FY026 Preparing for Success: Reflective Essay on Learning Journey

This reflective essay, submitted as part of the FY026 module 'Preparing for Success at University: Knowledge and Creativity,' details a student's personal learning journey and skill development. The essay analyzes the student's experiences, focusing on the enhancement of communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. It utilizes the Gibbs reflective model to evaluate the learning process, including the initial feelings, challenges faced, and the positive aspects of the learning experience. The essay also highlights the practical application of the skills, the role of teamwork, and the importance of IT and numeracy skills. The student reflects on the areas for improvement, the value of taking initiative, and the importance of continuous learning. The essay concludes with an action plan for future skill development and a reflection on the overall impact of the module on the student's preparation for university, including references to relevant literature.

Preparing for success at
university knowledge and
creativity

INTRODUCTION
The learning development is basically a term which aims at development of student
learning. In this module, as a learner, I got various opportunities to enhance my skills as well as
abilities. Though all the people have different skills, it is necessary to develop and enhance the
skills to become a brimming personality in every field (Bass, Fenwick and Sidebotham, 2017).
The report below is a reflective essay regarding the experience of the module as a leaner. Gibbs
reflective model will be used for analysing the experience as well as implementing the learning
in future.
REFLECTION
I came to know about various skills such as communication skills, leadership, problem
solving, critical thinking, creativity, information management etc. The model of reflection can be
used to share the experience of the skill development as a learner. The Gibbs model is considered
as the most effective model of reflection which provides a systematic framework which helps in
expressing the learning from experiences (Sekarwinahyu and et.al., 2019). It basically covers 6
stages which are as follows:
The module aimed at enhancing the skills of the learner. The communication skills were the
main focus of the module as it is required at every phase of life of learner whether it is career or
job. I realized that the module was made not only for the learners who do not have the skills but
it was also for the ones who wish to enhance their existing skills also. The module contained the
development of all the major skills which are required in the individuals such as the
communication, team working, problem solving, numeracy skills, IT skills and many more. The
module took sufficient time to be completed and the learner also got sufficient time to learn
about every skill and also the practical as well as theoretical knowledge was delivered to the
learners.
Initially I was much nervous as I was considering myself inferior to others regarding the skills.
But as the module was going on I came to know that all the people needs to develop some or the
other skills as I lacked some skills while the others lacked other skills. All the people were
nervous but later and lacked communication as we did not know each other but later with the
passing time, we started communicating with each other which also gave use the opportunities to
learn something from each other. The numeracy skills were also developed by playing with the
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numbers as we were given the assignments also so that we could learn the things taught at home
also. That time, I felt that it is a one time learning process but as getting involved in the module,
I realized that all the skills cannot be learned at once but it is must to learn the skills at every
phase of life. The overall feelings were good as I got to learn so many things which I was not
aware about it earlier. Initially I faced many difficulties as I was not able to interact with all the
mates. But the team work later helped me to achieve the goals of the module.
I evaluated that the overall experience of learning was more good than bad. I also learned about
the IT skills. These skills were taught by making use of computers in completing all the tasks. In
every session, I was taught about each and every skill first by conveying its theory and then
implementing it in everyday life. For example, the problem solving skills were enhanced by
making me clear about the usual problems and the situations which are need to be solved. Then, I
was told to focus on the recent problem I faced and the solution I used to solve the same. Then, I
was told to think about the better way in which the problem could be solved in less time and
more efficiently (Cutrer and et.al., 2017). Then, I was told to compare the solution I used to solve
the problem and better solution. This is how, all the skills were taught. The good thing about the
experience was that the theoretical knowledge was taught more than the practical knowledge.
The good thing was all the things were clear and systematically taught which do not made me
face many problems. Also, the good thing was that the assignments were given which could only
be completed by being in a team which also helped in enhancing the team working skills.
I analysed that the things went well just because the team mates cooperated me a lot. The things
initially didn’t go well as I was less interactive with others and then later on I got to know that
the assignments can only be done with the help of other mates then it created a need for effective
communication (Morreale and Zile-Tamsen, 2017). I enjoyed enhancing my skills and also I got
motivated by observing the skills of others. I also enhanced my critical thinking skills as I started
analysing the things from other sides. The things which went well were especially the
cooperation of the tutors and the mates. The main aim of enhancing the skills was achieved.
I learned from the situation that the decision took by me for enhancing the skills was a good one
as it gave me immense opportunities to connect with so many people and also my confidence
was boosted up. It could be better if I was given sufficient time to clarify the doubts regarding
the skills (Sparr, Knipfer and Willems, 2017). I learnt from this situation that the initiative must
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be taken for gaining something. The overall experience was satisfactory but it could be improved
if I had shown more interest in learning all the skills. I must have taken more challenges.
Action Plan: If I get the opportunity in future to become a part of such a module as a learner,
then I will definitely make use of it. I will try to improve my weaker areas. I will pay more
attention to the things of the module as I didn’t have done anything extra from my side, I will
take more challenges and even clarify all my doubts which will help me in using these skills in
my future life. I must take the action of learning the things by doing things. I will not only invest
my time in learning about the theories of skill development but will also try to master my skills
through trial and error method. I will also compare my skills with the experts and the competitors
which will help me in noticing my weaker areas which need improvement. This will help me in
practicing the skills. Also, it is observed that knowledge is increased by sharing. So, I will try to
teach others whatever I know because this will help me in making things easier and turn the
complex things into understandable chunks. I will also focus on the things which I feel difficult
and will try to invest more time in the same so that it does not leave me with that weakness. I
will also take my tests myself which can help me in boosting learning. Before giving the high-
stakes exam also, I will try to assess myself on my own. I can do this by giving some online tests
and practice exams which can help me in judging myself and improve my talents and skills.
CONCLUSION
The above report focussed on the learning as a learner. It was basically a reflection in which
the learner shares the experience of the module. Gibbs reflective model was used for gaining
deep insight from the module and to implement the learning in the future opportunities. The
experience regarding the skill development module was highlighted along with mentioning the
actions which can be taken in such modules in future so that learning can be more effective and
give better results.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bass, J., Fenwick, J. and Sidebotham, M., 2017. Development of a model of holistic reflection to
facilitate transformative learning in student midwives. Women and Birth. 30(3). pp.227-
235.
Cutrer, W.B. and et.al., 2017. Fostering the development of master adaptive learners: a
conceptual model to guide skill acquisition in medical education. Academic
medicine. 92(1). pp.70-75.
Morreale, C. and Zile-Tamsen, V., 2017. Thinking Skills by Design: Using a Capstone ePortfolio
to Promote Reflection, Critical Thinking, and Curriculum Integration. International
Journal of ePortfolio. 7(1). pp.13-28.
Sekarwinahyu, M. and et.al., 2019, February. Development of problem based learning for online
tutorial program in plant development using Gibbs’ reflective cycle and e-portfolio to
enhance reflective thinking skills. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1157,
No. 2, p. 022099). IOP Publishing.
Sparr, J.L., Knipfer, K. and Willems, F., 2017. How leaders can get the most out of formal
training: The significance of feedback‐seeking and reflection as informal learning
behaviors. Human Resource Development Quarterly. 28(1). pp.29-54.
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