Study Skills for Higher Education: Listening and Skills Report

This report delves into the crucial aspects of study skills within higher education, encompassing two key projects. Project 1 examines the challenges students face in listening during their academic journey, such as difficulty comprehending every word, variable delivery rates, and language barriers. It also outlines strategies teachers can employ to enhance students' listening abilities, including talking less, formulating questions, and utilizing diverse communication techniques. Furthermore, the report provides personal reflections on listening difficulties and the strategies that proved beneficial. Project 2 identifies six essential skills for university success: adaptive thinking, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, technology, and time management. The report explains the significance of these skills in the workplace and offers recommendations to improve the content of students' CVs, ensuring they are well-prepared for their careers. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of self-development and strong communication skills for students' future success.

Study Skills for Higher
Education

Table of Contents
PROJECT 1.....................................................................................................................................4
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................4
Discuss three listening challenges faced by students during their academics.............................4
What are the three strategies which can be used by teachers to help their students in their
listening skills..............................................................................................................................5
Discuss some listening challenges which you have experienced and what are the strategies that
helped to become a better listener...............................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
PROJECT 2.....................................................................................................................................7
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................7
Identify six skills that students require to be successful at university and discuss why these
skills are important at workplace.................................................................................................7
Provide six recommendation that could help students improve the content of their CVs.........10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12

PROJECT 1
INTRODUCTION
Higher education is a degree that encourages students to pursue a degree in the direction that
they choose to pursue as a career. It is important to pursue higher education because it allows
students to choose their career path and makes them eligible for employment. Students may
choose from a variety of courses and degrees in the United Kingdom to further their education
and careers (Byrne, 2020). Undergraduate programmes last three years, but in some countries,
such as Scotland, the undergraduate programme lasts four years. Students may use this to enrol
in other degree or diploma programmes that will help them in their careers. However, the
bachelor’s degree has the highest degrees or more choices, but students who combine a master’s
degree with a bachelor's degree gain more expertise in their education or the subject they have
chosen.
MAIN BODY
Discuss three listening challenges faced by students during their academics
Listening is an important part of the communication process because it demonstrates a
person’s ability to accurately interpret and comprehend a message. Understanding and listening
to what the teacher is saying is important in academics because it makes students perform better
and achieve higher grades. However, there are some difficulties that students can face or may
face during their academic careers, which are mentioned below:
Attempting to comprehend every word: It is challenging for students who are unable to
comprehend the words spoken by the instructor. This is a problem for them because if they
cannot understand the expression, it will trigger a problem because they won’t be able to
understand the whole topic (Hendriks, van Meurs and Reimer, 2018). Students may be required
to consider various levels of understanding, which may include various forms of colloquialism.
For this, students must independently study and comprehend the subjects, as well as take
appropriate notes.
Variable delivery rates: Students are still expected to learn and have complete control
over what they read, but the teacher has complete control over what they are told and how they
interpret the topics. Some deliver the words at a faster rate, causing students to lose track of the

words and, more importantly, the topic. This causes a dilemma for students because they may be
unable to comprehend what they are learning, which may be the cause of their bad grades.
Trouble with different languages: Students find it difficult or impossible to listen when
the accent is different. It is not necessary for the instructor to speak or communicate with the
students in the language or dialect with which they are most comfortable. They can speak with a
different accent and use words that are difficult for the students to understand. This is why
students need time to comprehend the entire subject and research with the accent.
What are the three strategies which can be used by teachers to help their students in their
listening skills
When students are having trouble listening to what is being said in class, it is the
teacher’s responsibility to use certain tactics. Different techniques that teachers may use to
engage students in listening and in class are listed below:
Talk less: This does not imply that the instructor does not engage in conversations with
the students or that they should not read and explain the subject to the students. Talking less
means involving students more in whatever class is taking place, as this will aid active
understanding and allow the teacher to determine whether or not the students are grasping the
subject (Khlaisang and Koraneekij, 2019). Students may feel more valuable if they are engaged,
which will encourage them to learn and concentrate more in class.
Developing and creating questions: It is important for the teacher to develop questions
in order to improve the student’s attention and involve them in the classroom. Creating questions
means that when the students are watching a documentary clip or taking and listening to a
speech, the teacher should develop the students and tell them to write down what they learned
from the subject. In this scenario, students will focus completely on whatever subject is being
discussed in class, and if they have any questions, they will ask the teacher at the same time.
Use a variety of communication techniques: Using a variety of communication
techniques, such as nonverbal communication, can aid active listening and engagement in the
classroom. Student’s talents will be sharpened as a result of this, and they will be eager to attend
the particular lecture (Mackieh and Dlhin, 2019). When students are able to comprehend what is
being addressed in class and are eager to participate in it. This aids the teacher’s effectiveness
since they are able to instruct the students with greater enthusiasm and comprehension.

Discuss some listening challenges which you have experienced and what are the strategies that
helped to become a better listener
The following are some of the listening difficulties I encountered during my academic career:
Inability to concentrate: Due to my inability to focus on what the teacher is teaching in
class; I often fail to listen. As a result, I received lower grades and was unable to comprehend the
subject. I simply pretended to be paying attention in class to what my teacher was saying, but I
was unable to do so due to a lack of concentration (Sousa and Wilks, 2018).
Word delivery rate: Most of the time, the teacher who teaches me speaks either quickly
or slowly, which decreases my attention and leads to less focus. I had no idea how important
word delivery is in communication and getting the other person to listen until recently.
Connected speech: I am not always able to link what my teacher is saying to what I have
learned about the subject. This means that I am unable to communicate with the instructor,
resulting in a loss of interest in what the teacher is saying and a lack of active listening
involvement.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion it has been identified that higher education gives students the
ability to look ahead and succeed in their careers. From the school where every student attend,
obtaining a higher education degree serves a variety of purposes and raises the students' morale.
It aids in job planning and aids in a more comprehensive understanding of the topic in which
students must pursue their careers. But, most importantly, self-development is needed, which
requires strong communication skills. At this age, students often realise their passion and the
field in which they will pursue a career.

PROJECT 2
INTRODUCTION
Academic skills or methods are applied to students' learning in colleges, universities, or other
educational institutions, and are critical to their academic performance and general development.
These abilities enable kids to perform well, earn good grades, and maximise the potential of their
abilities and capacities. Further, the report is based on identifying the abilities that assist students
in achieving success and performing well in university, as well as how these skills can contribute
to their overall career development and progress.
Identify six skills that students require to be successful at university and discuss why these skills
are important at workplace
Adaptive thinking: Adaptive thinking is characterised as an individual's capacity to
quickly recognise an unexpected circumstance, find multiple potential solutions, and implement
the best answer among those discovered. It is critical for students to become quicker and more
flexible in response to the rapid changes that are occurring. Adaptability to these changes allows
students to learn new things, keep themselves up to speed with new information, and improve
their learning efficiency and efficacy.
Communication skills: Listening, writing, and speaking skills are all part of
communication abilities. Despite their academic excellence, the majority of recruiters complain
about a lack of communication skills among young graduates. To understand the principles and
procedures given by the lecturers, pupils must have excellent listening skills. Writing abilities, on
the other hand, help individuals prepare for university tests and assignments (Bas and et. al.,
2017). Writing abilities can also help pupils prepare for exams and present themselves properly
in academic exams. Communication skills are a valuable addition to their education and will aid
them in finding jobs once they have earned a degree or certificate. Students may be asked to give
a presentation on a specific subject or topic, in which case they must have outstanding public
speaking abilities in order to explain their viewpoints in front of teachers and peers.
Collaboration skills: Collaboration is important in every setting, whether it's an
educational institution or a workplace, because it fosters a sense of unity and harmony among co-
workers or students. Each student in universities and colleges has a unique set of capabilities,
and they strive to compete with one another in order to excel academically. To some extent,

competition is beneficial because it drives students to strive to their full potential in terms of
talents and abilities; nevertheless, collaboration and assisted learning at the educational institute
can assist other students who are vulnerable in some ways through teamwork and collaboration.
Student’s skills are enhanced and a healthy learning environment is created by developing
empathy and helping one another in learning.
Critical thinking and problem solving: Critical thinking is one of the most in-demand
abilities among companies. Careful thinking is the ability of an individual to make logical and
reasonable decisions based on critical and painstaking analysis of information. After weighing
the beneficial and less beneficial solutions to an issue, critical thinking assists pupils in drawing a
logical conclusion from a different source of information (Hedin and Kann, 2019). Organizations
are looking for people who can think critically, analyse the positive and negative aspects of a
situation, and make informed decisions based on their knowledge of the implications of their
actions.
Creativity and innovation: Expectations of people and objectives have altered as a result
of the quickly changing environment, as have their aspirations and wishes. People are looking for
ways to be more creative and imaginative in order to solve their problems. Students at the
university level must be creative and original thinkers, which may be cultivated through asking
questions and proposing the best answers to problems. These students will become rising
entrepreneurs after receiving a college diploma, bringing creative solutions to customer
problems.
Technology skills: Everything in the modern world revolves around technology, making it
vital for students to be more tech-savvy in both learning and employment. With the rapid pace of
development and the incorporation of technology into business, employers are looking for tech-
savvy employees or millennials who can help them run their businesses more efficiently
(Rodriguez and Armellini, 2017). Education has also become more technologically focused, with
specialists teaching knowledge through the use of internet-based technology to encourage
student’s creativity and improve their learning experience.
Time management: Being a successful student necessitates not only dedication to success,
but also proper time management. The more students prioritise their time, the more successful
they will be in achieving their goals. By this time, every student understands the value of good
grades and how they contribute to becoming a university ranker. It is critical to manage your

time because university life differs from what you experienced in high school. Students were
given homework assignments in school, but such assignments are not available at universities, so
students must study on their own. Students will be able to do their self-study more effectively if
they can manage their time effectively.
Creativity: It is critical to develop this skill because it aids in the cultivation of innovative
ideas and thoughts, which is critical for the student’s upliftment. Creativity is beneficial not only
in the classroom but also in the workplace; the more creative a student is, the better his or her
imagination will be, which will aid in the solution of various problems (Van Emden and Becker,
2016). When students develop this skill, they will eventually ask new questions in class and will
be able to solve problems in a creative and innovative way.
Importance of these skills at workplace after graduating
Team work: Fresh graduates are benefited from collaboration in universities and colleges
since it teaches them how to function as part of a team in an organisation. Employers are looking
for students who are comfortable working in groups and who put in equal effort at work to attain
a common goal. Several collaborative working techniques are being adopted by organisations to
assist instil a sense of harmony and togetherness among team members. Individuals who
collaborate at work are better able to work efficiently with their co-workers and value their input
when making decisions.
Adaptability: Individuals with adaptive skills have the flexibility and confidence to confront
the problems that they may confront while working in an organisation. Students can use adaptive
abilities to adjust rapidly to these changes and persevere in dealing effectively with the problems
and issues that a business enterprise faces (Bartimote-Aufflick and et. al., 2016). Working
professionals who are nimble and flexible are better able to introduce required changes into an
organisation and persuade their staff to embrace these changes.
Communication: Communication skills are essential in every working environment; no
organisation can thrive if management and staff are unable to communicate effectively. These
abilities can be developed at the educational level to enable new graduates comprehend their
professional tasks and duties and carry them out to the appropriate standards. Fresh graduates’
benefit from communication since it allows them to deliver their message with clarity and
precision, avoiding uncertainty and communication gaps. As a result of the free flow of
communication, healthy and better connections are built between management and employees, as

all obstacles are removed and a greater understanding is developed among all employees and
management.
Innovation: Creativity and innovation bring about significant changes in an organisation
and provide them with a better way to deal with customer problems in a unique way. Creativity
aids the corporation in quickly and effectively overcoming problems, hence raising the overall
performance level of the organisation. With an innovative approach, a business can find the best
solution for reducing waste and maximising resource utilisation, resulting in a company that is
more sustainable (Jääskelä, Nykänen and Tynjälä, 2018). Companies must come up with a
unique solution to fulfil the wants of the client, therefore innovation is critical for them to stay
relevant and competitive in the market.
Problem solving: When students go to work, these skills will come in handy because they
will be more prepared to solve problems. Employees are only valued if they can solve the
challenges and problems that arise on a daily basis. Individuals who are capable of solving
problems on their own will not require assistance from others and will be able to work on them
independently.
Maintain relationships: It is critical to maintain relationships at one’s place of employment
because surviving without good relationships is extremely difficult. Good communication is very
important in this situation, and if a student learns this skill, they will be very successful in
developing and maintaining good working relationships.
Facilitate growth: The development and learning of skills aids in the development of a
person's personality and long-term growth. Growth can take the form of increased knowledge,
improved interpersonal skills, and the ability to be more organised (Wibrowski, Matthews and
Kitsantas, 2017). These abilities are developed during the course of study, when students not
only work on their studies but also develop themselves in preparation for their future careers and
jobs.
Provide six recommendation that could help students improve the content of their CVs
Curriculum vitae are statements or summaries of an individual's academic background,
experience, awards, recognition, degrees, research, and set of skills acquired through learning
and working overtime. These professional documents are used by students who are looking for a
job opportunity to educate potential employers about their accomplishments and progress. These

statements, on the other hand, are used by experienced professionals looking for a job change
and introducing themselves through CVs.
Recommendations for students to enhance the CV skills
Objective statement: The objective of CV statement should be written in such a way that
it summarises the candidate and the information in the CV (Lim, 2017). Recruiters do not have
time to read through each candidate’s CV, so they pay attention to those whose objective
statements are genuine and compelling, clearly stating their main goal.
Make sure CV is of two more pages: CVs are professional documents that highlight a
candidate's academic and professional background in detail. For fresh graduates, it is
recommended that their CV be two pages long, but for experienced professionals, it should be at
least four pages long, detailing each and every job they have held.
Font and format of CV: To make a CV more appealing and effective, it is recommended
that it be formatted properly and that the font size be sufficient to make the details visible to
recruiters. Times New Roman, Calibri, Helvetica, and other professional font styles are highly
recommended. The CV’s proper formatting and font size make it simple, yet appealing.
Highlight’s achievements and milestones: The purpose of the CV is to set you apart
from the other candidates who are applying for the same job. A good CV is one that emphasises
an individual’s accomplishments and progress over a long period of time (Brown, 2016). One
must highlight achievements gained through work experience, projects that have received
recognition, educational learning achievements, and extracurricular activities that add value to
their curriculum.
Additional section in resume: Additional sections in the curriculum vitae should
highlight other aspects of the life of an individual, such as volunteering for a social cause,
projects on which the individual has worked over time, extra skills such as foreign language,
instrument playing, hobbies and other interests, such as cooking, singing, drawing, blogging, and
so on. The goal of highlighting these aspects is to help the employer learn more about the person
(Kim and Kim, 2017).
Use modern template and proof read: Curriculum vitae have changed and evolved
significantly over time in terms of how to present one’s academic and professional
accomplishments. It is recommended that students and working professionals use the most recent
template with the proper structure and design. Following the completion of the design and

preparation of the curriculum vitae, students should proofread the content to ensure that the
information presented is accurate and reliable.
CONCLUSION
From the above-mentioned report, academic skills are necessary for students to succeed in
university and at work. Developing these skills at the educational level aids candidates in
receiving a good grade in their classes and increases employee productivity. Furthermore, it is
determined that a curriculum vitae plays an important role in obtaining a desired job for a career
and effectively representing one’s academic and professional achievements.

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