University Academic Skills Module: Reflective Summary Report

This report presents a reflective summary of a module focused on academic skills development. The student utilizes Gibbs' Reflective Cycle to describe, evaluate, and analyze their experiences during the semester. The report details the student's feelings, evaluations of strengths and weaknesses in critical reading, writing, and speaking, and the challenges faced in academic research and critical thinking. The analysis highlights the importance of critical skills and academic databases. The conclusion emphasizes the need for self-evaluation to overcome limitations and sets SMART goals to enhance verbal skills and overall performance. The report references relevant academic sources to support its findings and recommendations for future improvement.

REFLECTION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
REFLECTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................1
Description..................................................................................................................................1
Feelings.......................................................................................................................................1
Evaluation...................................................................................................................................1
Analysis.......................................................................................................................................2
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................2
Action..........................................................................................................................................2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................2
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION
The report covers a reflective summary in respect of a certain module. To effectively
achieve the same, Gibbs' Reflective Cycle Model has been used which would describe and
evaluate various personal aspects regarding the module which focuses on development of various
academic skills as well as techniques (Bassot, 2016).
REFLECTIVE SUMMARY
Working for a module during semester 1 was quite effective and a learning experience
with much emphasis given on how my academic skills were developed. As a crucial practice,
reflecting my work of 6 weeks allowed be to judge and improve my competence within the
university.
Description
The module I was required to work upon needed to enhance my evaluating and critically
analysing skills. Since I was getting familiar with lot of new critical skills, research techniques
and frameworks, semester one allowed me to gain an insight on what are my best and worst
points and how best could I improve them to be better.
Feelings
I have always been a student who restrain themselves of having critical points of view
about a subject matter or a person in particular. Thus, having to speak, write and read critically
was definitely a learning experience. However, I was quite unsure and under-confident at first as
the module also required me to use various databases to conduct academic research.
Evaluation
There were various aspects which went in my favour, such as using academic databases
using research. This is because I have always been technologically inclined and preferred
working with new technologies and techniques to achieve different research (Honicke &
Broadbent, 2016). Critical reading and writing were another strong points which, as per
feedbacks of my fellow mates were again my strength.
However, critical speaking and positioning within an argument were quite challenging.
One sole reason for the same is because I tend to hesitate in verbally keeping my point and
critically review someone else's point of view.
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Analysis
While working with various effective skills, I realised that it is crucial as per the
academic point of view, that critically speaking, writing and reading are integral points to
enhance academic skills. Moreover, academic databases also helps in conducting research
professionally.
Conclusion
It was a very enlightening experience which allowed me to enhance academic skills and
techniques. It also made me realise that if such situation arises the next time, it would be
necessary for me to critically speak which would help me in explaining my point of view.
Action
It is important for me to overcome my limitation so that I don't face difficulties in the
future (Bjerke & Renger, 2017). To ensure timely and appropriate growth, various SMART goals
to enhance my skills are mentioned below: Specific: I will undertake training sessions like debates and extempores to enhance my
verbal skills. Measurable: I would ask my fellow mates and supervisors to rate me during my training
sessions. Plus, I would rate myself in personal learning too. Attainable: I would be practising critical speaking at least 1 hour a day, critically
analysing each aspect and verbally keeping it in front of others. Result Oriented: To effectively attain superior remarks from the seniors and higher rank
in self evaluation.
 Time Bound: I plan to enhance this skill during the span of 2 months to enhance my
performance in future modules.
CONCLUSION
Thus, it is concluded that critical and self evaluation is necessary to overcome limitations
and make appropriate plans for future to enhance academic skills and better usage off techniques.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bassot, B. (2016). The reflective journal. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Bjerke, M. B., & Renger, R. (2017). Being smart about writing SMART objectives. Evaluation
and program planning. 61. 125-127.
Honicke, T., & Broadbent, J. (2016). The influence of academic self-efficacy on academic
performance: A systematic review. Educational Research Review. 17. 63-84.
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