Developing Academic Skills: Time Management, Literature Searching, and Evaluating

Time Management

Time management skills encompass a wide range of abilities that will assist people in effectively managing their time. Managing time effectively can help people advance in their job (Ghiasvand, Naderi, Tafreshi, Ahmadi, Hosseini, 2017). Scheduling the day allows to finish duties on schedule, stay focused during key meetings, and provide room for individuals to be creative and proactive in their responsibilities. Getting decent time management skills can help humanity achieve important goals and advance their careers.

Staying organized can stay on top of what people need to do and when they want to do it. Being well-organized may include keeping an up-to-date schedule, readily accessing specific papers, keeping a clean atmosphere, and keeping comprehensive, careful notes. Being an effective time manager requires humanity to prioritize each of their obligations. There are several methods for prioritizing what has to be done. They may choose to accomplish quick, easy tasks first, pursued by larger, more difficult tasks. Instead, people might prioritize their activities, beginning with more time-sensitive or a mix of the two.

The first stage to becoming a competent time organizer is to set objectives. Objective-setting enables them to grasp their desired outcome and what they need to concentrate on to achieve it. Setting both short-term and long-term objectives can contribute to job achievement. Developing great communication skills can help communicate their objectives and goals to others with whom they work. It also enables people to outsource, concentrating on the most critical, relevant activities that match their objectives. Planning is an essential component of managing time. Sticking to a schedule will be easier if people organize their day, appointments, and tasks ahead of time.

Time management skills are vital because they enable people to organize the job in a manner that helps them to achieve their objectives. Setting aside particular lengths of time each day can assist in completing the required steps toward obtaining a job. Alternatively, if people currently have a job, they most certainly have several tasks that assist the organization in meeting particular objectives. To be effective in their work, they must keep track of their schedule, engagements, and assignments. Strong time management abilities enable individuals to be present and focused (Bahadir, 2018). For example, if they are late for an appointment and have to work on the project that they missed was due while others are talking, they may miss critical information that will help them be a better employee.

During my studies, I prioritized learning and changed my daily schedule to devote myself more to education, thereby setting priorities for myself. However, this does not mean that I have completely isolated myself from other activities. I try to go out with my family every day and see my friends on weekends. Balance appeared in my life after I started organizing my working time. Regarding specifically my studies, I decided that I would try not to delay the delivery of the subjects and complete everything on time so that the tasks would not accumulate. Thus, I distribute the load and make myself more free time in general.

The Eisenhower matrix, also known as the goal-setting matrix, increases productivity by training people to concentrate effectively. This strategy teaches humanity which projects are worth their effort and time and which are not. The time management composite, often known as the Eisenhower matrix, is a tool for improving job prioritization. Individuals know how to recognize their highest issues and distinguish between those with a protracted influence and those that do not.

“Cornerstone Time” Technology

“Cornerstone Time” covers a period of the day devoted to learning that almost nothing disturbs it. This is the most effective technique, because in “Cornerstone time” study progresses faster and of higher quality. This period can last an hour, an hour and a half, or two hours, depending on the nature of the activity and schedule (Bahadir, 2018). The duration of this period does not necessarily have to be the same, and it can fall at different hours, although it is preferable that it coincides with the peak activity of your body. One of the most important properties of the human brain is concentration, which is why “corner time” is so effective.

The multitasking that underlies many job descriptions actually creates unrealistic productivity expectations. The way the human brain functions is similar to a computer. Despite the amazing speed and number of actions performed by the processor, it still performs them sequentially, so that at any given moment the attention is focused on a single action. The computer performs a lot of tasks at once, but only one of them is in focus. An analogy here is that of competing in a race over a particular distance (Bahadir, 2018). By setting clear parameters for body – when to start and when to finish the task – the individual significantly increases his or her ability to concentrate and strive toward the goal.

Energy is very different throughout the day, with highs and lows. Collecting the maximum amount of energy in a small period of time can achieve the highest performance of work. According to the Pareto principle, 80% of daily achievements occur in 20% of work time (Bahadir, 2018, p.70). Classically, it is the twenty most effective percent that is the mom corner time.

Timekeeping is a method of studying the expenditure of time by recording and measuring the amount of time people spend doing something. Timekeeping allows to conduct an “audit” and “inventory” of time, to identify “time eaters. Timekeeping – a complete record of the use of his time, that is, on what and how much time is spent (Ghiasvand et al., 2017). This process is conducted throughout the day, the duration – a few weeks, usually 3-4 weeks (Ghiasvand et al., 2017, p.13).

The mechanism is simple enough timekeeping: any switching of attention lasting more than 3-5 minutes is taken into account (Ghiasvand et al., 2017, p.17). Timekeeping of training and personal time should be carried out over several working days, perhaps weeks, to analyze your working style and discover the causes of emerging time deficits. The form of timing is simple, but not everyone can do it due to individual characteristics. This honest and pedantic way of controlling time allows person to see what really takes time, identify “time eaters” and take punctual measures to eliminate them.

After timing, it is necessary to analyze all types of activities in which the student has participated. To do this, person can use tables on the distribution of areas of work in relation to time costs – real and theoretically achievable, make a sheet of interference. Further analysis can be conducted in terms of two positions: positive and negative, that is, to identify strengths and weaknesses to rationally use the first and avoid the second.

Of particular interest is C. Covey’s time management matrix. Covey. It contains four squares:

  • The first square – urgent and important matters, as an example, critical situations, urgent problems, projects with a burning deadline (Ghiasvand et al., 2017).
  • The second square – important and non-urgent matters (preventive action, making connections, seeking new opportunities, planning, restoration of strength).
  • The third square – unimportant and urgent matters (extraneous conversations and phone calls, urgent matters, meetings).
  • Fourth square – unimportant and non-urgent matters (time-consuming trivialities, correspondence, calls, waste of time).

The result of frequent “staying” in the 1st square is usually stress, self-immolation, crisis management. Predominant being in the 2nd square implies strategic vision, balance, discipline, control, rare crisis situations (Ghiasvand et al., 2017). Activity in the 3rd square implies concentration on the short-term, crisis management, a sense of “not owning oneself” (Ghiasvand et al., 2017). Finding a personality in the 3rd, 4th squares implies complete irresponsibility, dependence in major issues on other individuals and organizations.

Thus, in order to increase personal effectiveness, it is advisable to avoid being in the 3rd, 4th squares for a long time, and, if possible, to shift all the main activities to the 2nd square, because it is related to things that are not urgent, but are important. This square, according to S. Covey’s concept, includes such activities as relationship building, personal mission writing, long-term planning, exercise, prevention, preparation. Thus, setting goals and objectives as concretely as possible, short-term daily planning, accounting for the time used, and evaluating effectiveness will help to successfully implement almost any plan.

This technique implies focusing on the importance of what needs to be done. For myself, I decided that the most important aspect will be what is set on the same day or what is approaching the deadline. Thus, I can ensure myself balance and stability in completing tasks and, moreover, learn to appreciate the importance of an event or task that depends on me. As a result, I can say that time management changed my life; I learned how to organize my time and find free hours in it for rest and my hobbies. I realized that 24 hours a day is enough to do a lot with time management.

Development of Academic Skills

University achievement is all about being an educated, exemplary learner. The best independent learners are those who are not hesitant to seek guidance about their work and how to enhance their studies (Wischgoll, 2016). Referencing is an essential component of academic writing (Gravett and Kinchin, 2020). It contextualizes their work, illustrates the scope and depth of their study, and recognizes the work of others. It would be preferable to cite every time people used someone else’s concept. When they utilize an idea from somebody else’s work, such as a published paper, guidebook, or web page, they should reference the original writer so that it is apparent where the thought came from. Whether they have interpreted, summarized, or explicitly cited their work is true. This is an important aspect of an effective academic work style.

Sinaga and Ferani show how critical thinking skills and academic writing are. The capacity to think rationally and logically, comprehending the logical link between concepts, is referred to as rational reflection. Since the time of early Greek philosophers such as Plato and Socrates, rational reflection has been the topic of considerable debate and discussion, and it has remained to be a topic of controversy in the contemporary era, for instance, the capacity to spot fake news. Critical thinking may be defined as the ability to think critically and independently (Sinaga and Feranie, 2017). In essence, critical thinking necessitates the application of their reasoning abilities. It is necessary to be an effective student rather than a receptive receiver of knowledge.

Strong writing abilities involve consultation with others without needing a conference or a phone conversation. They guarantee that visitors comprehend the important aspects of what people are attempting to convey, that they leave with the thoughts and impressions they need them to have, and, in many situations, that they take measures to do whatever individuals want them to do. In contrast to verbal language, which may have to be reiterated and needs both participants to be accessible at the same moment, writing is something that others may go back to at any time (Sinaga and Feranie, 2017). Written records may be especially useful when attempting to regulate how their group or firm conducts regular chores or educating new employees to take on these responsibilities.

I used the Gibbs cycle to describe my skill development. Graham Gibbs developed Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle in 1988 to give structure to learning from experiences (Middleton, 2017). It provides a framework for understanding events, and because it is cyclical, it lends itself especially well to repeated encounters. This technique is a wonderful method to deal with a difficult situation. This might be a one-time occurrence or a recurring event, such as discussions with a group with which they must cooperate. Gibbs pushed for its usage in repeated circumstances at first, although the stages and ideas apply equally well to singular events.

If performed as a single activity, the plan of action could become more generic and looks at how they may use their findings in the long term (Ghiasvand et al., 2017). A list of practical concerns is provided below for each planning stage. It would be best if people did not have to respond to all of them, but they could help them decide what kinds of items to include in that phase. Other cues may be more effective for them.

Throughout the module, I figured out how to develop my academic skills. Initially, the learning process was quite difficult because many things are not used in everyday life when writing. However, I learned the basic requirements of different styles and began to navigate them over time. My writing skills have improved significantly, and I have improved at expressing myself on paper. The easiest stage for me was research skills because, in the 21st century, humanity has the Internet, which greatly simplifies the process of research and finding proven resources. Generalization skills did not come to me right away, but over time I learned to isolate the main point from a large text in order to generalize. Overall, I can say that my academic skills have improved significantly over the course of the module.

Literature Searching and Evaluating

Writing notes is a necessary skill for consultants to learn. Originally, Cornell Taking Notes was a clarification technique for taking notes during class. Cornell University inspired the theory’s name. This strategy has shown to be particularly beneficial in the context of learning in a school and university environment. On the other hand, consultants can readily modify this approach of taking notes to take notes during client encounters. Some people like to take notes in a systematic manner, using an outline style. Others may choose a more graphic method and create a concept map. Some may avoid using any organization at all.

The Cornell Method is a note-taking, organization, and review technique. This approach was developed in the 1950s by Cornell University Professor Walter Pauk. The approach calls for students to divide their paper into a second column with a line across the base. It also takes little preparation, making it excellent for taking notes in a lecture or during a support session. The page design is the technique’s advantage. Begin by sketching a large I on the paper to construct their own Cornell Notes. People list the names of the course, conference, or workshop, as well as the date and content, at the top of the front page. This is where they will add their subtopics, which should all be presented in the form of inquiries. Write their thoughts in the bigger column on the right, generally known as the note-taking bar.

Plagiarism and Referencing

The study of Jamieson and Howard studies and discusses the term of academic integrity. Academic integrity, student deceit, and duplication are issues that university instructors, managers, composition facility and tutoring personnel, professors, and academic advisers take seriously (Jamieson and Howard, 2019). The brief, clear explanations of academic honesty and the ability to degrade are intended to help anyone who wants to learn more about these topics.

Most sources define academic integrity as the cornerstone for an academic career (Jamieson and Howard, 2019). It is how they act in an academic setting, whether conducting research, writing a research paper, or developing a project. The core five principles are honesty, tolerance, respect, decency, and accountability in this academic procedure. Education integrity is the commitment to upholding these ideals in daily life. Plagiarism is a facet of academic standards in that it is dishonest to use another person’s ideas, words, theories, images or graphics, views, or facts without providing credit.

The writer uses, borrows, or portrays someone else’s ideas, words, or products as their theories, words, or items. Plagiarism is defined as using someone else’s ideas, words, or goods without providing credit to the author or creator (Fatemi and Saito, 2020). It is necessary to recognize when utilizing or quoting the words of another person word for word. Paraphrasing or summarizing another’s thoughts or thoughts without providing credit to that person is also plagiarism.

The study of Fatemi and Saito discusses the term plagiarism. Allegations of plagiarism might result in a student’s suspension or expulsion. Their academic credentials may show the ethics violation, perhaps barring the individual from attending college from school or another institution. Copying is taken very seriously at colleges, universities, and institutions. Academic honesty boards supervise students at the majority of educational institutions. For the first offense, many schools punish kids. For further offenses, students are generally expelled.

A competent business person, lawmaker, or social personality may discover that the consequences of plagiarism follow them throughout their career. They will almost certainly be fired or asked to resign from their current post, and it will be difficult for them to find another reputable work. Depending on the violation and the plagiarist’s social standing, the plagiarist’s reputation may be shattered, making any serious career difficult. Plagiarism’s effects have been well-publicized in the academic community. An academic’s reputation might be jeopardized if they are accused of plagiarism. Publishing is an essential component of a distinguished academic career. Losing the capacity to publish almost always spells the end of an academic post and a ruined reputation.

Plagiarism can have major legal ramifications. Intellectual property laws are unbreakable. It is not permissible to utilize another person’s work without citing and referencing it. A writer has the legal right to sue a plagiarist. Some plagiarism may also be considered a criminal act, resulting in a jail sentence. People who work in this field, such as writers or novelists, are especially vulnerable to plagiarism.

Those who write regularly must always be watchful to not make mistakes. Writers are well-versed in copyright rules and methods for avoiding plagiarism (Cronan, Mullins, Douglas, 2018). Plagiarism is a severe ethical and maybe legal concern for a professional writer. Plagiarism by reporters, writers, public personalities, and scholars has been several recent news reports and articles. If an author sues a plagiarist, the author may be awarded monetary reparation. If a reporter works for a newspaper, journal, or other publication, or if a student is caught plagiarizing in class, the guilty plagiarist may face financial penalties.

The copied study is a particularly heinous kind of plagiarism. If the study is medically related, duplication might result in individuals losing their lives. This type of copying is very nasty. Plagiarism has far-reaching implications, and no one is exempt. Understanding or prestige does not exempt a person from the ethical issues associated with plagiarism. People should discover plagiarism before beginning any writing endeavor. Also, they should learn what plagiarism is and how to avoid it; the regulations are simple to grasp and adhere to. If they have any doubts about missing attribution, use an online plagiarism checker or plagiarism detection program to examine their essay for plagiarism before submitting it. Laziness or fraud can result in a shattered identity, the ruin of a career, and legal complications.

Reference List

Bahadir, Z. (2018). ‘Reviewing Emotional Intelligence Levels and Time Management Skills among Students of School of Physical Education and Sports’. Journal of Education and Learning, 7(4), pp. 114-121. Web.

Cronan, T. P., Mullins, J. K., & Douglas, D. E. (2018). ‘Further understanding factors that explain freshman business student’s academic integrity intention and behavior: Plagiarism and sharing homework’. Journal of Business Ethics, 147(1), pp. 197-220. Web.

Fatemi, G., & Saito, E. (2020). ‘Unintentional plagiarism and academic integrity: The challenges and needs of postgraduate international students in Australia’. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 44(10), pp. 1305-1319. Web.

Gravett, K., & Kinchin, I. M. (2020). ‘Referencing and empowerment: exploring barriers to the agency in the higher education student experience’. Teaching in Higher Education, 25(1), pp. 84-97. Web.

Ghiasvand, A. M., Naderi, M., Tafreshi, M. Z., Ahmadi, F., Hosseini, M. (2017). ‘Relationship between time management skills and anxiety and academic motivation of nursing students in Tehran’. Electronic physician, 9(1), p. 3678. Web.

Jamieson, S., & Howard, R. (2019). ‘Rethinking the relationship between plagiarism and academic integrity’. Revue internationale des technologies en pédagogie universitaire/International journal of technologies in higher education, 16(2), pp. 69-85. Web.

Middleton, R. (2017). ‘Critical reflection: the struggle of a practice developer’. Web.

Ribner, A. D., Willoughby, M. T., Blair, C. B. (2017). ‘Executive function buffers the association between early math and later academic skills’. Frontiers in psychology, 8, p. 869. Web.

Sinaga, P., & Feranie, S. (2017). ‘Enhancing critical thinking skills and writing skills through the variation in non-traditional writing task’. International Journal of Instruction, 10(2), pp. 69-84. Web.

Wischgoll, A. (2016). ‘Combined training of one cognitive and one metacognitive strategy improves academic writing skills’. Frontiers in psychology, 7, p. 187. Web.

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ChalkyPapers. 2024. "Developing Academic Skills: Time Management, Literature Searching, and Evaluating." December 6, 2024. https://chalkypapers.com/developing-academic-skills-time-management-literature-searching-and-evaluating/.

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ChalkyPapers. "Developing Academic Skills: Time Management, Literature Searching, and Evaluating." December 6, 2024. https://chalkypapers.com/developing-academic-skills-time-management-literature-searching-and-evaluating/.