1. Activity Sheet:
Tapping into Emotions
Directions: The following are examples adapted from Joshua Freedman's At the Heart of
Leadership: How to Get Results with Emotional Intelligence. He argues that we often experience
emotions in a pattern. For example, similar situations will trigger a type of response. It will help
us, he argues, if we learn to recognize the pattern and to dig deeper to explore the reasons why
we feel the way we do. Then, we should look for the wisdom in the situation and response; in
other words, we should look for a lesson to learn to improve ourselves.
Using the following "typical" college student examples, reflect on your emotional reaction to
these types of situations and what you think the wisdom, or lesson, is in each.
1. EMOTION: DISCOMFORT
TYPICAL SITUATION: You walk into a class for the first time and the professor seems
uninterested to teach or uninteresting in general. You suddenly get worried that you will not enjoy
this class—and you have to have it for your degree.
YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THIS SITUATION:
Try to interact with the teacher and not to get on her bad side.
THE LESSON TO BE LEARNED:
To see a teachers review before choosing the class. At least here at broward
college the give you a brief description of every teacher and that gives you the
opportunity to read about them and see their ups and downs.
2. EMOTION: ANXIETY/FEAR
TYPICAL SITUATION: You walk into class where the professor explains everything that you are
going to do this semester. He talks about a 15-page research paper, field studies, and weekly
journals. You don't even have access to a computer.
YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THIS SITUATION:
Explain the teacher my situation and always keep my calm at all times.
THE LESSON TO BE LEARNED:
To be prepare before starting such hard corse.

2. 3. EMOTION: EXCITEMENT
TYPICAL SITUATION: You find out that you won a scholarship that will pay for books,
tuition, and fees when you transfer to a four-year university next semester. You can't
wait to share the good news with your family because they were having a hard time
helping support you while you were in college.
YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THIS SITUATION:
It will be great news considering that im the first child that made it to college
and that would of made my parents very proud.
THE LESSON TO BE LEARNED:
To always be positive and always be active.
4. EMOTION: JOY
TYPICAL SITUATION: You have taken your last final exam and will be graduating next
week in front of your family, friends, and co-workers—and a few people who thought
you wouldn't make it. You have a job ready and waiting for you in your field of study.
While the pay may not be high, it offers great opportunities for advancement. Your two
children are proud to tell everyone that their mom has a college degree, and you know
that they will be more likely to attend college because you did.
YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THIS SITUATION:
A very proud mom and happy and proud of my successful life.
THE LESSON TO BE LEARNED:
To always be the prodigy of my family and always make that path that will lead my children to
the right way to a successful life.