Form into small groups, preferably including any colleagues whom you have not yet got to know very well and/or from a different ethnicity. Discuss openly and honestly how you each feel regarding your attitude, enthusiasm and motivation towards studying.

For example:

1. What do you find most satisfying about studying?

2. What do you find least satisfying about studying?

3. How well are you able to concentrate on your studies?

4. To what extent do you enjoy studying for its own sake or only as a means to an end?

5. What do you find most distracting or difficult about your studies?

6. Is it possible to learn how to improve the skill of studying?

7. What rewards most encourage you in your studying?

8. At what time of the day and for how long at a time do you usually study best?

9. Do you prefer to fit studies around leisure time or enjoy leisure more if you have studied first?

10. What is the single most important feature of effective studying?

Discussion

✱ How do your responses compare with those of your colleagues? Do any of the responses surprise you?

✱ To what extent do you believe the responses are a true indication of work ethic?

What do you see as the characteristic traits of a person with a healthy work ethic?

✱ How far do you agree with the contention that ‘we are employed for our skills but valued for our attitudes’?