Learning Portfolio Essay

During the semester, I undefendable had to develop a unique try out structure that was sack to increase the efficiency with which I utilized my memorize time. Before starting the prey, I read the study handbook so that I could get a rough idea of what the be given entailed and the nature of information I would be required to familiarize myself with. This enabled me to post other relevant sources of information in addition the books suggested in the recommended training list. In the process of reading these actuals, I took legal brief nones of the ideas and points that appe ard noneworthy.Being in a non-English speaking country, obtaining relevant books and other imagery materials was both(prenominal)how challenging. I learned to utilize the internet to get books and journal articles from electronic libraries and databases. I in addition had to subscribe to various journals so that I could get updated news ab expose the course since I authoritativeized that criminolo gy is a dynamic topic and it requires one to get case studies and briefs.After the encroachment of the course, I had to develop effective study habits so that I could constitute my time while staying on top of my work. I realized that in order to succeed, I had to make the right decisions about managing my time and resources. I had to give my studies the priority they deserve and I did non let friends or family dictate to me on what aspects of my life story were more important than others.My concentration and jealous ability is at its peak during the morning hours, at quiet and collected surroundings which do not offer each distraction. I booked in discussions and debates surrounding the course material since I distinguish get the perspective of my sonny students and their contributions on the points I might apply con primeed is rattling important.Concerning my assignments, I continuously make sure I make completed them on time and I review them before either secer n. I also co-relate assignment content and what is in my notes to ensure that I fool completed them satiscircumstanceorily. I rely on my notes for this because they atomic number 18 very comprehensive since I review and update them after every class usually including paraphrasing content in my own words and including examples.These study strategies I adopted during the semester ar very effective, and after cross-checking with my fellow students and a compendium of study guides available in the internet, I found out that they are still very relevant. Of course, I know there will always be ways of improving them as challenges mount. For example, I found out that I had actually misunderstood some concepts and ideas I had assumed I fully understood, so I affect to liaise with my professor and study group more.When I started this course, I did not have a clear understanding of what was really expected of me. I did not know if what I was doing was right or wrong, so I had to get the help of my fellow students, friends who had already graduated from the course and my professor to help me learn how to transport my points and ideas. I always want to feel that I am reinforcement up to expectation, so I always seek feedback to help me identify areas I thunder mug meliorate on.I have formed a consistent case to request my colleagues and supervisors so that I can complicate my perspective regarding key concepts and ideas. In my flak to be an all-rounder, I pronounce the kind of feedback I need from my colleagues, professors and supervisors at work. I do not just ask for a critique of the quality and quantity of effort I put in my studies or my work, but I also seek to find out other citizenrys intuition of how effective or ineffective my interaction with other plurality and the system of rules is. I also gave some of my essays to friends and colleagues to read and used their criticism and intuitive feelings to meliorate on my essay writing skills.I feel that I can use the feedback I obtain regarding my study and work strategies and quality to correct by developing plans of action based on it on a regular basis. Feedback is effective yet if it is involved in the review of strengths and weaknesses so that the actions taken can be specifically tailored to build on my strengths and work on my weaknesses.It is however important to note that feedback can only be genuine if the seeker also pays by giving feedback to the people he or she seeks opinion from. Even though some people may not like getting feedback on their performance specially if it is negative, I try as much as possible to reciprocate by giving genuine feedback to those willing to acknowledge it so that I can receive an equal measure in return.I would be honest if I say that this course has been an eye opener for me. by dint of planning my time to fulfill course requirements like attending to classes and complemental my assignments in time, I have learnt to be more or ganized not only in class but in other spheres of my life. The need for efficiency make me steep in interrogation in an attempt to identify better, faster and more effective reading styles, and I ameliorate these on this course. I have attained a better reading speed and I have become better in some(prenominal) written and spoken English.Through research and preparation for writing my essays, I have improved on my writing skills a great deal. I have learnt several referencing styles and I could even take a feel at professional writing as of now. Criminology requires articulate presentation of ideas, facts and arguments and this course has increased my analytical skills and the depth of my thinking.In the past, I have anatomy of been what social scientists would call a right brain thinker. To me, an occurrence or a phenomenon was true or false, black or white. But the course has taught me to think from different perspectives. This has been a big modification for me bearing in mind that I have been quite opinioned about criminology issues but I have learned to pay attention and get many sides to any event.Starting university has had an enormous impact on my academician, psycheal and work life as well. Being a student and working at the identical time is a challenge for many people. I work and study and since I realize that both are important to my life, I have ont let one take the time of the other. I do not take time off to study or thin out classes to work or because I worked late but I do take some hours off to catch up on my assignments and to engage in extracurricular activities to refresh my faculties and also to write my essay.As farther as my private life is concerned, my academic engagements have made it obligatory to study on nigh nights and weekends but the experience has been good since I have gained the ability to see things from an academic and professional angle and reason out likewise.This course has definitely induced a lot of ch anges in me. For starters, I have learned to be flexible to divergent thoughts and ideas, and since I have learned so much in the process, I have found out that some of the opinions I hold regarding other people and occurrences are not necessarily justified. With an increase in knowledge comes a change in heart, and the new ideas, concepts and facts I have learned have changed my opinion and attitude a great deal.Since the beginning of this course, I have continually learned that there is so much information out there for me to absorb and apply in my essays, arguments and in my professional life. Information for real has the capacity to change someones beliefs. The more I am challenged, the more I have become aware of the need and the deservingness of being able to tolerate the set, beliefs and attitudes of other people.By virtue of the tot of literature I have had to cover, my attitude towards work has changed. Work, be it academic or professional, is no longer an obligation to me, but an opportunity to improve my vistas of knowledge and my capacity to interact with people, information and real life circumstances. In other words, the course has given me an opportunity to grow in compositors case as a person.Through the study of moral values as they apply in criminology and psychology, I have learned that morality is a very personal issue and that not a single person can rationally claim to have more superior values as compared to others. In as such, my attitude to people has changed a lot, and I am no longer quick to judge the actions of others without first establishing the motives bunghole their actions.Creative and research and essay writing has taught me the importance of obeisanceing intellectual property. I have come across so much written material in this course materials which have increased my knowledge base in ways I could not have imagined. It is a matter of fact that people somewhere took their time to do research, derive facts and write the m experience plus their relationship to and application in real life situations. It is not only responsible but also ethical therefore to respect their rights to their work by responsibly using these works.Responsible use of literary material is achieved by avoiding plagiarism. This entails proper use of resources and the application of correct referencing techniques to consult the contribution of existing literature in any produced essays or research papers. I had never done any referencing before, but the resources providing guidelines for referencing available at the university website helped me a lot in learning how to responsibly utilize literary materials without abusing intellectual property.As I pointed out earlier, I did not know what was expected of me before actually joining this course. As the course progressed, I came to realize that it is actually a very interesting course. Even though it is quite challenging in cost of difficulty in comprehending some of the concep ts taught, I do not regret taking it.The course has made me understand people better and have valuable insight on the motivations people have while committing some of the activities they commit. As I tell earlier, I had to work as I undertook this course. The responsibilities could have been overwhelming for most people and their families, but the experience brought me closer to my wife who supported me throughout the duration of the course and has still pass overd to support me.In terms of my professional experience, the course has opened up my mind and conscience. I have met a lot of interesting people and the experience has made me a better communicator, improving the relationship between me and my work colleagues. I am a very ambitious person and I want to continue growing professionally, that is why I decided to further my education in the first place. My ambition sometimes brings me at odds with my colleagues, but I have known how to effectively handle their aggressions. I h ope that these skills are going to push me up the professional ladder, even though this is going to take some time considering the system of my place of work.