Icebreakers and wrap-ups
Dear Future Me
Arley Cruthers
Suggested course level
Both upper and lower level undergraduate courses
Activity purpose
- Students will reflect on their work over the course of the semester and set writing goals for the remainder of the semester.
Materials required
- Pen
- Paper
Activity instructions
- On the last day of class, ask students to write a letter to themselves that begins Dear Future Me.
- In this letter, they will list some points about writing/ their own writing that they want to remember in the future, since they will need to use the skills we learned in this class throughout their school life and careers. They could choose to remember specific lessons (analyzing an audience, using plain language) or something they’ve learned about their writing process. I often ask students to list the thing that they’re most proud of accomplishing this semester.
- During the final exam, I give them back their letter, along with a note of encouragement.
Tags: semester wrap-up, reflection, individual, self-reflection, study help, year-end reflection
