Mirror, Mirror: Let's Reflect

Look back at the semester and see how much you have done...

Photo by pan xiaozhen on Unsplash

It is that time of year where we are all trying to turn 70’s into 90’s, scrambling to find summer jobs and internships, planning our summer trips, and attempting to do everything in our power to prepare for the end of the year. But, it is also important while we try to get ready for the year to end, that we reflect back on where we were when the year began…

Why is it important that we reflect?

I know it sounds useless and lame to reflect on the beginning of this academic year, especially when we have so much going on around us, but that is exactly why we should. Time goes by so fast and it's easy to miss what things you have accomplished. During this busy time, where we can sometimes feel that we won’t get it all done, this can be a helpful motivational tool to show us just how much we are capable of. Self-reflection allows us an opportunity to slow down the thoughts that are always running around in our heads. When we are going from class to class, or out of test to test, we don’t get a chance to actually think of how we feel. Sometimes when we are going through things, the way we cope is through staying busy. If we don’t take the time to reflect on our activities periodically through our lives, we can actually miss cues that we are subconsciously trying to send to ourselves.

What should you reflect on?

· Goals that were set and met, and what are your next steps to accomplishing bigger goals

· Organizations that you’ve joined this past year/semester and how you have benefited from them

· Your grades for the semester, what you did well with, and what can you improve on

· Do you feel overwhelmed from the amount of classes you are taking?

· Do you feel overwhelmed by your on-campus involvement?

· Have you taken enough time for self-care?

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How should you reflect?

· Think out loud

· Write down your reflections in a journal

· Draw a picture/doodle

· Do whatever allows you think freely and focus on yourself

· Compare what you are doing in life with goals outlined on vision board or motivation wall

· Talk out loud with a friend or someone you trust

What to do after you reflect?

· Take a chance to breath and give yourself a moment of silence

· Plan new goal or markers based off the goals you have or have not accomplished

· Keep any journal, doodles, or any of your record of your reflection in a safe place. It is good to look back on all of these reflections because its fun to see how you were thinking once you look back them later in life, and it shows you how far you have come.

Self- reflection at the end of the academic year is key to having future success. How do you know what to do to get better, if you don’t reflect on what you have done before? Now is the time for you take a moment, breath, and think about how far you've come.