Philippine E-Journals

Personal Skills and Academic Performance of Freshman Students

Janette L. David

Discipline: Education, Study and Teaching

 

Abstract:

The number of unemployed and underemployed is constantly increasing. Those who search for jobs are usually not hired not because they have poor mental ability or intelligence quotient but more often because they lack some necessary personal skills.  Such personal skills include ability to lead, good oral and written communication skills and the ability to manage time.  Many schools have recognized the need to develop such skills and have included programs to address this need.  The most common venues are the student organizations and the inclusion of additional courses such as personality development.

Another program that is helpful is the National Service Training Program, particularly the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS).  The CWTS curriculum includes topics on leadership, improving communication skills, time management and budgeting.  In order to evaluate how the curriculum can be improved, a study on the freshmen personal skills was conducted.