Study Strategies and Academic Development Portfolio Assessment Guide October 2026: Note-taking, Time Management and SMART Goals | GBS Level 3

Study Strategies and Academic Development – Portfolio Assessment Guide (Level 3, October 2026)

This first-module portfolio asks foundation-year students to show, with real evidence, how they used three study skills during the term: a manual and a digital note-taking method, one time-management strategy, and a SMART goal tracked through self-assessment. Marks reward application and reflection rather than description.

Assessment Overview

Submit a 1,500-word portfolio demonstrating how you have developed and applied key academic skills from this module, showing how you used the following to improve your study skills and academic performance:

• Note-taking methods and digital tools
• Time management strategies
• Goal setting and self-assessment

The portfolio should focus on application and reflection, using specific examples to show what you did and how it supported your academic development.

1. Introduction (200 words)

• Explain why developing academic and study skills is important for success in higher education.
• Briefly introduce the key skills covered: note-taking, time management, and goal setting and self-assessment.
• State the aim of the portfolio and what you will demonstrate in each section.

2. Note-taking Method and Digital Tools – LO1 (450 words)

Compare handwritten and digital note-taking to identify which method is more effective for your learning.

Task requirements

• ONE manual method (e.g. handwritten linear notes, mind map, Cornell method) and ONE digital method using a tool (e.g. OneNote).
• Describe both approaches briefly and the method/tool you used.
• Compare effectiveness: which method better supported understanding, retention and recall?
• Support the comparison with at least ONE specific example that refers directly to your notes (layout, organisation, keywords, revision use).
• State your preference: which method was more effective overall, and why.

Evidence

• One photo/scan of handwritten notes
• One screenshot of digital notes

Reflection

• What you learned about your study habits
• How you will apply this in future
• How this approach supports your overall academic development

3. Time Management and Maintaining a Balanced Schedule – LO2 (450 words)

Apply ONE time-management strategy to organise your study and explain how it worked for you.

Task requirements

• Choose ONE strategy (e.g. Eisenhower Matrix, Pomodoro Technique, weekly planner) and describe briefly how it works.
• Explain how you used it: how you planned and prioritised your academic tasks.
• Explain how it worked for you: what worked well, what challenges you faced, and how it affected deadlines, organisation and stress.
• Explain how it helped you manage study alongside other commitments (work, rest, personal time).
• Give ONE example showing how you prioritised at least two competing tasks (e.g. deadlines and workloads).

Evidence and reflection

• Photos/screenshots of your planner, matrix or time log.
• What you learned about your time management, what you would improve next time, and how this approach supports your academic development (include one example).

4. Goal Setting and Self-Assessment – LO3 (400 words)

Use the SMART framework to set an academic goal and a self-assessment method to plan and review your academic progress.

Task requirements

• Describe both approaches briefly: what SMART goals are and which self-assessment method you used.
• Set ONE short-term academic SMART goal and show how you used your chosen method to plan and track progress.
• Explain your progress so far and any changes you made (you do not need to have achieved the goal): progress made, challenges faced, and whether you stayed on track.
• Give ONE specific example showing how you reviewed or adjusted your goal or actions.

Evidence and reflection

• Completed SMART goal template, plus a checklist or journal entry showing progress tracking.
• What you learned about your progress or study habits, what you would change next time, and how this approach supports your academic development.

5. References

Include a minimum of two academic references from the module reading list or session materials, using Harvard (Construction Management, Project Management and Computing) or APA 7th (Psychology with Counselling) consistently.

Presentation and Marking

• Arial, Calibri, Sans-Serif or Times Roman, size 12, 1.5 or double line spacing; .doc, .docx, .odt or .pdf.
• Evidence should demonstrate application and impact, not description alone; be honest in your self-assessment.
• Marking rubric (25% each): Task Fulfilment (understanding and application of the skills, with module references); Use of Examples (written examples and screenshots/photos); Structure, Organisation and Presentation; Academic Writing.

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