FY026 Reflective Essay: Learner Development & University Challenges

This essay reflects on the author's development as a learner during a university module, highlighting the acquisition of academic knowledge, practical skills like teamwork and problem-solving, and the understanding of diverse learning styles. It addresses future university challenges, such as time management, adapting to the university environment, and financial management, suggesting strategies like seeking support, developing communication skills, and participating in university programs. The essay concludes that reflective practice and support from mentors and family are crucial for overcoming these challenges and enhancing learning in university education. Desklib provides resources for students to find similar essays and solved assignments.

Effective communication skills
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................2
Reflection on developing as a learner..........................................................................................2
Approaching future university challenges...................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5
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INTRODUCTION
Reflection is defined as the practice to analyse and develop insight by evaluating own
actions and decisions ((Aruguete, 2017)). For personal as well as professional development it is
very important to reflect on development as learner. It not only enhances the learning capabilities
but also helps to identify the gaps and challenges which must be overcome for becoming a great
learner. The university module is a great opportunity for students to gain understanding and
knowledge of subject aspects as well as practical skills and knowledge required to excel in
professional and practical real life situations. This essay will provide a reflection on learnings
from university module as well as ways to overcome different challenges of university education.
MAIN BODY
Reflection on developing as a learner
The module assessment and program has been a great opportunity for me to develop as
learner. It not only delivered only curriculum or subjective knowledge but also helped in
developing other necessary professional skills. As a learner module helped me to understand the
different perspectives of university education such as understanding of subject, concepts,
theories, academic writing and integration as well as importance and methods of doing university
assignments. In addition to these theoretical or subjective aspects as a learner I also got
opportunity to develop different skills. For instance, like completion of assignments and module
work required knowledge of information technology, team work skills, creativity and decision
making skills. While working with different people or team members I came to understand
several social aspects in more concise way such as diversity, inclusion or variation in
perspectives (Poedjiastutie and Oliver, 2017). The team work skills, conflict management
learned in this module also develop abilities to effectively manage the resources and professional
challenges which I may encounter in future. Another important aspect which I developed in
module is variation in learning styles and skills. In order to effectively learn and utilise my
knowledge there were situations when I was expected to search and seek for different learning
models and theoretical styles. As learner it is very important that one must have complete
understanding and knowledge of variety of learning styles so that even complex subjects can also
be handled and managed. Another important skill which I developed during module is problem
solving skill. Accomplishment of various module tasks also make me learn that different
university phases can have multiple complex situations or problems. Thus one must have ability
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to recognise and solve problems using appropriate techniques. Problem solving approaches as
well as decision making to handle and manage various university issues is also developed in
students during the module.
Approaching future university challenges
For successful completing of university education, it is necessary that students must identify
their expectations from such courses and the challenges which may affect success. One of the
most important way in which students can manage difficulties is time management. For students
it is very hard to manage their academics with job and personal life. Thus they must ensure
suitable amount of time to balance their assignments and other personal events. For this purpose,
learners can seek help from support groups, families as well as time management planner. The
students in induction year also find it very challenging to adapt to university environment.
Sometimes this challenge become so vulnerable that it can have adverse impact on academic
performance as well as mental health. This issue become more worsen for students from abroad.
Thus in order to have better management of higher education students must learn to deal with
adjusting and learning skills (Alphonce and Mwantimwa, 2019). They must try to open up with
their friends or support groups who can help them in better way to understand university culture.
For abroad students who used to experience more homesickness and loneliness can feel more
psychological pressure in getting themselves comfortable with university. Thus students must
learn study skills which can make university education easier. The active participation in support
group activities and cultural programs can help learners to make them more comfortable with
university environment. Students must also develop communication skills and confidence. For
this purpose, they can seek support from the academic advisors so that learners can cope up and
understand the learning style of their educator and can also help to follow pre requisites of class.
Learners have great expectations from university such as in terms of professional development,
social responsibility and emotional development. To fulfil those expectations, it is necessary that
students must understand the curriculum and policies of university which are developed for
learners. Financial management is one of the greatest challenge faced by students (Jafarzadeh-
Kenarsari, Pourghane and Mahdavi, 2020). Thus they must approach for seeking ways to
understand financial management and options available for them. For instance, grants,
scholarship programs and part time job facilities for university learners can be of great help for
students to focus on their education without getting much stressed about their finances. There
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are several vocational courses which can be done in parallel to university course. These course
helps learners to develop better understanding of their academic skills and requirement. Students
must never hesitate to seek their support. They must have open and clear communication with
the university educators and support services accessible to university students. In addition to this
student must also regularly participate in assessment programs so that they can evaluate their
existing capabilities and expectations (Aruguete, 2017). Support services and resources can help
to fill the performance gaps and to have better approach towards difficulties encountered at
university level.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the essay that one may face number of challenges as university
students. However, in order to solve and overcome those difficulties reflective practice can be of
great help. It can assist individual learner to identify the challenges of university education and
related strategies. It can also be concluded that learners must understand that their university
issues must be solved with suitable support and guidance from their mentors as well as their
family members. The support actions will definitely enhance the learning and skill development
as learner in the university education.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Aruguete, M.S., 2017. Recognizing challenges and predicting success in first-generation
university students. Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, 18(2).
Jafarzadeh-Kenarsari, F., Pourghane, P. and Mahdavi, N., 2020. Consequences of using
smartphone technology in university students: Experiencing challenges. Journal of
Qualitative Research in Health Sciences, 7(3), pp.252-263.
Alphonce, S. and Mwantimwa, K., 2019. Students’ use of digital learning resources: diversity,
motivations and challenges. Information and Learning Sciences.
Poedjiastutie, D. and Oliver, R., 2017. Exploring students’ learning needs: Expectation and
challenges. English Language Teaching, 10(10), pp.124-133.
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