Reflective Learning

Reflective learning is helpful not only in learning settings but also helps students to find a healthy habit in order to remain organised. It allows them to take accountability and complete ownership of their actions and their outcomes. This section highlights how self-assessed learning can help them learn with solid intentions and grow with more confidence. It will also shed light on the advantages and disadvantages of this method, along with guidance on how you can be a reflective learner.

What is reflective learning? 

Reflective learning is the process of analysing past experiences to understand what went wrong and identify ways to improve future performance. The method allows you to pause from the daily chaos and spend time with yourself to think about the different tasks and activities that you juggle throughout the day. Which otherwise wouldn't have been possible due to the overburden of the standard learning curriculum and the expectation to study hard to get a degree on merit. 

Reflective learning is the process of learning through success and failure. Each experience has something new to learn, whether you end up well or badly. Reflecting on yourself is one way of learning because the way you think relates to what has happened and the reasons behind it. This makes you take the step with greater confidence. 

This practice also makes you take charge of your progress. It implies that you will not have to be guided by people all the time. The approach is effective for students who prefer learning individually. It will make you see your actions to make better decisions in the future. Eventually, it contributes to your self-growth and assists you in staying true to your intentions.

Different ways to be a reflective learner

Reflective learning occur when you are thinking with a purpose and intention. However, most of them fail in the initial stage. This situation is where they desire to exercise such a method but they lack the means of how to go about it in real life. There are several practical ways that you can use to practise self-assessed learning in your day-to-day activities:

• Keep a learning journal handy: Write a daily learning journal. Include both positive and negative experiences to see what you're doing well and what needs improvement. Even brief notes can help you track your growth and understand your progress.
• Ask questions to yourself: After each productive task, practise reflective learning by asking yourself what you learnt and how you could improve next time. This strengthens self-awareness and encourages better learning habits.
• Always be open to feedback: Don’t take suggestions or feedback personally and get offended by it, instead use them to your advantage for improvement. This is an evident sign of reflective learners, they always take feedback as a learning tool and not criticism. 
• Have your personal goals: Having small and realistic goals helps you to go above and beyond where you are. Once you start working on them consistently and achieve them, you develop this sense of accomplishment and confidence. That is your fuel to tackle bigger things in life and make your reflective learning journey effective and meaningful.
• Be a part of discussions that help you grow: Surround yourself and be a part of discussions that help you get closer to your goals. They help in clarifying your doubts that you were afraid to ask out loud, and a chance to express yourself out loud.