GBS: Academic Skills and Studying with Confidence - Portfolio BMM3113

This portfolio documents the development of academic skills and strategies for studying with confidence at GBS (BMM/SHN 3113). It includes reflections on library usage, planning, note-taking, bibliography creation, plagiarism avoidance, and source evaluation. The portfolio further identifies essential skills like reflection, communication, essay writing, debating, presentation skills, time management, and revision strategies. Finally, it addresses common study challenges such as meeting deadlines and identifying credible sources, outlining strategies and available support to overcome them, including effective time management and the CRAAP test for source evaluation. The student aims to manage time effectively using structured timetables and continuously monitor progress.

ACADEMIC SKILLS
AND STUDYING
WITH CONFIDENCE

Contents
Portfolio contribution one: What sort of Skills did I learn from the past weeks at GBS? ............................3
Portfolio contribution Two: What sort of skills do I need with special reference to below.........................4
Portfolio contribution Three: What are the challenges of studying and how will you overcome them?.....5

Portfolio contribution one: What sort of Skills did I learn from the past weeks at GBS?
How to use the library and electronic resources:
I was able to learn how to effectively utilize the various facilities provided by the library
and how I can utilize them to expand my knowledge on various topics by reading books by
several authors. In addition to this, electronic resource such as online journals and articles also
provide essential support.
Planning:
In the past weeks at GBS I was able to enhance my planning skills which allowed me to
develop effective and well-structured plans relative to completion of task. This allows me to be
time efficient as well as ensue the task was completed in an optimal manner.
Note taking:
During the weeks I effectively developed my note taking skills which provide me with
essential support as I was able to develop systematic notes which would help me reflect on what
I have learned in a structured manner improving my overall efficiency.
Building a bibliography:
During the weeks I gained a proper understanding relative to building of bibliography
through APA style of referencing. This allowed me to make my work presentable and
demonstrate that I have utilized valuable resource within my presented work. In addition to this,
it allowed me to make my work valuable as well as credible with correct method of referencing.
Plagiarism:
I was able to learn the concept and skill of plagiarism and gained understand of various
types of plagiarism and how it can impact my work. In addition to this, I learned how plagiarism
is against the ethical code of academic writing and how it can be avoid in order to present unique
work.
Finding and reviewing sources of information:

I was able to learn the skill of identify relevant sources of information that I can utilized
in various task. I was able to do so as I gained the understanding of reviewing sources of
information through CRAAP test that helped me evaluate sources through elements of Currency,
Relevance, Authority along with Accuracy and Purpose.
Portfolio contribution Two: What sort of skills do I need with special reference to below.
Reflection:
I need to develop reflection skills in order to evaluate upon my past experiences. This
will allow me to develop suitable strategies for my future task and provides the ability to enhance
my overall productivity as well as performance. In order to improve my reflection skills I can
utilize Gibbs’ reflection Technique in order to develop structured reflection.
Communication skills:
It is essential for me to develop my communication skills in order to communication my
through, opinion as well as idea to other. In addition to this, it will also allow me to be active
listener and perceive what other individuals are trying to say. This will allow me to present a
suitable answer that will be appropriate and suitable as per the situation.
Essay and report writing:
The skill of producing a presentable essay as well as report wring is crucial for me as it
will allow me to develop a well-structured and systematic work that consist of valuable
information through referencing of various sources along with the utilization of correct academic
writing. In addition to this, it will also help me preset what I have learned and express my
opinions.
Debating (Online and classroom):
This skill is vital for me as it allows me to have meaningful conversations with others on
various topics which provide me the opportunity to expand my knowledge. In addition to this, it
will help me develop interpersonal skills and the ability to express my though as well as ideas in
a suitable manner.

Presentation skills:
The skill of presentation is vital for me as it will help me present my work in a systematic
and a well-structured format. In addition to this, effective presentation skills will help me make
my work interesting relative to the readier which will enhance their experience and help them
perceive my work in an optimal manner.
Time management:
The skill of time management is a crucial skill to have as it will allow me to complete
task in an effect manner. Techniques such as Pomodoro Technique can be utilized by me in order
to enhancing my overall time management and ensure I am able to complete a specific task in a
particular time frame.
Revision Strategies:
The skills of developing a revision strategy is highly important skill for me to possess as
it will allow me develop strategy that are effective in conducting a revision on the bases of what I
have learned. It will also help me to revise what I have learned in a well-structured manner.

Portfolio contribution Three: What are the challenges of studying and how will you
overcome them?
There are various challenges in studying such as meeting deadlines along with
identification of sources along with prioritizing time in order to complete task in an efficient
manner. Although there are various strategies that I can utilize in order to overcome these
challenges. Given below are strategies specific to mentioned challenges.
Challenges of studying:
Meeting deadlines:
It is crucial to have effective time management in order to meet set deadlines relative to
work assigned. This a major challenge while studying and various task increase the difficulty of
meeting deadlines. This an major challenge to overcome while studying as it involves
prioritizing various task in an structured manner.
Identification of sources:
It is vital to use credible and valuable source of information when presenting work in
order for it to be effective in presenting work. This is a major challenge as it can be difficult to
evaluate if the selected source of information is appropriate or not. In addition to this, the
incorrect sourcing of information an reduce the overall information in my work which will lead
to inefficiency as well as productivity.
What strategies will you use to help you to overcome these challenges?
Meeting deadlines:
In order to overcome the challenge of meeting deadline it is viral for me to develop a
structured timetable which will help me prioritize my work in a systematic way. It will help me
overcome challenge of meeting deadlines by understanding which tasks needs attention and
which can be completed later. This will help me improve my overall performance as well as
productivity when completing tasks.
Identifying sources of information:

I will have to utilize CRAAP test in order to identify if the selected information by me
can be utilized in my work in order to make it more effective. It will allow me to effectively
evalauate information in a systematic way and understand various points of view along with
providing assistance in not being bias towards a source of information. This will allow me to
ensure that the information used by me is relative to my work.
What support do you think is available?
There are various sources available such as inline journals and books that provide
effective information in overcoming challenges of studying . This include attaining credible
information in order to complete tasks. In addition to this, there are various tool such as Google
scholar that provide information on various topics which helps in completing task in an efficient
way. Moreover, there are online lectures that help in understanding a concept which improve
productivity as well as expand my knowledge in my studies.
How will you manage your time and ensure you stay on track?
In order to manage time in an effective manner I will develop a time table that will
consists of all my tasks in order to better prioritize them in a systematic as well as structured
manner. It will allow me to understand which task need more attention and provide assistance in
being on track relative to the completion of my work. Moreover, it will also allow me to keep
track of my overall progresses over a period of specific time frame. This will help me analysis
my performance and productivity along with providing me the opportunity to make necessary
changes in order to be effective in completion my work on time.