Academic Study Skills Self-Reflection: Improving Academic Performance

Desklib provides past papers and solved assignments for students. This reflective journal details effective study strategies.

ACADEMIC STUDY SKILLS
INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................. 2
REFLECTION................................................................................................................................... 3
CONCLUSION AND FUTURE ACTIONS............................................................................................7
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................9
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INTRODUCTION
In order to become a great student, I need dedication, desire and smart approach. Thinking
back to the module, I see myself diligent, excited and avid learner who was motivated to
understand the unknown. At the start of the module, The significance of the academic study
skills was explained to me along with other students, which is essential for my successful study
at the university and our future employability. There was a certain list of activities or tasks such
as time management, learning, motivation, self-learning, making and using notes, reading and
listening skills, preparing for oral presentations and so on (Passarelli, 2016).
This is my individual reflection towards learning of academic skills. The structure of my
reflective assignment includes an introduction, reflection and conclusion along with future
actions. This module helped me in understanding the academic study skills which will help me
in improving my academic performance but also help me in succeeding in my life. It has helped
me increased my confidence and competences level. Learning different study skills helped me
minimise my anxiety, hesitance and frustration (Passarelli, 2016).
I got to learn and know about how to manage my academic work as well as myself. I was
provided with the guides, tutorials, and also participated in the classroom tasks, homework and
other study material so as to integrate information from suitable literature sources. This study
tools will help me in developing and improving my study skill and helps me in tackling certain
problems at studies such as preparing assignments, presentation, taking an exam or managing
study family or any work assignments (Passarelli, 2016). I undertook Kolb’s reflective cycle for
this assignment which is a well-known theory and based on experiential learning. I selected this
framework with the aim to identify my learning by attending the module to understand
academic skills. The reason for selecting this framework was to emphasis on the past
experiences that are learning gained in the module and improves my future academic work and
employability.
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REFLECTION
I used Kolb’s reflective cycle to understand my level of knowledge and learning about different
academic study skills taught to us in the module for example in class tasks, formative
assignments, feedback homework and so on. A module was carried out to let us aware of the
academic skills in order to improve the efficient management of studies. Reflection is
considered to be one of the integral parts of learning (Helyer, 2015). It will help me in learning
from my past experiences that are attending the module. Kolb’s learning cycle includes four
stages of learning which are used to present the reflection below:
Figure 1 Kolb's Learning Cycle
Source: Barker et al., 2016
CONCRETE EXPERIENCES: During semester 1, a list of topics was covered by me in academic
study skills module. I was taught various academic skills to develop myself as a successful
student by giving tips and techniques by the learning skills tutor and lectures on how to manage
myself. Time management and organization was one of the crucial things that I think I may fail. I
did not use the time effectively which resulted in undermining my attempt to study. Also, the
learning skill tutor explained the importance of notes taking and also provides me with
information on making and using notes from the lectures and books (Barker et al., 2016).
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I was given certain homework along with my co-student to complete the same in order to
develop the ability to work together and also develop my interpersonal skills. I was taught to
effectively optimise reading and also include proper referencing (Chan, 2012). Academic
integrity is important for me as my grades will be based on the achievement of the learning
objectives of my courses. These grades will serve the basis for various opportunities in the
future.
An individual written assignment and a group presentation were given to me along with other
students to demonstrate my level of academic skills and abilities. I was asked to prepare a
written assignment of 2000 words including all the relevant and crucial point related to the
study topic. We, a total of 5 individuals, were asked to give a group presentation of around 15
minutes on the topic given by the tutor. Both the individual written assignment and the group
presentation were given in the class. However, it was later found that I received fewer marks on
for both written style, content and presentation style. Despite putting all the efforts, I was
anxious and frustrated with receiving less mark as per my expectations.
REFLECTIVE OBSERVATION: as I got less mark in both written individual assignment and also
group presentation, I decided to observe considering the learning received from the learning
skills tutor. I observed my written assignment to identify the flaws and shortcomings. I found
that despite preparing hard for the assignment topic I failed to include crucial points related to
the topic. I was not able to synchronise my writing process and effectively put my ideas. Despite
maintaining academic integrity there were certain paragraphs that matched the study materials
from books and online publications (Helyer, 2015).
My writing was improper as I failed to put my ideas together effectively. I really got frustrated
during the written assignment and lacked research skills due to which I could not find relevant
information related to the topic. I did not plan the structure of the written assignment and
found it difficult to write the correct word or phrase in sentences and paragraphs (Chan, 2012).
At times, I failed to reference my academic work and in the reference section which resulted in
losing marks and increase plagiarisms.
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In a group presentation, I observed that it took more than 15 minutes for me and my colleagues
to complete the presentation. Also, there were various situations where it was visible that I
was not prepared in advance for it. I kept forgetting the points I had to say and also sometimes
stuttering while speaking. The people in the group started arguing during the preparation of
presentation which affected collaboration (Duman, 2010). I tried to be friendly with each
individual in the group however my hesitance and anxiety would grow when I interact with
other group people.
CONCEPTUALISATION: once I found the reasons that affected my written assignment and group
presentation, I took help of my lecturer and also the learning skill tutor in order to get some
guidance and advice on how to effectively write an assignment and also prepare for
presentation using presentation techniques (Duman, 2010). The learning tutor guided me to
think carefully about my learning style so as to be an independent learner. They advised me to
adopt multi-sensory learning by combining reading, hearing seeing, saying and kinaesthetic
activities for effective learning including regular breaks (Muscat and Mollicone, 2012). I was also
advised to select a study planner and also prepare a to-do list considering the urgency of the
tasks so as to make effective use and control of time.
Also, tips were given by the learning skill tutor to note important topic, information related to
academic courses and also plan and organize assignments and presentations (Muscat and
Mollicone, 2012). I may refer a linear method for written assignments while spider diagrams in
visual formats for presentation so as to be effectively understood by me. While making notes
during lecture, I must note just phrases, keywords and main points. Also while making notes
from books, I should not just copy the chunk of text rather than I must focus on writing a note
based on own idea as stimulated by reading the test. The learning skill tutor helped in
improving reading skills by recommending the SQR3 technique including survey, question, read,
recall and review.
It is recommended to think before writing and also prepare a structure so as to not miss or
avoid any important point. Also referencing is another critical skill to ensure getting high marks
and avoid plagiarisms (Duman, 2010). Rather than just copying the information in a word for
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word, I must use my own words for general understanding and also integrating my own ideas
related to the topic. Hence I noted down all the tips, techniques and ideas to prepare in a
different manner.
ACTIVE EXPERIMENTATION: now while preparing any written assignment; I will consider all the
points and ideas given by the tutor. In order to write an assignment of 2000 words, I will plan
and prepare the structure of the assignment also keyword base research should be done to get
the relevant study material on the internet while reading books, I will be selective in making
notes by writing down the main subject and important headings so as to avoid exclusion of
important point (Helyer, 2015).
While preparing an oral presentation in groups, I would divide the topic into important parts so
as to give one part to each group member for preparation. Time constraints should be
considered as it will shape the content of the presentation (Barker et al., 2016). I must write the
phrases or keywords on prompt cards and also prepare a brief note for each bullet point main
heading. I along with my co-presenters must speak clearly and take pauses along with
moderating the tone and volume in my voice. I must maintain eye contact during the
presentation (Helyer, 2015). This will help me improve my academic study skills.
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CONCLUSION AND FUTURE ACTIONS
Thus it can be concluded that Kolb’s reflective cycle helps in identifying the shortcomings and
areas to improve my academic study skills. It will help me in effectively managing my work and
me. Enhancing my research skills and making and using notes skills will help in effectively
integrating the information from appropriate literature resources for enhancing and supporting
my academic and reflection (Chan, 2012). Effective referencing is essential to maintain
academic integrity and avoid plagiarism.
I have learned in-depth insights and understanding on the use of different academic skills such
as reading skills, time management, learning, writing skills, oral presentation skills, a group
working, planning and organizing, and so on. In order to improve and become effective learner,
I would take certain actions or steps into daily practices in order to get more time for
developing academic skills (Helyer, 2015). In order to be an effective learner, I would carefully
think and observe my learning style so as to support my academic skills. I would prefer using
multisensory learning rather than using any single method of learning for enhancing my
learning experience and improve important information recall.
In order to manage time effectively and strategically, I would prepare a to-do list and study
planner so as to control and manage time defining and prioritising study plans. Preparing good
notes is essential for me to study at university (Passarelli, 2016). While taking notes, I will note
the data, subject page number and also the name of the tutor along with the source of
information. Since my learning style is multisensory learning, I may prefer either of the note-
taking methods including linear method or spider diagrams as a visual format.
While making notes during lecture, I would be aware when the lecturer signal an important
point by using particular words or phrase by any gesture of posture, or voice tone, or body
language and emphasis (Duman, 2010). I will note the main points and phrases alongside using
symbols and common abbreviations. And while making notes from books, I would be selective
in writing down the main subject and important headings and writing the content in own words
along with own ideas rather than just copying from a book. I will focus on the subject title to
make sure that notes are relevant.
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Additionally developing reading skills will help in assimilating and understanding the ideas and
information by accessing other’s thoughts and also identify arguments. I will use SQR3
technique in which I will survey to get relevant information or overview of the text, ask a
question if the collected information is of use or not, then read slowly and stop at each
paragraph to monitor and understand the subject comprehension and finally take notes
(Muscat and Mollicone, 2012). Writing is of different types that are essay; researches, report,
science, dissertation and literature review and so on (Helyer, 2015). I must engage in learning
with other students so that I will be able to develop my interpersonal skills and effectively work
together with them. At last, I will consider the audience and material while preparing and
delivering oral presentations. I will prepare content and practice delivering the presentation
considering the time restrictions.
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REFERENCES
1. Barker, D.J., Lencucha, J. and Anderson, R., 2016. Kolb’s learning cycle as a framework
for early fieldwork learning. World Federation of Occupational Therapists Bulletin, 72(1),
pp.28-34.
2. Chan, C.K.Y., 2012. Exploring an experiential learning project through Kolb's Learning
Theory using a qualitative research method. European Journal of Engineering Education,
37(4), pp.405-415.
3. Duman, B., 2010. The Effects of Brain-Based Learning on the Academic Achievement of
Students with Different Learning Styles. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice,
10(4), pp.2077-2103.
4. Helyer, R., 2015. Learning through reflection: the critical role of reflection in work-based
learning (WBL). Journal of Work-Applied Management, 7(1), pp.15-27.
5. Muscat, M. and Mollicone, P., 2012. Using Kolb's learning cycle to enhance the teaching
and learning of mechanics of materials. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Education, 40(1), pp.66-78.
6. Passarelli, A.M., 2016. Using experiential learning theory to promote student learning
and development in programs of education abroad.
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