Reflective Journal: Performance and Target Setting for Success

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Reflecting On Performance and Developing Targets Are Key Aspects of
Preparation for Success
Name of the Student:
Name of the university:
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REFLECTING ON PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOPING TARGETS ARE KEY
ASPECTS OF PREPARATION FOR SUCCESS
Table of Contents
LO 1: Demonstrate effective communication skills, applicable to academic and
professional context.........................................................................................................2
What were the things I learn?.......................................................................................2
What new Information has been presented?................................................................3
What was interesting?..................................................................................................3
How I might use the new information?..........................................................................4
What confused me and what did I do about it?.............................................................4
LO 3: Identification of own academic and professional development needs and an
action plan........................................................................................................................4
Self-Evaluation............................................................................................................. 4
Action plan....................................................................................................................5
Analysis of the action plan in detail...............................................................................6
LO 4: Demonstrating an awareness of the global context of higher education and
employment......................................................................................................................7
Awareness in the global context...................................................................................7
References.......................................................................................................................9
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REFLECTING ON PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOPING TARGETS ARE KEY
ASPECTS OF PREPARATION FOR SUCCESS
LO 1: Demonstrate effective communication skills, applicable to academic and
professional context
The term success came from the Latin term Succedere which means ‘come close after’.
Every person aims towards success, be it a professional or a student. Success in life
offers that motivational drive which encourages a person to work better and more
efficiently. Success in short is the accomplishment of a target or goal that a person has
aimed for (Bishop et al. 2018).
For a student, success is one of the significant factors that have the capability to
motivate so the he can achieve the certain objectives that has been set. Communication
skills play an important role when walking on the path towards success. It helps a
student to build a base for his career. One of the key requirements in any field of
professional is the ability to communicate effectively as it helps to build a strong base
for further activities. To listen, read and write are the most sought after communication
skills that a student must possess (Brookhart, 2017). A student if wants to achieve
success in both academic and professional context, these factors act as the basic
criteria to be fulfilled.
With this provided reflective statement in the task, it has been for me to outline what I
have done through this entire course and have learned from my classes. This would
further help me to find my strength, limitations and requirements. It would further help
me to track my development and performance as well.
What were the things I learn?
The various things that I have learned that can help me to be a successful student.
 Understanding IT and technology
 importance of effective communication skills
 The Art Of Balancing Responsibilities
 completing my assignments on time
 recollect what I have studied by taking class notes
 organizing my time and activities
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REFLECTING ON PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOPING TARGETS ARE KEY
ASPECTS OF PREPARATION FOR SUCCESS
The module helped me to understand what IT and technology is and what role it plays in
the success of a student. Nowadays, the educational institutions don’t accept hand
written works. Hence students need to learn and understand systems like MS word and
Blackboard or else, it will be impossible for a student to complete the assigned tasks. I
also learned that I can effectively recall whatever has been done in the class if I take
proper class notes. This aids in improving my academic performances. It also saves a
lot time. I have also learnt the importance of group work. It helped me make new friends
and also has aided me in enhancing my performance in the class. I have learnt the
importance of effective communication skill that can help to accomplish the goals I have
set for myself.
What new Information has been presented?
The very first thing that I have learnt in this module was what Information technology is
and why it is important. IT or information is useful to a management student in various
ways. With changing times, technology is everywhere and has become the basic need
of a person. We humans are dependent on these technological facilities as they make
our work easier and less time consuming. Information technology is essential for
students as it helps us in completing our projects and assignments efficiently and in an
attractive way. It is necessary to get adapted to these technological changes in order to
succeed. Using system like Microsoft office and Blackboard helps students a lot and it is
required to be learned with our own initiative. Institutions, now a days, accepts no
handwritten works by the students. Hence, without learning these systems or having an
efficient knowledge on IT, It is impossible for us to complete the assignments or tasks
that have been given to us for evaluation (Heacox, 2018).
What was interesting?
The module itself was very interesting. The part I love the most while carrying out
assignments were researching which exposed me to various information, while learning
the use of MS Word and Blackboard efficiently, I was able to add various charts, graphs
and other information in my task which made the work more interesting. Carrying out
team assignments was also an interesting part for me as it helped me communicate
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REFLECTING ON PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOPING TARGETS ARE KEY
ASPECTS OF PREPARATION FOR SUCCESS
with other classmates of mine which extended the outlook of my observation in a task.
The way class lectures were delivered thoroughly kept me engage. Group presentation
of the tasks pushed me towards the path of development and framed the importance of
being responsible and organized. Group presentation also helped to make new friends.
How I might use the new information?
Technology has changed our lives in many ways. With the application of technology, it
is easier to do the work efficiently and in an organized way (Saidah, Louvet and Pansu,
2019).. The new Information helped can be used to effectively execute the tasks that
have been given to us. Group presentations help to expand the knowledge and
creativity of the mind. Also we can divide our responsibilities in the group presentation
and execute it in an attractive way. The new information has helped the students
develop good communication skills so that we can efficiently communicate with our
lecturers or teachers and the other class mates. It enhances our performance in the
process and leads us to the path of success.
What confused me and what did I do about it?
I have always been a little clumsy so doing things in an organized and clear me became
a hurdle for me initially. Taking class notes efficiently for the recollection of class
activities was also confusing. Initially I also faced difficulty in interacting with my
teachers. I am an introvert person, so making friends was also difficult. I had been weak
on effective communication skill. However, with the course of time, I learnt how to
communicate, take proper notes, and carry out group activities. In order to do so, I
assessed the areas I need to improve with the help of my teachers and classmates. I
made a development plan to track my performance through small steps.
LO 3: Identification of own academic and professional development needs and an
action plan
Self-Evaluation
To enhance performance in student life and move forward in the path of success, it
becomes highly significant to find out one’s weaknesses. While discussing the above
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REFLECTING ON PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOPING TARGETS ARE KEY
ASPECTS OF PREPARATION FOR SUCCESS
what I have learnt, I found out there are certain areas which needed to be developed to
improve myself in further studies. The areas that are needed to be given more effort are
discussed below:
 Communication skills: as I am a bit introvert, I still become conscious while
talking to others. I feel this need to be worked upon.
 Working in a group presentation: it is interconnected to the above stated
problem. As I become conscious, I cannot put in my ideas efficiently while
working in a group.
 Taking notes: it becomes difficult for me to take town the notes effectively during
the lectures.
Action plan
Area of
improvemen
t
Importanc
e of the
Area
Person
who can
Assist
Area to
Focus
Current
Point
out of
10
After
15
Days
Improv
ement
(out of
10)
30 Days
improve
ment
Probable
Year End
Result
Effective
communicati
on
For
interacting
efficiently
with
teachers
and
classmate
s
Classmate
s
Teachers
To get
less
consciou
s and
insecure
To be
more
confident
6 7 Working
towards
improveme
nt
Working on
group
presentation
To give
more input
Teachers
and
classmate
s
Not to be
insecure
while
suggestin
5 8 It is getting
easier to
interact and
is giving
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REFLECTING ON PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOPING TARGETS ARE KEY
ASPECTS OF PREPARATION FOR SUCCESS
g ideas more input
in group
projects.
Taking down
notes
efficiently
It becomes
easier to
recollect
what have
been done
Classmate
s and
teachers
To stop
deviating
Be more
attentive
5 7.5 Consciously
trying to pay
more
attention.
However,
needs to
improve
more.
Analysis of the action plan in detail
Action plans helps to sort out the areas upon which the action is needed to be taken
and is essential for the development of any professional or student. It serves as outline
to the entire scenario and its course of action for further improvement. With an
appropriate action plan, a person can easily recognize his weakness and move forward
onto the path of self-development. Action also helps to track the improvement
periodically (Scheidecker and Freeman, 2015).
I have made an action plan emphasizing upon the areas of my weakness. This action
consists of the areas that are needed to be improved, people who can assist me in the
entire process and tracks the whole improvement made. I have also discussed my
present status along with the final one by the end of the year. This plan would help me
to concentrate upon the areas in which I am weak so that I can put more effort into it
and raise my standard of performance. Being a successful student involves a lot of hard
work. This hard work further assists in achieving bigger milestones in the career.
I also have followed up the action plan and updated it after 15 days depending upon the
feedback that I have collected from my teachers and friends. I am certain that I will be
able to overcome all the hurdles that come in the way of Self-development.
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REFLECTING ON PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOPING TARGETS ARE KEY
ASPECTS OF PREPARATION FOR SUCCESS
LO 4: Demonstrating an awareness of the global context of higher education and
employment
From my observation as a student, success works to be an important factor for the
students as well as the employees. Everyone tries to give their best when it is about
accomplishing goals. Improving oneself is very important to prosper in professional life.
Higher education aids in improving skills and knowledge. A well educated and skilled
employee can always succeed in his career. An employee with efficient learning and
communication skill can easily become a contributive factor in achieving organizational
goals (Jaggars and Xu, 2016).
Awareness in the global context
Education acts as the key factor in the development of a person. Having proper
education is very important as it teaches a person to be responsible and contributes
towards his development (Strayhorn, 2015). Having a good and effective education is
the basic right of any person. Proper education must be provided to all. Education
provides a person with all the required knowledge, skills and guidance towards life and
helps a student to fulfill the dreams he wishes to accomplish. A good education plays a
significant role in the making of efficient employees. The world, to do well economically
needs good employees so that they are able to earn the organization an efficient
productivity. This helps the organization to perform well in the corporate market and
earn high profit margins (Kung et al. 2018).
Along with proper education comes another important factor that also has a significant
role to play in getting success. A student or an employee must possess great
communication skills in order to accomplish their goals. Go0od communication skills
can easily be developed with adequate effort. Communication skills help a person to
interact efficiently in both academic and professional context. With proper
communication skill, a person is never misunderstood. The person can always express
things clearly that is highly needed in the course of life (Ritzhaupt and Kumar, 2015). A
proficiently skilled person with good communication skills is an efficient resource for any
organization. The proficiency helps them to interact well in the business environment
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REFLECTING ON PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOPING TARGETS ARE KEY
ASPECTS OF PREPARATION FOR SUCCESS
and handle the adverse situation efficiently. A good communication is the key solution
towards different problems.
Students for achieving success in life must be aware of the importance of education and
development. This helps to build a good and responsible society. Everyone has the
right to be treated equally (Thompson, 2018). A successful student and a successful
employee have to be responsible enough towards treating people equally. Neither in
their student life or in professional life, involve in discriminating people based on their
cast, color, ethnicity or culture. To be successful a person needs to value others
sentiment. With success comes responsibility which a person can never deny. To be a
successful student or an employee, one has to be alert, prompt, attentive as well as
responsible in every aspect of life. As well as it is important to be time-efficient,
organized and disciplined. Observing, proper planning and calculated execution of an
action is the key to success.
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REFLECTING ON PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOPING TARGETS ARE KEY
ASPECTS OF PREPARATION FOR SUCCESS
References
Bishop, N., Dennis, P., Land, J. and Allford, H., 2018. Learning Tips that Really Work:
How Faculty Collaborated to Invoke Successful Learning Among Their Students.
Brookhart, S.M., 2017. How to give effective feedback to your students. ASCD.
Heacox, D., 2018. Making differentiation a habit: How to ensure success in
academically diverse classrooms. Free Spirit Publishing.
Jaggars, S.S. and Xu, D., 2016. How do online course design features influence student
performance?. Computers & Education, 95, pp.270-284.
Kung, D., Gordon, L., Lin, F. and Partow-Navid, P., 2018. Effectiveness of Utilization of
Information Technology in Academic Institution Instructions. In Integrated Economy and
Society: Diversity, Creativity and Technology; Proceedings of the MakeLearn and TIIM
International Conference 2017 (pp. 163-163). ToKnowPress
Ritzhaupt, A.D. and Kumar, S., 2015. Knowledge and skills needed by instructional
designers in higher education. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 28(3), pp.51-69.
Saidah, B., Louvet, E. and Pansu, P., 2019. Are students who make an effort perceived
as successful or just liked by their teachers?. Social Psychology of Education, pp.1-15.
Scheidecker, D. and Freeman, W., 2015. Bringing out the best in students: How
legendary teachers motivate kids. Simon and Schuster.
Strayhorn, T.L., 2015. Reframing academic advising for student success: From advisor
to cultural navigator. The Journal of the National Academic Advising Association, 35(1),
pp.56-63.
Thompson, N., 2018. Effective communication: a guide for the people professions.
Macmillan International Higher Education.
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