Reflective Journal: Building Skills for Business Studies Module

This document presents a student's weekly reflective journal entries, focusing on professional development skills acquired throughout a module. The reflections cover various topics, including essay and report writing, research methods, reflective models (Gibbs and Kolb), academic writing, plagiarism, academic keywords, independent study, interview questions, presentation skills, SMART goals, priority organizers, and coursework checklists. The journal also includes a personal development plan, highlighting the student's strengths in academic and communication skills, as well as areas for further development such as problem-solving, decision-making, and computer skills. The student outlines plans to enhance these skills through practical application, academic engagement, and participation in relevant activities, aiming to improve both academic performance and future career prospects. The document demonstrates a commitment to continuous self-improvement and a strategic approach to professional development.

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Module Leader:

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Introduction:
This template should be used to record your reflections on the weekly sessions.
Please use the spaces provided to reflect on what was discussed in class, what
you gained from the session; did you find the content useful, how can you relate
it to your studies at university as a business student. You will also need to
discuss how you intend to further develop the skills discussed in class. This is a
continuous process and should be completed during the module and not at the
end.
In week 8 you will be expected to submit what you have completed so far, via
Blackboard, in order to receive feedback. You will then complete weeks 9 and
10 and summatively submit the journal in week 14.
The Weekly Reflective Journal will be used in conjunction with your Personal
Learning and Development Plan and Interview to work out the final grade for
this module. Submission of all parts of the assessment are required in order to
receive a grade.
Week 1
Please describe in less than 200 words what was discussed in this session and how you
plan to develop these skills.
In this session of week 1 it has discussed about project report and essays. While doing the
professional writing it is important to have essay writing skills. While writing essay it is
required to have research skills (Cheng, 2017). While doing project work one should have
idea of how do decide research method and also how research has to be get conducted. If
talking about reports then it is in the proper professional format which include abstract,
headings, sub headings etc. after completion of the study material , report it prepared. In
doing all the above writing it is required to have research and writing skills and I will develop
this by reading books and also I will indulge reading online.

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Week 2
Please describe in less than 200 words what was discussed in this session and how you
plan to develop these skills.
In week 2, I have studies about reflection. I came to know that there are reflective models
which is gibbs reflection model and kolbs reflection model. Reflection is the practice of
describing your own experience. Reflection also helps to know strengths and weaknesses of
an individual. It is most easy method of self evaluation. In order to plan the development of
the skills I would like to develop problem solving skills, so that I can get the ability to solve
complex problems in my life. As in order to attain success I believe that problem solving
skills are must.
Week 3
Please describe in less than 200 words what was discussed in this session and how you
plan to develop these skills.

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In week 3 I have developed knowledge about academic writing. Academic writing skills are
required to writing essays or academic report. I have also get understanding about plagiarism.
Plagiarism means writing some one else throughputs as it is. Plagiarism is considered as a sin
in academic writing (Williams, Woolliams and Spiro, 2020). There are various things which
has to keep in mind before writing academic writing and plag is one of them. In order to
develop this skill I would start writing academic reports so that I can build this skill. I have
also get idea of academic misconduct. References are used in academic writing I have got to
know about it.
Week 4
Please describe in less than 200 words what was discussed in this session and how you
plan to develop these skills.
In week 4 it has discussed about academic writing keywords. There are various keywords
which are used while writing academic report which are compare, examine, illustrate,
analyse, define, describe, narrate, outline, state, summarise etc. The skill development
campaign will allow me to improve my academic and writing skill. The academic article
and books will be reviewed so that complete information over the development in skill will
gain. Further analytical skill will be developed with support of the different strategies such
as playing analytical games and such other practices that will favour to improve this
particular skill.

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Week 5
Please describe in less than 200 words what was discussed in this session and how you
plan to develop these skills.
In week 5 study material focused towards independent study. The concept specifies that when
an individual manages their own study with the help of study material which is given by the
teacher in the class (Carter, Creedy and Sidebotham, 2017). The week taught that in order to
make an individual independent a sense of power must be delegated to the individual so that
decisions can taken. Further, with delegation of this feature there must be a proper reviews
should be done over the actions taken.
Week 6
Please describe in less than 200 words what was discussed in this session and how you
plan to develop these skills.
In the week 6 it has discussed about interview questions and presentations. Tutor has taught
that what interviews questions van be asked by the interviewer and how confidently one can
give answer to those asked questions. Public speaking is also evaluated and it is the skill
which is needed to give effective presentation. I will plan presentation skill because I believe
that this skill will be helpful in my professional career. In order to develop this skill I would
make presentation and try to practice at home only. I will also develop interviewing skill
which will be helpful in cracking the interview effectively.

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Week 7
Please describe in less than 200 words what was discussed in this session and how you
plan to develop these skills. Use a minimum of one academic source and reference this.
In week 7 it has discussed about reflective writing and presentation. Reflective writing means
writing your own experience, strengths and weakness. Reflection is the method of describing
own experience. Experience of giving presentation is good so that is why it is essential to
remove fear. Presentation brings fear so that is why I think that I have to develop public
speaking skills so that I can give effective presentation (Gibson and et.al., 2017). For
developing this skill I will participate in debate competition. When I will speak in front of
public then only I will able to remove by public speaking fear. Making presentation comes
under professional task. My tutor has said that with the help of presentation skill only
effective presentation can be made.

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Week 8
Please describe in less than 200 words what was discussed in this session and how you
plan to develop these skills. Use a minimum of one academic source and reference this.
This journal should be formatively submitted for feedback, via Blackboard, at the end of this week.
In week 8 it has discuss about smart goals which should be measurable, achievable, time
bounded, specific etc. I believe that everyone in the life need to have smart goal. Nowadays
company's are also making smart goals in order to achieve their objective. Smart goals guides
company that where they want to be in the future. In order to attain growth and success in the
future it is important to have smart goal (Ogbeiwi, 2017). Tutor has also taught about priority
organiser. Everyone should have make some priority in the life. Making priority makes it easy
to achieve the objective. It is easy to assign priority to the activity by rating. Rating makes it
easy so that tasks can be accomplished on priority basis. After attending this week it has cleared
to me that I also have to make some goals in my life.
Week 9
Please describe in less than 200 words what was discussed in this session and how you
plan to develop these skills. Use a minimum of one academic source and reference this.
In week 9, discussion was done about how to improve academic writing. Academic writing is
required to complete the university based assignments and for that it is required to have skills of
time management. In order to attain success in this competitive world it is important to have
academic skills (Mitchell and et.al., 2021). Academic writing is essential to make assessments.
The structure of assessment consists of introduction, discussion/argument, conclusion and
references. So in order to develop academic writing skill I will take more assessment and try to
complete it own my own without taking any external help and it will also develop research skill
into me. As for writing academic report one is required to do the research.

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Week 10
Please describe in less than 200 words what was discussed
in this session and how you plan to develop these skills.
Use a minimum of one academic source and reference this.
In the week 10 of my learning it has discussed about coursework checklist. Before
submitting any coursework it is required to mark tick in the box assigned with it.
Coursework checklist includes the word count which is their while writing the report. It has
also mentioned information related to rubric criteria (Terry, Hing, Orr and Milne, 2017).
Referencing information is consists in the checklists it is important that written literature
should be related with the references which is cited in the report. Tutor has provide
guidelines about how we can upload our coursework as per the rule. I can say that in this
week nothing new has been taught.

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Personal Development Plan
Name:
Degree pathway:
Part 1 – Personal Analysis
Strengths Areas for further development
My strength is academic writing and I have
developed this skill by writing academic
projects. I have written many academic
projects and with the help of that I have
developed academic skills. Another strength
of mine is communication skills. Earlier I was
very shy types and it took me time to mix
with others but after I have got opportunity to
speak infront of public then it has helped me
in getting from public fear or stage fear. With
the help of effective communication skill I
can easily convince other people. Convincing
other people is not easy and for the having
good communication is very important.
Communication skills are of two types which
is written communication and oral
communication. I can say that I have
There are further areas which are required to
be developed. I lack problem solving skills
and I believe that problem solving skills are
very necessary and helps in solving various
issues of life. It helps in solving easy as well
as complex issues of personal and
professional life (Karunia, 2021). As life is
full of problem every-time so that is why this
skill is required to develop. Another skill
which I am lacking is decision making skill.
Just like problem solving skill, decision
making skill is also equally important. With
the help of this skill major decisions of life
can be taken. This skill will also help me in
my career in the future because now
companies wanted to hire such employees
which have effective decision making skills.

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developed both of the communication skills.
Academic writing skills have helped me in
building my written communication skills.
With the help of oral communication I have
also developed presentation skill. Giving
presentation infront of audience is not easy
and for that presentation skills are needed. I
can say that I have presentation skill and with
the help of this skill I can easily give
presentation.
When you work in a company then there are
various situations over which decision has to
be made. So that is why it can be said that
this is also the important skill. Computer
skills, although I know how to use computer
but still I am lacking at various things. There
are various advanced features of computer
which I have no knowledge about. This era is
all about computers and technology. So
having this skill will also helps me in
building good impression infront of company
when I will go for interview.
Opportunities Threats
There are various opportunities which can be
grabbed. In the upper section of the report
reflective has been discussed. It can be said
that reflective practice will give ideas of the
future opportunities. If future opportunities
are identified timely only then it will help in
achieving success and growth in the future.
Communication skills will provide me great
opportunities in the future as companies
wanted to hire such talent which have good
communication skill (Pasanen, 2019). With
the help of good communication, an
individual get the power to influence other
people. Company want such people which are
highly influential. As they will bring more
sales to the company by converting their
clients easily. Presentation skill will also help
me in getting selected in good company
because to influence client this skill is vital.
As infront of client presentation has to be
given by the employee which should be
effective so that client will sign deal.
Academic writing skill will also provide me
opportunities in the writing world. There are
many opportunities in professional writing so
I can build my career there as well easily.
I lack analytical skill and I believe that it is
my biggest threat because companies also
require analytical skill. I believe that I can
also reject from company because I lack this
skill. Competition in the markets are
increasing and along with that
unemployment is also increasing. As the rate
of unemployment is so high and that is why
expectation of companies are also high.
Company has started hiring such people
which have more number of skills. So there
are chances that company might reject me
because I have very few skills. Technology is
also threat for me because I am not well
versed with the technology and the trend of
technology is increasing so that is why now
companies are demanding to hire such
candidate which are tech freak. Technology
evolves so that is why it is important to have
knowledge and understanding of advanced
technology.

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Part 2 - Setting goals
What do I
want to learn?
What do I
have to do?
How will I
measure
success?
Target date for
review?
Decision
making skill
For developing
decision making
skill first of all I
have to bring
discipline in my life
(Gould, 2017). And
should have also
started making
small decisions of
my life so that in the
future I can make
tough decisions
also.
KPI which is key
performance indicator
tools can be used to
measure the success
level. Measurement
tool is important to
find out because it will
only guide that goals
are attained or not.
02/02/20
Problem
solving skill
For building this
skill I have to
willing participate
in solving problems.
I will not run
problem any
problem until and
unless I solved the
problem.
If in the future I didn't
fear and solved the
issues then I can say
that i have build this
skill (Mudjiono and
et.al., 2019).
01/01/20
Computer
skill
For building this
skill I will gonna do
many courses which
will be helpful for
me in building this
skill because
computer skill is the
professional skill
and very helpful to
me in attaining
growth in my
profession.
When I will start using
advanced feature of
computer then I will
came to know that I
have developed this
skill.
05/02/20

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Part 3 – Personal Objectives
Short-term goals (next 12 months)
My short time goal is that I will going to exercise two times in a week. Exercise is very
essential for living healthy lifestyle and don't have this habit. So that is why I have decided to
build this habit to remain fit and healthy (Ashurst, 2017). It will also help me in getting
mental peace. Exercise will not only help me in developing physical strength but will also
help me in getting mental peace.
Medium term goals (next 2-3 years)
I will going to finish my master degree in management and this is my medium term goal. I
wanted to take management related degree because I have interest in management subject and
also I wanted to make career in this and in the future I wanted to became manager. This
medium term goal will take about two year because I will going to complete my degree
within two years.
Longer term goals (beyond 3 years)

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Developing career plan is my long term goal which will definitely take more than three years.
Career is the most important aspect of the human life because it builds professional life and
everyone is having a dream to develop their professional life nicely so that they can make
more money and also will get more reputation (Körkkö and et.al., 2020).
References
Ashurst, A., 2017. How to… develop a personal learning and development plan. Nursing
And Residential Care, 19(4), pp.236-236.
Carter, A.G., Creedy, D.K. and Sidebotham, M., 2017. Critical thinking evaluation in
reflective writing: Development and testing of Carter Assessment of Critical
Thinking in Midwifery (Reflection). Midwifery. 54. pp.73-80.
Cheng, G., 2017. The impact of online automated feedback on students' reflective journal
writing in an EFL course. The Internet and Higher Education. 34. pp.18-27.
Gibson, A. and et.al., 2017, March. Reflective writing analytics for actionable feedback.
In Proceedings of the seventh international learning analytics & knowledge
conference (pp. 153-162).
Gould, J., 2017. Career development: A plan for action. Nature, 548(7668), pp.489-490.
Karunia, F., 2021. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR GinaFlorist. id (Doctoral
dissertation, Universitas Gadjah Mada).
Körkkö, M. and et.al., 2020. Developing teacher in-service education through a professional
development plan: modelling the process. European Journal of Teacher Education,
pp.1-18.
Mitchell, K.M. and et.al., 2021. Development and validation of the situated academic writing
self-efficacy scale (SAWSES). Assessing Writing. 48. p.100524.
Mudjiono, S.A. and et.al., 2019. Social engineering to the development plan of experimental
power reactor (RDE). In Symposium of Emerging Nuclear Technology and
Engineering Novelty (SENTEN) Palembang.
Ogbeiwi, O., 2017. Why written objectives need to be really SMART. British Journal of
Healthcare Management. 23(7). pp.324-336.
Pasanen, L., 2019. Self-development plan for leaders to embrace their own inner well-being
& individual growth in hospitality industry.
Terry, R., Hing, W., Orr, R. and Milne, N., 2017. Do coursework summative assessments
predict clinical performance? A systematic review. BMC Medical Education. 17(1).
pp.1-15.
Williams, K. and et.al., 2020. Reflective writing. Red Globe Press.

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