CDM Progress Report (OUTDATED)
Hi CDM Trainees,
This thread serves as progress reports for CDM Program.
We would love to hear how you are doing!
Each week, we would like you to reply to this thread answering the following three questions:
- Which discussion was the last you completed?
- What are some things you struggled with or didn't quite get right the first time around?
- What went well? Share some tips you find helpful to help others.
If you require support, please let us know and we'll reach out to you.

@ouiCherie
- Which discussion was the last one you completed? The last discussion I completed was 10 Article Outlining.
- What are some things you struggled with or didn't quite get right the first time around? I didn't struggle with anything. Everything was straightforward.
- What went well? Share some tips you find helpful to help others. I particularly enjoyed learning about EAT. I had seen it before in my line of work but never investigated what it stood for.
Hello, @ster80
Well done for making it to Discussion 10! 🌟
I'm glad you didn't struggle with anything and found everything straightforward. In case you encounter any doubts, please don't hesitate to reach out to a mentor. 😊
I also enjoyed learning about EAT! It's interesting and fun to analyse.
Thank you for checking in with us. 💙
- Which discussion was the last you completed?
The tweets are one showing empathy, and the other on topic person frustrated by pandemic.
- What are some things you struggled with or didn't quite get right the first time around?
Tweets were not right the first time. I had to edit, mainly cut and cut, until I had a brief message. I am not at all social media literate. (not too savvy)
- What went well? Share some tips you find helpful to help others.
I am a strong writer, and I love to write. That helped me tremendously, but if you do not like it that much, my tips would be to take your time. Brainstorm anything that pops into your mind, outline ideas, and research. Don’t be afraid to use other’s ideas, quotes, as long as you give credit for them, or properly paraphrase.
Hello, @beckybush
Good work on the discussions. 💙
I hear you. I struggled with writing a concise Tweet, too, since there are word limits to consider. It's okay to edit when we need to. 😊 I appreciate you for working through this despite not feeling too savvy with social media!
Yay for loving to write. 🥳 You give really helpful tips. Thank you for also including clear steps on how to write. I couldn't agree more on the importance of crediting.
Thank you for checking in!
Each week, we would like you to reply to this thread answering the following three questions:
Which discussion was the last you completed?
6. Ensuring Best Writing Practices
What are some things you struggled with or didn't quite get right the first time around?
I need to be a bit more concise with my writing. I also tend to be too factual and straightforward, and forget to be more sympathetic in my writing. I did initially struggle with how to find keywords, but I think I've figured it out now.
What went well? Share some tips you find helpful to help others.
When it came to doing tasks like writing a paragraph, I wanted to just stare at the blank page like "Oh no I will never be able to do this". I think the best thing is to just do it. Just try. Even if your first draft doesn't come out right. It's best to get some ideas out of your head.
Hello, @Raven2711
Great job for making it to Discussion 6. 🌟 Keep it up!
It's awesome that you're well aware of your strengths and the points you need to work on more. 💙 I'm glad you've figured out the things you struggled with on finding keywords.
This is honestly relatable. You have good thinking. Initially getting ideas out of our heads onto our first draft is the biggest step to take in writing, but things get easier from there.
Thank you for checking in and sharing your tips!
@ouiCherie
1. Which discussion was the last you completed?
I am currently trying to complete the trial period and still need to finish "Team Lightship: Tweeting Empathy."
2. What are some things you struggled with or didn't quite get right the first time around?
I am still doing okay.
3. What went well? Share some tips you find helpful to help others.
I typically create a plan to focus on completing one task at a time.
Hello, @Kindness19 💙
Good luck with your trial period! I hope you enjoy CDM so far. 😊
Awesome to hear you are still doing okay. The mentors are here with you in case you have doubts at any point.
Planning is great! Yay to focusing on one task at a time. This is a good idea because multitasking isn't actually as helpful as we hope it would be.
@SilverSeastar
Thank you for your kind words and support.
I will definitely ask for help if I have doubts as I progress in this program.
@ouiCherie
1. Which discussion was the last you completed?
I have completed the trial period and submitted the form. I will try to progress onto the coursework part 2.
2. What are some things you struggled with or didn't quite get right the first time around?
I am still doing okay.
3. What went well? Share some tips you find helpful to help others.
I focus on completing one task at a time and enjoy the process slowly.
Which discussion was the last you completed?
10. Article Outlining
What are some things you struggled with or didn't quite get right the first time around?
As I am a few days late with my weekly update, I think I am maybe struggling a bit with balancing my workload, especially on bad mental health days.
What went well? Share some tips you find helpful to help others.
I guess what is going well is that I'm still quite excited to do all my tasks, even on days when I don't necessarily feel motivated to write.
The biggest thing I have learned from this week is to plan ahead of time. Blocking out what needs to be done on specific days prevents work from stacking up and becoming overwhelming.
Which discussion was the last you completed?
10. Article Outlining
What are some things you struggled with or didn't quite get right the first time around?
I was struggling quite a bit with motivation and time-management.
What went well? Share some tips you find helpful to help others.
I was able to set aside some time take a look at and organise my deadlines. My problem wasn't that I had too much work, it was more that I wasn't setting aside the right amount of time to focus and work on it.
Next week, I plan to try a new system of reading a few discussions on one day, then working on the activities the next day(s). In hopes that it keeps me more in the flow of things. It has been kind of fun to try a few different ways to work on tasks and see what works best for my learning style.
@Raven2711
Good insights
Which discussion was the last you completed?
About the Writer: Writing Effective Writer Biographies
What are some things you struggled with or didn't quite get right the first time around?
Struggling with time-management at this point and with the article.
What went well? Share some tips you find helpful to help others.
More communication will really make the difference!
@ouiCherie
1. Which discussion was the last you completed?
I am still in progress doing the coursework part 2.
2. What are some things you struggled with or didn't quite get right the first time around?
I am still doing okay.
3. What went well? Share some tips you find helpful to help others.
Still the same as last week.
@Kindness19
Thanks for the updates, Kindness
Which discussion was the last you completed?
11) Headlining and Sub-Headlining Effective Content Pieces
What are some things you struggled with or didn't quite get right the first time around?
This week, I sent off my article title approval. I had a bit of a tricky time figuring out how to phrase it right and what words would be the best to use. The discussion for headlines was very helpful for this.
What went well? Share some tips you find helpful to help others.
I have a problem with overthinking things. I believe I mentioned on a previous progress report, but one of my most helpful tips is to just write something, then edit later. The more time we spend thinking about something, the more we stress over it, the more difficult it seems.
@Raven2711
Let us know here when your article is posted, please