University of Greenwich ID Number: 001306930

FPT Student ID Number: GBD220262

Module Code: BUSI1701

Module Assessment Title: Report

Lecturer Name: Khoa Anh Trinh

Submission Date: 19 April 2023

Word count: 1833

Table of Contents
1. Introduction.........................................................................................................4
2. Reflection on academic skills development activity...........................................4
2A: Specific SMART Academic Goal:.................................................................4
2B: Why I choose this goal:..................................................................................4
2C: Actions taken to work towards this goal:.......................................................5
2D:i) What went well:...........................................................................................5
2D:ii) What went less well:...................................................................................6
2E: How has your goal and your action to reach that goal impacted your
academic performance? What will you do differently next year?.........................6
3. Reflection on your employability goal................................................................6
3A: Specific SMART employability goal:............................................................6
3B: Why I choose this goal:..................................................................................7
3C: Actions taken to work towards this goal:.......................................................7
3D:i) What went well:...........................................................................................7
3D:ii) What went less well:...................................................................................8
3E: How has your goal and your action to reach that goal impacted your
academic performance? What will you do differently next year?................8
4. Reflection on your academic rigour......................................................................8
4A: Specific SMART Academic Rigour:..............................................................9
4B: Why I chose this goal:....................................................................................9
4C: Actions taken to work towards this goal:.......................................................9
4D:i) What went well:...........................................................................................9
4D:ii) What went less well:.................................................................................10
4E: What will you do differently next year?.......................................................10
5. Conclusions.......................................................................................................10
6. References.........................................................................................................10
7. Appendix.............................................................................................................12
7.1.  SWOT analysis and SMART goal table......................................................12
7.2.  A screenshot of your academic goal training..............................................14
7.3.  A screenshot of your employability goal training.......................................15
7.4.  A screenshot of your academic rigour training and ‘Academic Evidence’
task completed in Week 7....................................................................................17
 1. Introduction
Establishing and achieving individual goals is crucial to one's functioning and well-being
(Hadley and MacLeod, 2010). Setting goals may increase our motivation, mental health, and
degree of success in both our personal and professional lives (Riopel, 2019).

The three developmental goals set for myself at the start of the year will be discussed in
this report. They are categorised into an academic objective, an employability objective, and a
goal related to rigour. The discussion will be supported by academic resources and critical
thinking to explain the rationale behind choosing these goals and how they were achieved. The
SMART methodology was used to formulate the objectives, which are strategic, measurable,
attainable, results-based, and time-bound (Conzemius and O’Neill, 2009).

This report aims to provide an overview of progress made towards achieving these goals
and the techniques utilised to do so. This self-reflection will ultimately aid in identifying
strengths and weaknesses, highlighting the importance of setting SMART goals for personal and
professional growth.

2. Reflection on academic skills development

activity 

2A: Specific SMART Academic Goal:

By the end of the semester, I aim to enhance my time management skills by creating and
following a schedule for academics, extracurriculars, and personal activities, while eliminating
procrastination habits so that I can reach my score goal and complete completing my
assignments.

2B: Why I choose this goal:

 Time management is such an important topic in education and learning that students
often complain about the lack of time to complete tasks (García-Ros, Pérez-González, Hinojosa,
2004). As a student of business, time management skills are essential to meet deadlines, turn in
assignments on time, and do additional activities. This will lead to higher marks and increased
performance, and I need to develop my time management skills to become a successful business
student.

I have difficulty prioritising tasks and determining which ones are most important,
leading to a lack of favourable outcomes and dissatisfaction with my work output. Setting
academic objectives and managing my time are essential for academic greatness, and the thought
of prioritising my calendar has motivated me to make this goal.

2C: Actions taken to work towards this goal:

One key way to achieve this goal is to set goals that are achievable and measurable using
the SMART method (CFI Team, 2022). My usage of a time-management tool Google Calendar
and the setting of reminders for important chores have helped me keep on track and be
responsible with my time. I cultivate a daily habit of creating a concise to-do list containing only
3-4 meaningful goals for the day. My primary focus every day is to successfully achieve those
items on my list. To make sure that I start with the most crucial chores, I have also developed the
practice of prioritising my tasks. I also employ the Pomodoro method - a time management
technique consisting of 25 minutes of intense work interspersed with five minutes of rest. 

2D:i) What went well:

I have come to the understanding that by managing my time efficiently, I can accomplish
more tasks in a shorter period, thereby increasing my productivity. In my first year in college, I
made sure to submit all of my assignments on time, including those for my writing lab. To
prepare for quizzes and exams, I priotori a significant amount of time to practise beforehand and
guarantee completed them ahead of time. As a result, I achieved a grade of 70%, 100%, and
100% marks respectively, providing evidence that my time management abilities have
significantly improved, which has enabled me to produce the best outcomes.
 2D:ii) What went less well:
In my personal experience, I have trouble keeping to a strict routine. Sometimes, I
become a victim of my tendency to procrastinate, devoting less priority to crucial tasks and
losing focus within a short time. Additionally, unexpected circumstances that can force me to
change my plans, there are enticing diversions that might result in procrastination. Even the most
meticulously planned schedule can be upset by unanticipated interruptions like phone calls,
emails, meetings, or requests for assistance from friends or family members.

2E: How has your goal and your action to reach that goal impacted
your academic performance? What will you do differently next year?
I believe that I have made some progress in enhancing my ability to manage time
efficiently know how to prioritise various activities, make short- and long-term plans, and be
specific “skills such as focusing on urgent and important tasks, rather than those that are not
important or do not move you towards the goals, elaborate list of decisions, avoid procrastination
or persevere when things are not working” (Tortajada et al., 2015, p. 7), which has consequently
contributed to my achieving favourable academic results.

As I mentioned above, next year I want to improve my ability to block out time for
concentrated work and learn to say no to requests that are not urgent or significant to stay on
track with my priorities.

3. Reflection on your employability goal

3A: Specific SMART employability goal:

Within the next 1 year, I aim to achieve a proficiency level of from 5.0 to 6.5 in the
IELTS exam. This will enhance my communication skills and increase my chances of being
considered for roles that require strong English proficiency. As a result, I will be better
positioned to pursue career opportunities that align with my aspirations and open up new doors
for professional growth.

3B: Why I choose this goal:

The English language is essential for job progression in the age of globalisation and is
recognized as a ticket to improved chances for jobs and education (Ahmad, 2016). The most
common language utilised in a business is English, and knowing it well has become one of the
most important employability skills (Clement, Murugavel, 2018).

A British Council research (Elizabeth J. Erling, 2014) states that speaking English well is
highly prized in the work market. Being proficient in the English language as an international
business student can provide me with a distinct advantage in the job market. Additionally, it can
unlock doors for me to work abroad or explore opportunities for international employment.
Hence, I aim to attain a score of 6.5 in IELTS to enhance my chances of reaching my career
goals.

3C: Actions taken to work towards this goal:

I am taking an IELTS English course at Sophia English Center to improve my band score
from 5.0 to 6.5. To supplement my learning, I utilise the "4 English" app in my daily routine,
which helps to strengthen language proficiency through newspaper articles, helping me to
improve my vocabulary and comprehension. Furthermore, I actively engage in English
conversation with both my teachers and fellow students at my international school as part of my
language learning practice. In addition, I am employed in a restaurant called Thia Go, which
caters to foreign customers, which has increased my confidence in interacting with people from
diverse backgrounds and improved my English language proficiency.

3D:i) What went well:

Before beginning my university studies, I had just achieved an IELTS score of 5.0.
However, through six months of dedicated study at my school, I was able to excel and obtain the
B2 Vstep certificate with an impressive score of 7.0. Through the utilisation of the techniques
and strategies I learned, not only was I able to improve my English skills, but I was also able to
push myself to achieve both personal and professional goals. With this achievement under my
belt, I am confident in my ability to reach my goal of obtaining a 6.5 score in the IELTS exam
next year.

3D:ii) What went less well:

I acknowledge that learning IELTS can be a challenging task as it encompasses four key
areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It requires dedicated attention to all four areas
equally. Despite my determination, I face obstacles due to balancing my academic
responsibilities and extracurricular activities. This can lead me to prioritise the sections that I am
most confident in, leading me to neglect the weaker aspects of the test.

3E: How has your goal and your action to reach that goal impacted
your academic performance? What will you do differently next year?
The English Language Roadmap has established goals to graduate from higher education
with a B2 (IELTS band of 5 to 6.5) which employers expect proficiency at these levels
(Zainuddin et al., 2019). By proactively taking steps toward achieving my goal, I am
significantly increasing my chances of success. Furthermore, by enhancing my language
proficiency, I am also honing my communication skills and gaining a deeper understanding of
complex concepts and ideas. This newfound knowledge and ability will undoubtedly lead to
improved academic performance and greater success in all aspects of my life.

In the upcoming year, I plan to create a study strategy that is organised and helps me
focus on exam areas that require improvement. To achieve this, I need to create a schedule and
improve my time management skills which I emphasised in the Academic Goal section, which is
essential for fulfilling my employability goal.

4. Reflection on your academic rigour

 4A: Specific SMART Academic Rigour:
I will improve my article-searching skills by the end of this semester's end. I recognize
the importance of conducting thorough literature searches, especially in the context of academic
debates. As a result, I will focus on the task completed during Week 7 of this semester as a
starting point for my improvement. I will refine my article-searching skills to increase my
academic rigour to the highest level.

4B: Why I chose this goal:

If business learners possess good searching skills, they can benefit more (Tariq et al.,
2018). Highly competent business students can quickly access, utilise, and handle their
resources, saving them time and money (Prasanna Ranaweera, 2008). Different searching
techniques among the students at various academic levels significantly influenced how
effectively they used online library resources for their research and academic tasks (Joo & Choi,
2015).

Thanks to the debate I did in week 7, I realised that to achieve a good score on this
lesson, I need to improve my article-searching skills. Recognizing the significance of this skill
and its impact on me has motivated me to make this academic rigour.

4C: Actions taken to work towards this goal:

I use online resources like Google Scholar and ResearchGate to conduct research for
academic debates or reports. I also use the Scimago platform to identify academic articles and
expand my search for relevant information. This helps to strengthen my arguments and provide
evidence to support my claims.

4D:i) What went well:

I can be confident in my ability to find information quickly and efficiently by using
effective search techniques. This will ensure that all articles and data are sourced from credible
sources and are relevant to my research topic.
 4D:ii) What went less well:
Sometimes, I find struggles with searching for information online due to my search topic
being too broad and I am not familiar with advanced search filters. This leads to inaccurate
searches and irrelevant results.

4E: What will you do differently next year?

Next year, I plan on focusing on breaking down broad search topics into smaller, more
specific subtopics. Additionally, I recognize that I need to become more proficient in utilising
advanced search filters to obtain more targeted and relevant information.

5. Conclusions
In conclusion, establishing SMART goals for academic and employability skills, as well
as academic rigour, is imperative for achieving success in both academic and professional
realms. By crafting goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound
(SMART), I can remain motivated and focused on their objectives. At the start of the year, I set
three SMART goals for myself, which included time management, obtaining a 6.5 IELTS
certification, and refining my article-searching skills. By striving to achieve these goals, I have
gained a sense of direction and purpose in my academic and professional pursuits. Therefore,
setting SMART goals is essential and consistently working towards them is vital.

6. References
Ahmad, S.R 2016, ‘Importance of English communication skills’, International Journal of
Applied Research, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 478–480

CFI Team 2022, Time management, Corporate Finance Institute, viewed 19 Apr 2023, .
Clement, A & Murugavel, T 2018, ‘English for the Workplace: The Importance of English
Language Skills for Effective Performance’, The English Classroom, vol. 20, no. 1, viewed 19
Apr 2023, .

Conzemius, A & O’Neill, J 2009, The Power of SMART Goals: Using Goals to Improve Student
Learning, Solution Tree Press, viewed 19 Apr 2023, .

Erling, E 2014, The Role of English in Skills Development in South Asia: Policies, Interventions
and Existing Evidence, viewed 19 Apr 2023, .

García-Ros, R, Pérez-González, F, & Hinojosa, E 2004, ‘Assessing Time Management Skills as

an Important Aspect of Student Learning: The Construction and Evaluation of a Time
Management Scale with Spanish High School Students’, School Psychology International, vol.
25, no. 2, pp. 167–183, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/0143034304043684

Hadley, S,A & MacLeod, A,K 2010, ‘Conditional goal-setting, personal goals and hopelessness
about the future’, Cognition & Emotion, vol. 24, no. 7, pp.1191–1198,
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930903122521.

Prasanna Ranaweera 2008, Importance of Information Literacy skills for an Information Literate
society, ResearchGate, viewed 19 Apr 2023, .

Joo, S & Choi, N 2015, ‘Factors affecting undergraduates’ selection of online library resources
in academic tasks: Usefulness, ease-of-use, resource quality, and individual differences’, Library
Hi Tech, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 272-291, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-01-2015-0008

Riopel, L 2019, The Importance, Benefits, and Value of Goal Setting, PositivePsychology.com,
viewed 19 Apr 2023, .

Tariq, M, UR Rehman, S, Mahmood, K & Mustafa, G 2018, ‘Online Information Searching

Skills of Business Students’, Pakistan Journal of Library and Information Science, vol. 20,
pp.39–59, viewed 19 Apr 2023, .
 Tortajada, L,A, Herrero, M,A, Noguera, P, Morais, S & Atienza, J 2015, How will we evaluate
the transversal competence ‘planning and time management’ to a first-year student?, Network
Congress, Universitat Politècnica de València.

Zainuddin, S,Z,B, Pillai, S, Dumanig, F,P & Phillip, A 2019, ‘English language and graduate
employability’, Education + Training, vol. 61, no. 1, pp. 79-93, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-
06-2017-0089

7. Appendix
7.1.  SWOT analysis and SMART goal table

Strengths Weaknesses
What do you do well? What could you improve?
What unique resources can you draw Where do you have fewer resources than
on? What do others see as your others? What are others likely to see as
strengths? weaknesses?
I am skilled in time management, efficient in Some improvement areas: Firstly, time
completing tasks and assignments, dedicated to management and sticking to a strict routine.
studying and improving my skills, and proficient in Secondly, overcoming tendencies to procrastinate
conducting academic research by utilising effective and stay focused on crucial tasks. Thirdly, learning
search techniques and identifying credible sources. to balance academic responsibilities and
These strengths can help me achieve my personal extracurricular activities. Finally, developing more
and professional goals and support my academic and effective research skills, such as identifying the
research pursuits. Others may see me as a right keywords and using advanced search filters. I
responsible and organised individual who prioritises may have weaknesses in the areas of time
tasks well and is committed to self-improvement. management, procrastination, adaptability to
unexpected changes, balancing competing
priorities, and efficiently searching for information
online. Others may see these as weaknesses that
limit their effectiveness and efficiency in
accomplishing tasks.
Opportunities Threats
What opportunities are open to you? What threats could harm you?
What trends could you take advantage of? What is your competition
How can you turn your strengths into opportunities? doing?
What threats do your weaknesses expose you to?
I have demonstrated excellent time management Threats that could harm me in the examples
skills and achieved great results, which could be include my tendency to procrastinate, unexpected
used to pursue more challenging academics or circumstances that can disrupt my routine, and
professional pursuits. Additionally, I have shown a distractions that could take away my focus. In
willingness to work hard and use effective terms of IELTS, the threat could be the need to
strategies to achieve my goals. balance academic and extra-curricular
responsibilities, leading to neglecting weaker
In terms of trends that could be taken advantage of, aspects of the test. I could also struggle with
I have demonstrated an aptitude for research and searching for information online, especially when
analysis is a valuable skill in the current the search topic is too broad, leading to inaccurate
information age, as it helps to locate and verify results. As for competition, there is no clear
credible sources of information. indication of a competitor for the individual in
these examples. However, my weaknesses can
Furthermore, my ability to improve my language expose me to the risk of not meeting my objectives
skills and achieve a higher IELTS score presents an or not performing well in various areas, including
opportunity to pursue further academic academics or career.
opportunities or career prospects that require a high
level of proficiency in a language.

Finally, I can turn my strengths into opportunities by

continuing to hone my research and analysis skills,
as well as expanding on my language proficiency.
By doing so, I could position myself for increased
opportunities and career growth in my field of
interest.
SWOT analysis

GOAL 1 GOAL 2 GOAL 3

Specific Goal I aim to enhance time To achieve a To improve my article-

management skills for proficiency level of searching skills to increase
academics and from 5.0 to 6.5 in the academic rigour
personal activities IELTS exam

How this is By creating and By taking the IELTS I will be able to effectively
MEASURABLE following a schedule exam and achieving a search and retrieve
that effectively score of 5.0 or higher academic articles related to
manages time for my research topic.
academics,
extracurriculars, and
personal activities
ACHIEVEABLE By eliminating By committing to I will focus on the task
procrastination habits consistent and completed during Week 7
 structured study habits, of this semester as a
and taking practice starting point for my
exams to gauge improvement
progress
REALISTIC it is achievable within Given my current Improving my article-
a specific time frame language skills, a score searching skills is an
with consistent effort. of 6.5 is an achievable achievable goal, as there
yet challenging goal are numerous resources
within a year's time available, such as online
enhance my skills and databases and library
resources.
TIME FRAME By the end of the Within the next 1 year By the end of this semester
for completion semester

SMART goal table

7.2.  A screenshot of your academic goal training

 Time management quiz questions and answers

7.3.  A screenshot of your employability goal training

Vstep certificate
IELTS certificate
 Part-time job at Thia Go Restaurant

7.4.  A screenshot of your academic rigour training and

‘Academic Evidence’ task completed in Week 7
Academic debate submission form