QAB000P400S: Reflective Essay on Skills and Learning Experience

This reflective writing assignment details a student's journey in developing essential study skills during their first semester at university. The student assesses their initial study skills, highlights improvements in interaction, time management, and teamwork, while also acknowledging the need to enhance presentation skills. The reflection incorporates insights from the 'Understanding Self and Others' module to improve study habits in the second year, focusing on research and proactive learning. The student discusses the challenges and successes in time management, with plans to allocate more time for research. Referencing skills are addressed, with a focus on mastering Harvard and MLA styles. The student also reflects on the usefulness of skills sessions and their impact on identifying and addressing weaknesses. This document is available on Desklib, a platform offering a wealth of academic resources for students.

Running Head: Reflective writing 1
REFLECTION
STUDENT’S NAME
COURSE
UNIVERSITY
DATE

2
Myself as a learner
Study skills are very crucial for the success of any student in the University (Cooker, 2015). At
the beginning of year 1, semester1, I had improved on my study skills because I spend a lot time
researching more about efficient study skills which I applied during my first semester in the
University (Erten, 2015).
In a sentence or two explain which skills you feel you are better able to cope with now
and which you feel you still need to develop
Better to cope with now
Interaction skills has enabled me to collaborate with my fellow colleagues in the University
which has enabled me to learn much from them.
Another important skill I have adapted is time management skills which has enhanced
efficient balance between class work and time for my friends. Proper time management has
enabled me to create time to do my personal research at the University library.
Team work skills has enabled me to participate effectively in group works which have
always given my best to the group.

3
Skills I still need to develop
Presentation skills
Performing presentations especially for the assignment given in class is the main challenge I’m
facing now. Performing oral presentation for an assigned task in front of the whole is something
I’m still learning because I’m not out spoken and as a result in most cases the audience struggle
to hear what I’m telling them.
Briefly explain how you will use learning from your Understanding Self and Others
module to develop your study more effectively in the second year of your course.
Having understood my weaknesses, I’m planning to research more efficient techniques to adopt
when performing presentations so as to be efficient in my second year of study (Gregersen, and
MacIntyre, 2015). I will also do an extensive research on academic success which I belief shall
of great significance to my study skills in my second year of study.

4
Time management summary
Briefly explain how successful you been in adjusting your time to allow you to go to all your
classes and devote sufficient time to private study.
Time management has not been easy but I have tried and to some extent, I have been very
successful. I have a schedule for a series of activities I plan to do each day from morning till
evening. Attending all the classes is always a priority in my schedule after which I can do other
activities as outlined in my schedule. This has enabled me to do the right thing at the right time
in the right place especially when it comes to my private study.
Please say how you might alter your time management in your second year and how
you think this will improve your studying
According to Wells, (2016) I will create more time for research in my area of study so that I read
a head of the tutor which shall enable me to have a couple of questions during the lectures on the
areas I never understood during my personal research. This shall not only enable me to do my
best in exams and assignments but also understand the course.

5
Referencing
Referencing is one of the key skills you need for your study, note anything here that you
still find challenging about referencing.
There are various styles of referencing which are very essential in my success during
assignments. I’m well equipped with APA but I find Harvard and MLA been very challenging
but with time I will cope up.
How do you intend to make sure your referencing skills are sufficient for your studies in
your second and third year?
I will ensure that I read more articles and focus on Harvard and MLA referenced articles to be
efficient in my second and third year of study.
Skills sessions and study skills advisors
Please say here if you have made use of the skills sessions, Ace Team or your personal tutor
and how useful you think it was.
I have noted everything taught during skills sessions and indeed I have learned much and have
been able to identify my weaknesses which I’m working on them for better performance in my
studies.

6
References
Cooker, L., 2015. Assessment as learner autonomy. In Assessment and autonomy in language
learning (pp. 89-113). Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Erten, I.H., 2015. Validating Myself-As-A-Learner Scale (MALS) in the Turkish
Context. Novitas-ROYAL (Research on Youth and Language), 9(1), pp.46-59.
Gregersen, T. and MacIntyre, P.D., 2015. I can see a little bit of you on myself: A dynamic
systems approach to the inner dialogue between teacher and learner selves. Motivational
dynamics in language learning, pp.260-284.
Wells, J., 2016. Learner reflections on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile and
international mindedness at a bilingual school in Bogota, Colombia (Doctoral dissertation,
University of Bath).