Academic Study Skills

This report discusses the importance of academic study skills and their impact on grades. It explores the use of reflective frameworks and models for self-analysis, focusing on the Gibbs reflective cycle. The report also highlights the need for effective time management skills and provides an action plan for improvement.

Academic Study Skills
2

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
REFLECTION.................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION AND ACTION PLAN...........................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8
..........................................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
The current report is based on experience developed by me while working on the topic
“Can money buy you happiness”. This topic was chosen for the academic purpose as it will
support me scoring higher grades in the respective subject. This report will also explore about
learning of individual that associated with the work. It will effectively identify core weak areas
of individual and its strengths that helps them in executing their work in rightful manner (Balan,
2019). In order to express overall experience of individual related to the work, Gibbs reflective
framework will going to be used. The main reason behind choosing this framework is that it
consist of 5 several stages that allows individual in expressing their feelings effectively by going
to these stages one by one. This framework is helpful for individual in exploring their own
experience in deep manner so that they can analyse what they have developed from this
experience. It explores about their key learning area and core weaknesses that places impact on
their performance in negative manner.
REFLECTION
Reflection is identified as an effective practice which allows individual in consciously
analysing their own experience in order to analyse their learning, actions, feelings, responses,
their respective interpretations so that learning developed from the same experience can be
determined (Bass and et. al., 2019). There are numerous of reflective framework and models that
are adopted by individuals in order to express their feelings in best possible manner. The most
popular framework among them are Gibbs reflective cycle and Kolb's learning theory. Both of
these, frameworks are determined as the best one which allows individuals developing their
awareness about themselves including learning areas (Fathelrahman, 2019). In context of my
experience related to my academic life, I have adopted Gibbs reflective cycle in order to deeply
evaluate my overall experience. Gibbs reflective model was developed Graham Gibbs in the year
1988. The respective framework is also seen as the systematic cycle which included numerous of
stages or phases associated with the experience (Jack and Illingworth, 2019). All of these stages
are described below one after another in detailed manner:

(Source: Gibbs Reflective Model, 2018)
Description: It is the first stage of the Gibbs reflective cycle which simply emphasises on
exploring on actual event or situation (Brooks, 2019). With reference to the present experience of
mine, I have developed report on “Can money buy you happiness”. This topic was given to me
by my tutor which have been further deeply studied and researched by me in order to determine
actual meaning of this. As being a student, it is essential for me to prepare report on it as it is the
part of my academic life. The knowledge on this topic was developed with the usage of
secondary data (Key, Marshall and Martin, 2019). This data was helpful for me in developing my
knowledge on the same topic in deep manner. While conducting secondary research on the given
topic I have used various of secondary sources of data collection such as books, journal, online
articles and other published materials in order to grab maximum possible information within less
period of time. This was done in the group. Here, my other colleagues and group mates have
supported me in exploring more deeper manner. The respective batch mates have also supported
in providing continuous based feedback (Liu and et. al., 2019). This feedback have ensured me
that whether I am working on the same track or not. The result of whole activity seems to look
Illustration 1: Gibbs Reflective Model, 2018

positive as it has allowed me in developing my overall knowledge on the whole experience in the
positive manner.
Feelings: It is the next stage of Gibbs reflective cycle, this simply states that individual is
required to explore their own feelings at this level (Davies and Smith, 2019). In context of my
own experience. It can be said that before starting my research work on this topic I was thinking
that the topic is quite easier and it will easier for me to grab information on the same by using
secondary sources. The main reason behind my own confidence towards the same topic it can be
said that effective command over analytical and researching skill (Paterson, Pearson and
Johnson, 2019). This have ensured by me that whatever I will do and perform at the time of
grabbing knowledge I will surely gather detailed information without any sort of error. But,
while talking about my own experience or feeling at the time of researching the topic, it has been
personally analysed by me that gathering information on the provided topic was not at all easier.
This have later affected my speed of researching as my searching time was consuming huge time
that have directly places negative impact on time management. At the time of gathering data, I
was feeling very confused and helpless as I was not able to gather desired data. In addition to
this, feeling of my batch mates was quite similar to me as they were also not able to collect
information on their chosen data too. Overall, it can be said that collecting information and
researching data on this topic is consist of mix and match feelings which simply states that
feeling associated with the positive outcome of project was good whereas non favourable
situations related to the same highly negative (Sekarwinahyu and et. al., 2019). In addition to
this, later on has been further analysed that my strong communication skill have developed
feeling of confidence in me as I was able to communicate to the batch mates in effective manner
that directly support them in providing actual associated with the topic. This have also
contributed in the effective attainment of research topic. Also, strong analytical skill has
supported me analysing overall literature and other secondary information in deeper manner that
ultimately provides support to me to determining most relevant data. As a result, with the help of
this skill, it was easier for me to explore that gathered information will develop value of my
project or not.
Evaluation: At this stage, individual evaluates their overall performance and experience
in order to check that what was right and what was wrong during the event. This stage is
comprised with two semi stages such as evaluation and analysis (El Miedany, 2019). At

evaluation stages, individuals checks that what was good and what was bad associated to the
overall experience. On the other hand, analysis stage states that what sense they can develop
from the overall situation.
From my own experience, the positive experience related to my own event was my
deeper command over analytical skill. This have supported me in analysing the overall data in
such a manner that will provide higher value to my project. In addition to this, effective
management skill have supported me in managing all activities associated to the project in
rightful manner. This management have helped me in providing equivalent preference to each
and every activity so that better outcome can be developed from the project. Also, there was the
positive support of batch mates during the project as they have analysed my each and every
activity and further provided me feedback towards the same so that I can strengthen my strong
areas and work hard on the weaker areas too.
On the other hand, while evaluating negative experience associated with the same project
it can be said that I have faced main trouble because of ineffective time management skill. This
have hampered speed of my overall project and also affected its outcome. This issue was mainly
generated due to non effective knowledge over the topic and lack of information available on
internet. As a result, because of non availability of information it can be said that I was not able
to collect right information at the right time. This have directly placed negative impact over time
limit of the project. On the basis of this, it has been analysed that the overall experience of mine
was good for me as it has supported me in developing my weak areas whereas it has also
provided me to knowledge on the way by which I can effectively make use of my strong skills in
order to attain expected outcome towards the same. If it is talked about other people who have
been gone through the same situation then there are probable chances that they might not have
performed well in comparison of my performance. This could have placed positive or negative
impact over the same situation.
CONCLUSION AND ACTION PLAN
Conclusion:
On the basis of overall experience of mine based on the present project, it can be said
that if this project would have included few more people within it then there are probable
chances that outcome developed from this would have been more better. Also, I have developed
variety of skills from this project or experience which includes time management skill,

communication skill, analytical, researching and many other associated skill belonging to
learning zone. All of these developed skill will allow me performing more effective and valuable
project in future. This is because, the current project have made me learnt many skills. Along
with this, it will also aware me about deficient skill of mine too. This will help me out in
identifying alternative ways by which I can develop these skills and incorporate them effectively
in my future projects as well. From this analysis, it can be said that it is essential for me to
develop my time management skill in order to finish my future projects in more effective
manner.
Apart from this, it can be said that if in future I got opportunity to perform project on
similar kind of work again then I will try to develop effective plan from the starting time only in
order to execute all project work in timely manner that will also result in the appropriate
attainment of project outcome. This initiative of mine will support me in executing all project
related to work in the timely manner. Development of time management skill will help me
conducting effective project in the future.
Action Plan: It is the last stage of Gibbs reflective cycle which simply states that
individuals is required to develop strong plan so that they can attain their specific goal and
objective towards the project. With reference to the present situation of mine, it can be said that
in order to develop my time management skill in rightful manner. It is essential for me to create
an effective action plan so that goal of developing time management skill can be attained in
effective manner. The action plan for the improvement of time management skill includes
identification of required resources, formulation of effective timeline so that alignment of each
and every task can be done in systematic way. From the above stated description, it is essential
for me to develop some training sessions that includes will aware me about tome management
skill and the ways by which I can effectively improve this skill of mine without any kind of
error. After development of this, it will be required by me to review this plan again in order to
check possible areas which can be modified according to the requirements. After identification of
these areas, I will develop some effective strategy for the same in order to reduce lack area of
this skill so that its development can be developed in rightful manner.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Balan, A., 2019. Investigating the feasibility of using student reflective journals to understand
how clinical legal education can develop the ethical competence of law students. The
Law Teacher, pp.1-13.
Bass, J., and et. al., 2019. Midwifery students’ experiences and expectations of using a model of
holistic reflection. Women and Birth.
Brooks, M., 2019. The importance of using reflective practice when working with refugees,
asylum seekers and survivors of torture within IAPT. the Cognitive Behaviour
Therapist, 12.
Davies, J. and Smith, C., 2019. Enhancing Non‐medical Prescribing Through Reflective Practice,
Evidence‐based Prescribing and Continuing Professional Development. The Textbook of
Non-Medical Prescribing, p.274.
El Miedany, Y., 2019. Reflective Learning, Reflective Teaching. In Rheumatology Teaching (pp.
199-233). Springer, Cham.
Fathelrahman, A., 2019. Using reflection to improve distance learning course delivery: a case
study of teaching a management information systems course. Open Learning: The
Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning, 34(2), pp.176-186.
Jack, K. and Illingworth, S., 2019. Developing Reflective Thinking through Poetry Writing:
Views from Students and Educators. International journal of nursing education
scholarship, 16(1).
Key, S., Marshall, H. and Martin, C.J.H., 2019. The Scottish Clinical Supervision Model for
midwives. British Journal of Midwifery, 27(10), pp.655-663.
Liu, M., Shum, S.B., Mantzourani, E. and Lucas, C., 2019, June. Evaluating Machine Learning
Approaches to Classify Pharmacy Students’ Reflective Statements. In International
Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education (pp. 220-230). Springer, Cham.
Paterson, D.B., Pearson, S.M. and Johnson, C.A., 2019. Implementation of radiation therapist
cylinder insertion for vaginal vault brachytherapy. Journal of medical radiation
sciences, 66(2), pp.133-138.
Sekarwinahyu, M., Rustaman, N.Y., Widodo, A. and Riandi, R., 2019, February. Development
of problem based learning for online tutorial program in plant development using Gibbs’
reflective cycle and e-portfolio to enhance reflective thinking skills. In Journal of
Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1157, No. 2, p. 022099). IOP Publishing.
Sweet, L., Bass, J. and Graham, K., 2019. The continuity of care experience and reflective
writing: Enhancing post-practicum learning for midwifery students. In Augmenting
Health and Social Care Students’ Clinical Learning Experiences (pp. 141-162).
Springer, Cham.
Sweet, L., Bass, J., Sidebotham, M., Fenwick, J. and Graham, K., 2019. Developing reflective
capacities in midwifery students: Enhancing learning through reflective writing. Women
and Birth, 32(2), pp.119-126.