Introduction - Strengths and Challenges in Higher Education
The set of tactics and procedures is known as orientation for success in higher education. It is intended to assist new students in achieving academic, social, and personal success throughout their time at college or university. The purpose of orientation is to give students the tools and resources they need to succeed while assisting them in adjusting to the expectations and challenges of higher education. This essay is going to discuss two strengths including research skills and time management skills along with two challenges including communication skills and teamwork skills. All these skills will be described based on Gibbs' Reflective Cycle Model. This cycle model has six stages such as describing, feeling, evaluating, analyzing, concluding, and action planning (Gibbs, 2013).
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The first area of strength that I have developed is research skills. Based on the description stage of Gibbs's reflective model, there were some instructions, assignments, and class lectures about different contents. These lectures and guidance helped me to find the right solutions to the assignment and its contents. As per the feeling stage, at the beginning of the class, I was excited to learn more about research and develop my skills in this area. However, as the class progressed, I found some of the topics were too easy for me to research at times. Based on the evaluation stage thinking back on the course, I believe that I learned a great deal of useful information and abilities. I acknowledge that I could have done better in several research contents. As per the analysis stage of the model, I saw that one of the reasons that I gained in the class was feedback from the tutor for good quality research. I also had the benefits of managing my content and fulfilling the demands of the class with my other obligations. As per the conclusion stage, I took away from this experience the value of setting the right contents and efficient management of these. I also discovered that to get the most out of the research process, it’s needed to believe in my talents and actively participate in class discussions. According to Allison et al., (2016), based on the action plan stage in a future course or other educational opportunities, I will establish precise objectives and create a strategy to manage my research skill well. To improve my research skills in class and increase my self-assurance, I will also try to better understand the subject matter. I will also look for chances to use my fresh knowledge and abilities in practical situations.
The second area of strength that I have developed is time management skills. Based on the description stage of Gibbs's reflective model, I was confident and in control over my schedule. Besides, I was also able to balance the demands of the classes with my other responsibilities. Based on the evaluation stage I can express that my strong time management skills were a key factor in my success in my class. Besides, I was able to stay on top of assignments and engage with the course material fully. As per the analysis stage consideration, I see that my abilities in time management were partly a result of my capacity to set wise priorities and maintain attention on crucial tasks. To be organized, I also used tools like calendars and to-do lists, this helps me to better time management in my studies. In the conclusion stage, I can conclude from this experience that effective time management skills are necessary for success in a class and can enhance general academic achievement. I also discovered that setting priorities and concentrating are essential elements of efficient time management. Based on the action plan stage according to Cameron (2021), I can say that to stay organized and efficiently manage my time in the future, I will keep using tools like calendars and to-do lists. I will also attempt to improve my ability to prioritize and concentrate, as I understand that they are crucial components of efficient time management. I will also look for chances to teach others time management techniques, perhaps through mentorship or tutoring.
Challenges in Knowledge and Performance
Challenge 1: Communication Skills
The first area of challenge that I have faced is communication skills. Based on the description stage of Gibbs's reflective model, I had several communication-related difficulties in my class; both verbal and written communication fell under this category. As per the feeling stage, I occasionally felt frustrated and overburdened, especially when I had trouble clearly expressing my thoughts. I was also embarrassed by my communication skills in both writing and speaking. Based on the evaluation stage I can see that my difficulties with communication affected how well I did in the class. I occasionally missed the chance to participate in class discussions, and my written work did not always demonstrate my complete comprehension of the subject. As per the analysis stage, I see that my communication difficulties were partly brought on by a lack of trust in my skills. In addition, I had trouble keeping my writing organized and concise as well as properly expressing my thoughts in group discussions. In the conclusion stage, I can conclude that I gained knowledge from this experience that communication abilities are crucial for success in a management class and that it's critical to identify and resolve obstacles in this area. Also, I discovered that clarity, organization, and confidence are crucial components of good communication. In the action plan stage, I will focus on enhancing my self-assurance and verbal and written communication abilities. I will look for tools and assistance to help me get better at this, like writing classes or lessons in effective communication. In order to make my writing more understandable, I will also work on refining my ability to express myself succinctly and clearly. I will also look for chances to hone my interpersonal communication abilities in social situations, including taking part in class discussions or joining a public speaking club.
The second area of challenge that I have faced is teamwork skills. Based on the description stage of Gibbs's reflective model, we were required to work in groups in class to do a project on a specific subject. For a high-quality result, we had to work together, communicate well, and coordinate our efforts. As per the feelings stage I was initially enthusiastic about the project because I thought it would be a great chance to learn from my colleagues and advance my group-working abilities. Yet when we got started on the project, I found it difficult to properly coordinate and interact with my group members. We were having trouble moving forward as a group and I was getting annoyed and dejected. Based on the evaluation stage I’m aware that a lack of clear communication was my biggest obstacle. We did not have clearly defined objectives, duties, and responsibilities, which caused confusion and conflict among the group members. As per the analysis stage to solve the difficulties I encountered, we may have taken a more systematic approach to the project, such as setting up a timetable for regular check-ins and updates, assigning roles and tasks, and outlining clear goals and objectives. According to Cameron (2021), to address any difficulties or concerns as soon as they arose, we may have also promoted open contact and feedback. Based on the conclusion stage I can say that our experience demonstrated the value of strong leadership and effective communication in team projects. I have discovered the importance of having distinct roles, objectives, and duties so that everyone involved is aware of how they fit into the overall success of the project. Regular check-ins and feedback can also assist to spot problems early and solve them, keeping the project on track. Based on the action plan stage I am going to use the things I have learnt when I work in groups. According to Cumberland (2014), to make sure that everyone is pursuing a common goal for a particular teamwork. Besides, I will endeavor to establish clear goals, roles, and tasks as well as promote open communication and feedback. I will also take a more proactive approach to resolving any concerns or disagreements when they come up, working to do it as soon as possible and in a helpful manner.
Conclusion
In view of this reflective commentary, the first area of strength that I have discussed is research skills. It is a crucial skill for enhancing my course. This skill helps me to do assignments and classwork efficiently. Besides, time management skills are also a strength of my academic life. I completed most of the tasks on time. Effective time management skills are necessary for success in a class and can enhance general academic achievement. Thus, it helps me to stay on top of assignments and engage with the course material fully. On the other hand, I have challenges regarding my skills, ly communication and teamwork. I have problems in both categories of communication such as verbal and writing. Besides, I also have problems with teamwork. Due to poor communication I often fail to work well with others. Despite this, if I take care of my challenges and practice these regularly then it is possible to overcome the problems in the next semester.
Reference list
Allison, B., Hilton, A., O'Sullivan, T., Owen, A. and Rothwell, A., 2016. Research skills for students. Routledge.
Cameron, S. (2021) The business student's handbook: skills for study and employment. 7th ed. Harlow, O.K.: Pearson Education.
Cumberland, N. (2014) Secrets of success at work: 50 techniques to excel. London: Hodder and Staughton.
Gibbs, G. (2013) Learning by doing. ed. Oxford: Oxford Centre for Staff and Learning Development, Oxford Brookes University.
