Reflective Essay: Development as a Learner at OBC University

This report reflects on a student's journey of development as a learner, focusing on their experiences at OBC University. It begins with an exploration of the student's evolution from a reading-based learning style to a more reflective and independent approach. The report details improvements in public speaking, presentation skills, and listening abilities. The student analyzes the effectiveness of different learning strategies, including reading and research techniques, and provides a table summarizing their development as a learner. The report also addresses the challenges and expectations faced by university students, covering academic, personal, and professional development. It includes a table outlining expectations, challenges, and approaches to navigate university life successfully, along with a list of references supporting the analysis of learning strategies.

Education

Table of Contents
Development as a learner.............................................................................................................3
Approaches to future challenges and expectations faced by a University student......................6
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

Development as a learner
This essay is to reflect my development and growth as a learner. Prior
to joining at OBC, I had completed my high school education with distinction,
learning primarily through the 'reading' learning style of the four popular
VARK- visual, auditory, reading/writing and kinaesthetic learning styles
(Fleming, 2011). This meant that throughout my high school I preferred
learning materials that were primarily text based. Though after I joined OBC
my previous learning habits changed to incorporate a more reflective
approach. Through Reflective learning style, a student after studying reflects
back on his learning material, information gained and what is signifies. It
tries to make the student reflect back on what he has leaned in order to
impart better understanding of the subject onto the learner . It also
discourages rote memorising amongst the learners by trying to make them
think and reflect upon their lessons, something which I was guilty of until my
high school finished (Brockbank, McGill and Beech, 2017). Studying at OBC
has also made me an overall better learner with my public speaking and
presentation skills drastically improving. Listening too is a crucial part of the
learning process and my listening abilities have also improved, during my
stay at OBC. During my youth days in school, I was a traditional class based
learner, but by now I have evolved into a hybrid between a class based
learner, independent learner and a reflector. Currently I have observed
better information retention and understanding of subject in myself when I
reflect upon my learning, after the completion of a chapter or a lesson (Boyd
and Fales, 1983). I feel my switch towards independent reflective learning
approach at OBC has been really beneficial as I find myself getting a deeper,
clearer understanding of subjects than I was before. I hope my time in OBC
will improve my learning abilities even further with newer better learning
styles and approaches which can help students improve in all shades of life.

Subject Learned Previous
Understanding
Current
Understanding
Future
Improvements
Reading Strategy Had no
information or
knowledge about
the various
different reading
strategies present
in order to aid
learners.
After joining OBC,
I came to know
about the various
different reading
techniques like
skimming,
scanning ,
detailed reading
etc., which a
learner can make
use of to improve
their learning
efficiency and
effectiveness
(Afflerbach,
Pearson and Paris,
2008). I still lack
experience in
using these
techniques
efficiently in my
reading
endeavors.
In the future I
plan on improving
my effectiveness
in using different
reading
techniques in
order to improve
my critical
reading skills. I
also plan on
gaining enough
experience to use
different reading
strategies based
on present
reading needs.
Learning Strategy I was a traditional
class based
learner, relying
mostly on text
based learning
After joining OBC I
came to know
about different
learning
strategies and
In the future, I
plan on reflecting
back upon every
topic or subject
that I study, as

materials, having
no knowledge
about different
learning
strategies such as
independent or
reflective
learning.
personally
switched towards
more independent
and reflective
learning
approaches. I am
finding reflective
learning to
improve my
inherent
understanding of
the subject while
also increasing
the rate at which I
retain
information.
reflection helps
me get a better
understanding of
my expertise with
the subject,
highlighting gaps
and faults in my
understanding of
the subject.
Research Strategy In the past, my
understanding of
research
strategies was
limited to reading
information about
the required topic
on the internet
After joining OBC,
I got to learn that
research actually
is a strategic
process of data
collection, data
analysing and
data
interpretation.
In the future, I
plan on
conducting
thorough proper
research on the
authenticity and
usefulness of data
which is
collected,
analysed and
interpreted, in
order to provide
relevant research
results.

Table 1: Development as a learner
Approaches to future challenges and expectations faced by a University
student.

Expectations Challenges Approach
Degree with Graduation Attend all university
lectures and reflect
upon the lessons
learned everyday. Study
hard for all tests and
examinations
irrespective of the type
of distractions present.
All doubts and problems
must be cleared out in
order to become a
better student and
achieve higher grades.
Creating and adhering
to a proper scheduled
time table which
includes daily tasks such
as waking up early and
attending all lectures. It
should also include
some down time with
relaxation or meditation,
to improve daily
productivity. University
professors and lab
assistants should be
consulted to clear any
doubts or
misconceptions during
studying. Try and avoid
major distractions that
can derail you from the
path to success,
especially during
examinations time and
focus all your energy on
learning and studying.
Personal Development Develop and grow
personally during
University course by
making varied friends
from different walks of
Manage time and
financial resources
properly as help from
family is not always
readily available. Make

life and creating
beautiful and lasting
memories with them. An
important phase for
students in University is
their personal growth
and development
because of living
independently on their
own.
many friends in the
University and help each
other in times of need to
create bonds which can
last you a lifetime.
Create professional
relationships amongst
teaching faculty and
yourself to generate a
healthy learning
environment in the
University.
Academic Development Make use of various
reading, learning styles
and techniques in order
to grow and develop
personal academic
talent and skill set
present. Reach out to
the faculty and learn
about additional
concepts and theories
related to the core
subject, in order to get
an increased in depth
knowledge about the
subjects being taught in
class.
Implement various
reading techniques in
your learning to
optimise learning
process and become
more productive.
Reflection of information
learned daily is also
necessary in order to
improve academically
and gain better
understanding of subject
taught (Bourner, 2003).
During relaxation,
documentaries related
to core subjects can be
watched in order to get
better understanding of

the subjects being
taught in University. In
case of doubts and
problems faced during
studies, friends and
teachers should be
consulted promptly.
Table 2: Future expectation, challenges and approaches

REFERENCES
Books And Journals
Afflerbach, P., Pearson, P.D. and Paris, S.G., 2008. Clarifying differences
between reading skills and reading strategies. The reading teacher.
61(5). pp.364-373.
Bourner, T., 2003. Assessing reflective learning. Education+ training. 45(5).
pp.267-272.
Boyd, E.M. and Fales, A.W., 1983. Reflective learning: Key to learning from
experience. Journal of humanistic psychology. 23(2). pp.99-117.
Brockbank, A., McGill, I. and Beech, N., 2017. Reflective learning in practice.
In Reflective learning in practice (pp. 18-28). Routledge.
Fleming, N.D., 2011. Teaching and learning styles: VARK strategies. IGI
global.