Skills for Academic Success

This report discusses various skills that are essential for academic success. It covers research skills, plagiarism, reflective thinking skills, academic writing skills, analysis approaches, problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, benefits of data interpretation, presentation skills, and CV and cover letter writing. The report emphasizes the importance of these skills in enhancing academic performance and future career prospects.

CW2 E Portfolio

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
SKILL REFLECTION.....................................................................................................................3
Research skills........................................................................................................................3
Plagiarism...............................................................................................................................3
Reflective thinking skills........................................................................................................4
Academic writing skills .........................................................................................................4
Analysis approaches (SWOT and PESTEL).........................................................................4
Problem solving skill..............................................................................................................5
Critical thinking skills ...........................................................................................................5
Communication skills.............................................................................................................5
Interpersonal skills .................................................................................................................6
Benefits of data interpretation................................................................................................6
Presentation skill....................................................................................................................6
CV and Cover letter................................................................................................................6
SUMMARY.....................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
Books & Journals...................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Portfolio refers to the combination of various sort of educational evidences as well as
student’s academic works with the main motive of analysing the overall academic performance,
quality of the coursework and many more. It will help in determining whether all the students
effectively fulfilled the area of graduation, grade promotion, learning standards and many more
(Bassok and Latham, 2017). In the present report, mainly 12 types of different skills are going to
be discussed in detail manner so that knowledge and capabilities of individual will be enhanced.
SKILL REFLECTION
When I was in my university, I have develop and use of ample number of skills where
some of these are inherited and few of the skills were being acquired at the time of my
coursework. Some of the most essential skills are going to be discussed as follows:
Research skills
Research skills refers to one of the most essential part in a student's life. It means
capability of an individual person in order to identify, search, collect, evaluate as well as
interpretation of information so that positive result will be formed. At my initial stage, when I
was a new comer in college, my research skills are quite effective but after attending regular
classes I have improved my whole skill in an effective manner. Research skill assist in grabbing
ample number of opportunities which will leads towards the overall development of individual in
both personal and professional life. Along with this, research skill will help me in gaining
various advantages by examining competitors strategies and policies.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism refers to an act where an individual person showcase other people's view
point, thoughts as well as opinion as their ow work. Plagiarism define as an academic
misconduct which is strictly conducted as an academic crime or illegal act. It can be both
intentional as well as unintentional (Cronin and Et. al., 2017). In a university, I have learnt to
avoid any kind of act related to plagiarism so that all my work will be considered as authentic
and my own work. It has also been identified by me that in a student's life in-texting plays very

essential role and need to be considered by every student so that they can successfully complete
the whole project life.
Reflective thinking skills
Reflective thinking refers to an effective analytical thinking with the help of which an
individual can examine a situation and then make any kind of decision related with this. When I
was in my collage, during my lecture classes I have learnt Gibbs reflective model. It is one of the
most effective model as it help in implementing reflective thinking as well as writing. This is the
model which is used by me when I was doing my own assignment and gain huge appreciation
from my professors in order to exceptionally present my whole thinking process (Flores, Kleyn
and Menken, 2015). In my near future, this is the skill which will assist me in doing various
assignments after analysing the situations so that effective decision and judgement will be taken
by me.
Academic writing skills
Academic writing skills define as an effective and specific style of writing used to
develop an essay and formal assessments in appropriate manner. Individuals need to use logical
structure, proper use of words, formal language as well as generally supported by authentic and
accurate evidence. It has also been analysed that academic writing is generally used for
publications, in order to read by tutors so that there knowledge and information will be
enhanced. There are ample number of concepts which I have learnt from my lectures which
includes effective planning, proper language, outlining the structure effectively, approaches used
to complete the work and many more (Tanujaya, Mumu and Margono, 2017). Along with this, I

have learnt that by using academic writing in an effective manner, a student will be able to score
good marks.
Analysis approaches (SWOT and PESTEL)
Analysis approach is used for analysing the whole situation before taking any kind of
decisions. There are generally two sort of approaches which is used by every business
organisation before doing any kind of business expansion. These approaches includes SWOT as
well as PESTLE analysis which need to be identified by every individual so that effective
decisions can be taken. In case of SWOT analysis, it has been said that internal as well as
external both environment are examined so that decision will be taken after proper evaluation.
On the other hand, PESTLE analysis is used to examine only the external environment as well as
the factors which affect the whole decision making process in both positive and negative manner.
During my tenure in the university, it was taught by my tutors that it is very essential for me to
have good and proper knowledge about both these approaches so that positive results will be
developed while doing implementation of these methods.
Problem solving skill
Problem solving skills refers to the skill which will assist in handling various situations in
a positive manner. It is very essential for each and every individual to have problem solving skill
so that better decisions will be taken which leads towards the creation of positive working
atmosphere. Problem solving skills is one of the most essential skills which assist in resolving all
the issues in an effective manner and within given time frame. It is required by every individual
person to have problem solving skill in order to resolve any kind of issues and trouble face by

individuals within the workplace. This will assist me for creating positive working environment
within the organisation. For this, my tutor give me effective guidance and knowledge so that I
will be able to resolve any kind of issues and problems arise within the organisation in an
effective manner.
Critical thinking skills
Critical thinking is also very important for improving the overall quality about how an
individual person need to react in a particular situation. It refers to an ability in order to think in a
organised and rational manner. During my tenure, my tutors teach me that basically critical
thinking is all about - “thinking about thinking”. In short, it means analysing, identifying as well
as fixing problems and flaws with the help of effective thinking process. This will assist me in
my near future for grabbing ample number of opportunities in both personal and professional
life.
Communication skills
Communication skill is said to be one of the most effective skill which provide various
opportunities in both professional and personal life. It includes effective speaking, listening,
observing as well as empathizing. It has been identified that when I was a fresher in my
university, my communication skills is not so good. Later then, when I started participating in
various seminars, group presentation and many more. This will help me in improving my
communication skill. All such sessions provide positive results which will enhance my grades in

an effective manner. Furthermore, this will help me in gaining future growth in context of both
personal and professional life.
Interpersonal skills
When I was in my graduation period, I have developed my interpersonal skills which will
provide me growth opportunities. It consist of my overall attitude, behaviour as well as tactics
used while interacting with other individuals. This is the skill which assist me in order to interact
with individuals at professional and personal level. It has been observed by me that my
interpersonal skill was good when I was a new comer but after few time when I was attending
seminars, tutor lectures and many more it enhanced in more effective and appropriate manner.
Some of the interpersonal skills which is used by me are team building, conflict management,
collaboration as well as public speaking skill.
Benefits of data interpretation
Data interpretation means analysing as well as interpreting data in order to produce
effective conclusion. It has also been said that with the help of good interpersonal skill, I can
develop good decisions which will assist me in professional as well as personal life. Data
interpretation is a skill which will help in taking good decision so that all the task will be
accomplished in an effective manner (Valentino and Reardon, 2015). Generally, data
interpretation refers to evaluating all the data in such a way that positive result will be developed.
With the help of lectures, classes and seminar I can effectively enhance my data interpretation
skill.

Presentation skill
Presentation skills refers to a capability of an individual person who can easily interact
with the large number of people. Some of the particular areas of this skill includes voice, tone,
slides, postures, body language and many more. When I was at my starting period of my college
days, it is observed by me that I become nervous while giving presentation and public speaking,
therefore my presentation skill was not so effective. After attending classes, seminars, lectures or
by giving group presentation I will be able to enhance my overall performance in an effective
manner.
CV and Cover letter
CV is quite different from cover letter where in context of CV all the information all
fairly included whereas cover letter are in concise form. When I was a new comer in my
university I was not able to form an attractive CV as well as cover letter. After attending various
class room lectures I was capable enough to develop well structured CV along with cover letter.
Sometimes, an individual will be able to grab a job position if there CV is formulated in a well
manner.

SUMMARY
According to my overall experience, it has been analysed that these experiences shaped
my overall academic life in a better manner. According to the above mentioned academic skills,
it has been said that in order to grab ample number of opportunities in my professional and
academic life, it is very essential for me to improve all the above mentioned skills. There are
ample number of skills, which includes communication, presentation, critical thinking, research
skill and many more which will enhance my overall grades in a positive manner. As per my own
experience, it has been analysed that my after attending various classes and seminars my overall
communication skills have enhanced which assist me in order to deliver my views and thoughts
in front of large number of people. Apart from this, with the assistance of presentation and
academic writing skill my capabilities have been enhanced in an effective manner and produce
favourable outcomes. After doing an evaluation, it can clearly be identified by me that my both
communication as well as presentation skill are interconnected with each other as it is very
essential to communicate all the things in an effective manner with the help of attractive
presentation.
Furthermore, it has also been said that it is very essential for me to improve my academic
writing skills which assist me in getting high marks so that I will be able to grab job
opportunities in an effective way. Furthermore, it will help me in order to improve my
knowledge related to some specific topics effectively and according to the requirements. It has
also been said that, in order to learn all these skills, I have to spend lot of time and effort so that I
can develop it in an appropriate manner and gain various advantages. After passing the time
duration it has been analyse by me that all my skills have been improved which will provide me
various advantages at the competitive marketplace. All these skills will assist me in my near
future where I can effectively gain various number of opportunities.
CONCLUSION
With the help of above stated discussion, it has clearly been concluded that various skills
help me in my overall development as well as growth in both personal and professional life.
Some of these skill includes presentation skill, critical thinking skill, communication skill and so

on all these skills will assist in creating an individual enough capable so that all the goals and
objectives will be attained in an effective manner.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Bassok, D. and Latham, S., 2017. Kids today: The rise in children’s academic skills at
kindergarten entry. Educational Researcher, 46(1), pp.7-20.
Cronin, and Et. al., 2017 "The importance of life skills for sports degree students: How they
contribute to students’ academic performance, health-related quality of life and
flourishing." In British Association of Sport & Exercise Science/European Federation
of Sport Psychology (BASES-FEPSAC) joint conference. 2017.
Flores, N., Kleyn, T. and Menken, K., 2015. Looking holistically in a climate of partiality:
Identities of students labeled long-term English language learners. Journal of Language,
Identity & Education.14(2). pp.113-132.
Tanujaya, B., Mumu, J. and Margono, G., 2017. The Relationship between Higher Order
Thinking Skills and Academic Performance of Student in Mathematics
Instruction. International Education Studies, 10(11), pp.78-85.
Valentino, R.A. and Reardon, S.F., 2015. Effectiveness of four instructional programs designed
to serve English learners: Variation by ethnicity and initial English proficiency. Educational
Evaluation and Policy Analysis.37(4). pp.612-637.