Improving Skills

This document provides guidance on improving study skills and habits. It includes a self-assessment questionnaire, tips for developing good study habits, and multiple-choice questions to assess writing and research skills. The document also discusses learning styles and provides a reflective learning log. The content is relevant for students looking to improve their study techniques and self-managed learning.

RUNNING HEAD: IMPROVING SKILLS
Improving Skills
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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Task1 (LO1, 1.1; 1.2; and 1.3)
Part A
Self- Assessment Questionnaire
On the next few pages are a number of questions to help you determine the kind of student you are. Carefully read
each question and answer them by ticking the answer in the column that best describes you.
When you have answered the questions, check your scores against the score guide provided. There is no wrong or
right answer.
Reflect on your results from your answers to the questions and make a short list of any areas that you feel you need
to improve on.
Part B
Developing good study habits can be challenging, especially if you have a busy life. Complete exercise 1.1 in Part B of
the assignment. The exercise will help you determine what kind of study habits you have.
Part C
On the next few sheets are a number of multiple choice questions which are aimed at assessing your writing and
research skills. Carefully read each question and answer them by circling the letter of your chosen answer.
When you have answered the questions, check your answers against the answer on the answer sheet. If you are
unsure of any answers do not be tempted to look at the answer sheet but assess your current knowledge and skills.
Reflect on the results from your answers to the questions and make a short list of any areas that you feel you need to
improve your understanding of research and written work.
Part D
We all learn in different ways. It is important that we recognise how we learn so that we can adapt and develop
strategies to help us as we learn and to develop our communication skills. Once we recognise our learning styles we
can adapt the way we take notes, carry out research, revise and even take an exam.
To assess your learning style, access www.vark-learn.com/English there you will find a simple online Questionnaire
that will assess your current preferred learning. Complete the Questionnaire as accurately as possible.
Once completed, the website will identify your preferred learning style. Reflect on the outcome; how do you feel
this compared to how you thought you learnt?
Use the website to find out more about your preferred learning style by using the ‘Help sheets’. Reflect on this by
giving a few examples of how you could take lecture notes or revise for class tests to help you in the coming year.
Part E
Using your findings in Parts A,B,C and D of the assignment create a Reflective Learning Log that includes:
-An identification of own learning styles
-An evaluation of what approaches to self-managed learning could work for you based on your findings in Parts A, B,
C and D above.
-Your thoughts on how lifelong learning in personal and professional development could be encouraged for you
-An evaluation of the benefits of self-managed learning to the individual (you) and organisation (you are currently
working for or are hoping to work for in the future). (LO1.1, 1.2, 1.3).

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Part A
What kind of student are you?
Put a check in the column that best describes you.
Mostly True Sometimes True Not True
I care about doing well in
my studies *
I try my best in my studies
each day *
I do my assignments
*
I understand things I have
read *
I have the things I need
for class *
I get along well with my
teachers *
I take good notes in class *
I am good at taking tests *
I ask and answer
questions in class *
I am happy with my grades *
Give yourself 2 points for every check in the “Mostly True” column 8 Points
Give yourself 1 point for every check in the “Sometimes True” column 4 Points
Give yourself 0 points for every check in the “Not True” column 0 Points
Total-12
I have scored 12 that are falling between the range of “10-14: You are doing pretty well. Keep looking for ways to do
even better”. Thus I have gained this understanding that I will have to keep up the self confidence and make sure

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that I am being able to take possible strategies to work over the weakness and the strengths. One of my strength is
that I care about doing well in my studies. My current score shows that I am doing well in working hard for but I will
have to improve further. I work hard and make sure that I am going through all he lecture notes that have been
given by the university. However in order to develop myself in future, I will have to nurture this skill by other
strategies like clarifying all my doubts at least 1 month before the exam rather than keeping anything for last
minute.
If you scored 15-20: You are a very good student. Keep up the good work!
If you scored 10-14: You are doing pretty well. Keep looking for ways to do even better.
If you scored 5-9: You are doing OK but could be doing better. Ask your teacher or counsellor about ways you can
improve your study habits and your grades.
If you scored 0-4: You may be struggling in school, but you can get help. Ask your teachers or counsellor about how
you can do better in school.
1.1

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Part B
1.1 Developing good study habits can be challenging, especially if you have a busy life. The following exercise will
help you determine what kind of study habits you have. Choose the answer that best describes you.
Study Habit Already Do Plan To Do Not Interested
Study every day *
Create a quiet place at home to study *
Turn off the phone, TV, and other distractions when
studying *
Play quiet background music *
Study in a way that suits your learning style *
Take short but frequent breaks, like 5 minutes every
half an hour *
Study early (don’t wait until the last minute) *
Study the hardest things first and then move on to easier
ones *
Spend the most time on things that are hardest *
Ask for help if you are struggling with something *
Take notes as you study, using your own words to
simplify complex ideas *
Keep your notes in your notebook or folder *
Review your notes on a regular basis *
Make connections between what you are studying and
what you know *
Take practice tests, so you don’t panic when it’s time
for the real test *
Use a planner or agenda to keep track of your study
progress * *
Reward yourself after a good study session *
Quiz yourself about what you just studied *

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Part C
Choose the best answer for each of the following questions:
1. A research paper is different from an essay because:
a) An essay contains fewer facts than a research paper.
b) An essay is more opinion dominated.
c) A research paper is an extended analysis based on data and evidence.
d) A research paper is always shorter than an essay.
2. An introductory paragraph should always contain:
a) The thesis statement.
b) As many facts as possible.
c) A summary of the subject matter.
d) A table of contents.
3. To proofread any document—including your research paper—means to thoroughly:
a) Rewrite any sections that need work.
b) Restate the thesis argument.
c) Check for any spelling or grammatical errors and correct them.
d) Change the pagination and footnotes.
4. A bibliography is an essential component of any research paper because it:
a) Demonstrates to the reader the full knowledge of the writer.
b) Officially lists all the sources the writer has consulted.
c) Makes a final statement at the end of the paper.
d) Helps the reader understand the content of the paper.
5. A primary source:
a. Is the first source the writer has consulted?
b. Always includes electronic material taken directly from the web.
c. Is a better source of information than any other?

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d. Includes eyewitness accounts or first-hand information about the event or topic discussed in the
paper.
6. To plagiarise someone else's work means to:
a. Use too many quotations.
b. Take someone else's point of view.
c. List too many facts or statistics.
d. Copy and neglect to credit work that is not your own.
7. An annotated bibliography provides important information to the reader because:
a. It states more sources than a regular bibliography.
b. It describes precisely how each book was useful and what material it contained.
c. It is more professional than a regular bibliography.
d. All professors prefer an annotated bibliography.
8. In order to avoid plagiarising a source, every note card needs to have:
a. Your thesis statement in its final form.
b. The title, author, publisher, date/place of publication, and page number of the book you are using.
c. An introductory paragraph from the book you are using.
d. A conclusion from the book you are using.
9. Non-fiction material refers to any material that:
a. The writer has reviewed before writing the paper.
b. Comes from a variety of different sources.
c. Contains strictly factual information.
d. Refers to secondary sources in the bibliography.
10. When citing electronic information, it is important to be as accurate as possible because:
a. Most websites contain more information than books.
b. Electronic websites and information are constantly being updated.
c. Too many people use the web for research.
d. Electronic information is never reliable.
11. Any factual material that is quoted directly or paraphrased from a text must:
a. Appear in the introductory paragraph.
b. Express the opinion of the writer only.

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c. Have an accompanying footnote, endnote, or parenthetical citation.
d. Sufficiently get the attention of the reader.
12. Internet or electronic sources of information can be tricky to document and include in footnotes or
citations if they:
a. Do not come from an established website with an official electronic address.
b. Come from an international website.
c. Are not available in hard copy.
d. Do not provide accompanying web links.
13. The problem with relying completely on your computer's spell check to proofread your paper for
spelling errors is that:
a. A computer program corrects words too quickly.
b. Computers are unreliable machines.
c. A computer can spell words correctly but cannot always verify their spelling by the way they are
used in context.
d. The grammar check on a computer is more effective than the spell check.
14. The best way to remember the correct spelling of a word and its proper usage is to:
a. Use a dictionary, look it up, and see the word in context.
b. Rely on the spell check on your computer.
c. Ask a friend to proofread your paper for you.
d. Use the grammar check on your computer program.
15. When you revise your rough draft, the best thing to check first is:
a. That every single word is spelled perfectly.
b. That there is a sense of logic and order in your research paper.
c. That the evidence presented is perfect and beyond any dispute whatsoever.
d. That your tone is important and official.

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Answers
Question No. Answer Question No. Answer
1 c 8 b
2 b 9 c
3 c 10 b
4 b 11 c
5 d 12 a
6 d 13 c
7 b 14 a
15 b
In regard to understanding research and written submissions, what areas do you feel you need to
improve upon to ensure you have a successful outcome to your studies?
(Minimum 500 Words)
I think that have to work over my habit of not getting along well with my teachers. I consider this as
my weakness. This is because of the fact that in order to do well in future I will have to stay under the
guidance of my teachers. However I do realize that it is not possible for the teachers to give attention
to all their students individually but this is not a strong enough reason for me to dislike tem. I have to
work over this aspect. As per my perception I suffer from a feeling of insecurity whenever the
teachers are looking after other students. I feel that there is no one to guide me and I often lose
track. This is not a right thing. In order to establish myself at a proper place I will have to take the
valuable tips from my teachers and listen to their advices. Having a disliking towards the mentors or
teachers will hamper me in the long run. Thus I will have to give time to myself and open up with my
teachers. This will be helpful for me in the long run.
I have realized that I often depend too much upon the class notes and the class lectures. However as I
advance in my academic levels I will have to develop a critical approach of my own. The teachers will
always look for the self dependent nature within their students. In other words I will have to use my
own words and ideas in the class assignments. Too much dependency over the class notes r the
bookish language will not be very helpful for m in the long run. I will have to work over my creative
talent t in order to simplify the tough and the critical notes so that they can be used in a proper
manner. This will help me to understand all the class notes properly and produce them in my own

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words in the examination papers.
I also do not inculcate the habit of interacting or communicating in the classroom sessions. As a result
of this I often stay shy and abandoned from the rest of the people in the class. I will have to develop
the communication skill so that I can clarify my doubts at any point of time. My teachers always
encourage me and the other students to stay active in class and communicate the issues that we are
facing. Thus I will try to work over this aspect and give up my shy nature. I will try to talk with all the
students and the teachers whenever I am not able to understand any particular lesson or I am facing
any kind if issues in the class. I will try to follow a horizontal or a two way communication process.
This will be helping me to talk to my respective teachers whenever necessary. I will not keep any
problems or my doubts within myself. In future I will have to develop a flexible and approachable
nature so that I can talk to all my team members in a proper way.
Part DRefer to Part D of the task Description to help you complete this section.
Preferred Learning Styles Your Scores
Visual 2
Aural 4
Read/Write 2
Kinaesthetic 2
Multimodal 2
What is identified as your preferred
Learning Style
Aural learning style
How can you use your preferred learning style to aid you in your studies?

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Taking information in
My learning style helps me in hearing and understanding all the
information that is being taught in class. In other words, I am very
comfortable in hearing the lessons rather than writing them down. I
am good at remembering the different things or the lecture notes in
class. I am good at getting the lessons via the verbal learning styles
rather than the non verbal styles.
Studying & Revising
I have realized that while revising the lessons before exam I like
recollecting the class lectures via the YouTube links or the DVDs and
the recordings that have been given by our class professors. I do not
usually like making any hand written notes before then exams.
In exams or class test
situation
I feel comfortable in appearing for the oral tests rather than sitting
for the written tests I have realized that I am not comfortable in
going through the notes or the prescribed text books however I feel
much comfortable while I hear others narrating the class notes near
me. This helps me in hearing the information and storing the same in
my mind. During the class tests I feel bored and nervous while writing
the papers. I feel that I will not be able to finish the works within the
given time. I also make many mistakes like forgetting the important
points and making many grammar mistakes.

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Part E
I have realized that in order to establish myself in future I will have to develop a critical thinking skill. In other words I
will have to develop an easy and suitable learning style of my own. This will be helping me to understand the tough
and the complicated class notes and produce them in my exam paper in an easy manner. In other words I will have
to reduce my dependence over the teaching style of the teachers or the prescribe notes books and lessons. I will
have to form my own learning style that suits my capacity. For an instance if I realize that I am weak in maths, and
then I will have to develop a planned routine that will help me to understand the lessons in step by step manner.
Even if my teachers or my classmates are finishing up the lessons within one day, I will have to do the same in two
days. This is a self made stagey that suits my own learning style.
I will always keep in mind the basic aspects of writing any academic paper. I have seen from the research that I have
a good understanding about the bibliography, thesis statement and the other parts of writing any academic
assignments. I will have to nurture this aspect as my strength; I will have to make sure that I am practising these
technical aspects whenever I get time. I will also make it a point that whenever I am undertaking any assignments I
will use all the authentic sources and will never copy and paste any information from any source. I will just use the
additional sources as a guide but I will not copy and paste the whole thing. As my learning style is Aural, I usually
learn best when somebody else reads out the information. However I cannot always stick by this rule. I will have to
undertake writing skills so that I do not get fewer marks while I am doing any written work. I will have to develop an
interest towards writing short notes whenever I am studying. This will help me to develop an interest towards
writing. I will also try to follow the teacher while they are giving any detection in the classroom sessions. I also
restrain myself from communicating any issues to the teachers and to my classmates. However this can act as a
major weakness. I will have to get over this habit and make sure that I am communicating with the teachers
whenever I am in need of some support. I believe that taking these strategies will be very helpful for overcoming my
shortcomings in future.

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Appendices