Reflective Journal on Academic Skills and Studying with Confidence

This reflective journal entry summarizes the topics covered in a foundation year academic skills course, focusing on plagiarism, referencing styles (OSCOLA, Harvard, APA, MLA, Chicago), and resource utilization (computer labs and libraries). The student reflects on the importance of understanding plagiarism to avoid penalties and the correct use of references to validate information. The journal details the application of these skills in future studies and career, emphasizing the importance of original thought, proper citation, and effective use of resources. The student also highlights the significance of oral presentations and the use of PowerPoint. The entry concludes by underscoring the importance of the session for academic success and following rules and regulations, reflecting on the potential impact on grades and overall performance. The student aims to implement these learnings to improve academic performance and career prospects.

Academic Skills and
Studying with Confidence

Foundation Year
Name:
Learning Outcome:
The topic for reflective summary journal:
During course of attaining different topics has been discussed within the class that can all
to understand about the importance of plagiarism. Topic also relate with references and
form of common mistake which can be seen in it. Also, some of the topics related to
utilisation of resources has been discussed.
What have I learnt from the session:
Once I had start my semester within the university there were number of topics which has
been covered by me with the guidance of my teachers or professionals. As, it was the
beginning of the session there were number of topics has been discussed which are helpful
through the project. The teacher of the university mainly emphasis on the importance of
references within the project and how it can play the crucial role at the time of performing
any of the assignment. Below, there is the detail discussion about the study in point wise:
 Plagiarism: It is explained as the form of cheating where ideas of other person’s is
presented for the personal benefit. In this form of presentation student or any of the
particular person tries to hide the source of collecting data but in any of the
situation different penalty are supposed to be imposed in it. It is said that whenever
any of the student who perform this sort of activity again and again then in that
respective situation those students are forced to remove from the specific degree
program. In order to be safe from the side of plagiarism, it is necessary to
understand similar form of content should not be presented and if in case, it is
important to present then in that respective situation, it is necessary that proper
resources must be maintained. So, it is necessary for any of the student to be aware
about the plagiarism whenever they present any of the content.
 Reference Style: It is also among one of the most important topic which is needed
to be understand for any of the student whenever they study at higher level
education. It is necessary to understand that whenever any of work is prepared, it

must be properly give proper reference that how information was collected in it. In
any of the information, references play the crucial role because it simply gives idea
to the reader that the information which has been collected are authenticate and real
and it can be further used as a reliable information. There is different form of
referencing style is used as per the requirement of course book. Some of its types of
are OSCALA, Harvard, APA (American Psychological Association), MLA
(Modern Language Association), Chicago and many more. All of this form have its
own importance. For example: APA (American Psychological Association) is used
by Education, Psychology, and Sciences. MLA (Modern Language Association)
style is used by the Humanities. Chicago style is usually used by Business, History,
and the Fine Arts.
 Utilisation of Resources: It was also among one of the important topic which has
been discussed at early days so that any sort of problem which is being faced by
student can be resolved. While talking about the student, they get the option to use
resources like computer lab, library and many more for the purpose of enhancement
of learning and different skills. This types of skills are helpful at the time of solving
the academic issues.
 Oral Presentation: It was also among one of the topic which had been discussed
within the academic. It is necessary to use oral presentation because there are
number of situation where students are required to present the information which
they had collected. This is mainly done with the help of power point presentation
where people can make other clear about the topic which he wanted to make clear
to other people.
These were the topic which has been mostly discussed and even it has been helping in
different sector for resolving the problem. In simple words, it has been allowing the student
to collect the idea that how their any of the presentation or assignment should be done
which is directly connected with the academic performance.
How could I use what I have learnt in my studies and career:
As had been tough different topic with the academic that has a huge importance. Although,
I had learned different things from the academics but still it is necessary that I must be able
to use them in an appropriate manner so that problem will not be required to face. The first

thing which I can do at the time of preparing the project is that focusing more on
presenting my own thoughts towards the specific topic so that problem will not occur
related to plagiarism. If must not use the same content in any of the situation because it will
generate the problem related to plagiarism. But, if in any of the circumstances, there is the
requirement for me to use the data which will allow to presenting something important then
proper source must be present. It is because, the reader will be able to get the information
has been presented in own language but the source of collecting information is particular.
Secondly, when it comes to the use of referencing, it is necessary to understand that there
are some of the common problem which can be seen while preparing the references. It will
focus the use of “et. al,” that how it is being used and when it should be used. The second
section where I will focus the most is connected with commas and ampersands. This are
the major thing which will be focused at the time of using references. When it comes to the
use of using different resources, I will focus that what are that necessary information which
must be collected from library. Even I can make the good use of computer lab for
collecting the information through online sources.
Why is this session important for my studies?
It was among one of those session which was very crucial for me at personal level. It is
because it was form of preparing the base which is going to help me at other sessions as
well. It is upon me that how I utilise the information which I had collected because that is
the only way through which I can make myself to attain the goals. The notes and induction
which has been presented in front of me simply indicates that what I am required to do and
how I am do. It was one of those session which though me that following the rules and
regulations plays the most crucial role because if in any of the circumstances student fails
to deliver the project on specific time then action can be taken against them or even there is
the chance that final marks can be deducted. This are some of the common things which I
was able to learn with the help of session which I had attained. In short, if in case I had not
given concentration on this respective session then there would have been direct impact on
my overall performance and the result.
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