FY026: Preparing for Success at University: Skills and Learning Report

This report is a reflective analysis of the skills and knowledge gained by a student during the FY026 module, "Preparing for Success at University: Knowledge and Creativity." The report details the development of key skills such as communication, decision-making, people management, and ICT skills. The student evaluates their learning journey, identifying areas of growth and the practical application of these skills. The Driscoll model of reflection is utilized to outline what was learned, its significance, and the student's future course of action, including how these skills will be applied in academic and professional contexts. The report concludes by summarizing the overall development and its impact on the student's future endeavors.

FY026 PREPARING FOR
SUCCESS AT
UNIVERSITY:
KNOWLEDGE AND
CREATIVITY

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
Development as a learner.............................................................................................................3
Approach for future challenges...................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Reflection helps in critically evaluating the activities of an individual and the overall
learning or development that took place (Bandaranaike, 2018). In the present report, a reflective
statement will be prepared detaining the learning that was gathered from the module and the
overall change in approach in future.
MAIN BODY
Development as a learner
It is very important for every individual to evaluate themselves and analyse as a learner i.e.
what exactly I learned and which are the areas in which I need to develop myself further. There
are a variety of skills that I have developed through the completion of this module and this
basically can be categorised as follows:
 Communication Skills: Through this module I was able to engage in not only verbal
communication but I also understood how to utilise written communication techniques
(Hubenthal and Brudzinski, 2016). There were many group activities where I learned the
importance of presenting my point of view or opinion rather than just agreeing to
whatever others were saying and I also learnt the importance of using hand and body
movements while engaging in verbal communication. Further, I was able to develop
written style of communication as well where I had to prepare reports and documents
throughout the module which helped me understanding how to write professionally and
academically.
 Decision Making Skills: By decision making skills, I here imply with the capability to
take swift and firm decisions and solve the impending problems efficiently. I tend to over
think situations and ever decisions which always created losses for me because I lacked
the ability to take swift decisions in situation of emergency or crisis and then remain
adamant on such decisions rather than changing them swiftly. In this module there were
several occasions whether in activities or during assignment submissions etc. where I had
to take quick decision and trust on them which has helped me in overcoming that inbuilt
fear.
 People Management Skills: The people management skills mainly involve dealing with
people and understanding the importance of interacting with different people in different
manner. I was able to work immensely on the development of this skill because I had to
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interact regularly with multiple classmates and all of them had multiple personalities
(Edwards, 2017). In order to work with each of them, I had to communicate and
understand their thought process. The different group projects and team activities have
played a key role in making me understand how to excel in life by getting on with people
simultaneously.
 ICT Skills: It is very important to be technologically aware and upgraded about the
necessary software and applications that are in use and to not just know their basic usage
but also have some detailed knowledge about them. This module helped me in
understanding that how to learns beyond the basic in some necessary tools like MS-
Excel etc. as these are necessary in professional life for whichever job position I will
apply.
This module not only just taught me these basic skills but it also helped me in
understanding that how to deal with different situations and scenarios that might arise in an
professional and academic life.
Approach for future challenges
In order to understand the future course of action in a better manner, I can use Driscoll model
of self reflection which will help in clearly identifying what I have learnt and what will action
plan I intend to adopt for future (Driscoll cycle, 2019).
 What?: I have learnt and mastered in multiple skills and mainly I engaged in multiple
activities that had to be performed. Throughout the module there were individual tasks,
group tasks and presentations, activities etc. that pushed me to explore myself and
become a better version of myself. I also learnt many digital techniques that are important
and engaged in reading, communication, writing, decision making skills etc. where we
were taught how to implement every skills and take its maximum benefit.
 So What?: By engaging in this module, I was able to develop numerous skills which have
improved my chances at the career disposition and have also honed me as an individual. I
have learnt to communicate properly in professional and academic context and I have
also learnt latest digital techniques such as web surfing, search keys and how to find
relevant results etc. (Sady, Żak and Rzepka, 2019). I also learnt how to deal with
different people and present my opinion strongly without getting intimidated by others.
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 Now What?: In future, whenever I have to communicate, I will try to adhere to a
particular structure that has been set and in oral communication, I will always monitor the
reaction of my audience very clearly. This will help me in moulding the conversation
making it more interesting. Also, my development of ICT skills have helped me in
gaining an advanced level knowledge of MS- Excel, web searching, analysis and
collection of data etc. which will help me in analysing the data and figures. This will
assists me in delivering more creative and efficient results for my superiors as well
(Mercer-Mapstone and Kuchel, 2017). Not just this, by the development of people
management skill, I have learnt that how to make people hear and understand your
intention which will help me immensely in the meetings, discussions and debates that I
have in future in academic and professional life both. Lastly, my decision making skills
are going to help me in clearly identifying what are the options available in different
situations and then select one suitable choice. This will not only give me the necessary
confidence but it will also establish my overall presence of mind brilliantly thus giving
me a positive trait.
Therefore, this clearly indicates how my future course of action is going to get affected due
to the completion of this module.
CONCLUSION
The report above helps in clearly depicting the reflective statement of the overall skills and
traits that were developed throughout this module and how these have assisted in the
development as an individual. Further, the future course of action was also presented using the
Driscoll model of reflection in the report.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bandaranaike, S., 2018. From research skill development to work skill development. Journal of
University Teaching & Learning Practice, 15(4), p.7.
Edwards, S., 2017. Reflecting differently. New dimensions: reflection-before-action and
reflection-beyond-action. International Practice Development Journal, 7(1).
Hubenthal, M. and Brudzinski, M., 2016. Supporting student skill development in undergraduate
research experiences through the development of a self-reflection guide. AGUFM, 2016,
pp.ED51B-0796.
Mercer-Mapstone, L. and Kuchel, L., 2017. Core skills for effective science communication: A
teaching resource for undergraduate science education. International Journal of Science
Education, Part B. 7(2). pp.181-201.
Sady, M., Żak, A. and Rzepka, K., 2019. the role of universities in sustainability-oriented
competencies development: insights from an empirical study on Polish
universities. Administrative Sciences. 9(3). p.62.
Online
Driscoll cycle. 2019. [ONLINE] Available through :<
https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/nmp/sonet/rlos/placs/critical_reflection/models/
driscoll_cycle.html>
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