MN3040QA: Reflective Commentary on Higher Education

This report presents a reflective commentary on various skills essential for success in higher education, including note-taking, time management, self-organization, teamwork, and academic reading. The student analyzes their gained knowledge and performance, highlighting strategies like prioritizing tasks, using phrases in note-taking, and improving reading efficiency. The commentary covers different stages of team development, the importance of organizational skills, and the practical application of reading techniques. The student reflects on how these skills have enhanced their confidence, cooperation, and overall academic approach. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of continuous skill development and the role of personal development plans.

ORIENTATION FOR
SUCCESS IN HIGHER
EDUCATION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Analysis of gained knowledge....................................................................................................3
Analysis of performance.............................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
The file is about skill management of different types which come handy while in organisation or
academics. Various types of skills such as note-taking skills, time management, self-organisation
skills, team working skills, academic reading skills have been emphasised. These skills have
been discussed by theories and strategies to give a comprehensive review. The analysis of these
skills in self-performance and how they have helped in overall development in personal as well
professional life has been discussed. The file helps in giving an overall view on usage and
implementation of the skills.
Analysis of gained knowledge
Note-taking skills
The note-taking also recognised as the abbreviation or summary of what has been attended in a
class or presentation. Note-taking is also recognised as a skill which is used as a remembrance of
a lecture for future purpose needs to carve out a project. Some of the strategies which can be
listed for assistance in note-taking skills are:
a) Phrases have to be written instead if jotting down sentences (Ross, 2021).
b) Structuring of notes with sub-headings and in points form. Also wherever required,
illustrations are noted down.
c) Using colour to highlight texts in between as important points.
Time management
This is basically scheduling one's time in a structured way so as to complete specific activities in
a given time frame. Individual has an aim in mind to get work done in an organised and timely
manner. The skills for doing proper time management are:
a) Planning in advance the activities to be performed (Tingvoll, Pedersen and Nymo, 2018).
b) Prioritizing the tasks beforehand.
c) Top priority tasks to be completed first.
d) Tasks which have time to go can be scheduled later.

e) Checking on progress of tasks in between.
Self-organisation skills
These are the skills which a person develops and hones according to the work present in
organization. These skills make a part of professional persona of the person. Some examples
which can be given of these skills are:
 Public-speaking skills.
 Presentation skills.
 Achieving goals as per deadlines (Tingvoll, Pedersen and Nymo, 2018).
The organizational skills can be developed in the following ways:
a) Organizing the work space. This helps remove clutter present and helps prioritizing tasks to
help achieve goals on time.
b) Inputting the tasks in schedule so as to know the progress of each task.
Teamwork skills
The teamwork skills are like the backbone for success in the organization. This basically means
achieving cooperation between team members to achieve the tasks as a unit in the organization.
Team work skills include:
a) Cooperation.
b) Helping each other with expertise in particular field (Bruce and Acquaye, 2018.).
c) Achieving deadlines on time.
There has been a theory given by Bruce Tuckman which discusses the four stages of team
development:
a) Forming: This is the stage where Tuckman has said that team formation takes place as people
are unknown of each other. They need a leader to guide them and set the goal for the team.
b) Storming: This stage sees people dominating their views with each other to make their
presence felt in the team. This stage can see a conflict of opinions arise between team members.

c) Norming: This stage sees the team members starting understanding of each other's opinions
and forming a consensus amongst themselves. They also start accepting the views of a person
experienced as their leader.
d) Performing: The team's focus is on the achievement of goals and even if conflicts occur they
are resolved. There is cooperation seen among members as to complete the goals set and tasks on
time.
Academic reading skills
The skills of reading are useful in education for higher studies as well as in organization.
Efficient reading skills include reading fastly and efficiently. There has to be more of
concentration in understanding the content (Ross, 2021).
The strategies for academic reading are:
a) Skimming: This means reading the headings and sentences of every paragraph.
b) Scanning: This differs from above in a way that specific terminologies or words have to be
searched.
c) In-depth reading: This refers to understanding of the concepts in detail by giving a thorough
reading (Tulasi, 2020).
From the above terminologies, it can be understood that these reading techniques are used in
different journals according to the type.
Analysis of performance
I can say about myself that my note-taking skills improved with use of phrases and particularly,
highlighting the section. It helped me to remember to include these points whenever I had to give
a presentation. Speaking of time management, what influenced me the most was prioritizing the
tasks and this way I became more organized not only about my work but a sense of responsibility
towards completion of tasks. The self-organisation skills have infused confidence to stand in
front of my colleagues and seniors to give presentation using the art of public speaking and body
language mannerisms. The team building skills have made me more considerable towards the
opinions of others as well as made me learn to cooperate with team members and look forward to
achieve the goal. The various stages occurring in team building has been experienced by me and

has broadened my exposure. I have improved my reading skills to be more effective and efficient
by following the strategies as per the articles. The reading skills I have observed that they
improve with practice and more of reading substantially helps in increasing speed and
knowledge.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that the skills discussed here comprise of those which can help in both
personal as well as professional phase of life if nurtured properly. These skills are not only the
soft skills which can be used in presentations and public speaking but also skills which can make
someone organised like time management and self-organisation skills. An individual can work
on these skills as a part of the Personal Development Plan. There has to be set deadlines in which
the skills have to be developed and further improved upon by practise.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ross, B., 2021. Reading and note-making. Writing Skills for Social Work Students.
Tulasi, L., 2020. Study Skills and Simple Techniques for Learning. Journal for Research
Scholars and Professionals of English Language Teaching, (20).
Tingvoll, W.A., Pedersen, K.R. and Nymo, R.I.J., 2018. New practice model improved students’
leadership and organisational skills. Norwegian Journal of Clinical Nursing/Sykepleien
Forskning.
Bruce, T. and Acquaye, R., 2018. Enhancing the Creative Organisational Skills of Learners
through Still Life Drawing. African Journal of Applied Research (AJAR), 4(2), pp.93-105.