Reflective Commentary on Orientation for Success in Higher Education

This report presents a reflective commentary on the student's experience in higher education, focusing on self-assessment and the analysis of gained knowledge. The student explores three key topics: stress management, CV creation, and personal branding. The report details the tactics learned for managing stress, the importance of a well-crafted CV, and the significance of personal branding for career advancement. The student analyzes their performance, identifying strengths such as effective definition of terms and positive learning behavior, and weaknesses like the lack of sufficient citations and critique. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of reflective practice, reiterating the insights gained from the three topics and the areas for improvement to enhance future academic performance. The report also highlights the importance of managing stress and presenting oneself effectively for professional success.

Orientation for Success in
Higher Education (Reflective
Commentary)
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
ANALYSIS OF GAINED KNOWLEDGE.....................................................................................3
ANALYSIS OF PERFORMANCE.................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7
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INTRODUCTION
Reflective commentary in process by which experience of learning is demonstrated. It helps
in critical analysis of experience in order to find out strength and weakness. Thus, on basis of it
changes are made into practice (Sekerdej and Szwed 2021). It is necessary to do analysis of
reflection so that feedback is taken. By that it becomes easy to analyse performance and how
effective it was. Alongside, it gives insight about how was behaviour, attitude, etc. towards
learning. Thus, it becomes easy to develop a plan to improve skills. The main purpose of doing
analysis is to find out to what extent knowledge is gained. Hence, weak and strong areas are
determined and then SMART goals are set to improve weak areas. Therefore, goals are based on
performance that is being done. This will enable in gaining knowledge in more effective way by
enhancing performance.
In this report analysis is done on knowledge gained about 3 topics learned in classes.
Also, there will be analysis done of performance and find out strength and weakness.
ANALYSIS OF GAINED KNOWLEDGE
Manage Stress-
I learned that in order to manage stress I need to stop with making decisions without
thinking them and then regretting it later. It is because the outcome of the decision is understood
after the practice for it has been done which requires a lot of patience and efforts until it is done.
Until the goal is achieved it creates so much of pressure in the mind which is not easy to handle.
But I learned different tactics such as diverting my mind through various things such as
exercising or meditation so that I can learn to make peace with things that affects me a lot and
put me under a lot of stress. With the help of meditation I was able to divert my mind and any
new thing or decision which was taken by me was done with a peaceful mind and calculated
analysis so that I do not regret it later. I realized that with the help of this I was able to complete
up my work in a better way which helped me to get better results other than that due to less panic
I was able to complete it before deadline and in a better way which helped to gain better
recognition among others (Brazill, 2019).
CV-
I learned that CV was not a small thing for a company as when someone goes for an
interview first thing that is looked for the candidate is their CV which if is not formed or
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presented in the right manner then me or any other candidate will leave their first impression in a
bad manner. I learned that all the qualities and skills must be presentable in the right manner and
drafted with the right font. It is important to include all the relevant information such as personal
details, education background (Tuominen, Juntunen and Niemivirta, 2020), past work
experience, designation of work and hobbies of the individual. With this if someone is able to
add more relevant information then they will be able to make them known with a creative mind. I
learned to never put any false information, quality or hobby in the CV because it can be easily
cross verified and if it does some serious action can be taken against the individual which may
reflect as a negative sign on the initial stage of their career. Surely that company won’t offer
them a chance who grabs them with this and due to this they may face difficulties in finding
another job. If the CV has the right sort of information that is possessed or obtained by the
individual then surely they won’t be in this condition. I learned that this document is not just a
piece of paper it is considered very important in the corporate sector because they go through
many CV’s and the ones that are the best are finalized for an interview. This way I learned that
forming the CV in the right manner is very important (Tucker, and Hemphill, 2018).
Personal Branding-
This concept was new to me so to learn it I had to first understand it and it involves
releasing efforts through which I or any other individual can post their perception in public as a
authority or set up their credibility in the eyes of different people where they work so that they
can make them differentiate from others who are in their competition. I learned that these things
are important if I want to make my name or sell myself in my career. The reason behind this is
because it will help me to create more networks which will be useful as well as beneficial for me.
Apart from this with the help of some resources and investments in right areas I can form up
different image which will be way ahead from people who I will be in competition with. In order
to do this in the right way it is important that I have to stop doing anything wrong or say
anything negative which can affect my image or reputation. Other than this I need to present
myself with confidence and with more knowledge than others so that I can make a difference in
the eyes of people who will be judging me. It is important that I work with this approaches in my
career as it will help me to target the audience that has potential and make progress which will
lead me to be authentic (Nyar, 2020).
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ANALYSIS OF PERFORMANCE
I analysed that from feedback given that my performance was good but due to some little
mistakes it was hampered. I need improvement in my quality of work. I have written essay in
effective way but layout and structure was not good. So, I need to improve that which will help
me in future. In addition, I found that there were some spelling and grammar errors and mistakes
and I did not checked it. Alongside, my attitude towards work was positive. I clearly understood
what I have to do and how. Also, my behaviour was good and I respected what tutor said to me. I
did my work lightly and did not proof read it. My way of presenting work was not good. I made
certain silly mistakes in it which I think I should not have made. I did not focused on what
structure to be followed. I was highly capable in grasping things and understanding it. By
informal feedback I analysed that my ability of grasp things is high (Blackburn and Graca 2021).
I can easily learn and gain knowledge and apply it. I able to communicate effectively with others.
This has resulted in creating my positive behaviour. But sometimes my behaviour is aggressive. I
show negative attitude towards others which affected on my behaviour as well. I have to ensure
that my behaviour and attitude remain positive and it does not hamper my performance.
Strength
I found that my strength was I learned effectively how to define terms and write
introduction. Moreover, my strength was that I showed positive behaviour in learning and
writing. This created a good impact on my performance.
Challenge
I found that one challenge which I am faced is not doing enough citations. Due to that I did
not obtain high marks. Also, it hampered my performance as well. I was also not able to do
critique and evaluation in my work.
CONCLUSION
From above it can be concluded that reflective commentary is ability to present experience
of practice which is being learned. The performance is analysed by taking feedback. I learned
about 3 topics that is how to manager stress, CV and personal development.
I found that my performance was good but due to little mistakes it was impacted. I need to
improve my work quality and layout and structure. My strength was I learned effectively how to
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define terms and challenge faced is not doing enough citations in work. Other than this I learned
that in order to make right decisions I need to manage my stress level and work with my
patience. Also I understood that it is important to form CV in the right manner with right
information so that it does not creative negative situations. I learned that in order to be successful
personal branding is important.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Sekerdej, M. and Szwed, P., 2021. Perceived self-efficacy facilitates critical reflection on one's
own group. Personality and Individual Differences, 168, p.110302.
Blackburn, K. and Graca, S., 2021. A critical reflection on the use and effectiveness of DVPNs
and DVPOs. Police Practice and Research, 22(1), pp.23-39.
Nyar, A., 2020. How to Improve University Orientation: Seven Good Practice Strategies for
South Africa. Journal of Student Affairs in Africa, 8(2).
Tucker, M.V. and Hemphill, B.O., 2018. New student orientation: Aligning multigenerational
commonalities for student success. Journal of Student Success and Retention Vol, 5(1).
Brazill, J.B., 2019. Orientation for College Success: A Utilization-Focused Evaluation of the
Student Orientation and Registration Program at the Steamboat Springs Campus of
Colorado Mountain College.
Tuominen, H., Juntunen, H. and Niemivirta, M., 2020. Striving for success but at what cost?
Subject-specific achievement goal orientation profiles, perceived cost, and academic
well-being. Frontiers in psychology, 11.
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