1.COMPILING A LITERATURE REVIEW

When compiling a literature review critical reading is important. One should never take at face value something one reads. A typical example of this is Wikipedia. It can be a very reliable source of information on any topic you wish. However, it can also be edited by anybody, and some writers can be biased. Checking sources for points is the best way to get an idea of the reliability of a statement. If it can be linked to peer reviewed journals or articles it is more likely that the information is reliable.

It is of vital importance to keep an un-biased attitude towards your readings, in order to find out the true meaning behind them. A literautre review can be quite challenging when first introduced to the idea. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, or become confused about exactly what is expected in a literature review, which I found to be a problem personally when I began compiling my own.

A literature review is a review of various credible information sources on a certain topic. The information should be critacally analysed by the individual and all the literature should be put together in summary. My literature review was based on "why employers are looking for a skilled workforce". This was a topic I found quite easy to research as there was a huge selection of information available on the web, in books and journals. However the obstacle that confronted me was searching out credible information which had been backed up by a reliable source. I also had to make sure that the information backed up the statement given. It was then on to structuring my assignment and pulling everything together in an academic way- I would strongly advise a template layout before you complete the review, with step by step check points to keep on track.

If I was given the oppourtunity to re-sit my literature review I would be more critical when reviewing literature and make more of an effort to keep personal bias from it: It is all too easy to take ones own preconceptions and then try to find sources to back that up. This isn't a very critical way to go about compiling a literature review, but rather the review should be an unbiased account of each aspect of the literature. It is an easy trap to fall into, as when considering what information to be included I first thought about my own preconceptions. I would also advise anybody compiling a literature review to familiarise themselves with Harvard referencing style, as it can be confusing and time consuming for those who are not used to it.

2.TIME MANAGEMENT

Time management is a key element for maximising efficiency both in one’s personal life and career. Effective time management leads to better use of a person's time, as they learn to balance tasks and priorities.The many distractions available literally at the touch of a button in our modern world, makes it much easier to become distracted from the task at hand and in turn diverted onto more trivial and less stressful activities.

 However, in my view it then becomes a question of whether we will allow ourselves to be distracted from our goal, or whether we choose the route of self-discipline, sticking to a schedule to complete a task? Creating a time schedule for important activities can help a person focus on a particular objective for a set amount of time. This can have an advantage over a less structured system, where not nailing down an exact time goal for completing a task can lead to meandering and procrastination...and before you know it a simple task has taken hours to complete. Here are some other time management tips which I have found useful!

• Use all the time available- studying in between lectures and not just in a block of time is something I tend to do.
• Structure your environment- I find an area you like with little distractions which is always available works best for achieving goals.
• Establish a routine- I study at set times briefly and regularly and really find this useful.

From previous experience I found it’s much easier to complete a task if you have an allocated time to start and finish. I believe it is of vital importance to ensure you also allocate time for socialising and activities you enjoy i.e. exercise, going out etc... This can also act as a great motivator, when the hope of a reward in the future can push you toward your goal.

3.EFFECTIVE NOTE TAKING

One of the major difficulties when I entered into first year was effective note taking. I had entered into a new environment with new people new subjects and new teachers. I had also entered a world of higher education that is very different from the education I had received before. Under this system I would have to work under my own initiative, motivate my own learning and research, and organise my time myself.

 From a personal perspective I found that I was getting completley bogged down on distinguishing between what information to note that would be useful in my studies and what information wasn't worthy of note.This in turn resulted in getting myself into a panic, which effected my concentration in the class context. I found myself spending a lot of time attempting to take down as much information as possible, while barely engaging with the material past that point, as all of my effort was concentrated on taking notes.

 I began to research effective note taking and found many different usefull ways in which notes can be taken. The four most common types of effective note taking include Cornell format, Outline format, Sentence format and mind mapping. The type of note taking I found most effective was  mind maps. However this does not suit all individuals. 

I believe its just a matter of trial and error with each type in order to find out which one works best for you. I found mind maps with bullet points both helped me to organise information effectively, and saved space enabling me to contain large amounts of notes on a single topic in one mind map. I have also realised that I am quite a visual learner, and having information presented in this way helps me to learn it better.

4.PRESENTATION SKILLS

Presentations can be a very daunting thing to most people. It is very common to feel nervous and anxious when considering giving a presentation.

Public speaking is cited as one of the most common fears. After all, I'm sure we are all familiar with the trope of 'dreaming you have to speak and aren't wearing any clothes'. This illuminates the fact that being exposed in any sense in front of a group of people is something that causes a lot of stress. It is unsurprising, as presentations require many different skills, and require a person to 'keep many balls in the air' so to speak. Forgetting what you are talking about, having others notice your nerves, or having an unreceptive audience are just a few of the main causes for concern.

On a personal level, I felt extreme anxiety when faced with the idea of presentation. I think it’s just the abstract concept of standing at the top of a room with a lot of people looking at you that sets these nerves off. In my opinion practice is the best policy. The more you practice the less nervous you will become, familiarised with the topic, become accustomed to the idea of giving presentation etc. I would advise any individual delivering a presentation to ensure they pick a topic they are familiar with. This eliminates the problem of unexpected questions being thrown at you towards the end of the presentation.

Overall my advice would be not to panic at the thought of a presentation. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be to deliver. Nervousness can often make you speak more quickly than intended. An effort to remain calm will pay off in the quality of your presentation all round. Finally pretending there is nobody else in the room is a strategy that I guarantee will make presentations easier!

5.EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Within the following post I will address the area of Emotional Intelligence. In today's society, academic intelligence is prized above all. Students are pressured from a young age into taking standardised tests, and later on exams to determine their future career opportunities. There is often the mistaken impression that intelligence applies purely to skills of reasoning, planning, problem solving and logical thinking. due to so much pressure on achieving high grades and results in exams. We often have a tendency to only perceive intelligence as the ability to reason, plan, solve problems and think logically. We often discount the importance of emotional intelligence.

My experience, I felt behind my friends in school. I really had to work hard to do well unlike some others and started to believe that I was stupid. However it was only when it came to later life that I realised that I was extremely emotionally intelligent. I worked well with others and was well able to express myself to others. Learning more about this gave me a new perspective on my intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence is basically the ability to express ourselves, to work well with others and also to have the ability to cope with daily demands challenges and pressures internally. Although through the eyes of some it may be seen that these abilities do not make somebody intelligent, it is equally if not more important to obtain emotional intelligence as well as cognitive intelligence. This seems to be self-evident, as I'm sure we can all think of a person who is fully capable of planning, reasoning and problem solving, but without the ability to engage with others or temper their emotions would be of little practical use in a company where many different people have to work together. Both are essential for achieving best results.

So remember, just because you may not have the best memory or problem solving skills, that doesn't mean you are unintelligent, but rather that your intelligence might lie outside of the academic world. I also realised that without a degree of emotional intelligence, that traditional academic smarts wouldn't be very useful!