3rd Sep '25

Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills

There are 6 key skills that you should aim to develop while you are studying:

Independent Enquirers
Creative Thinkers
Reflective Learners
Team Workers
Self-Managers
Effective Participants

Independent enquirers

Independent enquirers can:

identify questions to answer and problems to resolve
plan and carry out research, appreciating the consequences of decisions
explore issues, events or problems from different perspectives
analyse and evaluate information, judging its relevance and value
consider the influence of circumstances, beliefs and feelings on decisions and events
support conclusions, using reasoned arguments and evidence.

Creative Thinkers

Creative thinkers can:

generate ideas and explore possibilities
ask questions to extend their thinking
connect their own and others’ ideas and experiences in inventive ways
question their own and others’ assumptions
try out alternatives or new solutions and follow ideas through
adapt ideas as circumstances change.

Reflective Learners

Reflective learners can:

assess themselves and others, identifying opportunities and achievements
set goals with success criteria for their development and work
review progress, acting on the outcomes
invite feedback and deal positively with praise, setbacks and criticism
evaluate experiences and learning to inform future progress
communicate their learning in relevant ways for different audiences.

Team Workers

Team workers can:

collaborate with others to work towards common goals
reach agreements, managing discussions to achieve results
adapt behaviour to suit different roles and situations, including leadership roles
show fairness and consideration to others
take responsibility, showing confidence in themselves and their contribution
provide constructive support and feedback to others.

Self-Managers

Self-managers can:

seek out challenges or new responsibilities and show flexibility when priorities change
work towards goals, showing initiative, commitment and perseverance
organise time and resources, prioritising actions
anticipate, take and manage risks
deal with competing pressures, including personal and work-related demands
respond positively to change, seeking advice and support when needed
manage their emotions, and build and maintain relationships.

Effective Participators

Effective participators can:

discuss issues of concern, seeking resolution where needed
present a persuasive case for action
propose practical ways forward, breaking these down into manageable steps
identify improvements that would benefit others as well as themselves
try to influence others, negotiating and balancing diverse views to reach workable solutions
act as an advocate for views and beliefs that may differ from their own.