University of X: Developing Academic Skills Report - Semester 1

This report is a comprehensive exploration of academic skills, encompassing time management techniques, a module reflection, and an analysis of climate change issues. The report begins with the creation of a detailed study timetable, outlining scheduled activities and incorporating time management strategies such as scheduling, ignoring distractions, starting assignments early, and making project plans. Task 2 provides advice for future students, a diary documenting the development of academic skills, and an annotated bibliography of resources used. The report also includes an analysis of climate change issues, referencing NASA's findings on its effects. The report concludes with a summary of the key findings and references used throughout the document.

Developing Academic
Skills

Table of Contents
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
Creation of timetable of study.....................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
a. Advice to the future students studying this module.................................................................3
b. Diary on the academic skills developed during the course......................................................4
c. Creation of annotated bibliography which documents all the resources that are used during
the first four weeks......................................................................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
Analysis regarding issues of climate change...............................................................................5
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................7
Covered in Poster.........................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Academic Skills refer to those skills which are required by a student so that success can
be obtained within the academic subjects in higher education (Kyttälä and et.al., 2019). By
making the use of these skills a student can ensure that success can be obtained in the future by
achieving higher marks. Therefore, it is important for the students that they are able to develop
these skills and therefore ensure that they are successful in the career option chosen by them. In
this report, a detailed portfolio related to these skills will be made. In this portfolio, there will be
discussion on the use of time management techniques, reflection on the learning of the module,
exploration of the issue of climate change. Additionally, discussion on guidance related to
academic integrity will be made as a part of this assignment.
TASK 1
Creation of timetable of study
Time /
Period
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Nov 2-
8
Week
1
9am to 1
pm
University
hours
5 pm/6:30
pm
Training
7 am/3 pm
Work
4 pm/7 pm
ExploringILearn
9am/1:30
pm Lesson 1
5 pm/6:30
pm Training
9am to 1
pm
University
hours
6pm/10pm
Work
9am/1:30
Lesson 2
Research and
Reading
6:30 pm/8pm
Training
9am/ 5 pm
work
7pm/11 pm/
Family
Friends
8am/9am
Jogging
10 am/5
pm Work
Nov 9-
15
Week
2
9am to 1
pm
University
hours
5pm/6:30
pm
Training
8am/5pm
Assignment task
4 6pm/10pm
work
9am/1:30
pm
Lesson 3
Research
and Reading
6:30pm/8pm
Training
9am to 1
pm
University
hours
6pm/10
pm
Work
9am/1:30 pm
Lesson 4
Research and
Reading
6:30pm/8pm
Training
9am/5pm
Work
7pm/11pm
Family/Friends
8am/9am
Jogging
10am/5pm
Work
Nov
16-22
9am to 1
pm
8am/5pm
Assignment task
9am/1:30pm
Lesson 5
9am to 1
pm
9am/1:30 pm
Lesson 6
9am/5pm
Work
8am/9am
Jogging
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Week
3
University
hours
5pm/6:30
pm
Training
1 6pm/10pm
Work
Research
and Reading
6:30pm/8pm
Training
University
hours
6pm/10pm
Work
Research and
Reading
6:30 pm/8pm
Training
7pm/11pm
Family/Friends
10am/5pm
Work
Nov
23-29
Week
4
9am to 1
pm
University
hours
5pm/6:30
pm
Training
8am/5pm
Assignment task
3
6pm/10 pm
Work
9am/1:30
pm Lesson 7
Research
and Reading
6:30
pm/8pm
Training
9am to 1
pm
University
hours
6pm/10pm
Work
9am/1:30 pm
Lesson 8
Research and
Reading
6:30 pm/8pm
Training
9am/5pm
Work
7pm/11pm
Family/Friends
8am/9am
Jogging
10am
Work
Nov
30-6
Week
5
9am to 1
pm
University
hours
5pm/6:30
pm
Training
8am/5pm
Assignment task
2
6pm/10pm
Work
9am/1:30
pm Lesson 9
Research
and Reading
6:30pm/8pm
Training
9am to 1
pm
University
hours
6pm/10pm
Work
9am/ 1:30
Lesson 10
Research and
Reading
6:30 pm/8pm
Training
9am/5pm
Work
7pm/11pm
Family/Friends
8am/9am
Jogging
10am
Work
Dec 7-
13
Week
6
7am/8am
Jogging
9am to 1
pm
University
hours
5pm
Performing
the
Submissio
n
8am/5pm
Performing the
Submission
7am/3pm
Work
5pm/6:30pm
Training
9am to 1
pm
University
hours
5pm/6:30
pm
Training
Travel Travel Travel
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Time management techniques: There are various types of time management techniques
that are used by me in order to manage time and complete the module. It is very important for all
the individuals to make sure that they are able to manage the time for all the academic activities
systematically. In order to complete the module assessment, I will be using all of them in future.
Discussion of all the techniques is as follows:
 Scheduling all the activities: According to this technique of time management it is very
important for all the students to schedule all the activities and decide time limit for each
and every section. While completing the time table I used this technique and assured that
I decide specific time to perform different activities to be performed by me during the
week. I will also use it in future to complete the module assessment by formulating
schedules for all the activities. It will facilitate me to complete the whole module
successfully and meet my goals related to it (Ali, Affan and Alam, 2018).
 Ignoring distractions: For all the individuals who are focused with attainment of career
goals and objectives it is very important to make sure that they ignore all the distractions.
It can help them to pay attention towards studies and complete the modules successfully.
In order to develop the time table, I also used this technique so that I can prepare a
schedule for my studies and avoid all the distractions. I will also be using it in future for
completion the module assessment by assuring that, I only pay attention towards my
studies and ignore all the distractions.
 Start working on assignments early: For a student it is very important to be focused
with the successful completion of assignments on the due date so that they could be
submitted to the lecturer. While developing the time table I used this technique so that I
can assure that my assignment is completed on time and it could be submitted on the due
date. In order to complete the future assessments, I will also be using this technique as it
will facilitate me to pay attention towards my assignment and find ways to complete the
module on time (Gaesser, 2020).
 Making project plan: It is also a type of time management technique which is used for
the purpose of completing the projects within the predetermined time duration. I used it
while developing the time table so that I can analyse that the activities that are planned by
me will be completed within the predetermined time period. I have planned that it will
also be used by me in future for completing the module assessment. I will use it to make
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plans related to the projects that will be assigned during the completion of the module so
that all of them could be completed in the specific time duration.
All the above described techniques of time management will be used by me in future for
the successful completion of module assessment. By using them, I will able to complete the
module successfully and meet my career goals (Zeeshan and Jamil, 2020).
TASK 2
a. Advice to the future students studying this module
Module of developing academic skills is very interesting and it can help the individuals to
develop their skills to meet the academic goals. With the help of it, different qualities that will be
required for the completion of all the tasks during the course could be improved. All the students
who will be studying the module of developing academic skills are advised to be focused with
their goals and objectives so that they can complete the projects of the module successfully.
There are various types of resources which could be used by them to study and learn about the
module. These resources are books, academic journals, classroom notes, lecture notes etc. With
the help of all of them the students studying the module will be able to develop their
understanding about the module. Apart from this, in order to complete all the projects
successfully all the students are advised to use time management techniques. These techniques
can help to complete the task on time so that the module could be completed in the specific time
duration (Meier, Cho and Dumani, 2016). When I was completing the module I found different
useful things in this module. One of them was benefits of it to the students because it can help
the individuals to meet all their career aspirations by improving their skills. This module will
facilitate the students to improve all their capabilities so that they can achieve all their career
goals and objectives. I suggest to all the students to pay high level of attention while studying
this module as it will help them to find effective ways to reach the future aims.
b. Diary on the academic skills developed during the course
Record of sessions:
Date: 18th September
Tasks completed: Formulation of time table
Reflection: I completed the task of formulating the time table for the study in
future so that I can assure the completion of the tasks in specific
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time limit. It facilitated me to schedule all the activities related to
the tasks.
Date: 23rd September
Tasks completed: Sourcing study material from various resources
Reflection: While studying the module I assured that I source the information
from various sources so that I can complete the module
successfully. It facilitated me to get detailed information of all the
tasks that will be required to be completed in specific time limit.
Date: 12th October
Tasks completed: Completing the projects on the basis of project plan
Reflection: I tried to complete all the projects that were required to be
completed in specific time limit on the basis of project plan. With
the help of it, my ability of meeting the deadlines was improved.
End of module evaluation:
The achievement
of which I am
proudest is:
The successful completion of the module helped me to improve
my academic skills and it is the main achievement which is the
highly proudest for me.
The thing I found
most surprising
was:
When I was studying the module I found various surprising things
and these are ease in understanding the study material,
improvement in the skills etc.
The area I found
most challenging
was:
The area that I found most challenging was related to finding
appropriate sources for completing the module (Reljić, Pajnkihar
and Fekonja, 2019).
The area I would
like to improve
is:
The area that I want to improve is related to my research skills as
it can help me to assure the attainment of all career related goals.
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c. Creation of annotated bibliography which documents all the resources that are used during the
first four weeks
Reference: Okoye, H. I., 2016. Time Management Techniques Required by Managers and
Supervisors in Medium and Large-Sized Business Organizations in Enugu
Metropolis (Doctoral dissertation).
Details: The reference mentioned above is related to time management techniques that could
be focused by the students for the purpose of managing the work on time. It facilitated me to
find all the ways which I can use to assure that my work will be completed on time.
Reference: Kizkapan, O. and Bektas, O., 2017. The Effect of Project Based Learning on
Seventh Grade Students' Academic Achievement. International Journal of Instruction. 10(1).
pp.37-54.
Detail: This reference is related to the project plan which should be developed by all the
students while completing the module. With the help of it, the students can try to formulate
effective strategies for future so that all the desired goals and objectives could be
accomplished.
Reference: Reinke, N. B., 2018. The impact of timetable changes on student achievement and
learning experiences. Nurse education today. 62. pp.137-142.
Detail: While studying the module developing academic skills I studied about formulation of
time table. It is very important for all the students to develop it so that they can meet all their
future goals and objectives and complete all the activities on time.
TASK 3
Analysis regarding issues of climate change
Reference: The effects of Climate Change.
(https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/#:~:text=Increased%20heat%2C%20drought%20and
%20insect,coastal%20areas%20are%20additional%20concerns.)
According to NASA, climate change leaves impact upon the environment and due to this
the countries face various negative issues. Climate Change refers to the change which has been
caused as an effect of wrong practices adopted by human beings who tend to pollute the climate
of the Earth (Rabiner, Godwin and Dodge, 2016). Glaciers are shrinking ice in the rivers and it is
impacting upon the environment as it is resulting in introduction of the next season earlier. The
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scientists from NASA predicted in past that the global climate change will result in various
issues for the countries and it could be seen by evaluating the current situations. Some of the
negative implications of it on the environment include loss of sea ice, intense heat waves,
acceleration in the sea level etc. The cost of healing the damage of climate change will be
increasing with time because the negative implications of it are becoming more crucial with
time. It has been estimated by the scientists that temperature of earth will continue rising for
upcoming decades and main reason of it is greenhouse gases (Effects of climate change, 2020).
Reference: (Ryan, D., 2017. Politics and climate change: exploring the relationship
between political parties and climate issues in Latin America. Ambiente & Sociedade. 20(3).
pp.271-286.)
According to Ryan, (2017), climate change issues are increasing continuously because it
is affecting the environment negatively. There are various types of negative implications of it
which includes reduced yield of agriculture, flood, decreased water level, health impacts in cities
like heat etc. All these factors are resulting in various natural issues that are affecting the
environment and also health of individuals. Global warming which means increase in the general
temperature of the Earth thus due to this reason it can be said that an impact has been created on
the natural as well as other resources. Thus this can be said as bad for the future generations as
they will breathe in polluted air. Thus the requirement for the human beings is that appropriate
actions must be taken for avoiding the bad impacts caused by it and will let the future generation
breath in fresh air. It is very important for the individuals to make efforts to their end to make
sure that they make reduction in such activities that are resulting in climate change. Extreme
weather change results in health threats for the individuals who are facing issues because of the
climate change. Global warming is one of the main causes of climate change and it results from
the human activities that affect the environment (Ryan, 2017).
Reference: (Leal Filho, W. and Leal-Arcas, R. eds., 2019. University initiatives in
climate change mitigation and adaptation. Springer International Publishing.)
In the views of, Leal Filho and Leal-Arcas, (2019), climate change is the main attribute
which is resulting because of greenhouse gases and it trapes heat for the environment and affect
it negatively. When CO2 and other harmful gases get collected in the atmosphere then it results
in global warming and it also affects the environment negatively. According to the estimations it
is causing deaths as health of people is getting impacted because of climate change. The number
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of deaths between 2030 to 2050 the expected additional deaths that will be caused by it will be
around 250000 deaths per year. Some of the main medical issues that are faced by the
individuals because of it and that cause death, are malaria, malnutrition etc. Climate change is
the critical issue which is faced by humanity presently (Leal Filho and Leal-Arcas, 2019).
TASK 4
Covered in Poster
Academic Integrity refers to the commitment of and demonstration of honest and moral
behaviour in the Academics by a student. It is essential for a student so that success can be
attained in the future. In this discussion, analysis will be made on ways of maintaining academic
integrity, avoiding of plagiarism. Additionally, ways of referencing correctly will be discussed.
Ways of maintaining academic integrity-
 Taking the opinion of the professors- For the maintenance of academic integrity it is
necessary for the students to take the opinion of the professors. This is necessary so that
they are able to understand the various types of needs and requirements of the university
and can act accordingly by working properly on their projects and assignments.
 Reading the syllabus and assignment instructions carefully- It is required from the
students that they should read the syllabus and assignment instructions carefully. By
doing this they will be able to make sure that they can work properly on their projects and
assignments thereby helping them in achieving academic success in the future.
 Asking for permission of the professors- The students should provide respect to their
professors and must ask for their permission before sharing their work with them. This
will allow them to maintain academic excellence.
 Planning ahead- Before starting their work it is necessary for the students to properly
plan ahead. They must make sure that they create a plan before starting the work on their
project or assignment. This will help them in ensuring that they are able to avoid mistakes
which affects the academic integrity.
 Making smart decisions- The students have to ensure that they take smart decisions
while doing their work. By taking these decisions they will be able to work properly and
thus attain academic integrity in their work.
Ways to avoid plagiarism-
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 Keeping a track of the sources- The students must ensure that they can keep a track on
the sources which they are using in their research. Therefore in this way they will be able
to provide original work in their different projects and assignments.
 Using own ideas- It is advisable for the students to make the use of their own ideas while
doing their project or assignment. By doing so they will be able to ensure that application
of these ideas can be done to obtain higher marks in the projects and assignments.
 Giving proper credits- Giving appropriate credits is quite important to ensure that the
authors whose work has been used by a student are given credit for their work. By doing
so, the students will be able to obtain higher marks in their class.
 Using plagiarism checker- Plagiarism checker is a tool through which plagiarism can be
checked by the students before they finally submit their assignment in the university. If
they find that their similarity percentage is high then suitable actions are required to be
taken for reducing it so that academic integrity can be maintained by the students.
Ways of referencing correctly-
 Selecting a method of referencing- The student has to select a particular method of
referencing for their project or assignment. The methods like Harvard, APA etc. can be
used here. Thus after determining the method to be used a student can correctly cite the
citations in the work.
 Selection of appropriate sources- A student needs to select appropriate sources for
referencing of the project. By selecting these sources the student can thereby make sure
that the due credit can be given wherever required.
 Proper citation of sources- It is important for a student that the proper citation of
sources can be done. Thus by properly citing these sources the students can thereby
ensure that they uphold the academic integrity in their assignments. Through this they can
obtain higher marks in their projects and assignments.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that upholding of academic integrity is
quite crucial for the students so that they can ensure that they are able to achieve good marks in
their studies. There are different types of methods which can be used to maintain academic
integrity, plagiarism can be avoided through the use of various ways. Also, there are different
ways through which the referencing can be done correctly.
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CONCLUSION
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that Academic Skills are very useful for
the students in maintaining their integrity and achieving higher marks in the future. They help
them in being good in Academics in the University. Time Management Techniques are quite
useful so that time can be properly used by the students. Reflection can be provided by making
the use of past experience. Climate Change is as serious issue which has to be dealt in a proper
manner by the human beings. Academic Integrity is important for students and they must pay
attention towards reducing plagiarism in their work and referencing the work correctly.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Ali, S. A., Affan, M. and Alam, M., 2018. A study of efficient energy management techniques
for cloud computing environment. arXiv preprint arXiv:1810.07458.
Gaesser, A. H., 2020. Emotional freedom techniques: Stress and anxiety management for
students and staff in school settings.
Kyttälä, M. and et.al., 2019. Working memory resources in children: stability and relation to
subsequent academic skills. Educational Psychology. 39(6). pp.709-728.
Leal Filho, W. and Leal-Arcas, R. eds., 2019. University initiatives in climate change mitigation
and adaptation. Springer International Publishing.
Meier, L. L., Cho, E. and Dumani, S., 2016. The effect of positive work reflection during leisure
time on affective well‐being: Results from three diary studies. Journal of
Organizational Behavior. 37(2). pp.255-278.
Rabiner, D. L., Godwin, J. and Dodge, K. A., 2016. Predicting academic achievement and
attainment: The contribution of early academic skills, attention difficulties, and social
competence. School Psychology Review. 45(2). pp.250-267.
Reljić, N. M., Pajnkihar, M. and Fekonja, Z., 2019. Self-reflection during first clinical practice:
The experiences of nursing students. Nurse education today, 72, pp.61-66.
Ryan, D., 2017. Politics and climate change: exploring the relationship between political parties
and climate issues in Latin America. Ambiente & Sociedade. 20(3). pp.271-286.
Zeeshan, M. and Jamil, M., 2020. A Study of Energy Management Techniques for Smart City
Applications on Educational Campus. In International Conference on Communication,
Computing and Electronics Systems (pp. 655-665). Springer, Singapore.
Online
Effects of climate change. 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/#:~:text=Increased%20heat%2C%20drought%20and
%20insect,coastal%20areas%20are%20additional%20concerns.>
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