The Importance of Self-Reflection How to End the Year on a Positive Note

The Importance of Self-Reflection How to End the Year on a Positive Note Once Thanksgiving passes, many of us shift into autopilot mode to ride out the rest of the semesterwhether this means cramming for tests or pulling all-nighters for essays. While you more than deserve the holiday break, a great way to end the year positively is to take some time to reflect on your performance. Academic self-reflection, in particular, allows you to consider your unique strengths and weaknesses as a learner, strategies that helped or hindered you, and ways to move forward as you go into the New Year. Its also a great practice that will help you become a more effective and efficient student. Keep reading to learn how to end the year on a positive note. Reflect on your achievements Early in your self-reflection, consider what you have achieved over the past year. Identify both small- and large-scale achievements. Think, too, about what your teacher or peers did that assisted you. Were there specific activities or assignments that nudged you toward success? What resources did you take advantage of, such as: Office hours Study groups The writing center? What did you do specifically to improve your chances of success? Make a list or free-write about what worked well for you. Conversely, what problems did you run into while aiming for success, and what could you do to improve in these areas? Again, the more concrete you are, the better. [RELATED: 10 Study Habits to Avoid] Reflect on your daily schedule and study habits Mapping out your daily schedule and study habits is another useful aspect of self-reflection. Of course, every week is different, but take the time to chart out how you generally spent each day during the week, including any extracurricular activities. Then, consider how you spent your study and homework sessions: when, where, and how did you study? What kind of strategies did you use? For example, list out whether you took breaks, used class notes, made flashcards, or reread your textbook. How far in advance did you generally begin to study for an exam or prepare for a major project or paper? Think about your organizational methods, as well. Looking back, reflect on effective and ineffective aspects of your schedule and habits, and what you want to carry with you into the New Year. [RELATED: How to Make a Smart Study Routine] Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses By this point in your self-reflection, some of your strengths and weaknesses may have already made themselves known. Probe deeper, and consider your skills in keeping yourself organized and on task, as well as your skills in particular subjects and concepts. Its easy to get down on yourself in regard to your weaknesses, but remember that every student, and every person, has weak spots. You dont need to become a completely different person in order to meet your academic goals. Rather, knowing more about yourself can help you identify resources and strategies that will help you succeed. After self-reflecting, its time to make some goals for the New Year! Make sure that your goals are concrete, achievable, and quantifiable. Then, consider both strategies and habits that you can use moving forward, as well as support and help from outside sources, including classmates and instructors. After all this, dont forget to pat yourself on the back for the growth youve shown and the self-awareness youve gained through this process. [RELATED: 3 Note-Taking Formats Every Student Should Try] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

A Student Review of University of Miami

A Student Review of University of Miami The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Michael earned his bachelors degree in psychology from University of Miami in 2012. He currently specializes in biology tutoring, algebra tutoring, and more. See what he had to share about his experience at University of Miami: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Michael: The University of Miami is located in a beautiful and affluent suburb fifteen minutes outside of Miami. The campus is extremely beautiful and very reminiscent of a tropical resort. It is very walkable, as it can take roughly fifteen minutes to walk from one end to the other. The university provides a shuttle that will take you around campus, as well as to local markets, malls, and other social venues. Freshmen are not allowed to bring a car to campus, but the majority of upperclassmen tend to have a car. The campus is very bike-friendly, and ZipCar is available for those who dont have a car but would like to rent one for the day. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Michael: Most classes at UM are fairly small, with the largest being around 120 students. Advising is integrated throughout your undergraduate experience at multiple levels, and students are given as much guidance as they desire. The university cares about ensuring students graduate on time, and there are many advisors to help you achieve your academic goals. Teaching assistants usually help with workshop sessions and laboratory segments of courses. They are usually graduate students at UM and are very approachable. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students at University of Miami? Michael: The dorms are like most other college campuses, with a good mixture of single and double occupancy rooms. Upperclassman can live in beautiful on-campus apartments (ranging from a one bed, one bath to a four bed, four bath). There are many dining options available with convenient hours. Dorm life is what you make of it. Freshman year in the towers is a great social experience. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Michael: The College of Arts Sciences is probably the division of the university I am most familiar with. I was a psychology major and it was one of the largest departments at the university. The guidance, faculty, and support staff were phenomenal, and I still keep in touch with many to this day. I also took pre-med courses, and the university has a very comprehensive pre-health advising system to help students gain admission to highly competitive graduate fields in medicine. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Michael: Making friends is an integral part of the college experience. At UM, students come from all over the US and the world, making for a very diverse community. There is a strong sense of family amongst the students, and making friends that share interests in common with you is not hard. Greek life exists, although its not huge. Its there if you want it, and can open the doors to many life-long friendships and networking opportunities. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services at University of Miami? Michael: The career center at UM is top-notch, and they will make individual appointments with you to help you with your resume, CV, and interviewing skills. They provide excellent career guidance and host many networking events and career fairs. Students at UM do very well finding postgraduate job placement. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Michael: If you havent seen pictures of the campus, you need to check them out online. Its beyond beautiful and many of these picturesque areas are devoted to academic studies. Overcrowding is never an issue, as UM is a relatively small university. Describe the surrounding town. Michael: Coral Gables is an affluent suburb of Miami that is exceptionally safe and beautiful. There are outdoor malls, concert venues, public parks, and waterfront dining all within a five-minute drive from campus. Downtown Miami and South Beach are only 15 minutes away via car, and there is a metro station right by the university. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Michael: I found the size of UM to be perfect. There are about 10,000 undergraduate students total. Typical class sizes were around 20 for me, with my largest being in introductory science classes (usually around 120 students). I never felt overwhelmed by the sizes of my classes. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Michael: I loved my academic experience at UM, and really fell in love with a course on abnormal psychology. The professor was outstanding and was really passionate about serving the community. The classes at UM are small enough to get to know your professors, which opens doors for many great networking opportunities. Check out Michaels tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.