Tips on Writing a Winning Reflection Paper in College

24 April 2018

When it comes to college writing, most students quickly adapt to the rhythms of producing a fact-based paper. You visit your school’s online library, research some material, and slot it into a five-paragraph essay template, or a similar standard format. Bang! You’re done. But what happens when you are assigned a completely different type of paper that doesn’t fit neatly into the standard essay formats you learned in high school or in freshman composition class? When it comes to the personal reflection paper, many students struggle precisely because this type of essay is so different from most that they’ve written in their other classes. Fortunately, there are a few tips that will help you with this type of paper.

Before we get to the tips, it’s important to make sure we are all on the same page when it comes to what exactly a personal reflection paper is. As the name implies, a reflective essay looks back on something, and a personal reflection offers your own feelings and reactions. Typically, a personal reflection paper is intended to allow a student to share with the instructor his or her feelings about a course and how the course has impacted them. Some personal reflections, however, may examine other topics with which you have had personal experiences, such as a job or a volunteer opportunity. In most cases, the instructor is looking for you to draw connections between course material and your own experiences in order to discover how course content can be or has been relevant to your lived experience.

In order to write a terrific personal reflection essay, follow a few simple tips:

Start with simple pre-writing activities :

Start with simple pre-writing activities

Before you even begin writing, make sure you have read the essay question and understand it completely. For a personal reflection, you won’t likely be doing heavy research, the next step isn’t usually a visit to the library. Instead, you should make notes about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences so you can better understand your reaction to the essay topic. By writing down your thoughts, you can begin to organize them into categories so you can structure your paper around a few key themes. Try asking yourself key questions to guide your note-taking such as:

How has the essay topic affected me personally?
How has the essay topic changed the way I think about an issue or experience?
Has the essay topic sparked any questions I want answers to?
How does the essay topic relate to other course content or content in other courses?

Begin organizing your reflections :

The exact format you use for your paper will vary depending on your instructor’s requirements and the essay question, but in general, you will adapt a standard essay format for a reflective essay. You will still have an introduction with a thesis statement and a conclusion, but the body paragraphs might be organized somewhat differently. Depending on the essay question, you may follow the standard format and offer three reflective points (one per paragraph) which you support with evidence. Or, you might have a different format, such as telling a story about your reflective journey in chronological order or exploring one particular reaction across multiple paragraphs. Whichever style you choose, try to match it to the essay question so you are sure to answer the instructor’s question.

Remember that the personal essay is, well, personal :

The biggest difference between a personal essay and an expository essay like a term paper is that it involves your own views and opinions. In this genre of writing, it’s OK to refer to yourself and to talk about your thoughts and feelings without having to phrase them in an awkward third-person format (“One often feels…”). Don’t be afraid to share your honest views, but keep your instructor in mind. Even if you had a negative reaction, avoid insulting the instructor or viciously attacking course material. Instructors are open to reasoned disagreement, but they don’t want to find out that you want to set your textbook on fire.

With these tips, writing a professional reflection paper from scratch should be an easy and refreshing change of pace from the standard academic term paper. The hardest part is getting your thoughts and feelings down on paper. Once you’ve mastered the art of sharing your feelings in written form, you’ll quickly find that these essays are quick to produce, and you’ll look forward to having time off from the more detailed research papers that take up a lot more time.

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Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

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Counselor’s Guide To Choosing The Best Education Majors

Deciding which college to go to is hard enough; choosing a major is even more challenging. Students worldwide frequently report having a hard time narrowing things down when it comes to a major. Both fresh high-school grads and undergraduates may not know how to go about locking themselves down. We often forget that we don't just have to choose our subjects once we can change midway. However, after graduating with their bachelor's, students claim that choosing a specialization becomes even more complicated. Not only does a master's degree hold a lot more weight than a regular college degree, but it also streamlines you for your career. Therefore, if you are having trouble choosing a subject as a high-school grad or undergrad, you might want to read on further. This article will be looking at a guide to choosing the best education majors. We will be looking at several aspects to consider when making the decision. By the end of it, you will be better equipped to pick a major and pursue a career finally. Therefore, here is a career counselor's guide to choosing the best education major. Pick a career with a promising future: Before you go ahead and choose an unpopular degree, make sure you read up on the field's future. For instance, the field of technology holds excellent prospects and advancing opportunities. With trillions of dollars flowing in and out of the technology industry, it would be a viable option to pursue a degree in it. With online degrees making things considerably easier for working individuals, you can pursue your masters and continue work. Therefore, if you have sought a career in information technology and all the signs indicate good news for the industry, go for it. A masters in MIS online will provide comprehensive information about the IT industry and the necessary skillsets to make a career for yourself. Strive for your passion: When choosing a major, ensure to evaluate your preferences. Students have to subdue the desire to follow their dreams from an early age because of peer pressure. However, now that you have the chance to choose your college major, select an academic endeavor that you genuinely like. Think about what YOU want to do and where your interests lie. Students who were passionate about arts when growing up now have the chance to do what they love. It doesn't just have to be the hobbies that you can pursue. You can go for new, emerging subjects that spike your interest. Millions of people have pursued psychology as a career because of recent mental health awareness movements. Others are looking at environmental studies as a way to raise global awareness of climate change. Don't make money the sole motivator: Pursuing a degree only for its monetary returns isn't a viable option; perhaps you should consider money as a secondary benefit. We aren't saying that money shouldn't be a factor in your life. Just don't make it the primary motivator. Many people pursue a degree only for the monetary benefits and end up ruining their career life. It can pose severe consequences as your career can become stagnant with less growth and development opportunities. Therefore, instead of eyeing a field only for its monetary gains, opt for one that entices you. Plan for the future: Looking into the future, where do you want to see yourself? Do you want to see someone who neglected their passions only for making other people happy? Do you see yourself as someone who made their own choices but is having a hard time in life? The future can be exciting for some yet scary and daunting for others. It's always good to take calculated risks, evaluate opportunity costs, and play it safe when you feel puzzled. Ensure to strike a balance. Preparing for the future usually puts things into perspective and gives you much-needed clarity for narrowing down a specialization. Take your time. It's okay to be nervous: If you aren't comfortable with making a decision just yet, don't compel yourself. It's better to wait it out and take some time off to clear your head than to commit to something and have to see it all the way through. It's all too common to hear about college dropouts who had no passion for what they were studying. A fair amount of the time, they were either forced into the degree or felt pressured to choose something they didn't enjoy. Don't be one of those people. If you need to, take a year off and think about what you want to do for your career. Seek academic counseling, approach mentors, and plan out everything for the future. Conclusion: Deciding on a degree major can be challenging; however, you should take things one step at a time. Fortunately, counselors are always looking to keep the student's best interests in mind when recommending options. With that said, a counselor can evaluate your interests, skills, and aspirations to guide you properly. Read Also: Benefits of Internship Programs Mass communication students: (All You Need to Study at Home) Top Five Tips on How to Succeed in University

Are You Ready for the GRE?

The GRE may be one of the most important tests that you take in your life. You have put in countless hours studying and taking practice tests, but the question is whether you are truly ready to take the test. As with any major exam, typically you have a strong idea of whether and when you are prepared and ready for the exam. Here are some signs that you are ready for the big day. Your Practice Scores Exceed Your Goals: Every test taker has a score in mind that is their target for the exam. Given that the best way to take the exam involves taking numerous practice exams, you should have an idea of where you are before the exam. It is a fact that the conditions of the actual exam may cause you to not perform as well as you would otherwise hope. This could be due to the pressure or the unfamiliarity of the setting. Therefore, you should have your practice scores slightly above your target. When these metrics exceed your target score, you have a good indication that you are ready for the exam. You Start Feeling Confident: When you are preparing for a clutch exam, you spend many hours in a state of panic. As you begin to get a handle on what you are doing, panic starts to be replaced with other emotions. This does not happen overnight. Instead, it takes countless long study sessions and a gradual process. It is unrealistic to expect a test taker to simply snap their fingers and change their mindset. This comes through hard work. After the extensive effort, fear gives way to confidence. When you actually believe that you can beat the exam, it comes after you have put in the necessary hard work and it means that you are prepared. Study Material Seems Rote: When studying for an exam, test takers should usually cover everything more than once. The first time that they read through the material, it seems new and there it will take some effort to gain familiarity and mastery over the material. As you begin to become more familiar with the material, it will come easier to you on each review. At a certain point, the material should be drilled into your head. At that point, when you read the material, you will have a strong sense of Deja vu. Then, you will know that the material has become second nature to you, and you are good to go to take the test. You Have Taken a Practice Course: GRE prep courses are a great way of preparing you to take the big exam, but like everything else, they cost money. When you take one of these classes, you gain the benefit of instruction and tips from experienced test takers. These classes follow and track the exams, and they will be able to tell you about recent trends with the exam. While some test-takers are certainly able to prepare themselves with a few practice exams and a study book, many people find that more is necessary. One option to accomplish this is free online GRE prep. This can save you money and give you the help you need for the exam. Read Also: 3 Amazing Online Resources For GMAT Prep 10 Tips To Memorize All Necessary Information Before Exams

Tips to Write an A+ 5 Paragraph Essay

The 5 paragraph essay format is the most common academic task that a student at all educational levels has to deal with. This is primarily because the majority of the exams have a time-restriction and a word limit. However, a 5 paragraph essay format is also a very flexible one, regarding the topic choice and disciplines. The five-paragraph essay has become a standard for all kinds of essays, including persuasive and narrative. Writing a 5 paragraph essay can get a little daunting, especially if you feel that your essay writing skills have a long way to go. You might think that to write a custom 5 paragraph essay, it's nearly impossible to avoid turning to professionals for help, however, by the end of this article, you’ll change your mind. You’re going to get a clearer grasp of the best way to go about writing a high-quality, attention-grabbing, traffic-driving, and brilliant five-paragraph essay no matter the nature of your assignment or the discipline. How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay: Step by Step Guide : Make an Outline First : Structuring the contents of your essay is the most important part –particularly if you’re going to be writing a restricted-to-five-paragraphs essay where the word limit comes into play. This kind of number-restricted essay format has an average word limit of 500 to 800 words. The five paragraphs are split like so: Paragraph 1: The Introduction – write your thesis statement in the outline. Paragraph 2, 3, 4: The Supporting Details – write a topic sentence for each of the three paragraphs. Paragraph 5: The Conclusion The Introduction : The first paragraph is usually the most important paragraph in your entire essay. It has a thesis statement and sets the tone for the rest of the paragraphs to come. If written right, it can act as a hook for the entire essay, grabbing the reader’s attention. Tips To Write A Five Paragraph Essay Introduction : The thesis statement, which can either be the first or the last line of your introductory paragraph acts as a place-holder. Each of the four paragraphs that follow the link back to the thesis statement present in the first paragraph. However, if you’re writing an argumentative or persuasive essay, don’t reveal your argument in the introduction –rather use the argument as a placeholder itself. If you are having trouble coming up with the ‘hook’ of the essay – and this is common when writing an argumentative or persuasive essay – use a ‘temporary hook’ and adjust it when you’re done with the essay. The Supporting Details : The supporting details are the three paragraphs in between the introduction and the conclusion: two, three, and four. Each paragraph will have its own topic sentence which signifies one of your arguments or points. Each topic sentence must link back in support of the thesis statement mentioned in the first paragraph. Tips for Writing a 5 Paragraph Essay with Supporting Details : Write your topic sentence, and add the supporting details or your opinions and arguments to that statement. This is called the thesis assertion and is the most important part of the entire essay. Provide solid, fully-researched pieces of evidence to support your argument. Cite your sources, provide facts, examples, statistics, and quotes. Unless it’s a descriptive five-paragraph essay, your commentary is super important to make your essay ‘stand out’ from the rest. Structure your points in such a manner that your weakest point is sandwiched between your two strongest ones. The Conclusion : This is the summary of your entire essay and restates the thesis statement of the entire essay. Because the conclusion performs the task of linking the thesis statement through each paragraph and all the way up to the introduction, this paragraph must not contain any new information. You can conclude your essay with a call to action, a warning, a universally accepted statement, or even a quote. The Finishing Touch : Combine choppy sentences to make your essay more concrete Rephrase wordy sentences into readable, simpler ones Rewrite run-on sentences and fragments Summarize, tighten, and de-clutter A Sample : Essay Topic: Environmental Preservation Paragraph 1 “Do you want to live on a planet, surrounded by wasteland?” + 4 to 5 sentences Paragraph 2 “Deforestation not only causes air pollution but increases the chances of diseases as well.” + Example or statistics Paragraph 3 “Around the world, failure of environmental preservation has been linked with reduced income and reduced protection from natural disasters.” + Statistics or examples Paragraph 4 “Environmental destruction is contributing to reduced food security and water availability” + Statistics and examples Paragraph 5 “In conclusion, destroying all our natural resources, reducing air quality not just worsens our environment, but directly impacts humanity as well.” Read Also : 7 Tips For Writing A Dissertation 7 Ways To Get Better At Writing: Personal Growth Tips On Writing A Winning Reflection Paper In College Argumentative Writing – The Skills You Need To Develop

Tips on Writing a Winning Reflection Paper in College

Start with simple pre-writing activities :

Begin organizing your reflections :

Remember that the personal essay is, well, personal :

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Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

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Counselor’s Guide To Choosing The Best Education Majors

Are You Ready for the GRE?

Tips to Write an A+ 5 Paragraph Essay

Tips on Writing a Winning Reflection Paper in College

Start with simple pre-writing activities :

Begin organizing your reflections :

Remember that the personal essay is, well, personal :

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Transform Portals Of Learning

How To Choose The Right Rock Climbing School

Tags

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Popular

Follow Us

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