WEEK 2 SELF REFLECTION

 

WEEK 2 SELF REFLECTION

Knowledge gained: What did I learn this week, academically and personally?

This week I really had to face a bit of self-awareness and be honest with myself. I find starting the work or project the hardest part and can often procrastinate. My learning style is visual and auditory and I thrive on routines and being organised. I need no interruptions and a quiet space to stay focussed.

Challenges: What obstacles did I face, and how did I overcome them?

As I mentioned in week 1, not being able to attend the live classes has made it challenging for me to connect to the subject and class. I am more likely to put off listening to the recordings and can have trouble staying focussed and become easily distracted. I tend to have a lack of confidence and self-belief. 

I have tried to overcome this by creating achievable goals and routines. If I start with some quick readings and the subject overviews or reading some discussion posts it helps me to engage.

Successes & strengths: What successes or strengths did I recognise in myself this week?

The week two tutorial really highlighted the various areas where we can add value, whether it is hard skills or soft skills. This week I had the benefit of attending the Design Show in Melbourne and being able to view and access the latest products and design. 
I could also reflect on the soft skills I have to offer such as organisation skills, ability to listen and empathise. I'm good at making quick decisions when needed.

Application: How can I apply what I have learned?

The biggest thing I need to recognise is being realistic with my time. I had initially started with two subjects but learnt I was already quite stretched juggling family life, so cutting back to one subject made it more manageable and easier to stay on top of the work. I am now putting aside time in the day where I dedicate to study and make sure I have removed distractions such as my phone. 

Areas for improvement: What skills or knowledge would I like to develop further?

I would like to keep pushing myself creatively and continue practising the skills I have learnt with photoshop and InDesign. I need to utilise the workshops available and overcome my perfectionism. 

Goals: Based on my reflections, what personal goals can I set for the coming week?

The quote above really resonated with me with me this week, to feel the fear and do it anyway. The important thing for me is to start something no matter how good it is, allow time to draft and refine and seek feedback. It's important to be kind to myself and start with small steps or simple bite size pieces. Have small goals that I can tick off to still have that sense of achievement and progress. 

Put my phone out of reach to avoid distractions. Allocate my time to study and use it, don't waste it. Try not to overcommit and be realistic about timeframes, even if that means saying no to a quick coffee with a friend. Tackle easy tasks first to gain momentum.