FDA BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 1

STUDENT NAME

CCL-23-0000

ASSESSSMENT 1

PRESENTATION: THE HE LEARNER

WORD COUNT – 1000

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 Skills of a Higher Education Learner
Introduction
Higher education is a transformative journey that equips students with a wide range
of skills necessary for academic success and personal development. These skills not
only promote academic excellence, but also prepare students for future careers and
lifelong learning. In this essay, I will identify and present important key skills for
students including critical thinking, research skills, time management, communication
skills and adaptability.

Critical thinking skills

Critical thinking is one of the key skills that college students develop throughout their
academic journey. It involves the ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesize
information and ideas (Paul and Elder, 2006). For example, when conducting
complex research, a student must critically evaluate the credibility of sources,
analyse data, and synthesize observations to draw meaningful conclusions.

Research skills
Research skills are extremely important in higher education, as students are
expected to conduct independent research and produce original papers. These skills
include the ability to conduct literature reviews, design experiments, collect data, and
analyse results (Denscombe, 2014). For example, a student pursuing a science
degree must demonstrate research skills by designing and conducting experiments,
recording data, and drawing scientifically sound conclusions.

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Time management
Time management is an important skill for college students, who often juggle multiple
assignments, exams, and extracurricular activities. Effective time management
involves prioritizing, planning, and meeting deadlines (Macan, Shahani, Dippoye, &
Phillips, 1990). A student who manages his time well can set aside enough hours to
study, attend classes and other responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed.
Communication skills
Effective communication skills are critical in higher education as students interact
with professors, peers, and participate in group projects and presentations. These
skills include oral and written communication, active listening and the ability to
communicate ideas clearly and persuasively (McCroskey, 1997). A student with
excellent communication skills can express his thoughts in essays, participate in
class discussions and collaborate effectively in team projects.
Adaptability
The ability to adapt to new situations and challenges is a valuable skill in higher
education. The student is exposed to different learning environments, teaching
methods and subjects. Adaptability requires openness to new ideas, adaptation of
learning strategies and acceptance of change (Willingham, 2018). A student who can
adapt effectively is more likely to succeed in the dynamic landscape of higher
education.

Conclusion
In conclusion, higher education equips students with a wealth of skills that are
essential for success in college and beyond. Critical thinking, research skills, time
management, communication skills and adaptability are just some of the key skills
that university students develop. These skills not only promote academic excellence,
but also prepare students for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter in
their future careers and lifelong learning.

References:
Macan, T. H., Shahani, C., Dipboye, R. L., & Phillips, A. P. (1990). College students'
time management: Correlations with academic performance and stress. Journal of
Educational Psychology, 82(3), 405-410.

Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2006). Critical thinking: The nature of critical and creative
thought. Journal of Developmental Education, 30(2), 34-35.

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Willingham, D. T. (2018). When can you trust the experts? How to tell good science
from bad in education. John Wiley & Sons.

Denscombe, M. (2014). The good research guide: For small-scale social research
projects. McGraw-Hill Education.

McCroskey, J. C. (1997). Willingness to communicate, communication

apprehension, and self-perceived communication competence: Conceptualizations
and perspectives. In J. A. Daly (Ed.), Avoiding communication: Shyness, reticence,
and communication apprehension (pp. 19-44). Routledge.