Looking Back: Reflection
Reflection is an ongoing process and it’s not always easy – especially if things didn’t go to plan, mistakes were made, or situations felt complicated. But by asking deeper questions and unpacking the details, you can start to gain clarity. This can bring a sense of empowerment and relief – not because the challenges disappear, but because you begin to understand what happened and how you can move forward positively.
This skill will be invaluable for your university applications and interviews, where you may be asked about challenges you’ve faced, decisions you’ve made, and how you’ve grown from your experiences. Even if everything has been positive, reflection is still essential – it helps you recognise what’s working so you can continue reaching your full potential.
Take a moment to pause and reflect step-by-step using these questions:
What went well this year?
Identify one thing you’re proud of – this could be anything: an achievement outside school, joining a new club, excellent mock exam results, or building a helpful habit (e.g. waking up earlier or scheduling regular revision time).
What didn’t go as planned?
Think of something that felt challenging or didn’t turn out how you hoped, such as not achieving your predicted grades or struggling with a disrupted routine.
Why did it happen that way?
This can be a tough question if things didn’t go well, but it’s vital to understand the causes so you can improve next time. Consider: Was it your approach? Were there external factors or unexpected circumstances? Or did it go to plan because you were well-prepared, consistent, and had the right mindset?
What could you have done differently?
If things didn’t go to plan, think about alternative strategies you might try next time. For example, if mock exam results weren’t as high as you wanted, was it because revision was crammed in at the last minute or too infrequent? Could you plan earlier, revise little and often, or spread tasks more evenly?
What will you carry forward?
Decide what you want to continue, change, or avoid in the future. Write down three key points you can take into Year 13 and potentially use in your UCAS application or interviews to show how you’ve overcome challenges or built on successes.
I wish you the best of luck in your studies!
Jessica 😊
