Reflective Journal: Personal Growth from Academic Preparation Module

This reflective journal entry details a student's experience in an academic preparation module, focusing on the development of key skills relevant to psychology. The student reflects on improvements in research abilities, transforming knowledge into written work, and the benefits of group work, particularly in overcoming difficulties with differing opinions. The journal highlights the evolution of critical thinking skills through exposure to diverse authors, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging sources to avoid plagiarism. The student discusses learning paraphrasing techniques and understanding the importance of detailed knowledge for critical essay writing. The journal also covers the significance of academic writing structure, including Harvard referencing, and the student's changing perspective on feedback, viewing it as a tool for skill enhancement rather than a measure of failure. The reflection concludes with an emphasis on the student's improved ability to analyze multiple perspectives, make effective decisions, and approach problem-solving through critical analysis and teamwork, which will be applied in future professional settings.

PSYCHOLOGY

TABLE OF CONTENT
REFLECTIVE.................................................................................................................................3

REFLECTIVE
The academic preparation module has explored my different skills and capabilities. From
the study I have learned that how I can enhance my abilities to research and transforming
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. 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. In order 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 actually 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. 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 thought 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 in reality 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. The module
preparation has also encouraged me to analyze 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 particular 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.