Personal SWOT Analysis

Please read very carefully to understand what is required - ensure you meet all specified criteria.

This section is an introduction/discussion to the personal SWOT analysis and should focus on the topic generally, considering the potential benefits of undertaking a personal SWOT analysis to the WBDL student.  (As this is account relates to a personal SWOT analysis, do not focus on its possible use in organisations etc.)  

The account should be written in the 3^rd person, focusing on the WBDL student in relation to the topic, and include evidence of appropriate academic underpinning, properly sourced. 

Remember to include an appropriate number of academic quotes.

Recommended word count:  200 words  

Remember to ensure the content and display fully meet the specified criteria.

Ensure your work is presented throughout the Portfolio in line with the specified criteria:

Font:               Arial

Font size:       11

Line spacing: 1½ line spacing

Margins:         fully justified

It is very important to carefully edit, proofread and spellcheck your work several times prior to submission.  This is best done after a break from finishing it so you see the work more objectively.

Please read very carefully to understand what is required – ensure you meet all specified criteria.

For this section, you are required to firstly evaluate what you have written in the weakness box of the personal SWOT analysis, then select the three weaknesses that are likely to have the most impact on your academic studies, for example:

1  Procrastination

2  Time management

3  Editing/proofreading work

You must then mitigate your 3 selected weaknesses, demonstrating that you have considered the effects of the weakness and put measures into place to reduce the impact of each weakness.  Do this by:

• indicating what the weakness is and considering the potential impact on your academic studies;
• reviewing appropriate academic literature for potential solutions and/or explanations – for each weakness, you must include a minimum of one appropriate academic quote;
• explaining the actions you will take to overcome the weaknesses, based on the academic literature you have discussed.

Recommended word count:  400 words

Example mitigation:

As a procrastinator, I tend to over-think particular tasks in my effort to approach them as efficiently as possible.  I identify the task and then continuously refine my proposed approach until I am finally happy to start.  As I ponder the task ahead, deadlines approach quicker than anticipated, the reduced time frame puts me under pressure and as a result, I do not work effectively.

Michinov et al (2010) assert procrastination is often associated with deadlines, particularly within a University environment.  Whilst clearly I must make every effort to adhere to the deadlines given, Roterstein et al (2009) found that for many students, goals are the ultimate motivator.  However, Knaus (2000) suggests that not all delays should be tied to procrastination, since some delays are advantageous when they involve researching and preparing information.  As such, I will identify the amount of time a task is likely to take, set a particular date by to start it, giving me sufficient time to complete it in a stress-free environment.  This should allow me to continue planning my approach to ensure efficiency, but giving a cut-off point to make a start.

Procrastination links to another weakness identified, namely time management in that … etc.

Finally, I recognise how important careful and objective editing and proof-reading will be; failing to edit and then carefully proofread my work several times prior to submission may … etc

Please read very carefully to understand what is required – ensure you meet all specified criteria. 

This section is a reflection on your learning from engaging in the academic research and undertaking the personal SWOT Analysis and should focus on you/what you have learned about yourself, considering how your learning will impact on your approach to your academic studies.  The reflective account should be written in the 1st person and include evidence of appropriate academic underpinning, properly sourced. 

Include circa 2-3 academic quotations relating to this topic – if you are unable to identify any suitable academic literature relating to the personal SWOT analysis, try to think a little more broadly, for example, the potential benefits of self-awareness.

Specified word count:  250 words (plus/minus 10%)

Remember to ensure the content and display fully meet the specified criteria.

Ensure your work is presented throughout the Portfolio in line with the specified criteria:

Font:               Arial

Font size:       11

Line spacing: 1½ line spacing

Margins:         fully justified

It is very important to carefully edit, proofread and spellcheck your work several times prior to submission.  This is best done after a break from finishing it so you see the work more objectively.