How to Write Personal Reflections in Academia

Reflection writing is a chance to connect your experiences with your learning. In academic settings, a reflection should go beyond simply describing what happened. It should also show how you are thinking about the experience, what you have learned, and how this learning might influence your future actions.

This guide will help you move from descriptive writing to more analytical writing, while maintaining a clear, personal style.

1. Writing in First Person

Reflections are personal. Use “I” statements to show ownership of your learning. This is different from essays or reports where third-person writing is more common.

• Example (Descriptive): “The group decided to use pictures instead of words.”

• Example (Analytical, First Person): “I realized that using pictures instead of words helped us focus on universal meanings. This made me think about how I might use visuals in my future presentations.”

2. Forward-Looking Style

Reflection is not just about the past. It is also about what comes next. Show how you will apply your learning in new situations.

• Example (Descriptive): “We used symbols to explain the problem.”

• Example (Forward-Looking): “I now understand how symbols can be powerful when words are not enough. In future projects, I will consider whether visuals might help my audience understand my message more clearly.”

3. Moving from Description to Analysis

Descriptions tell the reader what happened. Analysis explores why it mattered and what it means.

• Descriptive Writing focuses on facts: what you did, saw, or heard.

• Analytical Writing looks for insights: why it worked, how it connects to broader ideas, what it means for your growth.

Questions to push your writing into analysis:

• What did I learn from this?

• Why was this important?

• How does this connect to what I already know?

• How might I act differently next time?

4. Balancing Description and Analysis

Both are important, but they should work together. Description sets the scene, while analysis shows your thinking.

• Weak Reflection (Only Description):
  “We drew arrows to show the order of events. We added expressions on the faces to show emotion.”

• Stronger Reflection (Description + Analysis):
  “We drew arrows to show the order of events and added expressions to highlight emotion. This helped me see that sequencing and emotion are universal tools for communication. I now realize that in my professional work, I need to think about both logic and emotion when presenting information.”

5. Tips for Effective Reflection

• Keep your writing personal and authentic.

• Show your thought process, not just the outcome.

• Use concrete examples, then explain what they mean for you.

• End with forward-looking statements: how will you use this learning?

6. A Simple Formula to Try

You can structure a reflection in three parts:

1. Description: What happened?

2. Analysis: Why does it matter? What did I learn?

3. Application: How will I use this in the future?