Academic Study Skills Individual Reflection Report

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Academic Study Skills
Individual Reflection

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Reflection.........................................................................................................................................4
Framework- Kolb’s model...........................................................................................................4
Self-management.........................................................................................................................5
Note-making from lectures..........................................................................................................5
Team working..............................................................................................................................6
Academic Writing........................................................................................................................7
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
References......................................................................................................................................10

Introduction
In this report, I'm going to write about my personal reflection on how I manage myself and my
academic work. This will include some assessments of my personal learning styles that enhanced
and helped me a lot in my academic work. These key academic skills are significant to be
exceptional in academics as well as in personal and professional development. Each and every
student is required to enhance and improve their academic writing, understanding of academic
principles as well as the better management skills to make his or her work properly scheduled
(Cottrel, 2017). To do so, an individual needs to work on himself such as communication skills,
reading skills, listening skills, and skills to give an effective presentation, etc. so this report will
demonstrate the problems which are faced by me or by a student during the application of these
practices.
Moreover, for this reflection, I have chosen the framework model that is Kolb’s model of
reflection. Kolb’s model was introduced in the year 1984 which stated that learning approach
includes four stages in the cycle. And most importantly it shows the reflective observation. This
theory is very popular since it is used by most of the people as it focuses on the process of
learning which directly interrelated with the day to day experience. This model basically
suggests the learning process from own experience. Here, I have learnt many things from my
past activities or can be said experience that includes teamwork, presentations and lectures.
Deliberation is a very important part of this model. This model has four stages that are concrete
experience, observation, developing the concepts and last testing in new situations.
I have chosen this model because it gives huge importance to the introspection and internal
perception of a learner. It enables the learning by involving the intelligence that can be applied in
different situations with reliability. It is very different from conventional learning as this model
allows me to gain new concepts and learning through new experiences.

Reflection
Framework- Kolb’s model
Concrete Experience-
The first element in Kolb’s model is the experience of the learner. Here at this stage, I have
learned so many things through my experience and instincts. Real-Life situations directly affect
the motivation of individual learning. As per the course, the first learning outcome is self-
management. Self-management is reflected if I relate my personal experience that how I do my
work, spend my weekend through proper time management (Herd, et al, 2018). Every day is
considered as a new situation in relation to academics and has a good or bad experience. These
situations helped in developing the learning as these experiences are totally unintentional and
natural.
Reflective observation-
The next stage is observing the new information for learning that basically includes
identification, evaluating and determining the relations. I generally start incorporation when the
introduction of the lesson starts I develop different viewpoints and perception regarding the
assignment. This thing helps me familiarizing with the subject as well as develops some
understanding and meaning. Thinking is really important for effective learning. I develop my
proper understanding of a topic by determining what I already know and what I don't know about
the topic (Barker et al, 2016). That’s how the reflective approach enhanced my academic skills.
It has been observed through delivering of presentation of students that reflective learning style
is very effective as if the student follows the path of instructor enables the student to get involved
in brainstorming session helps in generating new ideas and improves teamwork.
Abstract conception-
This stage includes the creation of new ideas that help in learning by modifying and updating the
knowledge of the student. Here I have gained new information and modifies the existing
knowledge. This learning process is done in the real and virtual environment that is classroom

when the new lesson provided to the students. Here, conception refers to the creation of a
hypothesis by analyzing and interpreting the new facts.
Active experimentation-
This stage includes the implementations of the hypothesis to test that is generated in the previous
stage in real situations. Here the new experience of a student will either challenge or defend the
hypothesis. And testing the hypothesis is not sufficient for learning from experience as it also
requires interpretation and also the application of interpretation (Barker et al, 2016).
Self-management
Concrete experience-
I have used this technique during the examination time by managing the expectations and time,
where I have only 1 hour left and 3 questions are remaining to be an attempt (Helyer, 2015).
Thus, I was expecting to not only attempt but also do it in a proper manner to gain good marks.
Reflective observation-
I have observed my parents how my mother and father manage their working so well. Mother
plans everything from morning to evening and does her work by scheduling it with time
management and she does this every day by being punctual. And she successfully meets the
demand of family members (Herd, et al, 2018). So by observing her, I'm learning time
management, punctuality, meeting the expectation on time, etc.
Abstract conception-
For self-management, I have applied C.R.E.A.M strategy that focuses on enhancing the
individual qualities that make a person creative, reflective, effective and active that motivates me
to determine my strong and weak areas so that, I can improve myself for further development.
Active experimentation-
I have done several experiments by strategizing the time and effectively managing my study
schedule to develop my personal and professional career (Assiter, 2017). So here, below are
some benefits which I achieved through self-management-

Note-making from lectures
Concrete experience-
I prepare notes from lectures by getting inspired from the professionals as I have seen assistants
of managing directors or assistants of minster taking notes during meetings on tablets or on paper
for better remembrance (Cottrel, 2017).
Reflective observation-
As I have observed and learned that for future reference and remembrance assistants prepare
notes for details at the time of speech and meetings. As this strategy helps in revision as well as
keeping the record for further help.
Abstract conception-
The best strategy for preparing the notes in the classroom is Cornell methods which I use while
preparing notes as it divides the writing areas into different columns that consist record, recite,
review, questions and reflect. This method helped me in clarifying my doubts and in revision
easily (Herd, et al, 2018).
Active experimentation
Cornell method helped me in gaining maximum from lectures. This method is not only about
making notes systematically and in an organized manner but also helped me in deeply
understanding the topics through proper analysis. This method also helps in quick revision as it
divides the topic and gives a review of each section.
Team working
Concrete experience-
I have worked in a team many times during group presentation and also at the time of sports
events in which I have experienced how to work in a team.
Reflective observation-
I have observed at the time of group presentation that everyone work or the unified goal to
achieve the common goal rather than focusing on individual performance (Helyer, 2015). Group

presentation consists of many members who have different heading to explain by coordinating
with each other.
Abstract conception-
Collective efforts are known as teamwork, where work is divided into an individual task as per
the strength and weakness of the group members through effective communication and proper
feedback. And this stage helped me in enhancing my abilities, interpersonal skills and soft skills.
Active experimentation-
The main objective of working in a team was achieved by giving the group presentation in the
classroom through I have come to know about how to prepare the presentation and various others
qualities I gained through group task.
Academic Writing
Concrete experience-
I have experienced academic writing during my school and college times in which students need
to write the exams and assignments on different professional topics in English that enhanced my
writing skills (Assiter, 2017).
Reflective observation-
By reading journal articles, newspapers and research papers, I have observed that writing styles
are different, the use of words is different according to the articles. Writing styles varies with the
purpose.
Abstract conception-
Conventional writing and academic writing both are very different as academic writing is done
for the purpose of research and education or academic reference. This writing involves
discussion in a well-structured manner so that topics can be understood easily.
Active experimentation-

The college has given many summative and formative assessments that consist of journal
articles, reports on individual reflection, understanding the usage of referencing and how to do
referring in different academic writing (Cottrel, 2017). These experiments allowed to do practice
and improved my command on writing.
Conclusion
This report includes the individual reflection of academic study skills by using the framework of
Kolb's model of reflection. This course was planned for 12 weeks to achieve different learning
outcomes. The first week of this course was focusing on the learning regarding self-motivation,
time management and development of different strategies to maintain or manage the academic
workload efficiently. Next week was focusing on how to take maximum benefit from classroom
lectures that involve making notes by using distinct techniques and methods, active listening in
order to gain information from lectures. After experiments and implementation, it was found that
the Cornell method for preparing notes is very helpful to study the lectures notes. The next week
was focusing on the team working and after the experience, it can be said that effective
approaches for improving teamwork are group presentation, groups discussion, playing in a
team, etc. these opportunities helped me in identifying my strengths and weaknesses in each area
of performance.
Eventually, I learn and attain significant reading skills through newspapers and journal articles
and learnt how to read effectively by skimming. For referencing, different formats and about the
usage thorough coaching was given. And for reading, improve writing skills and note making
were practised as per the standards of academics. According to the needs I have discussed the
usage of reference. I'm well knowledgeable and informed about the Harvard referencing style
due to the formative assignment task which has given me so much expertise in referencing.
Through reflective writing in academics has given me a much better understanding of the Kolb's
model. From the different courses, I'm well informed about the writing structure and sources.
With the help of assignments, I have learnt and practised the paraphrasing and referencing skills
in order to gain a higher study. I have understood the significance of academic development in
order to match up the level of higher standards of studies. Various approaches I have understood

for doing the assignment and essay writings for academics subjects. Various factors I have
understood that can improve my academic writing styles.
The above reflective writing I have discussed regarding the academic background in a
considerable form that includes the structure, planning and the presentations of writing. My
existing knowledge which is analyzed above is equivalent to the course consisting of its learning
outcomes have been covered effectively in the maximum portion. Talking about future actions,
there is a huge requirement of improving the delivery of effective presentation as well as
reflective writing. To develop both the areas I need to do continuous practice as well as the
application of assignment knowledge. For future actions plan in order to improve the study skills
can be done through completing the tasks and assignment effectively of different subjects that
will make me practice of how to write efficiently and through effective participation in the group
activities for further improvement. Moreover, continuous revision of the different topics from
time to time will help me in excelling the higher level of study with the help of note taking skills
and reading skills.

References
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academic outcomes: A qualitative study. British Journal of Educational Psychology,
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3. 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.
4. Assiter, A., 2017. Transferable skills in higher education. Routledge.
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theory, research and practice. Routledge.
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for the purposeful design of presence in online courses. TechTrends, 60(2), pp.145-151.
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