Sofia Stefanskaia- Reflection on Presentation

It was probably the first time I'd tried my hand at being a kind of leader or coordinator. It wasn't like I had to put in a lot of effort, because each group already had someone in charge of what they were doing. But I was in all four groups at once, and it felt like it added a sense of responsibility, even if I wasn't doing much.

I mostly sent reminders in the chat, like "Guys, don't forget about the chapters" or "We're starting soon." Sometimes I provided support and encouragement, which was probably helpful. However, the most challenging part for me was reading all the chapters in the textbook. Not just reading them, but doing so quickly. I actually sat down and literally skimmed through the pages, as I didn't have enough time to fully comprehend them. It was a demanding task, but it was necessary.

And so, when the presentations started, they didn't happen all at once, but one by one. Each lesson was dedicated to a single group. We would sit down, begin, and as long as the presentation was ongoing, the lesson continued. As soon as the group finished, the bell would ring. As a result, the entire week felt like it was divided into four distinct sections, each with its own unique character and mood.

The first group, to be honest, seemed to me the most calm and collected. Everything was going smoothly, without panic, without unnecessary noise. They seemed to know who was telling which part, they didn't interrupt each other, they didn't hurry. I sat and thought: Well, this is just an example of how it should be. No more chaos. And it was easy for me because I hardly interfered. They did it on their own, I just nodded occasionally and seemed to confirm that everything was going fine. But, to be honest, that's why I remember this band the least. They were good, organized, but too even, like without any emotion.

But the second group turned out to be completely different. I'm not saying it was bad for them, no. They just met the time and told me everything they needed to know. But it still felt like it didn't work out as confidently as it could have. I don't know, maybe they were a little nervous, or maybe it was just that the topic was more difficult than the others. I tried not to show it, but inside I was thinking, okay, it doesn't always work out perfectly. And in general, if they finished on time, then they did it. But I still feel like they could have done better. At the same time, I understood that this was also an experience, both for them and for me, because I was learning to approach such situations with a gentle and non-judgmental attitude.

The third group was the opposite extreme. They were the noisiest and most active. I sometimes thought they were too loud, but they were never boring. Their leader knew exactly what he was doing and led the rest of the group. It was clear that he had confidence. I liked this because it meant I didn't have to micromanage them. However, they were also quite rowdy, constantly exchanging jokes and laughing. And there was something alive, real. I sat and found myself thinking that probably it was this group that gave me the most emotions.

The fourth group was the strangest situation, because they just didn't have enough time to finish. Our lessons are time-limited, and when the bell rings, we have to leave. They were talking and talking, and I knew we didn't have much time, but I couldn't stop them. Eventually, the bell rang, and their presentation remained unfinished. I felt a bit sorry for them, because I could see they were trying their best, but there was just too much material. I understood that it wasn't their fault. It was just a coincidence. But it still felt like a cliff.

In the end, when I look back at all four groups, I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I am proud that I was able to be in all the teams at once and somehow support the process. Although my role was not the main one, it was still important. I read all the chapters (even if it was through a page), and I was aware of everything that was happening. On the other hand, I felt that this was not entirely my comfort zone. I am not used to being a leader. Sometimes I felt like I was just watching from the sidelines and helping a little, rather than really leading.

I've also noticed that I don't have a fear of public speaking during the presentations themselves. I sit quietly, listen, and occasionally say something. However, there's one thing that always bothers me - my accent. I feel like people don't fully understand me when I speak. It's a bit of a challenge, as I try to pronounce the words correctly, but I still feel like I sound strange. It's a good thing that I didn't need to say too much.

I was also really helped by the second leader, Becky. She was like my partner, always there for me, always ready to help. And not just me, but also the other guys. It was really valuable because I didn't feel like I was alone. Sometimes I even thought that if it wasn't for her, I might have gotten lost at some point. But we worked together, and it really helped me keep everything under control.

After all these presentations, I felt tired, but at the same time, I felt a sense of satisfaction. It's because, regardless of the circumstances, all four groups managed to complete their tasks. Some were better than others, but they all contributed to the project. It was a new experience for me, being a coordinator, managing multiple processes simultaneously, and trying to connect them. Although I may not be the perfect leader, I realized that I can support others and make a difference. This experience will likely prove valuable in the future.