Module Reflection
This module has been an insightful stepping stone in helping me regain my academic momentum. After spending two years in the navy speaking to regulars who could barely form sentences, returning to a structured learning environment made me quickly realize how out of practice I had become with essential academic skills like essay writing and formal communication. This module helped reintroduce me to these skills and gave me the tools and time to sharpen them.
At the start of the module, I set a personal goal to improve my presentation and public speaking skills. I’ve always preferred clear and direct communication, but I knew I needed to become more comfortable presenting in front of an audience. The opportunities to present throughout the module helped me rebuild confidence, improve my delivery, and become more aware of how to engage listeners effectively.
Another important aspect of the module was the emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. Working in groups allowed me to interact with classmates from different backgrounds and perspectives. It also helped me develop interpersonal skills like active listening and adapting my communication style to different team dynamics. These group tasks reinforced the importance of shared responsibility and mutual respect in achieving common goals.
Being part of a team also made me more reflective about my contributions and how I could support others. I learned that effective teamwork involves open communication, flexibility, and encouragement. These experiences reminded me of my time in the navy but in a more academic context.
Overall, this module helped me refine both individual and collaborative communication skills. From writing and presenting to group work and peer feedback, I now feel better prepared for future academic challenges and more confident in contributing to both academic and professional team environments.
Technical Report Reflection
Working on the technical report was a good experience, mainly thanks to my teammates. I genuinely believe that, despite the many landmines in this class, I landed on gold with the group I was placed in. We were able to work together smoothly, dividing the workload fairly and respecting each other’s strengths. Each of us brought something different to the table, whether it was research, writing, editing or formatting.
What stood out the most during the process was whenever we faced the challenge of managing our time. During the report period, we had a lot of other assignments from other modules due. As a result, we had to prioritize those deadlines first and ended up rushing parts of the report. While this stressed us out near the end, we made the most of our time by communicating openly and dividing the remaining task in a way that played to each member's strengths. Thanks to that, we were able to complete the report to a standard that we are proud of.
On a personal level, this report helped me improve my research and referencing skills. Before this project, I was not very confident in using APA 7th edition citation properly. However, through writing this report and reviewing various sources, I learned how to cite both in-text and in the reference list with greater accuracy and consistency.
Overall, this experience was like an onion layered with stress, learning, and growth. And just like Shrek, I walked out of the swamp a little wiser, a little tougher, and definitely more prepared for the adventures ahead.
