Do you ever feel like you are just running from one activity to another? In school, do you rush from one subject to another? When things happen so fast, you may easily get lost in what you are doing or learning. It is important to stop yourself every now and then to think about what you've been doing or learning.
Self-reflection (反省) means slowing down and calming yourself, including calming your mind. By being calm and going slowly, you give your brain a chance to look at the things it has already received. Some people prefer to do the self-reflection only in their mind. Others write notes. Either method works, depending on your own learning habits. Here are some tips on self-reflection in your study.
Use natural breaks in your textbooks as chances to stop and reflect. School textbooks are often divided into chapters and units. This makes it easier for you to begin the process of self-reflection. Look for the times when you complete a unit of study in the subjects you are learning, such as math, social studies, science and art. Sometimes you know the unit is over because there is some kind of test or quiz.
Write down some notes on the new things that you learned in the unit. Let your mind think about the notes you have written and make some connections. Sometimes just pausing (暂停) to think deeply allows your brain to make connections. Having lots of connections allows your brain to quickly retrieveinformation when you need it again.
Next, think about things that you are unsure of. For example, maybe you learned about a certain body system, but you're not sure how it works together with the other body systems. Maybe you learned a new way to solve a math problem, but you're not sure when to use it. Writing down your questions will help you remember to look for answers the next time you are working with the same topic.
Self-reflection is a very important skill for a successful student. If you have never taken the time to reflect, try it now.
