The Best Ways to Apologize, Compliment, or Give Advice

Question 1

I was fond of visiting my friend Tim over the weekends while were in high school. He was a childhood friend and we used to do a lot of things together. We went to same schools right from the first grade. He was my schoolmate, classmate, and a desk mate for that. However, Tim was somehow mean and unkind to me sometimes. I remember one weekend when we were given an assignment that would determine our final grade in the term. We agreed that we will do the assignment together. We met at their place, did the assignment and after that, we agreed he will come with the assignments to school the following Monday, since we were going for a hike from there. Come Monday, when were supposed to hand in the assignments, mine was missing. Tim only carried his assignment and left mine behind. ‘‘How comes you did not forget your assignment?’’ I asked him. ‘‘I woke up late and packed hurriedly. I am sorry that this happened’’, he retorted. ‘‘I am not sure, but this looks like a deliberate move’’, I responded. The situation did not sit well with me, considering I was punished, besides failing my end term exam. The sadness and remorse I felt brought to an end a longtime friendship and the urge to revenge has never left me since. 

Question 2

To improve the communication, Tim should have expressed his feeling towards what he had done. For instance, he should have reached out and express the way the issue of forgetting my assignment made him feel angered and annoyed. Secondly, Tim should have asked me what I think he should do to solve the issue amicably. Such a strategy will create a platform for both of us to have meaningful conversation and look for a solution. By so doing, I will receive the communication positively and ask him to intervene and ask the teacher for permission to go back home and get my assignment.