What I have learnt

Throughout the duration of this module, my learning journey has been multifaceted, delving into various aspects beyond the realms of design. An integral part of this experience was the meticulous crafting of an impactful CV, coupled with the process of securing a job successfully. It became evident that the scope of design extends far beyond visual aesthetics.

Engaging in weekly lectures, I have gained a lot of new skills vital not only in the professional landscape but also in life. The array of topics covered, from enhancing presentation skills to mastering interviews and gaining insights into legal aspects, proved immensely valuable. However, the extensive knowledge acquisition did take its toll, often feeling quite draining.

Nevertheless, I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to acquire these essential skills. I recognise their significance as valuable tools for my future endeavours. The knowledge and expertise gained in presenting myself effectively, acing interviews, and comprehending the legal aspects of design are invaluable assets that I am eager to apply and further develop in my future career pursuits.

What challenged me

Throughout this module, I encountered a multitude of challenges, with one of the most daunting being the workload. Juggling the demands of creating a CV and portfolio, attending job interviews, doing design tasks, managing another concurrent module, and striving to maintain a life outside university posed a significant challenge. Balancing these responsibilities was incredibly overwhelming and pushed the limits of my capacity.

Among the various projects, one particular aspect that posed a notable challenge was the creation of the tender document. This task, albeit crucial for professional growth, did not align entirely with my personal interests. I found it to be rather tedious and draining, lacking the excitement that I usually associate with creative projects. Despite this, I acknowledge the importance of mastering this skill for future career prospects, and I am appreciative of the opportunity to learn and refine this essential aspect.

What to improve on

Towards the conclusion of the module, one area I recognise as needing improvement is my time management skills. As the module drew to a close, I began to experience burnout, which significantly impacted my productivity and led to falling behind on my work.

I believe that dedicating more attention to managing my time effectively during the latter part of the module would have been beneficial. The onset of burnout made it challenging to sustain the same level of focus and energy, resulting in a slowdown in my progress.

In retrospect, implementing strategies to maintain a healthy balance between workload and personal well-being could have prevented the burnout. Perhaps incorporating regular breaks, establishing clearer task priorities, and employing efficient time-blocking techniques would have enabled me to manage my workload more effectively, thus mitigating the adverse effects on my productivity.

Recognising this experience, I aim to proactively address time management challenges in the future by learning from these lessons. I intend to explore various time management methodologies and prioritise self-care practices to ensure sustained productivity and prevent burnout in subsequent modules or projects.