FY026: Reflective Essay - Developing as a Learner at University

This assignment is a reflective essay where the student analyzes their learning journey within a university module, specifically focusing on the development of key skills and addressing future academic challenges. The essay utilizes Gibb's reflective model to detail the student's personal experiences, highlighting the importance of time management, communication, and goal setting. It explores the student's initial excitement and anxieties, the challenges faced due to a lack of specific skills, and the strategies adopted for improvement. The student evaluates their strengths and weaknesses, emphasizing the need to enhance time management and aim-setting abilities through action plans, along with the importance of effective communication. The essay concludes with a plan for continuous improvement, outlining specific areas, approaches, and timeframes for skill development to ensure success in future university courses. References to supporting literature are also included.

PREPARING FOR SUCCESS
AT UNIVERSITY KNOWLEDGE
AND CREATIVITY

Table of Contents
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Reflective statement....................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

MAIN BODY
Reflective statement
It is very important to use a specific form of the reflective module while writing your
own experience, which a person may gain during a particular module or activity. Here, I am
reflecting on my personal experience by using Gibb's reflective model.
I want to describe my personal experience, which I have experienced while developing
myself as learner during this module that provides a lot of benefits to me in term of gaining
desire outcomes. I have developed my self as good learner by understanding and developing
effective time management skills, which I can use in the future. During module, I have used my
communication competence to communication with other people who are attending and taking
part in same activity. By utilizing above skill, I am able to ask important questions to other
experienced people, who has supported in my development process as learner. Furthermore, I
want to depict that I have used my existing skills during this module in effective manner and also
as a learner learned how to manage time and set aims, which are one of those abilities that each
learner need to develop. Through this module I have learned how to create a schedule before
starting any kind of work.
I want to share my feelings that I have felt during this module. Before the start of this
work, I was quite excited and curious to understand and learn a new topic. I actually quite happy
to take part in discussion that has been started during module. I was quite excited to collaborate
with other people who have certain skills which I was learned and use in the future. On the other
hand, I was quite nervous and feel unhappy because of lack of time management and aim setting
competence. Due to absences of these skills, I have faced challenges during development as a
learner. For example, without setting aims I was unable to take initiative to become a learner as it
didn't understand which activity I need to conduct first and then other. After all these confusions
and barriers, I feel relax because now I understand which skill I need to improve.
I have evaluated that due to lack of time management and goal setting abilities, I was
unable to get the benefits during this module, which has impacted my work and productivity as
well as learning capability in negative manner. There are varied benefits I can get after setting
aims as it drive my attention towards success and growth, which is quite essential for me. Due to
lack of aim setting competence I cannot be able to develop a learner because this skill is quite

important for any learner. Furthermore, along with that I have also examined that just because of
poor time management skill which is one of my weaknesses, I have faced challenge to manage
my daily work routine in systematic manner. I need to develop both of these skills which made
me able to be a learner. These two competences are included in category of academic skills.
During this module I was developed myself as a learner and identify my weaknesses,
which I need to develop and take its benefits for longer period whether in academic career or
employment. I have analysed that by using effective communication skill as my strength I have
gained benefits in term of building strong bond with other people who are also taking part in
module, which is one of separate parts of study courses taught at my university. Along with that I
have also analysed that my another weakness also affected my work negatively. I am unable to
set a goal that is very important. It affects my motivation level and performance as well. As a
learner I need to do a lot of practices and activities, for which I need to set aim and create a
schedule. I have examined that I can improve these by taking right action and choosing
appropriate approaches as well as techniques.
From above discussion, I have identified that by using communication skills I have build
up good bond with other participants who are taken their initiative during module which I have
attend at my university. I have determined that my weaknesses creating barriers in my learning
and understand process. I have analysed that my communication skill is better, but my time
management and aim setting abilities need improvement for which I need to take better action.
There are varied options accessible which I can choose and implement in term of practical
manner. I Have examined that by improving two skills that I have discussed above I can set aim
and focus to achieve it whether it is short, medium or long term.
I can improve aim setting and time management abilities in systematic manner, by
creating action plan. It is one of those approaches or technique which I can use in context of
above skills that create challenges for me and made me unable to fulfil expectations of university
course. I will approach further barriers as well by improving both skills via action plan. I can
develop more academic skill which allow me to handle in the future challenges.
Improvement
areas
Importance Approaches Time frame
Time
management
I need to improve time
management competence,
Scheduling and
planning is one of the
15 Days

because it is important to
do so as it help to made me
able in context of
conducting productive
activities.
most common and
effective methods,
which I can use to
improve my
competence.
Aim setting I want to improve this skill
as well as above, because it
helps me to take better
action and guide in term of
focusing future success.
I can improve goal
setting skill, by taking
a look upon daily
activities and divide
into three sections, it is
the easy way of aim
setting competence
improvement.
12 Days
Note writing I need to develop habit of
note making, which is also
beneficial in term of
overcoming challenge
during exams.
I can develop this
ability via highlighting
important lines and
then start writing. It
will help in the future
when exams came
near and I need to
complete my study
course.
20 days

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Al‐Murtadha, M., 2019. Enhancing EFL learners’ willingness to communicate with visualization
and goal‐setting activities. TESOL Quarterly. 53(1). pp.133-157.
Alario-Hoyos, C. and et.al., 2017. Understanding learners’ motivation and learning strategies in
MOOCs. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning.
18(3).
Sweet, L. and et.al., 2019. Developing reflective capacities in midwifery students: Enhancing
learning through reflective writing. Women and Birth. 32(2). pp.119-126.