Reflection on the Academic Preparation Module: Skills Development

This report is a reflective piece detailing a student's experience in an Academic Preparation module. The student discusses the development of skills such as research, critical thinking, and group work. The module helped in understanding the importance of proper referencing, avoiding plagiarism through paraphrasing, and the value of feedback for personal and academic growth. The student highlights the ability to analyze multiple perspectives, improve problem-solving skills, and make effective decisions through critical analysis. The report emphasizes the transformation of thoughts into written facts and analysis, and the adoption of a professional approach to tasks. The student also mentions learning about the Harvard referencing style and its importance. Overall, the reflection highlights the positive impact of the module on the student's academic and professional development.

Academic Preparation

TABLE OF CONTENT
REFLECTIVE .................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................5

REFLECTIVE
The academic preparation module has explored my different skills and capabilities. From
the study, I have learned how I can enhance my abilities to research and transforming my
knowledge into written modules. The benefit which I received from this module is the ability to
work in groups. I always found it difficult to work with the people who have different opinion
than me but through the learning from the module I learnt the skills such as team coordination
and effectiveness of group work. I am very weak at critical thinking but during preparation of the
module when I explored the work of different authors I realised that critical thinking in the work
can be easily integrated by expanding the sources of knowledge.
However, it is essential that when using the work of others, it should be acknowledged so
that we can avoid plagiarism as well as can give ethical acknowledgement and credit for their
work (Bailey, 2014). Before learning this module whenever it was required to prepare reports or
research modules, I always felt that how I will present my views on such broad topics without
any plagiarism. The study has helped me to learn the paraphrasing through which I can eliminate
the unethical approach of plagiarism. To be critical for essay writing it is essential that I must
have detailed knowledge and analysis of the topic.
The view points and study of different authors helped me a lot but during group
discussion I understand the realistic perspective and differences in opinion on the given subject.
To follow the structure of the academic writing is one of the important and critical aspects for
making work more presentable. I always used to ignore the aspect of acknowledging others for
the work they have contributed. The module has helped me to learn detailed aspects of Harvard
referencing style. I have now understood that I can not only include writers in the reference list,
but I can also use the work of government departments or organisations.
The formal structural elements such as in-text citations, alphabetical sorting and basic
facts such as use of full stop after brackets can make my report and academic writing more
professional (Morton, Storch and Thompson, 2015). These professional writing skills will help
me in future to give an excellent transformation of my thoughts into written facts and analysis. I

have always been afraid of the feedbacks because earlier I used to think that feedback means I
have failed and I am not worthy thus I used to link the feedback to my overall identity.
However, after the study I have realised that I was wrong, and my perspective was not
good for my future growth and development. Contrary to my perspective feedbacks are not
associated with the existence of my identity or failure rather they are just a tool or means for
enhancing my skills and drawbacks. With the help of feedback, I can analyse the areas in which I
need some more improvement so that in future I do not lack skills in that specific areas.
Feedbacks are essential part so that I can learn the critical review of my abilities and skills.
In future also during my professional working when I will receive feedback from my
team members or seniors then I will not get depressed. I will understand their perspective and
will take as an opportunity to bring some more improvements in my practices and work. The
proper structure and technique is essential to execute any activity and task (Zhang and Quinn,
2018). The module preparation has also encouraged me to analyse the work of different authors
instead of describing the work piece of any single writer. Thus, now I can study the broad range
of resources and can critically think and decide that why the work has been important for my
research and work.
It has also helped me to research on a topic from the variety of perspective and then to
make the best decision by critical approach. From this gradual progression in academic writing,
in real life situations also I will make the effective decision by thorough analysis of the situation.
Instead of taking the perspective of any single source I will discover multiple ways to find the
best solution and aspect for my problem. Thus, problem solving approach through critical
analysis and working in group through coordination will help me to excel in my professional
working. I can explore my creativity and professional approach in executing tasks by focusing on
developing in-depth knowledge of referencing, critical analysis and researching various
perspectives on a single subject.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bailey, S., 2014. Academic writing: A handbook for international students. Routledge.
Morton, J., Storch, N. and Thompson, C., 2015. What our students tell us: Perceptions of three
multilingual students on their academic writing in first year. Journal of Second Language
Writing. 30. pp.1-13.
Zhang, C. and Quinn, M.F., 2018. Promoting Early Writing Skills through Morning Meeting
Routines: Guidelines for Best Practices. Early Childhood Education Journal. 46(5).
pp.547-556.