen Thanh On the second day we met Ms. Thuan, the representative of Operation Smile. The fact that one in 700 people has a cleft lip or palate when s/he was born makes the number of people who are in extreme need of help a huge one. Operation Smile calls for kind hearts that can in any way I would imagine my week 7 this semester a run-
contribute to relieve this situation. The video
ning race full of assignments, deadlines, meet-
showing the reunion between a little girl, who had
ings, paper and slides, but the past three days of
a cleft lip in the first seven years of her life, with
Leadership Development Program brought a great
her mother touched our hearts deep down, urging
inspiration into the hustle of my daily life.
us to realize our responsibility in creating a better community, a better world.
I rushed to KOTO at 5 PM on the first day with messy hair and clothes, exhausted from my tight
Following the two inspiring presentations was our
schedule. But the cordial atmosphere there that
turn to brainstorm the two-year project, taken into
radiated to every corner of the restaurant wel-
account the abovementioned responsibility and
comed me with utmost hospitality. As we gathered
RMIT values introduced by Mr. Quan. The ideas
around the table, the manager of KOTO began
were not drawn out immediately and easily, so
explaining the operation of his business, which
we decided to spare ourselves more time to think
focuses on social enterprise. All profits of the
about it.
restaurant go to training its students in English communication, operational and life skills. With its
One of the most rewarding prizes for me after
specific identity being a self-sustainable restaurant
the program was having an opportunity to make
--that is, equipping unfortunate people with essen-
friends with the coolest kids on earth --the other
tial skills at the expense of selling its own prod-
four President Scholars in Saigon South. After
ucts-- KOTO aims to create a social impact within
hours of formalities, they no longer became out-
the business, far beyond merely giving somebody
standing individuals with insightful thoughts and
a job. The dinner afterwards was delightful, as we
incisive comments, but friendly and humorous
later found out that while we enjoyed the service,
souls. As we wandered around the old quarter
we were actually contributing to the society as
talking about trifling things, I could see the future
well.
of this friendship blossoming.
had grown so big inside me, that then it was so hard How do I even begin to talk about Van? She was
letting her go. I didn’t mean it physically or that we
probably the most polite and gentle person in the
were forever parting kind of way. Still the thought
whole campus of RMIT Hanoi. Her voice was always
of not seeing her at school (Van, I have only like 9
calm, and soft, it was like one of those warm, creamy
months left. And you couldn’t wait for my graduation
soups for my sore throat in the winter. When she
then? You (cruel-hearted woman!) made my heart
smiled, you could really see the glittering stars in her
felt like acting out that James Van Der Beek’s face
eyes and her genuine happiness. Or maybe I was
in Dawson’s Creek’s finale, where he learned Katie
just too good at making her laugh – I liked that the
Holmes’ character did not choose him. I was so
best about her: completely easy-going, completely
crunched and squeezy.
down-to-earth. The bonus parts are her bangs, her sun-kissed skin (“so hot, will melt your popsicles”),
Van, who else can I talk to concerning the hardwork-
and her beauty mark. My mom used to have one
ing students in our campus? Who else can I talk to
near the eyes just like hers – everything was just a
about amazing opportunities for university students
fuzziness of a huggable cuteness! Call me coy and
to take part in? Who else can I be heard from that
cheesy, but that just forms her everything with this
she helped the student by suggesting amazing
fuzziness of a huggable cutie! (I’m not sure if I’m
chances for their study or career pathway? Who
making any sense right now, but well…)
else can I tease… Wait, actually there are a lot of other staff I can do. But you are like nobody else. I
But she has left.
just want to catch a glimpse of you whenever I pass by the LSU office. Who else will replace you Van?
I learned about it the hard way though: Facebook
Physical position but not emotional connection, I
– the coldest place for communication that you’d
know for sure. When are you coming back? Will you
expected to be in the midst of Hanoi’s summer heat.
come back to RMIT?
y jaws dropped when I found out (from her news feed and timeline) that she was at the Hong Kong airport (that airport is expensive as hell), ready to transfer to Austria (the ancient beauty of Europe). I was speechless. I didn’t know how I should have felt that moment. She was really gone.
Who said teamwork is a burden?
Xuan says: For ProfComm students, working in teams or groups not only
By Dang Nghinh Xuan
determines a significant amount of our GPA but is also required to survive in our creative industry. While teamwork is already difficult for many of us, leading a team is much harder. And leading a bunch of creative people with high sensitivity, strong individuality and enormous ego is even more challenging. In this article,
1. Whatever you confront, don’t panic over your team. Everything will be in its place. Successful teamwork depends on not only you but also significantly on other members, therefore, the group-forming stage is important. It’s ideal to build a team in which all members possess a supportive attitude and each individual’s ability and skills supplement each other. Nevertheless, sometimes, lecturers don’t enable you to select members so as to create situations similar to the real industry. Hence, if you are placed in a team of strangers, don’t panic, but think of it as an opportunity to enhance your leadership skill and get to know more people. As with other students, working with members who lack either effort, attitude or experiences usually drove me nuts at first. However, acknowledging that complaints are useless, I trans
formed my frustration into energy by thinking of myself as a hero saving the world. This allowed me to face the worst situations with optimism (Yeah, ridiculously, it worked!). Instead of embracing the work myself, I observed and identified my members’ strengths and allocated them suitable tasks. I also put in a great effort in revising their individual works. Admit it, the amount of work among members is hardly equal to the amount of work of the entire team. Some usually need to work harder than others, but the most hard-working also make the most from the experience. So, if someone doesn’t do their work, don’t let them get to your nerves, since they are ‘investing’ on you to learn.
2. Don’t be a boss, be a coach. Press down your ego. It is a psychological fact that most people don’t like being told what to do. And that is multiplied several times for creatives. While bossing around never gains their respect, acting like a coach who makes suggestions to their work and encourages them to express them-
selves and cooperate will maximize individual as well as team performance. Based on my experiences, from the beginning, setting goals is an effective way to lift the team spirit. Creative people love to be challenged and are goal-oriented. Seeing themselves in a battle fighting a common enemy will bring the team together. Another way to generate motivation is promising rewards according to team and individual’s interests and desires. I found out that a team-building meal is usually more appealing than an HD. However, I observed that most conflicts tend to occur later, when the team is already involved in the tasks. Always remember that in being the leader of a team, especially a creative team, the only way that your members listen to you is to press down your ego and listen to them. Keep a cool head, solve the problem step by step, in order to maintain a cooperative mood which is the key to maintaining a team.
3. See the big picture, but don’t forget the details. A balance of big-picture and detail-oriented thinking ensures that the best ideas are presented and the details are executed and, hence, is necessary to the efficiency of a creative team.
In order to keep their gaze on the big picture, right from the start, I always discuss with my members to build --based on their ability and schedule-- a plan with specific tasks and deadline. This enables individuals to actively calculate our workload and manage time better as well as the whole team to sympathize with each other when someone is busy.
Xuan adds: I would like to share my experience from the perspective of a team leader on how to get the best performance from creative minds (short: creatives) to
On the other hand, lack of communication might result in not only inconsistency in the work, but also misunderstandings among members, which negatively influence the quality of work and team spirit. So as to ensure that the details of work is well understood and executed, communication between the leader - the intersection of - and the members, and among the members should be kept frequent, clarified and constructive. I actually find a lot of joy doing teamwork, especially when leading a creative team which always makes me laugh when the craziest ideas are spoken out, allows me to learn different things from my friends as well as to improve my interpersonal communication and teaches me the power of collective intelligence. I hope that after following my tips, you will also feel comfortable with teamwork like me. Who said teamwork is a burden?
whoever desires to manage a creative team or a business, to master the art of teamwork, or to simply get better grades in group assignments.
Nguyen says:
Business Finance – Not just about the numbers.
Most of the time, people usually describe
By Do Tran Thao Nguyen
Business Finance as a course which mainly focuses on calculation and use of formulas. However, in my point of view, the number and calculation is just a small part of this course, the meaning
If it is possible, always
of questions. For example,
include the correct graph
these are the steps for
According to my experience,
in your answer for a better
solving the capital budget-
60%
examinations
explanation. (e.g: explain
ing exercises:
(including midterm and final)
the difference between
test about the theory, and
capital market line and
only 40% of the mark is given
security market line, make
to the calculation exercise.
sure to include the graph
2. Determine the gain/loss
Therefore, you should manage
for each type of these
on sale of the machine
your time wisely to cover both
items)
cessful in Business Finance:
of
the
•
1. Calculate the depreciation expense.
3. Work out the amount of tax that company has
exercise and theory questions. Calculation questions
to pay by using Income Statement.
Theory question a. For topics like time value of •
Lecture slides are the best
money and valuation of bonds
source to review the theo-
and shares:
4. Prepare the statement of cash flow. 5. Calculate the Net present value by using the cash
ry. Even though the slides are usually very long, they
use that number to make a deci•
most valuable •
•
Draw a timeline to identify
flow statement.
contain most of the use-
the given information and
ful information which can
the problem which need to
be tested in the examina-
be solved. => It will help
cise which is posted on
tions.
you to identify the type of
Blackboard or given by
Review the theory ques-
annuities and minimize the
your lecturers.
tion by going through the
confusion between pres-
slide and noting down any
ent and future value.
identify and redo the exer-
Apply
cises which you have
important information at
things which I course.
steps to solve each type
Here are some tips to be suc-
ber and how you
learnt from the
By Ha To Ta There are both fundamental and
All the task descriptions are exactly
ally prefer it to be individual.
challenging courses at RMIT that
the same. There are three noticeable
But I think due to its heaviness,
require essential help from the
changes that you need to adjust:
it was switched to a group assignment. This plays to your
SLAMs mentors. But there are and
behind that num-
sion are the
Cracking a High Distinction in International Business
•
the
appropriate
•
•
Try to complete the exer-
Before the examinations,
the end of each topic.
formula for each type of
made a mistake on
Go through the notes and
problem.
clarify your understanding.
highlight
the
to
important
information which is need-
b. For the remaining topics
I wish you all the best and good
ed in the exams
•
luck in this course.
Make sure to follow the
Word count: The short essays
strength if you have a wonderful
where any of us students can get lost
increased to 300 words and the
group. Or else, if you still want
in, have a panic attack, have no clue
report went up to 2000 words.
that High Distinction, I know you
where to start, how to get it done, and
Seems ridiculous? You will be
will be able to pull through like
achieve the best end results. Well,
delighted for these additions if
all of us groupie suckers had.
International Business is just one of
you aim for the highest mark.
the few subjects I am talking about.
The short essay was really diffi-
If you will study under Dan Burns, I
And it would suck (really bad) if it is
cult for me to write since it was
think he will divide the group case
your core subject or when it is a make
a meager 500 words then while
study and presentation into two each
or break for your precious GPA…
if I had had that precious 300, it
with 15% as well: one will be on a
would be much more elabora-
weekly topic (where you will present
Fear not! I have been there. I have
tive and thorough. Similarly to
and provide group discussion) and
done that. I am now, here to help!
the report, I did make the 2650
one will be on the actual case study
words (+10%). But if you have
at the end.
So, first things first, I received a High
made account of everything in
I repeat: an advantage! The case
Distinction as final grade for the short
my appendices (I love appendi-
study for my semester was lengthy
essay, the report, and the combined
ces!), it would have been over
and tough. You will have preference
effort of two group presentations (I
6000 words. I was quite pleased
one over the other. And worse, your
was in Daniel Burns’ class and he
with my report. So it seems now,
case study will be randomly picked –
liked both presentations, and so did
you guys will be able to provide
that will be a bit more challenging if
his students).
more in the actual report then
the case you get is the case you dis-
keep on referring to Appendix
like. Moreover, it is more demanding
1, 2, 3, and so on.
compared to the contents provided
Weightage: I can assure you
in the weekly group presentation and
the short essay is a lot easier
tutorial.
have always been, difficult courses,
1.
2015A versus 2015C – what are the differences?
2.
This is an advantage,
I studied the subject in semester
to get good marks in than the
2015A and presumed it was no big
report. So having it stepped up
Finally, peer review – don’t worry
deal. I made my first mistake and I
to 30% compared to my 20%
about it! Just trust me on this, no
freaked out when I learned about the
and the report slid down from
explanation needed.
course assignments. I will make com-
50% to 40%, you guys should
parisons below for your references
be glad!
on how it remain calm this semester (2015C), and that I can really help.
3.
The
report
got
groupie-d:
before, it was individual. I actu-
(continued on next page)
IB: Background and Historical Outlook Let get started! International Business is compulsory (for Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Business – International Business) or optional. Historically (I have been in RMIT Vietnam for way too long to know this), almost everybody in the Hanoi campus had to take it until Bachelor of Business (except for Accountancy) was introduced. But it was an elective since people assumed, based on former students’ experiences, that it was not difficult to get High Distinction or the least Distinction. Others would only aim for a Pass – but I forbid you! Do your best and you will never regret it! Unless you are already very clear about your lifelong direction and have focus on your career prospect and that you think university is a ???, then I have no objection. But today, it is a hard, hard story.
Cracking a High Distinction
IB Survival Tips Summary I hope this freaking long piece would help you with your International Business endeavour and get you
Take notes, here go some awesome tips!
overseas in Australia (where it failed) and Singapore
here It’s up to you. But yes, finally, shortcuts – or so!
(where it seemed to succeed). This crucially supported my decision of expanding the franchise to Hong Kong because
deserve! I have a just a dainty and succinct summary below. Peace out!
•
•
•
Most changes in the
did : look for a case study in textbooks. I started doing
your account as well because these places have absolute
this cases browsing since my second semester at RMIT
ease in doing businesses; only beware of the contexts and
(where I foolishly overestimated my power and studied
purposes of the chosen company.
Management). I cannot tell you the specific case study I
I almost forget, the requirements and marking will ask
found and where. But look up “case study” as keywords on
you to provide a lot of model applications. You have the
Do your best with
the Library website. If that doesn’t help, go to the library and
power to choose which one to use or all of them. But make
researching, because it
look at the books in the International Business or Studies
sure, your report is easy to read and smoothly flows with
is required extensively
sections (International Human Resource Management also
emphasis on important points – or just make use of the
here;
helps, since it’s international and suggests HRM as the
appendices. Best to ask your lecturer/grader for advices.
You don’t have to include
core problem). Most textbooks have case studies inside
Important sideline: Euromonitor International is my favorite
everything (like every
them but choose something that does not say “case study”
research base for this assignment. For industry and loca-
model you learned),
as their title. You find your case here more comprehensive-
tion insights, it is the best!
seek out your lecturer for
ly and effectively. It requires you time, but the result will be
the best advice – they
worth it.
Make your papers easy
Make use of appendix if it is healthy for your assignment; If it is group work, make sure you have it done as a group; Be authentic, original and adventurous, your lecturer will sure love to learn new things just
•
You guys can actually take Hong Kong and Singapore into
in this course;
flowed;
•
Singapore and Wrap & Roll’s newly decided destination. You can research a bunch of things, or just do it like I
one of the toughest subject Supply Chains and Logistics
to read and smoothly
•
of the great similarity and comparison interest between
necessarily good for you
so you remember!
•
Individual Short Essay
course assignments are
mark your papers, just •
1.
3.
Group Presentations (if Dan is not your lecturer this semester, dive straight to b.)
2.
Group Report •
Weekly Presentation and Tutorial
This is definitely one of the trickiest and broadest topic you
I don’t remember much about the weekly presentation.
will ever come across at RMIT: you get to choose both the
But I think there were contents provided beforehand so
company and the destination and explain all the reasons
you only need to revise into your slides and script. It’s not
there are for this marriage to work. I panicked so bad that
difficult, so I will leave you with that.
I was delirious as the deadline was approaching (luckily I made it)! I think here, example works best. So I will use my
The tutorial is more fun, actually. You will be divided up into
papers for this sole purpose.
smaller groups and discuss a set of questions with yourself
After looking at plenty of companies (Pho 24, Trung
ing the questions, it is where the fun begins. Up to you!
being the coordinator. If you put a bit of effort into researchNguyen, Thai Tuan Silk, etc.) I decided to go with a new and full of potential franchise called Wrap & Roll (I saw
•
their restaurant near Hoan Kiem lake). The newer and
There will be two study cases on internationalization else-
Case Study Analysis and Presentation
fresher the company, the more flexible it will be for you to
where in the world of real companies for your group. You
like you;
write your report! Not only will you have practice references
will have a read and analyze with your group before get-
If you get the highest
from similar and more established companies, but also you
ting the randomly picked case. Most importantly: prepare
mark: it is one of the
can apply just as many theories and assumptions as you
together, practice together, think of all the applicable IB
best feelings for this sub-
like pretending that they might work while it was proved
theories that you learned, and side research. The former
ject, it’s hard as hell to
otherwise with prominent companies. I think franchising is
two solidify your organisation and coordination; at the same
get an HD!
one of the easiest ways to expand overseas because it is
time support the latter two where you need extra heads to
all about mushrooming anyway – along the course you will
get extra marks. You will need approximately three hour-
learn about it. So do look for franchising also. But retailing
long meetings for this. But this can be a make or break for
is another good option, depends on your preference and
your Distinction and High Distinction marks. Make it count!
research base.
Use analogies for abstract concepts
By Nguyen Van Phuong Mai
Wrap & Roll was also my ideal company since it branched
You guys can skip the previous sections and go straight
that Distinction or High Distinction marks you trully
continued
What is an analogy? According to Cambridge Dictionary, an analogy is “a comparison between things which have similar features, often used to help explain a principle or idea”. Good analogy helps learners grasp a concept much quicker and deeper as well as recall information in a shorter amount of time. If you are not sure of its benefits, check these examples and see how these abstract concepts become comprehensible.
without knowing what they mean and what use they are in real life. The example taken from BetterExplained.com may give you a general notion of their purposes. Assume that you want to check your potential mate’s finances and his sole source of income is his weekly salary. You only know the amount of money in his bank account in 5 weeks, which is the graph:
Examples of analogies Computer technology Have you ever wondered why we need a disk defragmenter and why it makes your computer run faster? Think of a bookshelf which contains your documents. One day you put your first document on the shelf, then your second, third document… Whenever modifications relating to the existing document are made or something new is added, you – the computer, being super-lazy, instead of finding where the old document is -- will put it in the first available space you see on the shelf regardless of whether it relates to other documents there. Therefore, when you want to revise a document, you have to go around finding all the pieces of related information that were scattered here and there. The same thing happens to files in computers that use a regular hard-drive. Whenever you open a file, your hard drive visits many spots to fetch the complete file for you. What Disk defragmenter does is that it simply puts related ‘pieces’ of a file into one place so the hard drive do not have to run around collecting them, which results in faster operation. Mathematics All of us go through high school learning a bit about Calculus – derivatives and integrals
Using the only resource, can you estimate his weekly salary and weekly raise? Definitely, by subtraction you know that he earns $100, 200$, $300, $400 on weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4. Again by subtraction it is clear that his weekly raise is a steady $100/week. We have just applied the general concept of derivative: From bank accounts you find the first pattern – the weekly salary, from which you find the second pattern – the weekly raise. We could go further: taking the derivative of his weekly raise, we get 0, meaning there is no change in the raise he gets per week. In using derivatives, you move downwards. In using integrals, you move upwards: can you find the amount of money in his bank account in week 4 given his weekly raise, starting salary and his initial amount? Absolutely, by taking the sum of the salaries in week 1, week 2.. to week 4. To get each week’s salary, just add $100 to the previous week.
(continued on next page)
What would you do if you come across a concept that you have little idea what it means even after reading every piece of information in the textbook about it? Let’s try a powerful learning technique that not only boosts your understanding of the subject but also stimulates your creativity: Forming or finding an analogy.
Microeconomics
Mai says: Good analogy helps learners grasp a concept much quicker and deeper as well as recall information in a shorter amount of time.
You want to learn the concept of ‘Diminishing returns’ and found this definition on Investopedia: “As the number of new employees increases, the marginal product of an additional employee will at some point be less than the marginal product of the previous employee.”. How could you make this stick? Think of a time when you wanted to eat pizza so much and soon, it was right in front of you. You couldn’t help but take a slice and devour it. The first slice was certainly delicious as it satisfied your pizza-cravings. You consume the second slice the same way. How about the third slice? Still good but not as satisfying as the previous ones. The more you consume, the more closely you get to feeling full, the less satisfaction you get from each slice. By the time you became full, you eat the remaining slices so as not to waste the money you spent on that pizza, not for the craving anymore. If you can estimate the value for each slice you have consumed, the first ones were highest valued as opposed to the lowest value of the last ones. What do the example and ‘Diminishing returns’ have in common? The employees and the marginal product are the slices of pizza and the satisfaction you get from each slice, respectively. At a point, the benefit gained from having another employee is never as great as that from the previous employees.
How to find good analogies: 1, Decide whether you really need one Analogy gives a learner a general and vivid illustration of how something works but it can never perfectly match the real concept. For example, in Calculus as well as in real life, things are much more complex than the above examples.
If you can understand the concept in the first place using its basic definition, do not bother finding an analogy as it takes time. In my case, most of what I learned can make sense without using analogies. 2, Gather examples around that concept: If you have a hard time understanding Bayes’ Theorem, try to find and solve some math problems using its formulas. Hopefully it will give you a general idea of its uses in statistics. 3, “Steal” others’ analogies There is a good chance that others have troubles understanding the same thing as you do and they have found a way to grasp that concept. Always do some research and you may find a good analogy before having to form one by yourself. 4, Compare and contrast Make a list of what the concept reminds you of. Then go through the list, for each idea, try to find what part it fits in well and what part it does not. Finally, choose the one that resembles the concept you want to learn the most or you can use multiple analogies to describe different aspects of the concept.
From a Prices and Markets SLAM - BE ACTIVE! By Nhi Nguyen Ngoc Thao
Nhi says: Hello!
Be active to learn
Don’t be shy! Don’t be worried or afraid of
It means that you yourself should be active
Asking is a good way to acquire knowledge.
to attend the lectures and tutorials, do extra exercises that are posted on Blackboard, and even, actively read and review the les-
others judging you because of what you ask. Hence, just be comfortable in asking questions.
son in advance and after the class.
In case you still feel shy to go and see the
I know, this may sound quite theoretical
with one or two of your friends. Because
and some other people may have advised you the same. But laziness is sometimes an obstacle for you to overcome and there are quite many temptations that distract you from your study. However, try to force it and
teacher by yourself, it is a great idea to come usually, you and your friends may have different questions, and thus, you can better understand the lesson thanks to the teacher’s answers to your friend’s questions. And
My name is Nhi and I am a SLAM for Prices and Markets. I would like to share with you some learning tips to get high marks in this course, which are related to ‘being active’.
this really works for me actually.
be strict with yourself a little bit more, stick to your DI / HD goal and let’s put the theory of ‘how-to-study-well’ into reality.
Be active to ask This is a tip that I strongly recommend to you. Whenever you feel ambiguous or unclear about something in the lecture or
The analogies can come from your personal experience or an idea from other fields. In the example of “Diminishing returns”, you can recall the concept by using your experience with food or with anything you get too much of.
exercise questions, whenever you have tried
5, Explain the concept using the analogy
An even better way is book a face-to-face
Try to explain the concept to yourself or someone else to ensure that you really understand it. It is great if you can help your friend understand that abstract concept as well.
go and ask them about anything that you do
hard but still unable to figure out proper solutions for those exercises, just freely ask your siblings, your friends and anyone that, you think, can help you.
appointment with your lecturers or tutors -not fully understand or feel concerned about.
In a nutshell, my advice for you to perform well in Prices and Markets course is to ‘BE ACTIVE’ in your own study for your own sake. Do not wait until somebody makes you do it. Just be active and you will be successful.
Phuong says:
It is okay to take a step out of your comfort zone
5 years ago, I was a shy girl who never dared to talk with anyone I didn’t know. Today, conversations are my favourite form of human interaction. Just almost a month ago, I left Vietnam on a rainy Wednesday on a mid-July night to go out there and seek my most memorable short adventure as a college senior. I travelled 36 hours and touched down on the other side of the Earth at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, USA to start my journey.
FUN FACT I found out about great opportunities for students (this one particularly) on a website called http://youthop.com.
By Phuong Nguyen Ha I myself didn’t believe I was accepted and funded for the opportunity. I didn’t believe that, even with half of my high school friends now living in the States, I was going to set my foot on the land
Me with my mentoring community
of dreams and realize an American dream that never existed. It was my first time travelling alone. My first time THAT far – in the United States and Out of 500 applications, I was honourably priv-
in another continent actually. When my fellow par-
ileged to be chosen as one of the 25 interna-
ticipants asked me and found out, they were very
tional students from all over the world to join 25
surprised and questioned if I was scared. To my
other American fellows in the Hesselbein Global
own amazement, I was not. Probably it was the
Academy for Leadership and Civic Engagement
excitement that killed all the possible fright of trav-
Annual Summit for Class 2015, at the University
elling to a time zone 11 hours away from home.
of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 18 to 21 July 2015.
The four days of the summit passed very quickly with a lot of interesting activities, leadership training, physical-mental challenges, civic engagement site visits and case study analyses. We had
Back to the story of Phuong from 5 years ago.
I have met and talked to a lot of my friends and
Back when I started high school, I was not the
realized that the human capacity is unlimited. It
person I was today: I was very shy and scared to
just takes one step out there into the world to
do things that were uncommon and different from
meet new people who inspire you and teach you
what I was used to. I never talked to a stranger
lessons you won’t learn in classes or textbooks.
nor
took any risks. But high school activities
It is important to learn from all the people you
and college have changed me into someone you
have the chance to communicate with. It is okay
would probably hear talking all day. I took a step
to take a step out of your comfort zone to look for
out of my comfort zone and started learning from
opportunities that change your life. And when you
everyone I meet.
do, you would be amazed at yourself with what you are capable of doing.
the chance to attend workshops by our mentors who come from such diverse backgrounds, from the corporate and non-profit to educational and military service sectors. We got to go to 9 other civic engagement sites as 9 different teams to fulfill our assignments. We talked to companies, NGOs, city authorities, hospital, and research centres to apply our leadership knowledge from the training to solve the organisation’s current issues.
Hesselbein Global Leadership Academy Class of 2015 – Participants and Mentors
We were also given the chance to go on a boat ride on the Allegheny through the city of Pittsburgh and listen to the history of Pittsburgh. It was such a cultural experience of a lifetime that no one could ever possibly forget.
Me with my fellow participants from all corners of the world on Allegheny River
Tam says: Prices and Markets is a course which gives us the basic economic concepts such as how demand and supply work, or where prices come from. These concepts are quite abstract, which we may find difficult to imagine. Therefore, the following are some pieces of advice on how to overcome these difficulties:
How to Overcome Prices and Markets
Acknowledgements
FUN PAGE: Word Search By Hang Pham Thanh
By Tam Nguyen Le
SLAMs Issue 11 Contributors Hien Nguyen Thu Nga Nguyen Thanh
Consumer surplus is just
Ha To Ta
how happy you are, so if you
Dang Nghinh Xuan
The first important skill that
can answer that question,
Nhi Nguyen Ngoc Thao
you need is logical think-
you will have the answer to
Do Tran Thao Nguyen
ing. This is because in this
the above question.
Phuong Nguyen Ha
1/ Think Logically
course you need to have the ability to read graphs
Nguyen Van Phuong Mai
2/ Order the topics logically
and understand them.
Tam Nguyen Le Hang Pham Thanh
In this course, we have to But how to think logically?
study four markets for the final exam, and each of
The key factor that helps
them has distinct charac-
you think logically is your
teristics. Therefore, I high-
imagination. Why does the
ly recommend that after
consumer surplus decreas-
studying all of the markets,
es when the price increases
you should make a table
(as in the case of a price
of comparison about the
floor)? It will be extremely
similarities and differences
difficult to answer this ques-
between them.
tion if you just look at the graph without using your
By doing this, you can be
imagination.
able to read the graph for
Thank you! We could not have published this without you.
Design and Layout Nadja Laurente Learning Advisor, Hanoi
each market in order to Let’s imagine, the price of
complete multiple choice
a pen is normally around
questions, and you can also
5,000 VND, now because of
draw these graphs by your-
the price floor, its minimum
self, which is often required
price is 10,000 VND, which
in the final exam.
means you can never find a pen which costs below
SLAMs is a study support service program for RMIT students, by RMIT students.
10,000 VND. In that case, would you be happy or sad?
SLAMs Program is by the Student Academic Success
Where are you off to next?
Student Learning Advisor Mentors (SLAMs) is a study support service program for RMIT students, by RMIT students.