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90 End-Of-Year Journal Prompts for Reflection

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90 end-of-year questions to help you reflect

Beware: the best end-of-year journal prompts ever !

As we near the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to look back and think about everything we’ve been through.

You know, sometimes it’s helpful to take a moment and reflect on our experiences. And guess what? Journaling can be a fantastic way to do just that!

In this blog post, I’ll share some cool end-of-year journal prompts. They’ll help you discover more about yourself, think about what you’ve achieved, and plan for the future.

These reflective journaling prompts are perfect, whether you’re already a pro at journaling or just starting out. They’ll inspire you to explore your inner thoughts and feelings.

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30 good end-of-year reflection questions for the present moment

What are three things you’re grateful for right now ?
How have you grown as a person this year?
What challenges have you overcome, and what have you learned from them?
What moments brought you the most joy, and why?
In what ways have you taken care of yourself this year?
What new skills or hobbies have you developed ?
How have your relationships evolved and strengthened?
What have been your biggest accomplishments this year?
How have you contributed to your community or helped others?
What values have become more important to you?
How have you embraced change and adapted to new situations?
What are some positive habits you’ve developed ?
How have you found balance in your life?
What lessons have you learned from your mistakes?
What experiences have challenged your perspective and led to personal growth?

How have you practiced self-compassion and self-care?
What are some moments of laughter and fun you’ve experienced?
What risks have you taken that have paid off?
How have you managed stress and maintained your well-being?
What memorable trips or adventures have you had?
How have you pursued your passions and interests?
What books, movies, or music have inspired you?
How have you nurtured your creativity?
What positive changes have you made in your daily routines?
How have you practiced mindfulness and being present in the moment?
What acts of kindness have you shown to others?
How have you maintained a positive mindset during challenging times ?
What are some important life lessons you’ve learned?
How have you celebrated your achievements and milestones?
What are you most proud of yourself for right now?

30 end-of-year reflection writing prompts to reflect on the past year

Describe your favorite memories from the past year.
What were the major milestones you reached?
Reflect on the biggest challenges you faced and how you overcame these obstacles .
How have your relationships evolved throughout the year?
What was the most valuable lesson you learned ?
How did you step outside of your comfort zone ?
Describe a moment when you felt the most alive and inspired.
Reflect on the goals you achieved and the progress you made.
What unexpected opportunities came your way?
How did you handle setbacks or disappointments?
Describe a time when you demonstrated resilience and perseverance.
How did you prioritize self-care and well-being ?
What new skills or knowledge did you acquire?
Reflect on the times when you felt proud of yourself.
What habits or behaviors did you let go of ?

Describe an act of kindness you showed others.
How did you contribute to your community or make a positive impact?
Reflect on the times when you practiced gratitude and appreciation.
What experiences pushed you out of your comfort zone?
How did you practice self-reflection and self-awareness?
Describe a moment when you faced and conquered a fear.
Reflect on the ways in which you nurtured your personal growth .
How did you prioritize your mental and emotional well-being?
What important relationships did you cultivate or strengthen?
Describe a time when you found inspiration in unexpected places.
Reflect on the times when you made a difference in someone’s life.
How did you embrace new opportunities for learning and growth?
What memorable trips or adventures did you embark on?
Describe a time when you made a positive change in your lifestyle .
Reflect on the ways in which you took care of yourself throughout the year.

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30 end-of-year journal prompts to plan for the new year

What are your top three goals for the upcoming year ?
How will you prioritize self-care and well-being in the new year?
What new habits or routines do you want to establish ?
Reflect on the areas of your life that need more balance and how you’ll achieve it.
Describe the steps you’ll take to pursue your passions and interests.
How will you foster and nurture meaningful relationships?
What steps will you take to improve your personal and professional growth?
Reflect on the ways in which you’ll practice gratitude and appreciation every day.
Describe the self-improvement projects or skills you want to focus on .
How will you make time for relaxation, hobbies, and fun activities?
What steps will you take to simplify your life and reduce stress ?
Reflect on the ways you’ll practice mindfulness and be present in the moment.
Describe how you’ll prioritize giving back and making a positive impact .
What steps will you take to cultivate a positive mindset and resilience ?
How will you incorporate more creativity into your daily life?

Reflect on the ways in which you’ll foster a supportive and nurturing environment.
Describe the steps you’ll take to overcome any fears or limiting beliefs.
What actions will you take to expand your knowledge and skills?
How will you create and maintain healthy boundaries in your relationships?
Reflect on the ways in which you’ll prioritize self-reflection and self-awareness.
Describe the steps you’ll take to maintain your physical well-being.
What steps will you take to manage your time effectively and set priorities?
How will you incorporate more adventure and exploration into your life?
Reflect on the ways in which you’ll practice resilience in the face of challenges.
Describe the steps you’ll take to foster a positive work-life balance.
What actions will you take to manifest your dreams and aspirations?
How will you surround yourself with positivity and uplifting influences?
Reflect on the ways in which you’ll embrace change and adaptability.
Describe the steps you’ll take to improve your communication skills .
What actions will you take to prioritize your personal happiness and fulfillment?

FAQ: Why is it important to journal for reflection at the end of the year?

Journaling at the end of the year is like giving yourself a precious gift.

It’s a chance to pause, take a deep breath, and look back on all the ups and downs, triumphs, and challenges you’ve faced throughout the year .

Now, why is it important to journal for reflection? Well, think of it as taking a snapshot of your journey.

By putting pen to paper, you create a tangible record of your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It’s like capturing a moment in time—a piece of your personal growth story.

When you reflect on your year through journaling, you gain a deeper understanding of yourself .

You start to see patterns, uncover hidden insights, and recognize the lessons learned along the way.

It’s a bit like putting together the pieces of a puzzle—every entry in your journal adds a valuable piece that contributes to the bigger picture of who you are and who you want to become.

Besides, journaling allows you to celebrate your accomplishments, big and small . It’s easy to forget all the little victories and milestones we’ve achieved throughout the year.

But when you write them down, they become tangible reminders of your progress and growth. And trust me, celebrating those wins is a wonderful boost to your self-confidence and motivation.

Now, let’s not forget about the future! Journaling at the end of the year also sets the stage for exciting possibilities and goals in the upcoming year.

By reflecting on what worked and what didn’t, you can make wiser choices and set more meaningful intentions for the future .

It’s like laying a strong foundation for personal growth and success.

FAQ: The best tips for working with these end-of-year writing prompts

Find a cozy and quiet space.

Creating the right atmosphere is key. Find a comfy spot where you can relax and focus. Maybe light a vanilla cupcake-scented candle or play some soothing music to set the mood.

This helps create a calm and inviting environment for your journaling session.

Set aside dedicated time

Life can get pretty busy, right? That’s why it’s important to carve out dedicated time for your journaling practice.

It could be in the morning with a cup of coffee, during a peaceful afternoon break, or just before bedtime. Find what works best for you and make it a regular part of your routine.

Embrace authenticity and honesty

When you’re answering these end-of-year reflection journal prompts, don’t hold back! Be your authentic self and let your true thoughts and emotions flow onto the pages.

This is your personal space to express yourself without judgment. Honesty is where the magic happens.

Don’t worry about grammar or spelling

Remember, this is a personal growth journey, not an English class. So, don’t stress over grammar or spelling mistakes.

Just focus on getting your thoughts out there. Your journal is a safe space where grammar police don’t exist!

Get creative with your responses

These end-of-year journal prompts are meant to spark your imagination, so have fun with them! Feel free to doodle, draw, or add little decorations to your journal pages.

Make it a colorful and visual representation of your reflections. It’s your personal masterpiece, after all.

Reflect on your growth and accomplishments

As you go through each prompt, take the time to acknowledge your growth and celebrate your accomplishments.

Be proud of how far you’ve come, and give yourself credit for the progress you’ve made. This boosts your self-confidence and fuels your motivation for the future.

Stay open-minded and curious

Journaling is a journey of self-discovery . Approach each prompt with an open mind and a sense of curiosity.

Explore new perspectives, ask yourself thought-provoking questions, and be receptive to unexpected insights. You never know what valuable discoveries you might make!

Now go back to my list of prompts, and let’s get started with your end-of-year journal entries.

Will you try any of these end-of-year journal prompts?

I’m a personal growth and self-care expert, as well as an avid motorcycle enthusiast and coffee and sweets lover. Through Lauraconteuse, I provide insightful and practical advice on topics such as self-care, self-love, personal growth, and productivity, drawing from my very own extensive experience and knowledge in the field. My blog has helped countless people achieve their goals and live more fulfilling lives, and my goal is to continue to inspire and empower others.

1 thought on “90 End-Of-Year Journal Prompts for Reflection”

love all the journal prompts you shared! Its always important to be reflective and introspective.

Journal Prompts for End of the Year Reflections

Remember to gift yourself some time this holiday season✨.

If you enjoy my writing, please don’t forget to click the 💜 so more people can discover me on Substack. I’d also love to hear from you in the comments!

Presence is the greatest gift we can offer others, and - most importantly - ourSelf. ✨🙏

As we approach the holidays, I wanted to be sure I created something valuable for all of us to take some time to reflect on this year.

A lot of my work (and of course, Despierta ) revolves around dreams and all the ways we can heal and awaken to them, here & now. The easiest way however, is actually the most profound in reaching them — simply writing them down and seeing them spelled out for you.

wide awake & always dreaming is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Though the next couple weeks may throw us into a whirlwind of emotions, celebrations, and travel -- it is key to make some time for our Self to pause, reflect, and release what we do not want to carry over with us into the new year.

Whether you have the time to answer all of these questions or just a few.. Whether you wish to write your thoughts, reflections and goals out on paper, type them on your phone or computer, or even if you simply wish to ponder on them in your head...

There is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to go about this exercise.

This is for YOU - so whatever way you wish to go about and dive into these prompts is entirely up to you and however you feel you would benefit from this most.

I love you all and happy holidays✨ 💜🌸🙏☺️

Share wide awake & always dreaming — with dulce ruby

1. What were your biggest accomplishments this year?

Let's start with some major applause. It's time to toot your own horn! Reflect on all the amazing things you achieved this year, big or small. Did you finally conquer that mountain of laundry? Or maybe you landed your dream job? Remember every step gets you closer to your dreams. Celebrate your wins!

2. What were your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

Life throws curveballs at us all the time, but you're a pro at dodging them! Reflect on the challenges you faced this year and how you managed to overcome them. Did you learn a new skill? Seek support from loved ones? Or maybe you just powered through with sheer determination and a little bit of Celestial Calm to soothe any hovering anxiety?

3. What new hobbies or interests did you discover?

Did you take up underwater basket weaving or extreme knitting this year? Reflect on the new hobbies or interests you explored. Maybe you discovered a hidden talent or found a new passion that brings you joy. Who knows, you might be the next world champion in synchronized swimming!

4. What did you learn about yourself?

Self-discovery is a lifelong journey, and this year was no exception. Reflect on the lessons you learned, and what it taught you about yourself. Did you discover a hidden strength or uncover a quirk that makes you unique? Embrace your inner weirdness!

5. What moments brought you the most joy?

Life is all about those little moments of pure happiness. With everything going on in our world, it is important to appreciate all we have and see the magic in the little things. Reflect on the moments that brought you the most joy this year. Maybe it was a belly laugh with friends, a breathtaking sunset, or a perfectly baked slice of cake. Cherish those moments and hold them close to your heart.

6. What moments challenged you to grow?

Growth often comes from stepping outside of our comfort zones. Reflect on the moments that challenged you to grow this year. Did you take on a new responsibility at work? Face a fear head-on? Or maybe you finally learned how to fold a fitted sheet without losing your sanity?

7. What relationships have been the most meaningful to you?

Life is better when shared with loved ones. Reflect on the relationships that have been the most meaningful to you this year. Did you deepen a friendship? Strengthen a family bond? Or maybe you formed a connection with a furry friend who always knows how to make you smile?

8. What goals or dreams did you accomplish?

Dreams do come true! Reflect on the goals or dreams you accomplished this year. Did you finally write that novel? Run that marathon? Or maybe you conquered your fear of public speaking and gave a killer presentation? You're a rockstar!

9. What goals or dreams are you still working towards?

Keep reaching for the stars! Reflect on the goals or dreams you're still working towards. Maybe you're planning a trip around the world, starting a business, or learning a new language. Remember, the journey is (just as important as) the destination.

10. What are you most grateful for this year?

Gratitude is the attitude! Reflect on the things you're most grateful for this year. It could be the love and support of your friends and family, good health, or even just the simple pleasure of a warm cup of coffee in the morning. Appreciate the little things in life.

11. What habits or routines have positively impacted your life?

Good habits are the building blocks of a happy life. Reflect on the habits or routines that have positively impacted your life this year. Did you start a meditation practice? Make exercise a regular part of your routine? Or maybe you finally mastered the art of making the perfect cup of tea? A warm tea latte with the perfect amount of fluffy froth can do wonders for the soul..✨💜🦋

12. What habits or routines would you like to change or improve?

We all have room for improvement. Reflect on the habits or routines you would like to change or improve. Maybe you want to cut back on your late-night Netflix binges or start flossing regularly (your dentist will thank you!). Remember, small changes can lead to big results.

13. What books, movies, or TV shows had the biggest impact on you?

Stories have the power to inspire and transform us. Reflect on the books, movies, or TV shows that had the biggest impact on you this year. Did a novel make you see the world in a new light? Or maybe a movie made you laugh until your sides hurt? Share your favorites with others!

14. What new skills or knowledge did you acquire?

Learning is a lifelong adventure. Reflect on the new skills or knowledge you acquired this year. Did you learn how to play the ukulele? Master the art of making the perfect omelette? Or maybe you finally figured out how to stack everything meticulously in the dishwasher like art (seriously, teach us your ways!).

15. What self-care practices have you prioritized?

You can't pour from an empty cup. Reflect on the self-care practices you have prioritized this year. Did you make time for bubble baths, long walks in nature, or indulging in your favorite guilty pleasure? Remember, taking care of yourself is not selfish, it's essential.

16. What are you most proud of yourself for?

Give yourself a pat on the back! Reflect on what you're most proud of yourself for this year. Maybe you faced a fear, pushed through a difficult situation, or simply showed up for yourself every day. You're doing amazing, love!

17. What advice would you give your past self?

Hindsight is 20/20. Reflect on the advice you would give your past self. Maybe it's to worry less about what others think, take more risks, or embrace your quirks. Remember, you're wiser now, so share that wisdom with your past self (time travel not included).

18. What advice would you give your future self?

Crystal ball time! Reflect on the advice you would give your future self. Maybe it's to stay true to who you are, keep chasing your dreams, or never forget the importance of laughter. Write a letter to your future self and seal it with a kiss (or a sticker, if you prefer).

19. What moments made you laugh the hardest?

Laughter is the best medicine. Reflect on the moments that made you laugh the hardest this year. Was it a funny joke, a hilarious mishap, or a silly dance party in your living room? Share the laughter and spread the joy.

20. What moments made you cry the hardest?

Tears can be healing too. Reflect on the moments that made you cry the hardest this year. Maybe it was the state of our world, a heartwarming movie, a touching gesture from a loved one, or even just a good old-fashioned ugly cry. Let it out, and remember that it's okay to feel.

21. What new perspectives or beliefs did you adopt?

Life is all about growth and change. Reflect on the new perspectives or beliefs you adopted this year. Did you change your mind about something? Embrace a new philosophy? Or maybe you finally realized that cats are awesome (don't worry dog people, your babies awesome too!).

22. What moments made you feel the most alive?

Carpe diem! Reflect on the moments that made you feel the most alive this year. Was it an adrenaline-pumping adventure, a spontaneous road trip, or simply dancing like nobody's watching? Embrace the thrill of being alive!

23. What moments made you feel the most at peace?

Serenity now! Reflect on the moments that made you feel the most at peace this year. Maybe it was a quiet moment in nature, a cozy evening sipping Despierta by the fireplace, or even just a deep breath after a long day. Find your zen and let it wash over you.

24. What new friendships did you form?

Friendship is the glue that holds life together. Reflect on the new friendships you formed this year. Did you meet someone who instantly felt like a kindred spirit? Bond over a shared interest or hobby? Or maybe you just found your partner in crime for late-night ice cream runs?

25. What moments reminded you of the beauty in the world?

Beauty is all around us, if we take the time to notice. Reflect on the moments that reminded you of the beauty in the world this year. Was it a stunning sunset, a breathtaking work of art, or even just a random act of kindness? Open your eyes and let the beauty in.

26. What moments made you feel the most loved?

Love is all you need. Reflect on the moments that made you feel the most loved this year. Was it a heartfelt gesture from a loved one, a warm hug from a friend, or even just a wagging tail and a wet nose from your furry companion? Love is all around, so soak it up.

27. What moments challenged your perspective?

Change is the only constant in life. Reflect on the moments that challenged your perspective this year. Did you have a conversation that made you see things in a new light? Encounter a different culture or way of life? Or maybe you just realized that you've been tying your shoelaces wrong your whole life?

28. What moments made you feel the most inspired?

Inspiration is everywhere, if you know where to look. Reflect on the moments that made you feel the most inspired this year. Was it a powerful speech, a breathtaking performance, or even just a simple quote that caught your eye and hit home? Let the inspiration fuel your dreams.

29. What moments made you feel the most grateful for the people in your life?

People are the spice of life. Reflect on the moments that made you feel the most grateful for the people in your life this year. Did someone go above and beyond for you? Offer a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on? Or maybe they just know how to make you laugh until your sides hurt?

30. What are you looking forward to in the new year?

Your future is full of possibilities. Reflect on what you're looking forward to in the new year. Maybe it's a new adventure, a fresh start, or simply the opportunity to grow and learn. Embrace the unknown and get ready for an amazing year ahead!

Thank you for reading wide awake & always dreaming — with dulce ruby. This post is public so feel free to share it!✨

Wishing you a magical holiday season and see you all 'next year' ✨🤗💜🌸💫

— Dulce Ruby

100 End of the Year Journal Prompts for 2023 Reflection

Last Updated on December 5, 2023

Hold tight – another year’s wrapping up! Wondering about how you really did? These end of the year journal prompts spill the tea on your transformation!

Reflect on highs, lows, and everything in between. Figure out what worked, what didn’t, and where you want to level up in 2024.

If this year threw you curveballs, no sweat! Not every year will be your best, and that’s okay. This is just how our journeys go! Follow that mindset and you will make the progress you wish to see in due time.

Quick Tips to Get Started

Make the mood on point – set the mood so that your journaling can be most effective for you. This means scheduling quiet time, cozying up into your favorite corner of the house, and settling into that introspective mindset.
Mix and match prompts – feel free to jump around the journal prompts in this post. Ask yourself what you need most as you enter the next year of your life. Choose the prompts that best support your intentions for the year ahead.
Start small – no need to overwhelm yourself with 3-page long journal entries! While this list includes 100 end of the year reflection questions, you do not need to do them all. Brief and to-the-point responses are also totally fair!

Table of Contents

100 personal prompts for end of year reflection

Don’t simply let the year pass you by! Use these journal prompts to reflect and assess your year on a deeper level. You’ll thank yourself for the insights you gain. Use them as fuel for stepping into the new year with confidence and stronger self-awareness!

Don’t forget about these end of the year reflection questions! Pin ’em to come back!

end of the year reflection questions 2024

Your Personal Growth

Overall, how did you grow this year?
Describe what you learned from your hardest challenge of the year.
What did you learn from your biggest win of the year?
What was your favorite thing you learned?
What’s the thing you’re most grateful for?
What did you waste your time on the most?
Did you feel spiritually connected to your beliefs? ( spiritual journal prompts to help you here !)
What was your biggest regret?
Discuss a time you stood up for yourself.
Did you notice any particular turning points in your personal development? When and what?
How did you grow emotionally this year?
How did you grow spiritually this year?
How did you grow socially this year? (Boundaries, putting yourself out there, etc.)
Did you read any good motivating personal development books ?
In what ways did your life change the most this year?
If you could change anything about the past year, what would it be?
What major life lesson(s) did you learn?

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE MONTHLY RESET CHECKLIST.

How much “alone time” did you spend with yourself?
When was a time where you stepped out of your comfort zone?
Were there any opportunities you felt you missed out on?
Have your thoughts, opinions, or interests in anything changed?
What is something you “warmed up to” that you didn’t think you would?
What is one thing you could have done (within your control) to make the year better?
If you could travel back in time to the beginning of the year, what advice would you give yourself?
What opportunity are you happy you didn’t say “no” to?
What did you discover that you need?
Is there anything you can let go of that didn’t serve you?
What will you remember most about this year?
What was the thing you were most proud of?
What’s something outside of your control that you really struggled with?
What was the hardest thing for you to accept?
Are you happy with the person you’ve grown into over the last year?
In what ways did you improve the most from the previous year vs. this year?
Do you feel like you lived your life to the fullest?
Did you grow more ambitious this year? (I sure hope you did! 😉)
What was the #1 most insightful thing you learned about yourself or your personality?

Wellness & Self Care

How did your overall mental health go?
Was your mental health more stable this year than last year?
Did you go to therapy ? In what ways did it help you most?
How was your physical health and wellness?
On average, how was your sleep? Often have trouble sleeping?
Which month did you feel the best? Why?
Which month did you feel the worst? Why?
Did you improve your self care and coping habits ? How?
How did you practice self care ?
Which changes in your life did you adapt best to?
Which changes in your life did you adapt the worst to?
Did you feel like your needs were met?
In what ways, no matter how small, did you accomplish self love?

Work Life & Education

Did you achieve anything in your career?
Are you satisfied with where your career is headed?
Did you get a promotion/raise or complete a degree? Any feelings about it?
In what ways have you educated yourself this year?
Do you feel like you’re on the right track with your education/career?
Did you start or take on a new business, side hustle, or career path?

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Emotional Challenges

What was the biggest high and the biggest low of the year?
In what ways were you most overwhelmed this year?
Did you struggle with self doubt? In which areas?
Which season did you struggle in the most?
Was social media a source of stress for you this year? Or did you not pay it much attention?
What was your number one source of stress?
What was your biggest disappointment?
Did you engage in any unhealthy thought patterns?
What did you want to do, but didn’t?
Was there a recurring theme or pattern of something you struggled with?
Was there a recurring theme or pattern of something that made you happy?
Did it feel like there was something missing this past year?

Relationships & Social Life

What did your friend circle look like this year? Are you satisfied with it?
Describe how your love life or romantic relationship(s) went.
Are you satisfied with your current relationship (or relationship status?)
What was the nicest thing you did for someone?
What was the nicest thing someone did for you?
Who were the top most influential people in your life?
Was any person or environment toxic for you?
Were you happy with how much time you spent with friends and family?

Fun & Hobbies

What was your best or most FUN memory of the year?
Did you travel anywhere you enjoyed?
Did you accomplish anything on your bucket list?
What was your favorite adventure you had this year?
What was the most creative thing you did this year?
What’s something you did this year that you’ll remember for the rest of your life?
What was the most exciting/happy/special holiday for you?

RELATED: Hobbies for Women in Their 20s: 100 Fun and Interesting Ideas

Goals, Habits, & Productivity

Which bad habits would you like to let go of?
Which good habits would you like to perform regularly?
Did you set personal goals for yourself?
Do your daily, weekly, or monthly habits align with your goals?
Do you feel content with the way your life went this year?
What is the #1 way in which you could improve your life next year compared to this year?
What was the most important goal or accomplishment you achieved?
Did you acquire any skills?
Which season was your most productive?
Did you create a budget and stick to it?
What did you waste too much money on?
Are you satisfied with the way your finances have been going?
Did you regularly contribute to savings or retirement?
How good were you at time management?
Do you think your life is headed in a direction you’re happy with?
Did you feel like you had good self-discipline?
What was your #1 priority this year?
How would you rate this year on a scale of 1-10? Why?

Why Reflecting on Your Year Matters

Do you ever feel like the year just passes you by…without really getting the chance to process it? This is how I was for so long, and it really stunted my personal growth.

But the thing is, you deserve to give yourself that space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Without this, there is no self-discovery. No growth. No new realizations that can propel you forward.

It is so important to assess the challenges you navigated this year ! See what you can learn from them. Celebrate your wins, and acknowledge all the highs and lows. This is honestly so instrumental in helping you become the best version of yourself!

Which Areas of My Life Should I Reflect On in My Journal Prompts?

Your life is complex to say the least. So, where to begin? What should you cover as you reflect on your end of the year writing prompts? These are the most crucial areas you’ll want to think about:

Your wellness in different areas (social wellness, emotional wellness, physical wellness, spiritual wellness)
Career growth
Education – whether or not you’re a student, how did you educate yourself this year?
Mental health – your progress and challenges emotionally & mentally
Discipline, habits, and routines
Friendships and relationships
Overall life satisfaction – how do you feel about the place you’re in right now?

Reflecting on these different areas will prime your brain for the ultimate end of the year life audit! I know that for myself, having some end of the year review examples to look at is a huge help.

Looking at Your Year in Review

Now let’s get reflecting! Now, I know these were A LOT of year in review journal prompts that cover many areas of your life.

Choose your favorite prompts, crack open your journal, and assess how the past year has treated you!

This activity will give you SO much insight when looking at how you can improve next year. Maybe you did better than you thought! Or maybe you have a long way to go. Either way, you have the “data” to approach the next year in a way that will serve you best.

LET ME KNOW: Which end of the year journal prompts were your favorites?

Click to learn and try the best goal setting strategy that will turn your goals into real success!

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40 End-of-Year Journaling Prompts to Inspire Reflection

Reflect on the year with these 40 thought-provoking journaling prompts, designed to unlock memories, celebrate growth, and inspire your path forward..

December 15, 2023

Home » Day One Blog » 40 End-of-Year Journaling Prompts to Inspire Reflection

Setting some time aside at the end of the year to reflect can be a meaningful exercise. As the year ends, gaining perspective on the experiences and growth you had can help you identify patterns, learn from your mistakes, and celebrate your achievements.

One way to do this is through journaling. Writing down your thoughts and experiences in a journal allows you to capture the essence of what you’ve gone through over the year. It’s a personal space where you can be completely honest with yourself, which aids in genuine self-reflection.

In this post, we’ve compiled some end-of-year journaling prompts to help you wrap up the year and set the stage for a fresh start for the year to come. Whether you’re an experienced journaler or just starting out, these journaling prompts will provide plenty of inspiration for exploring your memories, thoughts, and feelings about this past year.

Scene of end-of-year journaling prompts being answered on tablet in the Day One app

Why an End-of-Year Journaling Session is Important

As the year draws to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on the events of the past twelve months. This reflection is not just about recalling events, but about understanding their impact on your personal and professional growth. An end-of-year journaling session provides a structured way to look back and gain insights that might be missed in the daily hustle.

An end-of-year journaling session can also help you gain a sense of closure on the events of the past year, allowing you to move forward with a fresh outlook. Reflecting at the end of a year can also help you process any difficult experiences or emotions you may have gone through. Journaling about your thoughts and feelings can be a therapeutic way to let go of any lingering negativity and move forward with a sense of closure.

“If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.” – Maria Edgeworth

Finally, spending some time for journaling at the end of the year can be a valuable way to connect with yourself and your values. This exercise in self-reflection provides an opportunity to assess what’s truly important to you and what to prioritize in the future, which can help inform your goals and plans for the upcoming year.

Tips to Prepare for End-of-Year Reflection Journaling

To get into a reflective mood, set aside some quiet time. Choose a comfortable space where you can focus and relax. Minimize distractions by turning off notifications on your phone or computer. To create an introspective atmosphere, you may even want to light a candle, dim the lights, or put on some music. To calm the mind and center yourself, try this meditation on endings .

Spend some time scrolling through the photos you took this past year, review each month’s calendar, or read other journal entries you may have written. Review your memories in your Day One by checking out your journal through the Calendar View and Map View . These activities can help stimulate your memory and put you in a reflective frame of mind so you’re ready to write about your experiences from the past year.

Reflect with These 40 End-of-Year Journaling Prompts

As this year draws to a close, here are journal prompts to reflect on this past year. Whether you use all of the prompts, or just a few, the important thing is to take some time for yourself and reflect on the past year.

Feel free to copy and paste these directly into your Day One journal, or use the buttons for each prompt to load them directly into Day One.

1. What changes did I experience this year?

Reflect on the various changes that occurred in your life this year. This could range from personal transformations to significant life events such as moving to a new town, starting a new job, or experiencing shifts in relationships. List these changes, whether they were planned or unexpected, and then write about how they impacted your life.

2. What were some moments of joy I experienced this year?

Recall the instances that brought you happiness this year. They could be big events or small, everyday joys. Describe these moments and what made them special for you.

3. How have I prioritized my well-being this year?

Consider the steps you’ve taken to care for your mental, physical, and emotional health. Write about the practices or changes you’ve implemented and how they have contributed to your well-being.

4. What strengths did I discover in myself this year?

Reflect on the inner strengths you uncovered or developed this year. Consider moments of resilience, courage, or adaptability. Write about these strengths and how they helped you navigate the year.

5. What was the most valuable lesson I learned this year?

Think about the most significant lesson or insight you gained this year. Write about how this lesson came about and why it’s valuable for your personal growth and future decisions.

6. What dreams or goals did I pursue this year, and how did that journey unfold?

Reflect on the ambitions or objectives you worked towards this year. Describe the journey of pursuing these goals, the progress made, and the experiences you had along the way.

7. What was the most difficult challenge I faced this year?

Write about the toughest challenge you encountered this year. Reflect on how you dealt with it, what you learned from it, and how it has shaped you.

8. Who made a difference in my life this year?

Think about the people who had a significant impact on your life this year. Write about who they are, the role they played, and how they influenced you.

9. What are three moments from this year I’m thankful for?

Identify three specific moments from this year that you’re particularly grateful for. Describe these moments and explain why they hold a special place in your heart.

10. What was the best new thing I tried this year?

Reflect on a new activity, hobby, or experience you tried this year. Write about what it was, why you tried it, and what you enjoyed or learned from it.

11. What was the biggest risk I took this year?

Consider the most significant risk you took this year. Describe what it was, why you took it, and how it turned out, focusing on the growth and learning it brought.

12. How did my relationships change this year?

Reflect on the dynamics of your relationships this year. Write about any new relationships, strengthened bonds, or important shifts in your connections with others.

13. If I review this past year, what was the best thing that happened each month?

Look back at each month of the past year and identify the best thing that happened in each. Write a brief note on these highlights and what they meant to you.

14. What are my goals for the coming year?

Think about your aspirations for the next year. Write about the goals you want to set, both big and small, and how you plan to achieve them.

15. What new opportunities became available this year?

Consider any new opportunities that came your way related to work, education, travel, personal growth, or new experiences. What were the opportunities, and what motivated you to pursue them? How did they turn out, and what did you learn from the experience?

16. Write a message to myself to be reviewed one year from today.

Compose a message to your future self. Include your hopes, wishes, and advice for the coming year, and reflect on what you hope to accomplish or maintain in your life.

17. How have I changed over the past year?

Reflect on your personal growth and evolution over the past year. Consider changes in your mindset, habits, goals, and behaviors, and write about how these transformations have shaped you.

18. What challenges did I face this year, and how did I overcome them?

Think about the obstacles and difficulties you encountered this year. Describe these challenges and how you addressed them, focusing on the strategies and strengths you employed.

19. In what ways have I positively impacted the lives of others this year?

Reflect on your interactions and relationships. Write about the ways you have made a positive difference in the lives of those around you, through acts of kindness, support, or mentorship.

20. What new skills did I gain this year?

Consider the new abilities or knowledge you acquired this year. Describe these skills and how you developed them, as well as their significance in your personal or professional life.

21. How have my relationships evolved this year?

Reflect on the changes in your relationships. Write about new connections you’ve made, strengthened bonds, or important realizations about your interactions with others.

22. What are my top three accomplishments this year?

Identify and write about your three most significant achievements from this year, focusing on what they meant to you and how they contributed to your personal or professional growth.

23. When did I feel the most present this year?

Recall the moments when you felt fully engaged and present. Write about these instances, what you were doing, and how being present affected your experience.

23. What was something new I learned this year?

Think about a new piece of knowledge or a new perspective you gained this year. Describe what you learned and how it has influenced you.

24. What did I accomplish this year?

Reflect on your achievements and successes over the year. Write about these accomplishments, no matter how big or small, and what they mean to you.

25. What was my favorite movie or book of the year?

Identify your favorite movie or book from this year and write about why it resonated with you, its impact on your thoughts or emotions, and any key takeaways.

26. What lesson did this year teach me?

Reflect on the overall lesson or theme that this year imparted on you. Write about how this lesson has affected your perspective or approach to life.

27. In what ways did I grow as a person this year?

Think about the ways you’ve developed personally this year. Write about your growth in areas like emotional intelligence, resilience, empathy, or understanding.

28. What values were most important to me this year?

Consider the values or principles that were most significant to you this year. Write about these values and how they guided your decisions and actions.

29. How did I express my creativity this year?

Reflect on the ways you expressed creativity, whether through art, writing, problem-solving, or other forms. Write about these creative endeavors and their importance to you.

30. How did I step out of my comfort zone this year?

Reflect on the moments this year when you pushed beyond the boundaries of your comfort zone. Think about the new experiences, challenges, or decisions that initially felt daunting or unfamiliar. Write about what motivated you to take these steps, how you felt during the process, and what you learned from these experiences

31. What fear did I face this year?

Think about a fear you confronted this year. Write about what it was, how you faced it, and what you learned from the experience.

32. What word or phrase best describes this past year?

Identify a word or phrase that encapsulates your experience of the past year. Write about why this word or phrase is fitting and how it represents your journey through the year.

33. What do I hope to carry over from this year into the next?

Consider the positive aspects, habits, or lessons from this year that you want to continue into the next year. Write about these elements and why they are important for your future.

34. What songs were the soundtrack for this year?

Think about the songs that defined this year for you. Write about these songs and why they were significant, capturing particular moments or feelings.

35. What insights have I gained this year that have changed my perspective on life?

Reflect on the insights or realizations that altered your view of life this year. Write about these moments of clarity and how they’ve reshaped your understanding.

36. As I reflect on the past year, what am I most looking forward to in the coming year?

Consider your aspirations, hopes, and plans for the coming year. Reflect on what excites you about the future and write about the things you are most looking forward to experiencing or achieving.

37. What were some of the most meaningful moments of this year?

Identify and describe the moments this year that held deep significance or emotional impact for you. Write about why these moments were so meaningful and the feelings or lessons they brought to your life.

38. What was the most unexpected thing that happened this year?

Reflect on the surprises this year brought, whether they were pleasant or challenging. Write about this unexpected event and how it impacted your life.

39. What are my top 10 favorite photos from this past year?

Select your top 10 favorite photos from the year and write about the memories, feelings, or stories behind each one. Explain why they are significant to you and what they represent about your year.

40. Looking back, what am I most grateful for about this year?

Reflect on the aspects of this year that brought you the most gratitude. Write about these elements and why they hold special importance in your life. Consider the experiences, people, achievements, or lessons that have enriched your year. Acknowledge the positive impacts, big or small, and how they have contributed to your sense of fulfillment and contentment. This exercise is an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the good in your life, fostering a sense of thankfulness and perspective as you look back on the year.

Wrapping Up the Year

After completing this journaling session, you may feel a greater sense of satisfaction and closure about the past year. By reflecting on your memories and exploring your experiences from this past year with these end-of-year journaling prompts, you may have gained some surprising new insights about the moments that defined the year. With this fresh perspective, we hope you are ready to face the new year with a greater sense of clarity and purpose.

We wish you a happy and fulfilling new year, and we encourage you to continue journaling as a way to reflect on your experiences and growth. As you continue your journaling journey, check out even more journal prompts in this list of 550+ journal prompts . Happy journaling, and here’s to a bright New Year!

Reflect on Your Year in Your Day One Journal

The Day One journaling app makes it easy to keep a journal. Daily reminders , daily writing prompts , and journaling streaks are designed to help keep you motivated and consistently journaling.

About the Author

Kristen Wright is the author of three books on journaling, including The Transformation Year , a year-long series of daily journal prompts. With a passion for writing and self-reflection, Kristen uses her experience with journaling to help others discover the benefits of documenting their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. In her role at Day One, she helps to promote the power of journaling so people from all walks of life can experience the transformative power of journaling.

70 End of Year Reflection Questions, Prompts, and Activities

End of Year Reflection Questions are important because they highlight the areas of our lives where we’ve found success and the areas where we may need to improve. Without a year end review, we are prone to repeat mistakes. We stay stagnant because we can’t process the events of the year and the emotions that went along with it.

Instead of letting the past weigh us down, reflection helps us move forward. Reflection activities help us form a new vision for the next year and where we want to go next. In other words, you don’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been!

Now that we know personal reflection is important, here are 70+ reflection questions, prompts, and activities to start your end of year reflection.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.

End of Year Reflection

When is the perfect time to reflect?

Though these are end-of-year reflection questions to ask yourself, keep in mind that you don’t have to save them for December 31st. Neither are they only reserved for one use every 365-day period.

Whether you use them at the end of the academic year or throughout the course of the year, the time of year doesn’t matter. Reflection Prompts can be used as end of semester reflection questions, student reflection questions, or journal prompts for processing any life changes (big and small). Tweet

How do you summarize your year?

Instead of letting one bad memory taint the whole year, think about your last year as a whole. As a string of moments with each one connected to the next.

Hit the highlights, grab the moments that stood out the most to you, and don’t get caught up in the tiny details. How to do a Year End Reflection

And if your year was littered with hard times, then focus on where you were before the year began and who you are now. Chances are, you’ve learned and grown in a positive way from the past year’s biggest challenges.

Now, I’ve rounded up 39 thoughtful end-of-year reflection questions, journal prompts, and activities to use for your personal reflection.

Planning Your End of Year Reflection Time

How to do an end of year reflection?

There are many ways to do a personal end of year reflection. Here is a brief outline of steps to take when planning and doing an end of the year reflection.

Pick a place where you can be honest and vulnerable.
There is no sharing of your personal end year review required. However, sometimes sharing our thoughts can help us process them.
Take suggestions from this list of reflection questions and end of year journal prompts or come up with your own.
An end of year reflection should begin with being grateful for how far we’ve come! Because now you can reflect on the past year with grace and compassion for yourself and thankfulness to God.
Brainstorm any and all ideas that you have related to each prompt or question.
The next step is to think more deeply about the themes in your reflection answers. What surprised you? What will you do with what you’ve learned?

9 Self-Reflection Questions to Summarize Your Past Year

The first step of reflection is summarizing the last year. Begin with “year in review” questions to help you ponder the most important things over the year.

How did you begin this year? How do you want to end it?
What sentence or phrase sums up your year?
What one word would you use to describe your year?
For example, an event, a memory, a change, a big accomplishment, or a milestone.
How did the year surprise you? What things went as expected?
What are the biggest events or headlines from this year?
What significant life events or transitions did you go through this year?
If this year were a milestone on a project plan, what would the milestone be?
How will you protect the meaningful moments and memories that you’ve created this year?

12 Important End of Year Reflection Questions

This next set of self reflection questions are more personal. They require honesty and vulnerability. But honesty here will guide you in setting new year intentions and starting the new year strong.

What accomplishments are you proud of this year?
Which of those is your biggest accomplishment and why?
What daily habit led you to accomplish that? (Question 2)
Big goals are accomplished in smaller goals, which are accomplished with a new habit(s).
What mistakes are you still holding onto from the past year?
Why are those mistakes hard for you to let go of?
Emotionally, mentally, physically?
What character trait did you develop most over the past year?
In your personal life and professional life?
What character trait did you rely on or practice the most this year? (Examples: patience, forgiveness, courage, hope, joy, thankfulness)
What new skills did you learn this year, professional development or otherwise?
What excited you this past year?
What disappointed you this past year?
What is the first word or thought that comes to mind when you think of the past year?

11 Reflection Questions for Tough Moments & Challenges

The first few in this group of end of year reflection questions can be hard to answer. If you do find an answer, you have to be careful not to beat yourself up or dwell on could’ve, would’ve, should’ve. Remember to show yourself grace.

You are not defined by one singular moment in your year. Nor is this year or the rest of your life defined by a single moment–as long as you don’t let it.

Learn from your experiences and move on. The next year is a fresh start, and so is the present moment. Tweet

What have you not done this year that you wish you had?
What did you learn this year about the world? About yourself?
What is the most important lesion you learned this year?
What do you wish you had known at the start of the year? Why?
What would you have done differently if you have known that? (Question 4)
How have you changed over the year?
What challenges have you overcome this year?
What challenges do you still need to conquer?
How did where you start this year compare to now?
What new challenges did you face in relationships this year?
Moving forward, how do you think you could build better relationships?

6 Example End of Year Reflection Activities

Besides journal prompts, they are many other ways to reflect on the year, such as these creative end of year reflection activities:

Poem – Write a short poem or haiku to express how you feel about the year overall.
Scrapbook – Take a couple of artifacts that you’ve gathered during the year and make a scrapbook or collage .
Photo albums – Print some of your favorite photos from the year and put them in frames or hang them from a string of lights across a wall in your house. Photo albums are nice, too!
Video Reflection – If you have some basic video editing skills, you can take your favorite pictures and put them in a slideshow to some of your favorite music. Or, if you often take videos on your phone, see if you can put them together into a short video .
Playlist – Make a playlist with a soundtrack of songs that describe your year. Start with 12 songs – one for every month, and then build from there.
Make a Map – Draw a map of the places you went this year that were meaningful to you. This has always been an enlightening activity for me. One, because I realize how terrible I am at geography, and two, because I’m always surprised at what makes it on the map and why.

New Year’s Resolutions or New Year’s Intentions?

Once you’ve mused over the reflection questions, you’re probably ready to set your new year intentions. Why set intentions instead of resolutions?

Should I set new year’s resolutions for next year?

I prefer to set new year intentions over new year resolutions because resolutions are too concrete. It’s easy to get discouraged and disappointed when we don’t achieve our resolutions, even if something out of our control prevents us from achieving them.

With a new year’s intention, we are only setting a direction for the year. We’re picking a guiding principle or word that we want to encompass our year and leaving room for improvisation and the unexpected. Tweet

Now, this does not bypass creating new goals. In fact, once you pick a new year’s intention, it’s important to set goals .

But if you set goals in the right way , they won’t be overwhelming or unrealistic. They will be tailored to your intentions and uniquely crafted for your intentions for the year.

3 Examples of New Years Intentions

In 2020, my focus word for the year and new year intention was audacity . I was tired of sitting on the sidelines for my dreams and knew I needed to be bold and make them a reality. That’s the only reason you’re reading this blog here now!
For 2021, the focus word I chose was cleansing because I believed God was shaping me to be more like Christ by taking away the things and relationships hindering that. It was a hard year of having to let go of harmful relationships and draining commitments, getting off of social media, and learning to say no. But my new years intention helped me to stress less and simplify my life with joy.
Skipping 2022, my word for 2023 was eternity . I wanted to stop letting past mistakes weigh me down and worry over the future cause anxiety. Instead, I challenged myself to be more mindful of the present and look ahead to eternity. In both of those places, I felt more connected to God and aware of his presence.

13 Reflection Questions for New Year’s Intentions

Now it’s your turn to set a new year’s intention. The following questions should help you pick a word or phrase to guide you, inspire you, and motivate you in the new year.

What one word would you use to describe your past year?
If you had an ideal year, how would you describe it?
How do you want the beginning of the year to start?
In what ways do you want to grow this year?
What would it look like for you to own your own growth?
What’s one thing that went badly or that you wish you’d handled in a better way last year?
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned from that moment? What would you change going forward? (Question 6)
What character trait or skill would you like to develop more?
How can you lean into that lesson more?
What would it look like to grow more in that area?
How has God been speaking to you and what has He revealed to your heart about the future?
What did you struggle with last year that you want to conquer or embrace this year?
A long journey starts with one step. When you think of your goals, what would the first step be to work toward them?
In what areas of your life do you feel momentum building?

If you’re still stumped, check out this list of weekly focus ideas . Perhaps you’ll find a word that you love and that perfectly encompasses how you want to direct your year! Tweet

End of Year Reflection Worksheet

This end of year reflection worksheet is for starting your reflection and setting your new year intentions. The FREE printable includes a list of end of year questions to ask yourself.

It also has the list of free writing topics and journal prompts and space to respond to the prompts. As a bonus, I’m including my questions to help you set your new year intentions, too.

a mockup of the pages in the free end of year reflection questions worksheet

Final Thoughts on Reflection and Personal Growth

Remember that growth is a process, and change is never easy. Without questions to reflect on, we are hurting our chances to do both. But by taking the time to work through end of year reflection questions for 2023 (or any year and season), we have an excellent opportunity to:

Learn from our past mistakes
Create new and better goals
Celebrate accomplishments and milestones
Build a plan for the future with lessons from the past
Target new skills that need developing
Create our new bucket list
and much more!

During your personal reflection, I challenge you to adopt a growth mindset. Individuals with a growth mindset apply their lessons learned. Tweet

They commit to do things in different ways next time. They dare to step outside their comfort zone. They look to the coming year with hope instead of letting the past weigh them down.

Reflecting on the Past Year

Reflecting on the past year is an activity that is often overlooked. But taking time to reflect on the events that have occurred over the past year has a positive impact on us and our mental health.

First of all, end of the year reflection questions helps us process our thoughts and feelings about the year. Secondly, new year reflection activities allow us to take what we learn from the reflection activities and set new year intentions.

Particularly when it comes to navigating the adulting struggle , questions for reflecting on the past year help us get our bearings again when the world knocks us down. It reminds us to be thankful to God for the last 365 days and excited for the 365 days to come.

As you reflect on the past year, be gracious to yourself. Because adulting is hard , but you’re killing it! 😉 Tweet

May these end of year reflection questions spark fruitful reflection and positive change for next year!

How do you reflect at the end of the year?

Leave me a comment below!

Don’t miss this! More posts in the Living & Adulting Category :

100 Weekly Goal Ideas to Help Focus Your Life (+Template)
Personal Goals Every Woman in Her 20s Needs
16 Top Tips for Goal Setting for Young Professionals
21 Powerful Pieces of Advice to Transform Your 20s

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4 thoughts on “70 End of Year Reflection Questions, Prompts, and Activities”

Thank you so so much for this blog post It’s taken me a couple weeks but I’ve gone through most of these questions and it’s added clarity to this year where there was once confusion. I’m looking forward to exploring your other posts but thank you for being obedient to what God has called for your life because it’s a blessing to others!

Hi Fejiro, It’s so encouraging to hear that this blog post helped you. Reflection is such a powerful tool to help us process our emotions and have the courage to move forward into the next year. I hope you’ll be able to do that as we move into 2022. Also, thank you for your encouragement. I never know who God may impact through what I write, but it’s a blessing to know you have been impacted. Best Wishes!

Hi Kara, As it’s now end of December, I just googled “end of year reflection questions” and yours was the first article I clicked on! I love these questions and I’ve used a lot of them for my own 2021 reflection, so thank you. I have also since started exploring your other blog posts and will probably continue to do so for the next few days. So far, I am loving your writing , content, bible verses and good vibes. And it’s refreshing to hear the perspective of someone in a similar stage of life. I am a recent tech graduate and working in corporate consulting in Australia 🙂 Wishing you all the best for 2022! God bless you. Megan

Hey Megan! I was so happy to read your comment. I get so excited when I am able to connect with someone in a similar stage of life. I’m glad you enjoyed the reflection questions and all the other content, and I hope it encourages you in this season of life. 🙂 Also I’m a consultant, too. Wild we have that in common also, lol. Happy New Year! Cheers! ~KJL

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End-of-Year Journal Prompts for Reflection + Tips for Reviewing the Past and Moving Forward

By Mena Joseph | Published on: 21 November 2023 | last Updated: 21 November 2023

We sometimes use affiliate links in our content. If you click and buy from one of these, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

🙏🏾 Life is unpredictable and reflecting on the past is how we prepare for what’s ahead.

Have you ever lived the same year twice?

I have, and it’s one of the most profound wake-up calls you can ever experience.

Over the years, I realised the immense value of using my journal to look back on the highs and the lows of the previous year, before rushing into the next one.

And so, it’s that time of year for one of my favourite journaling rituals: the end-of-year reflection. It’s like hitting the reset button in preparation for a fresh start.

Taking time to review the past 12 months with intention brings so much clarity and direction when it comes to planning the year ahead. Not only does this exercise help you learn and grow, but it also helps you connect with yourself and your relationships on a deeper level.

If a yearly review is not something you do already, take this as your cue to start.

In this post, I’m going to share my process, and show you how to make the most out of this ‘you-time’ and set the stage for the upcoming year. I’ll also give you tips on how to prepare your reflection, along with end-of-year journal prompts.

I hope you find some insights and inspiration that help you step confidently into the New Year.

Preparing Your Year-End Reflection

I like to do my end-of-year reflection in that quiet period after Christmas – when the festivities are over, the relatives have left, and I have that little window of time when I’m not working.

I have one rule. I need to have gone through my yearly review and completed my planning before the 1st January.

It might be different for you. You may prefer to start your review process earlier. Or, I know people who prefer to do it in the first week of January.

Either way, aim to set up a tranquil environment that will be free from distractions for at least 2-3 hours.

Ask your family members to give you some space, so you’re not disturbed, and put your phone in airplane mode so you can be fully present.

Set the scene for a relaxed journaling atmosphere – light some candles, and/or incense sticks. And, if you’re into it, play soft instrumental music to create a peaceful ambiance as you reflect.

Action Steps

Gather your journaling tools, as well as mementos that will help you remember and reminisce about your year. That could be:

A new journal or paper to write on, a pen or pencil, timer if need be
Old journal entries, texts to friends, social media posts
Sentimental photos from milestone events, vacations, time with loved ones
Movie ticket stubs, pressed flowers, shells from beach trips
Arts, crafts, or other memorabilia collected throughout your year

Use your paper or digital calendar from last year to make a list of all the personal and professional events that took place, and projects you were involved with.

Spend time reliving those memories – it’s a great way to inspire a sense of gratitude .

Reviewing Your Year as a Whole

I like to look back on the year in a couple of different ways.

First, I take the big picture view of all the major successes, failures, and challenges over the past 12 months.

This helps me see what I’ve accomplished (and what I didn’t), pinpoint where I spent my time and energy, what I learned, and what projects and goals I’d like to aim for next year.

After this I start to zero in on specific areas of my life – assessing what’s working well, what I need to allocate more time to, and where I need to make changes.

It sounds like a lot, but it’s actually a pretty straightforward and enjoyable process once you get started.

The following end-of-year journal prompts will help guide you through.

Big Picture End-of-Year Journal Prompts

Reflect on your top 5 achievements of the past year.

Think back on the moments from the last 12 months that filled you with pride, growth and joy.

Journal Prompts:

Describe 5 highlights or successes, briefly in 1-2 sentences each.
Pick 2-3 achievements and write more about what made them meaningful to you.
In what ways did these experiences enhance your life professionally, personally or emotionally?
What capabilities, skills or resources did you draw on the most to reach your goals?
How did aspects like your outlook, routines or actions help support your efforts?
Which individuals (friends, family, mentors) were especially helpful to you and how so?
Considering all you’ve achieved, how has this shaped your vision for future aspirations?

Reflect on Your Most Challenging Moments

Think back to the toughest times you faced over the last year.

List 1-3 of the biggest challenges, setbacks or obstacles you faced.
What made those struggles extra hard to push through?
Who or what helped pull you through?
What lessons have you learned from those experiences?
How might those experiences influence how you approach future struggles?

Reflect on What You Need to Forgive and Let Go

Think back to any mistakes or regrets you’d like to acknowledge and release.

Journal Prompt s:

What past hurts, mistakes or regrets have been playing on your mind?
What behaviours, attitudes or self-perceptions do you feel ready to leave behind?
How might forgiveness enhance your well-being or future potential?
What can you do to consciously release painful emotions or resentments?
What lessons have you learned from past mistakes that will help you in the future?

Yearly Reflections: 7 Key Areas

A big part of end-of-year reflection is taking a step back to assess how you showed up across all areas of your life.

Wellness expert Dr. Bill Hettler identified six key areas to consider reflecting on – physical, emotional, intellectual, occupational, social and spiritual well-being. 1 , 2

I’ve included a 7th area which is also important to our well-being, and that’s financial health.

Just like nature has its seasons, our own wellness dimensions move through cycles across the year. Sometimes we’re thriving and everything feels in bloom.

Other times we’re feeling stagnant or off-balance.

Review and reflect on each of the following areas in your life.

By all means examine the big events of your year, but don’t neglect the smaller things too. Like daily routines, how you spent your time, and who you spent your time with.

Think about the highs and lows, accomplishments and tribulations, insights and emotions that defined your days, weeks and months.

Here are some guiding prompt questions:

Physical wellness – How well did you care for your physical body through nutrition, exercise, sleep, etc? What challenges or highlights come to mind?

Emotional wellness – What emotions defined your year? How did you process stress, heartache, joy? What coping strategies helped in difficult times?

Intellectual wellness – How did you expand your mind through learning, reading, problem-solving? What knowledge did you gain?

Occupational wellness – Were you fulfilled in work/school? How did it provide meaning, outlet for strengths? How would you describe your experience in integrating your work with other aspects of your daily life?

Social wellness – Who was there to support you when you needed it? Who did you share your most meaningful experiences with? How did you connect, contribute, and feel seen?

Spiritual wellness – What practices nurtured your spirit i.e, meditation, nature, rituals? How did you cultivate purpose and meaning through those practices?

Financial wellness – Did you manage money and plan for your future wisely? What financial lessons, successes or skills did you develop?

Final Year End Prompts: Reflection & Gratitude

As the year winds down, take a few minutes to think back one last time.

Journal Prompts :

What unsaid words or unfinished business do you need to tie up? How can you wrap that up before starting your new year?
What was the biggest risk you took? Would you take the same risk again? What was the biggest lesson you learned?
What was the best decision you made this year and why?
Which people inspired you the most this year?
Did you inspire anyone this year? If yes, who were they?
What are you most thankful for from the past 12 months?
If you could give your future self some advice, what would it be?
What would you like to celebrate about this past year, and how will you celebrate it?

Now choose 1-3 words that best describe this past year.

Journal Reflections: Plan for Next Year

You’ve reflected on last year—that gives you a great foundation to kick off plans for the new year. So continue to build on those experiences and lessons because you’re already one step ahead.

Check for patterns. Find what sparked joy, what fuelled growth, and which supportive behaviours or habits resulted in positive changes in your life.

Don’t overlook the things that drained your energy. All these observations are like gold —they’ll guide you on what to allow more of, and what to minimise in the coming year.

With these insights in your pocket, grab a fresh page in your journal (or open a new digital document if that’s your thing), and start visualising your next year.

List your aims and aspirations, however big or small. Make it yours.

National Wellness Institute. (2020). Six dimensions of wellness . National Wellness Institute. https://nationalwellness.org/resources/six-dimensions-of-wellness/ Retrieved on 14 Nov 2023. This model promotes a holistic perspective of wellness across six dimensions: emotional, physical, intellectual, occupational, spiritual, and social wellness. Developed by Dr. Bill Hettler in the 1970s, it explains how addressing each of these interconnected dimensions can help individuals achieve their full potential.
In this guide, when I talk about wellness, I simply mean your overall sense of health, happiness and balance in life. It’s not just about physical fitness – wellness is multidimensional. It’s about how nourished and aligned you feel across the key aspects of who you are. Such as your mindset, relationships, spirit and more. Reflecting on wellness holistically will give you a full picture of where you’re exceling, and where some fine-tuning may do you good.

As a big nerd of human nature, Mena holds two degrees in psychology. One of which is a master's in health psychology from City, University of London. Mena also has a certificate in counselling skills and was on track to becoming a psychotherapist before embracing her passion for creating journaling tools and resources. Mena lives in the UK, and is an avid journaler, meditator, researcher, and lifelong learner. She's also a social dancer who enjoys weightlifting.

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End-Of-Year Journaling Prompts To Inspire Reflections

Discover the incredible power of end-of-year journaling prompts as a source of inspiration for deep reflection and introspection. These prompts provide the perfect guide for reflecting on the past year, celebrating achievements, and setting intentions for personal growth. Read on to find out more!

Collection Of End-Of-Year Journaling Prompts

1. reflecting on achievements & milestones.

To start, take some time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments from the past year. What were your major achievements, big or small? Write them down and reflect on how they made you feel. How have these milestones positively impacted your life? Celebrate the growth and progress you've made.

2. Lessons Learned & Personal Growth

Reflecting on the lessons learned can be a powerful way to identify areas of personal growth. Consider the challenges you've faced and the lessons gained from them. What valuable insights have you gathered? How have you grown as a result? Embrace these experiences and use them as stepping stones for future growth.

3. Gratitude & Appreciation

Expressing gratitude is a wonderful practice to incorporate into your end-of-year reflections. Take a moment to jot down the things you are grateful for from the past year. What moments or people brought you joy and made a positive impact on your life? Cultivating gratitude can shift your perspective and set a positive tone for the upcoming year.

Rio de Janeiro - Gratitude - Gratidão - Blessed

4. Letting Go & Moving Forward

Reflect on any negative experiences or emotions that you may have carried with you throughout the year. Are there any regrets or burdens you would like to release? Writing them down and acknowledging their existence can be the first step towards letting go and embracing a fresh start. Use this opportunity to set intentions for personal growth, and visualize the positive changes you want to bring into your life.

5. Setting Intentions for the Future

Finally, consider your hopes, dreams, and goals for the upcoming year. What do you want to accomplish? How do you envision your ideal future? Writing down your intentions and visualizing your desired outcomes can help manifest them into reality. Use your journal as a tool to outline action plans and steps you will take to bring your intentions to life.

End-of-Year Journaling Template

Explore the Year-end Review journal template in Journey app, designed to facilitate self-reflection and personal growth as the year comes to a close. Take the time to capture and celebrate your accomplishments, both big and small, from the past year. Dive into thoughtful self-reflection to identify your top 5 achievements, allowing you to acknowledge your progress and feel a sense of fulfillment.

Download the Journey app to access the free year-end review journal template.

This template goes beyond mere reflection, enabling you to gain valuable insights for personal growth and set intentions for the future. Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and create powerful momentum for the year ahead with the Year End Review journal template in Journey app.

End-of-year journaling prompts offer a valuable opportunity for self-reflection, personal growth, and setting intentions for the future. By taking the time to reflect on achievements, embrace lessons learned, express gratitude, and set meaningful goals, you can pave the way for a brighter and more fulfilling year ahead. So, grab your journal, indulge in some quiet introspection, and let your words guide you towards a year of self-discovery and growth. Happy journaling!

50 End of the Year Writing Prompts to Chronicle Your Past School Year

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Can you believe we’re already saying goodbye to another school year? It’s that time again to hit the pause button, not just to gear up for what’s next, but to really soak in all that we’ve accomplished.

To help with wrapping things but also to gather a glimpse into what this last year has been for our students, I’ve crafted a collection of end of the year writing prompts that are perfect for you homeschool crew but would work just as well for those in traditional schools.

These prompts are a fantastic tool to help our kids (and us!) dive deep into their experiences over the past year. They provide a snapshot of how much they’ve grown academically and personally, spark their creativity, and the best part? They transform into wonderful keepsakes that capture this moment in their educational journey.

50 end of the year writing prompts for all ages

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Why use end of the year writing prompts?

Why should we use end of the school year writing prompts? It’s simple: they help kids reflect on their progress, understand their feelings about their experiences, and improve their writing skills.

For us parents and teachers, their writings become insta-snapshots into their minds. We get to witness their thoughts but also to see what has work and what hasn’t over the past year.

➤ Reflective Growth: These prompts get kids to think back on the past year, helping them recognize what they’ve learned and the hurdles they’ve overcome. It’s a great way for them to see how they’ve grown and how they’ve tackled challenges along the way.

➤ Tracking Progress: It’s like looking through a before-and-after photo album. By comparing writings from the start of the year to those at the end, you can really see your child’s progress in how they express themselves and organize their thoughts. It’s super helpful for me to see how my teaching methods and curriculum choices are working out.

➤ Boosting Self-awareness: Writing lets kids dig into what they’re good at and what they might need to work on. This isn’t just useful for their academics—it’s great for building their confidence and motivation, too.

➤ Creative Outlet: After a structured year, these prompts offer a fun break. Kids can let their imaginations run wild, whether they’re writing stories, crafting poems, or reflecting in essays. It’s a chance for them to freely express themselves and maybe even rediscover their love for writing.

➤ Sharpening Communication Skills: Good communication is key, everywhere. These prompts give kids another opportunity to practice putting their thoughts into words clearly and effectively. It’s a skill they’ll use for a lifetime.

➤ Creating Memories: The writings from these prompts often turn into cherished keepsakes. They capture your child’s thoughts and growth at this point in their schooling. Later on, these pieces can be a wonderful way to look back and remember their journey through each school year.

So, end-of-year writing prompts are a practical tool. They’re a way for students to wrap up the year thoughtfully and start the next one with a clear mind. Moreover, they’re a useful too for parents and educators to gauge how the school year has looked like for kids, from their POV. These prompts are a straightforward, yet powerful way to end the school year on a high note.

Sample prompts for different ages

These end of the year writing prompts are designed to engage students of all ages while allowing them to reflect on their personal experiences and academic growth over the past school year. But we’re not just talking basic “what I did over summer vacation” essays here! I’ve cooked up some prompts that’ll really get those creative juices flowing in fun, imaginative ways.

10 Elementary School End of the Year Writing Prompts:

Describe your favorite memory from this school year. What made it so special?
If you could travel back to the first day of school, what advice would you give your younger self?
Imagine you’re burying a time capsule. What three things from this school year would you put inside?
If you could have any superpower to help you learn, what would it be and why?
Write about what you want to be when you grow up and how what you learned this year helps you achieve it.
Pick one subject area and explain how you’ve grown in that area since the beginning of the year.
Share one good habit you started this year that helps you with school.
Describe a time you helped someone this year and how it made you feel.
What was your favorite lesson this year and what made it so special?
Write about a field trip you would love to go on next year and why.

10 Middle School Prompts:

What was the biggest challenge you faced this year and how did you overcome it?
Describe a time you took on a leadership role and what you learned from the experience.
If you could invent a new school subject or class, what would it be and why?
Write about a risk you took this year that paid off or a fear you confronted.
Reflect on a quote or lesson that resonated with you and how it has impacted your perspective.
Write a newspaper article about the top three events from your school year.
Write a letter to your future self to open when you graduate from middle school.
Write about someone who inspired you this year and why.
Argue for or against a school/homeschol rule you’d like to change and explain your reasoning.
Plan out a creative project you’d like to do next year and outline the steps you’ll take.

10 High School Prompts:

Looking back, what is one thing you wish you could have done differently this school year?
Describe how your relationships with friends or family have evolved over the past year.
What accomplishment from this year are you most proud of and why?
Write a mission statement for your life describing your core values and aspirations.
If you had to summarize the most important lesson you’ve learned, what would it be?
Write a practice college application essay about a significant experience from high school.
Pay tribute to a mentor who has made a difference in your life this year.
Share an experience where you learned about a different culture and what it taught you.
Write a speech you might give at graduation, reflecting on your high school experience.
Discuss a book that changed your perspective this year and how.

20 Cross-Curricular Writing Prompts for All Ages

You can go beyond just asking kids about their school year and into specific subjects such as English language arts, social studies, or visual arts. You can also ask them to think about how the future might look for them, what new skills they want to learn about, what new goals they have for the new year, and more!

Reflect on the historical leaders you’ve learned about this year. Select the one who resonates with you the most. Imagine stepping into their shoes and addressing their followers. Write a speech as this leader. Consider the challenges and triumphs of their time. What message would you want to convey to your people? How would you inspire them?
Imagine living in an ancient civilization you’ve learned about. Write a diary entry describing your daily life.
Identify a current event you care about. Write an essay on the change you hope to see and how it can be achieved.
Research a country you’d like to visit. Write a travel guide with places to see and activities to do.
Describe the view from an airplane window over a geographic location of your choice. What do you see below? (for more writing prompts related to geography, check my Egypt Writing Prompts and Mysteries )
Narrate your typical day using the foreign language you’re learning.
Compose a letter to a pen pal in a country where the language you’re learning is spoken, describing your school year.
Reflect on the books you’ve read this year. Write a review of the one that impacted you the most.
Write a poem inspired by a setting from one of the books you’ve read this year.
Write about an artist you studied and how they’ve influenced your view of art.
Imagine you’re opening an art exhibit. Write an announcement for the event, describing the featured artworks.
Write a first-person account of a scientist making a significant discovery in the field of physical science.
Develop an idea for a new invention. Write a proposal explaining how it works and its potential impact.
Write about a real-life situation where you applied mathematical concepts you learned this year.
Imagine you’re a scientist documenting a groundbreaking discovery. Write a journal entry describing your findings, the experiments conducted, and the impact on the scientific community.
Write a review of a musical performance you attended this year, detailing your experience.
Create a playlist of songs that represent your school year. Write about why you selected each song.
Write a strategic plan for improving in a sport you played this year.
Discuss the importance of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle in an informative essay.
Research an environmental issue (such as climate change, deforestation, or pollution). Write a persuasive essay arguing for a specific solution to address this problem. (For more environmental writing prompts , check my Earth Day Reading Comprehension Worksheets Pack )

You know what makes these end-of-year writing prompts even more awesome? I went ahead and made a printable version that you can get for FREE below:

Do you wan to continue the writing fun over the summer? Do your kids need a refresh on the most common types of writing? Why not try our One Month of Summer Writing Prompts printable?

End of the year writing activities ideas and implementation for classrooms or co-ops

I know the end of the year leaves us all a bit drained and less creative so let me share some fun ideas for wrapping up the school year with some engaging writing activities for the kids that go beyond just journaling. I think you’ll really like these.

First off, why not have them create a memory book or autograph book ? They can fill it with highlights from the year, notes from friends, and reflections on how they’ve grown. It’ll be such a cool keepsake for them to look back on and reminisce about this school year’s friendships and experiences.

Another thought is setting up a dedicated writing center with different prompts, tools, and resources . Give them a cozy little nook where they can get creative – writing stories, crafting letters to next year’s students, or just reflecting on their academic journey this past year.

You could also showcase their written work on a big bulletin board ! Display stories, essays, poems – whatever they’ve poured their hearts into writing. It’s a great way to celebrate their diverse voices and talents.

For a more comprehensive collection, you could compile each kid’s writings into an award folder or yearlong portfolio . Then they (and you!) can easily track their progress over time. It’s the perfect assessment tool and keepsake all wrapped into one.

But here’s one of my favorite ideas: host an end-of-year writing celebration or showcase ! Make it a fun, informal classroom event or even a bigger school-wide deal. Give those kids a chance to read and present their best pieces out loud for friends, teachers, parents – the works! They’ll feel like rockstar writers.

Help them out

Now, I know getting kids motivated to write at the end of the year can be tough with their minds already on summer vacation. But there are ways to keep them engaged!

Like offering them choices in the writing prompts so they can pick topics they’re actually interested in. Or using cool visuals, videos, songs – anything to spark their creativity.

You can also let them express themselves through different mediums like drawings, audio recordings, videos. Give options to make writing more fun and accessible for everyone.

And be sure to go easy on your reluctant writers . Celebrate any effort they give, even if it’s just a few sentences. Lots of praise and positive reinforcement can go a long way in building their confidence.

It’s also smart to tailor your writing activities by grade level. Adjust how complex or lengthy the prompts are, or incorporate specific themes that’ll be relevant and engaging for each age group. And definitely give your younger ones more guidance and support as needed.

With technology nowadays, you could try interactive writing platforms or have kids create digital stories combining text, images, and audio. Or set up opportunities for them to collaborate and give each other feedback online. Games and coding that involve creative storytelling could be cool, too!

And think how awesome it would be to have kids work together on writing projects in teams. Assign fun roles like editors, researchers, authors. Build that sense of community. Or compile their individual writings into a published classroom collection they can all feel proud of.

The possibilities are endless! Why not provide summer writing prompts they can keep working through? Or suggest keeping personal journals of their summer adventures? You could even look into finding some fun local writing camps to help keep their skills sharp.

The key is making end-of-year writing an enjoyable, celebratory experience. It’s their chance to flex their creativity and be proud of how much they’ve grown as writers this year. With the right activities and energy around it, writing can be the highlight rather than a chore. Just think of the memories and keepsakes you’ll help create!

I’m honestly getting excited just thinking about all the ways to make end-of-year writing special this year. What does your gut say? Any favorites from the ideas I shared?

End of the year writing activities ideas and implementation for classrooms

Of course, I can’t help not sharing some really cool ideas for end-of-year writing activities that work great for homeschoolers, too.

Kids could put together a homeschool portfolio reflecting on all their work from this past year? They can highlight their favorite projects, assignments – anything that felt really meaningful or taught them something new. It’s the perfect way for them to look back with pride on their accomplishments.

Another sweet idea is having them write gratitude letters to people who really supported their homeschool journey this year . Could be family, tutors from co-ops or online classes, anyone who uplifted them. A little heartfelt thanks can go a long way.

Or you could have them keep a year-in-review journal ! They can document all the big events, milestones, field trips – any homeschool moments and memories they want to hold onto. Such a great keepsake for them.

Those journals could also include their goals and aspirations for homeschooling next year. Have them dream up what they’d love to focus on or any new areas they’re excited to explore. It’ll get their minds buzzing for the fall!

Speaking of planning ahead, why not have them review the curricula and resources you used ? Getting their honest feedback can really help you decide what to stick with or shake up for next year. After all, their opinions matter most!

For kids with a particular passion, let them pitch their dream passion project for summer or next year . They can outline their interests and lay out proposed activities. Could be crafting, coding, you name it! What better way to nurture their individuality?

Oh, and this one’s fun – challenge them to write persuasive myth-buster essays debunking common homeschool misconceptions or even busting some science myths or anything else they would love writing about. Using their actual experiences makes it so much more powerful.

You could also have them document any special homeschool traditions your family has developed over the year and why they’re so meaningful. It’s those cozy little rituals that make lasting memories.

So those are some of my favorite ideas! I’m already picturing kids cozied up and pouring their hearts into fun writing pieces as this school year comes to a close. Let me know what resonates most or if you need any other suggestions!

Wrapping up the year with words: why writing matters

As we wave goodbye to another school year, it’s amazing to see just how much our kids have grown—not just taller, but smarter, more skilled, and incredibly insightful. The end of the year writing prompts I’ve shared with you aren’t just for dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on another year but a chance for our students to reflect, express, and even celebrate the journey they’ve been on.

For us, the parents and educators, these pieces are like little windows into our children’s thoughts and evolving perspectives. They allow us to witness their growth firsthand and understand their experiences from their unique viewpoints.

I hope these have been useful and if you like them, please let me know in the comments so I can create more writing prompts. And I’d LOVE to hear how you are wrapping up your school year!

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I'm a homeschool mom and photographer that loves reading, traveling and writing about our homeschool adventures.

I live in Europe with my 13-year-old son who is a handful to raise and educate. He is gifted in STEM and my opposite in every way. So life is never boring for us.

I've been homeschooling for 7 years ⭐️ now and I feel I still have so much to explore and learn but at the same time, I've gathered a lot of information during these years.

I want to share my ideas and discoveries with you and I love talking to other homeschool parents and learning from them.

"We rise by lifting others" is my favorite motto. That's why I love sharing and helping whenever I can. So don't shy away from dropping me a line. I always love hearing from you 🤗

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43 End of Year Reflection Questions to Review Your 2023

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As we are coming up on the end of another unique year in history, you’re probably looking forward to post-pandemic life and wishing to leave the past behind you.

I think we are all ready for that. But, putting worldly crises aside, it’s still important to reflect on your experiences so you can analyze what’s working and where you have opportunities to make some adjustments or improvements.

While I’m not a huge fan of waiting until January 1st to make positive changes, the ending of one year and beginning of another offers a natural opportunity to take some time to consider the bigger picture of your life. So in this article, we are going to review 43 questions you can ask yourself to prompt this type of reflection.

But first, let’s talk about why doing an end-of-year reflection is a critical exercise for your ongoing self-improvement efforts .

Table of Contents

What Is an End-of-Year Reflection and Why Is it Important?

It’s easy to feel excited for a fresh start to a new year. A clean slate is upon you and you have the best intentions to work hard toward your goals .

But in the midst of thinking about what the future potentially holds, it’s important to reflect upon both the good and bad experiences that have shaped the person you are today. Taking the time to absorb the opportunities and lessons from the past year can help you learn what to do (or not do) to be successful in the future.

While doing an end-of-year reflection, look for the areas in your life that you’ve been successful and where you have made some missteps. Give yourself credit for your accomplishments and consider the lessons you’ve learned during times of struggle.

Critique the choices you made and the subsequent outcomes. Could you have spent your money , energy, and time in a way that was more beneficial for your future? What changes can you make moving forward?

Without considering the happenings of the past year, you’re putting yourself at risk of repeating your mistakes or not recognizing where you could make improvements in your life.

You may also lose out on the opportunity to acknowledge the progress you’ve made over the past year in your personal and professional life, and doing so can certainly be motivating to keep up the hard work.

But just thinking about the highlights from the last year without any prompts will probably give you an incomplete picture of your year. So we’ve gathered 43 reflection questions that you can use to prompt your memory and help you really analyze where you were a year ago, where you are today, and where you want to go.

Let’s get started.

43 End of Year Reflection Questions to Review Your 2023 Year

1. if someone else were to write a book about your year, how would it go.

This question forces you to take an outsider’s perspective on your reality. How would your story go–would there be progression to the story or would it stay pretty stagnant? Who would be the main characters aside from yourself? What would the moral of the story be?

In addition to encouraging you to think about your year as a whole, thinking about this question will help shed some light on how you played a part in some of the stories of other people’s lives as well.

2. What surprised you about this year?

If you could tell your late-2023 self one thing about this year that you wouldn’t have believed at the time, what would it be? For me, it would be that I haven’t moved on from my full-time job.

It’s been a long road and I never thought I would make it a year. But it has shown me that I’m persistent and I’m stronger than I thought I was. What has surprised you, and why?

3. What worked?

In what ways were you successful this year? What goals did you meet? How did you solve some of the problems you faced?

end of year reflection questions for employees | end of year reflection questions for students | end of year reflection questions for middle school students

Think about the positive outcomes you worked for, both in your personal and professional life. When you start to reflect on the things you have done well, you may realize it’s a lot more than you would have originally thought.

4. What didn’t work?

What do you wish you had done differently? Could you have approached something with a better attitude or put more effort into a project? Or maybe you should have listened to the constructive feedback you received that felt like criticism at the time. How can you be sure to not repeat this mistake?

5. How did you engage in self-care?

Throughout the chaos of the year, did you take time for yourself? What did you do to unwind or destress? Are there certain times throughout the year that you found you needed to do some extra self-care? What self-care activities did you find to be especially helpful?

Think about what coping skills were effective and how you can incorporate them more into your life moving forward.

6. What do you wish you had done this year?

In an effort to minimize regrets and missed opportunities, think of the things that you maybe wanted to do but didn’t. Why didn’t you follow through? Maybe it was something as simple as being invited out one night but you felt too tired to go, or perhaps it was something bigger like turning down a job offer and later regretting it.

What was your thought process that led to your ultimate decision and how can you alter this process in the future to have a better outcome?

7. What bad habit did you drop?

And what impact has it had on your life? Did you stop drinking sodas or limit the number of times you bought your lunch from a restaurant during the week? Did dropping your bad habit have the impact that you had hoped for? What bad habit can you drop next year to make an even bigger impact on your life?

8. What was your greatest accomplishment?

Acknowledging your accomplishments will heighten your sense of worth and feelings of purpose. Considering this question also reinforces your positive behaviors that you need when you face new challenges.

On the other hand, if you don’t celebrate your accomplishments, you’re endorsing the idea that what you’re doing isn't meaningful.

So what are you the most proud of and how can you continue on that path during the upcoming year?

9. What disappointed you this year?

Reflecting on what disappointed you this year will help you address your struggles and explore the negative emotions that you experienced. For example, maybe you received unfavorable feedback at work that was difficult to spin into an opportunity for growth –or maybe a relationship that you had high hopes for didn’t work out.

Thinking about this question will help you get in touch with any leftover feelings of anger, hurt, or resentment that may still be affecting you today. This can give you a more balanced perspective of the situation and offer a chance to recognize a missed opportunity, granting greater insight about yourself that can help shape your future goals.

10. What transitions did you make this year?

Did you start a new job? Or go through a breakup? What chapter in your life turned a page this past year and what have you learned during the process?

11. When did you learn from a failure?

It takes courage to acknowledge your failures without letting them define you, but doing so helps with self-acceptance and it will encourage you to get used to finding the lessons in your mistakes.

There are many well-known people who found success through failure . One thing you can always learn from your mistakes is that they’re not the end of the road.

To overcome your failure, you need to evaluate and alter your approach. In doing so, your failure will teach you that you have to embrace change to be successful. What changes do you need to embrace in the coming year?

12. Did you do your best?

Surely you will be able to think of some times when you did your best and other times when you didn’t. Think about the circumstances that were preventing you from not giving your all to a task and what the consequences were.

What did you do in situations where you did your best and failed? Asking yourself if you did your best will help you compassionately accept your failures.

[See some deep questions to get to know people better!]

13. Name a time when you had to be brave and step outside of your comfort zone.

Stepping out of your self-imposed boundaries probably isn’t something that you generally look forward to doing, but doing so can come with great rewards. Think about the times that you were able to survive outside of your comfort zone in the last year and how you grew from those experiences.

Think about what coping skills helped get you through it and set some goals for the future that include using these skills to support you in the process of self-growth .

14. What did you spend too much time or energy on?

Some things seem like a big deal at the moment and we get caught up in handling what seems to be a critical issue; but upon reflection, you can recognize the outcome didn’t have a significant impact on your life.

What can you put into perspective now that you couldn’t seem to at the time? How can you remember to stop and put things into perspective in the future before wasting your time or energy?

15. What did you avoid?

Maybe another year has gone by and you’ve managed to avoid having a difficult (but necessary) conversation, or you’ve continued to avoid the late payment reminders on some old debt. If there is something that you’re keeping on the backburner, make it a goal to knock it out in the upcoming year.

16. Who were your major supporters this year?

Who did you count on to always be there for you this year? If you started a new job, maybe there is one particular co-worker who has been especially helpful or maybe you’ve made a new professional contact who has helped you advance your career.

Make sure that the people who have helped you throughout the year know that you’re appreciative.

end of year reflection questions for students pdf | end of year reflection questions for students 2021 | funny end of year reflection questions

17. What new habit or routine did you create this year to improve your efficiency (either at home or at work)?

Being efficient is a key part of working smarter. I “trialed and errored” this year until I found an organizing routine at work that keeps me on top of things and prevents me from letting any little task slip through the cracks.

It took a lot of tries before I got this just right–but once I did, it increased my confidence in my work and now I don’t have to go back and double check myself constantly throughout the day.

18. What did you handle well?

It’s easy to walk away from a situation wishing you had handled it differently, but what are some things that you handled well this year? What was your decision-making process at the time? How can you apply a similar process in future endeavors?

19. What sticks out as being a meaningful moment?

Thinking about the moments that left a lasting impression will help you determine what you want to spend more time doing in the upcoming year. Maybe it was a rare moment with a friend or a volunteer activity you did–examining what mattered the most to you this year will help you determine where you want to spend more time moving forward.

20. What was the most significant thing you read this year?

What sticks out in your mind as having the biggest impact on your life–whether it was a motivational self-help book , an inspiring biography, or a single blog post that prompted you to make a big change? Think of everything that you’ve learned through reading over the past year and reflect on the things that really impacted you in some way.

21. What are you grateful for?

When you think about what you’re grateful for , you will gain a deeper understanding of the things that matter to you so you can establish goals that are aligned with your values and priorities for the upcoming year. Start by creating a gratitude list or use these gratitude prompts for inspiration.

22. What did you change your mind about?

This doesn’t have to be major (like changing your career path), but it could be. This could also be a belief or opinion that you no longer hold or plans for the future that you once had but have now changed.

Thinking about the things that you’ve changed your mind about will help remind you of life’s fluidity and how you’re constantly evolving. Very few things in life are set in stone, so you don’t always need to be rigid or hard on yourself.

23. What’s a cognitive bias you caught yourself thinking this year?

What mental shortcuts have you taken and what snap judgements did they lead to? Did you catch yourself thinking in terms of a cognitive bias in the moment or is it only upon reflection that you’re recognizing your mistake?

Staying aware of cognitive biases will help reduce the amount of flawed reasoning you use and help you make better decisions. Being able to spot these biases (both when you fall for them and in conversation with others) will give you an open mind and ultimately lead to better choices.

24. If you could rewind one year, what advice would you give yourself knowing what you know now?

It’s interesting to see how much knowledge and wisdom you've gained through this past somewhat challenging year. Take the advice that you would give to your past self and apply it now to help improve this next year.

25. What is a new skill that you learned this year?

Maybe you had to switch over to an updated computer system at work or you took up a new hobby that you’ve always wanted to learn about. Think of at least one skill in which you’ve progressed through the stages of learning and competence this year .

What skills do you want to learn in 2023?

end of semester reflection questions | end of year reflection questions for employees | end of year reflection questions for high school students

26. How did your relationship with yourself change this year?

As we learn and grow mentally and spiritually, we learn a little more about ourselves. As you reflect on the past year, ask yourself if you have become your own best friend , disappointed yourself, or in some other way discovered a trait that changed how you view yourself.

Hopefully, you have discovered some wonderful things about yourself and your strengths throughout the year.

27. What was the most fun you had this year?

When asking this question, consider the company you were with, the activity, and what mindset you were in when this fun occurred. Maybe you had a dream come true or maybe it was just a realization you came to about being happy while participating in a routine activity.

Were you surprised at the thought that you were having fun? Make sure you include elements of this event in your future plans!

28. What three words sum up the theme of this year?

Condensing the year into a mere three words won't be easy. It requires that you look at the year as a whole, as well as individual highlights. You may be surprised at how many good things happened that allowed your focus to stray away from the lesser moments.

Yet, you may have had one major event that took all your strength and courage to get through. Look over the year's events with a non-judgmental view and ask yourself what three words appear most often.

29. Did I improve anyone's life this year?

A successful life is more than just how much you improve, it is also about what kind of impact you leave behind. Sometimes we don't even realize how much we have done to make someone's life better.

A smile or compliment given at the right moment can literally save a life. Maybe you didn't go out and create some major act of heroism, but think back over the year.

Did you teach someone something they were struggling with ? Did you listen to someone who was feeling alone and unheard? Maybe you delivered a hot meal to a neighbor who was ill or spent time volunteering at an animal shelter. You did make a difference, even if you may not realize it.

30. What character trait did I find most useful this year?

We often find ourselves relying on the same few character traits. Sometimes, it appears we need to rely on resourcefulness to get through several things in a row. Other times, it is our ability to be a great listener or courage. Think back over the past year.

Was there a particular character trait you found helped you the most throughout the year? Do you think it was a good thing or a negative thing that this was the most prevalent trait necessary? Did you find out you had a positive trait, such as calmness or strength, that you didn't realize you had?

31. How are you different than when you started the year?

Unless you spend your life sitting at the kitchen table all day, every day, going nowhere and doing nothing but watching videos or scrolling through Facebook, there is going to be some change in you. Living itself is conducive to change, be it positive or negative. Change means you are different.

Look back to this time last year and see how you are different today than you were last year. Maybe the difference is a small one. Maybe it is huge. Think about how you are different and decide whether you want to continue going in that direction.

32. How has the way you view yourself changed over the past year?

We tend to view ourselves in a completely different way than others view us. Every so often, however, we get through a situation, have success, or do something else that changes the person we see in the mirror. Often, we think we are less capable, less lovable, or less deserving than we are.

Were you able to put aside any such images of yourself this year and start to see the incredible person you truly are? What caused you to come to that realization?

Make sure you carry that new positive image into the new year. If, however, your image of yourself has changed for the worse, take a deep look and find out why, then look for ways to see the best in yourself.

33. What can you do to improve next year?

Any review of the current year needs to include an idea of what you want to change or keep in the coming year.

Regardless of how well your year went, do you have goals for how you want to grow in the coming year? Everyone has an idea of where they want to be. Can you think about what steps you need to take to move forward? Life is about growth. You've got this!

34. What is my financial outlook after this past year?

With all the ups and downs we experience, our finances aren't exempt from the rollercoaster ride called life. Maybe you had several unexpected expenses due to medical issues for you, a spouse, or a child.

You possibly had a year inundated with home repairs and auto repair costs. Then, your hours were cut back at work, or you may have even been laid off.

Finally, there is the possibility that you simply didn’t manage your money well. You ate out when you should have eaten more meals at home. You made a budget but often failed to stick with it. It could be that during a rough season of the year, you found relief with retail therapy.

There is also the possibility that your outlook was better than expected. You received an unexpected raise, or your business sales skyrocketed, and you were able to save more money than expected.

No matter the outlook, it's important to reflect and see if your actions are working toward your overall life goals or if you need to tighten the financial belt going into the New Year.

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35. What worries me most as I navigate the future?

When we look at the future, it is often a reflection of a current trend or information presented to us in the present. So, as you reflect and see where things are in the present, are they trending upward or downward? Is there something that concerns you based on a trend you're seeing now?

Has your stock been trending downward? Do you have a loved one whose medical condition isn't improving? Does it look like the “brook is drying up” on how you operate your business? Reflecting on those things now will help you wisely navigate the future with a plan to pivot or brace for impact.

36. Who or what can I live without going forward?

We are not the same people we were five years ago, three years ago, and in many cases, the same as we were at the start of this year. As we change, we often expect others (who are also ever-changing) to be there for us in the same way.

We also expect specific systems and things to continue serving our needs. When they don't, we hold on in nostalgia. But it's time to see who or what has served its purpose in the past but doesn't quite fit into the life of the person we are today.

37. Where do I see myself this time next year?

It's safe to say that as we reflect on our year and look to the future, we want a better year next year than this one has been. To reach our goals in life, it's vital to make small, attainable S.M.A.R.T. goals along the way.

So, year after year, what progress do you hope to see in your overall mental health, finances, or career? Then, set practical daily, weekly, and monthly objectives to help you know where you desire to be at a year's end.

38. How can I have more self-confidence in the New Year?

When looking to be more self-confident, it helps to review what worked for you this past year. In what ways did you crush it? What do you bring to the table uniquely in your career, personal relationships, and overall goals?

Look at how you have improved over where you were this time last year and build on that and the productive feedback you’ve received throughout the year to build your confidence and navigate forward.

Positively affirm yourself and the impact you make in the lives of others to close out this year and step boldly into the new.

39. Do you feel valued and appreciated by others for all you did this year?

When dealing with others, whether in our jobs or within our families, we will always find those who value and appreciate us. Then, sadly, we will also have those who use us for an agenda or simply take us for granted.

No matter what you do, it doesn't feel good enough, and you find yourself serving others for their approval and acceptance. In those times, it's a good idea to stop and recognize how those people are making us feel and, if needed, change our environment.

Sometimes, it's hard to see when we're taken advantage of, so it's essential to heed the warnings of others in our inner circle who may see it and point it out to us.

It may be time to start out the year in places where we are celebrated and not tolerated.

40. Did I complete any bucket list items this year?

Most of us have things we would love to do or accomplish in our lifetimes before we “kick the bucket.” These items may be grand in nature, like swimming with dolphins or walking the Great Wall of China.

Your bucket list may include minor accomplishments like learning a new language or making pasta from scratch. But all list items are things you care about based on your interests, passions, and purpose.

Reflect on the items you accomplished this year. Think about the things you wish you had done but didn't do. Meditate on the frequency in which you’d like to achieve the other objectives on your list going forward so there are no feelings of regret year over year.

41. What did I take for granted this year?

In all our reflections, we will begin to notice people, places, things, and advantages we've had but didn't fully appreciate this past year.

Maybe you didn’t have any problems with your vehicle, you still have your family alive and in good health, and you get to do work every day that you enjoy.

Sadly, life's evil and unfortunate things seem to zap our strength and get the most of our attention. So, the things that are good and right can often be taken for granted.

The way to fix this is to work to become more grateful and live each day with a heart of thanksgiving. Over time, it helps us see the bad in a better light and show gratitude for everything and everyone else.

If you're looking for gratitude journal prompts, then check out this video:

42. Who do I look up to the most as inspiration?

No matter what we aspire to be in life, there is always someone we can look to for inspiration. To a kid who plays basketball, Kobe Bryant may be their inspiration.

They began watching videos and listening to his interviews with the media to get an idea of the person he was on and off the court, which led to his success. For more significant impact, those inspired by his words even put his quotes on their vision boards for inspiration .

The same is true in any industry. Who is an expert in your field that you can learn the most from moving forward? Do you know them personally, or do they have any books or media that you can glean from for inspiration?

43. What did you receive the most compliments on this past year?

Compliments are free gifts we can give each other to express the positive impact of a person's kind gesture, act of service, or just for being them.

Many have a habit of hiding their smile with their hand until someone points out how amazing their smile is. Others are timid about singing until someone points out their incredible singing voice.

So, what sincere compliments have you received this year? As you reflect on them, let them give you confidence as you enter the New Year. Make those kind words into daily affirmations until you believe them about yourself wholeheartedly.

Final Thoughts on End of Year Reflection Questions

To recap, here are 43 questions to think about when reflecting on this past year.

If someone else were to write a book about your year, how would it go?
What surprised you about this year?
What worked?
What didn’t work?
How did you engage in self-care?
What do you wish you had done this year?
What bad habit did you drop?
What was your greatest accomplishment?
What disappointed you this year?
What transitions did you make this year?
When did you learn from a failure?
Did you do your best?
Name a time when you had to be brave and step outside of your comfort zone.
What did you spend too much time or energy on?
What did you avoid?
Who were your major supporters this year?
What new habit or routine did you create this year to improve your efficiency (either at home or at work)?
What did you handle well?
What sticks out as being a meaningful moment?
What was the most significant thing you read this year?
What are you grateful for?
What did you change your mind about?
What’s a cognitive bias you caught yourself thinking this year?
If you could rewind one year, what advice would you give yourself knowing what you know now?
What is a new skill that you learned this year?
How did your relationship with yourself change this year?
What was the most fun you had this year?
What three words sum up the theme of this year?
Did I improve anyone's life this year?
What character trait did I find most useful this year?
How are you different than when you started the year?
How has the way you view yourself changed over the past year?
What can you do to improve next year?
What is my financial outlook after this past year?
What worries me most as I navigate the future?
Who or what can I live without going forward?
Where do I see myself this time next year?
How can I have more self-confidence in the New Year?
Do you feel valued and appreciated by others for all you did this year?
Did I complete any bucket list items this year?
What did I take for granted this year?
Who do I look up to the most as inspiration?
What did you receive the most compliments on this past year?

Hopefully you’ve been able to think about some achievements or successes that you had previously overlooked.

When answering these questions, make sure to consider all of the ideas that you can think about related to the prompt so you can recognize how much you’ve evolved as a person. In doing so, you will set yourself up for a progressive and successful 2024.

And if you want more interesting questions to ask, be sure to check out these blog posts:

205 Questions to Ask a New Friend to Quickly Get to Know Them
171 Deep Would You Rather Questions to Know Someone Better
437 Deep Questions to Ask Someone

Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals .

Connie Mathers is a professional editor and freelance writer. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. When she is not writing, Connie is either spending time with her daughter and two dogs, running, or working at her full-time job as a social worker in Richmond, VA.

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Tales From a Very Busy Teacher

A Teaching Blog

Journal Prompts for the End of the School Year

The school days are long but the school year is short, or so they say!

Those last few days of school can feel like they’re never-ending. One way to keep your students busy and engaged is by giving them journal prompts that can help them become centered and focused.

You can use these prompts at the beginning of the school day, right after students come in from a recess break, or at the end of the day as a mindful moment . No matter when you use them, encourage your students to be thoughtful and take their time when they’re writing .

Explain 3 things you’ll never forget about this school year.
What are 10 words that describe this year and explain why?
What are 5 ways you saw change in yourself over this school year?
What are 3 things that you’d like to improve upon for next school year?
What are 5 things that you were successful in this school year?
Explain 3 things you learned this year that were meaningful.
Explain 4 goals you have for next year.
Explain 3 challenges you overcame this school year.
What are 3 things you’re looking forward to in your future?
Explain 3 things you’ll miss about this school year.

Want to have these prompts all in one place for your students, then click here and download these prompts (and more!) from my TpT store.

this has three pictures of the end of year journal that showcases the cover page and the pages inside the journal

You can print it out and staple it all together so it’s ready for your students each and every day.

For more end-of-the-year ideas, check out these five activities that are easy to implement.

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Teaching with Jennifer Findley

Upper Elementary Teaching Blog

End of Year Reflection Activity (Free!)

As the year winds down, I always love having my students reflect and share their thoughts about the year. In a similar way as my reading interest inventory questions , I take a slightly different approach to my students’ end of year reflection. This post will share the reflection questions and some different ways to implement them in your classroom to help your students reflect on the year (and set goals for the next year).

The free end of year reflection prompts shared on this post now include a digital version for use with Google Slides! See the section titled Digital End of Year Reflection Prompts for more details!

FREE end of year reflection activity for grades 3-5! Use the reflection questions to have your students reflect on the school year and set goals for the next year.

About the End of Year Reflection Questions

The free download (available near the end of this post) contains thirty end of year reflection questions in two formats: task card format and as a printable list. You can choose to use whichever format you want and whichever questions you want.

Here are some example reflection questions that are included:

If you could go back in time and restart the school year, what would you do differently and why?
What were your favorite parts of this school year?
What one word would describe this school year? Explain why you chose the word.
What was your favorite non-academic activity or event from this school year?
What was the best day you had this year? What made it the best?
What was the most interesting skill or topic you learned this year?
What was something that was difficult for you at first but is now easy?
What do you wish that you had studied or learned this year?
What did you accomplish this year that you are most proud of?
What was your favorite book you read in school this year?
What essay or story did you write that you are most proud of?
How prepared do you feel for next year?
What is a goal you have for next school year?
What one piece of advice would you give the students who will be in this grade next year?

Using the End of Year Reflection Questions

You have a lot of flexibility based on your schedule and your students in regards to how you want to use these end of the year reflection questions.

Here are some ideas:

1-2 Reflection Questions a Day – Allow your students to reflect on the year during the entire last month of school by projecting or reading one of the reflection questions one to times a day. You could have your students discuss their answers with groups or partners (they love this and it doubles as a brain break) or have them record their thoughts (recording sheet included in the download).

Scoot Activity – Take a class period and have the students “play” SCOOT with the reflection questions. To do this, simply place a card on each desk. Have the students rotate (at your signal) around the desks until they have answered all of the questions.

Around the Room – Tape the cards around the room and have the students work in pairs or triads to answer the questions. You can rotate the students at your signal or allow them to move around freely. If you allow them to move around freely, I recommend having a rule that no more than one pair/triad of students can be at a card at a time.

Center or Station – Use the task card version and place the questions at a center. Have the students answer the questions on the recording sheet or discuss their answers with their groups.

Digital End of Year Reflection Prompts

This free end of year reflection activity is now available in digital format with Google Slides. When you download the PDF (from the next section), you will find the links to access the digital end of year reflection prompts on the first page.

Grab a FREE end of the year digital activity to use with your 3rd-5th graders!

Here are some ideas for using these free digital end of year reflection prompts:

Assign one prompt at a time.
Assign several prompts at a time for completion within a specified time frame.
Assign several prompts at a time but allow students to choose a specific number to complete from the total assigned.

Need help assigning Google Slides through Google Classroom? Click here!

Download the End of Year Reflection Questions Here

Click here or on the image below to download the end of the year reflection questions. I hope you and your students enjoy reflecting and reminiscing on the school year!

Need End of the Year Math and Literacy Activities?

Are you still needing academic resources to engage your students until the end of the year? Check out these end of the year activities (with digital activities) for math and literacy.

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End of Year Literacy Activities w/ Digital Activities

$end of year reflection essay prompt$

5th Grade End of the Year Math Activities w/ Digital Activities

$end of year reflection essay prompt$

4th Grade End of the Year Math Activities w/ Digital Activities

Want More End of the Year Activities?

Click on the links below to see more end of the year activities and printables, including more freebies!

End of the Year Literacy Activities and Ideas

End of the Year Math Activities and Ideas

FREE End of the Year Writing Prompts

End of Year Activities to Prepare Students for the Next Grade Level

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Reader interactions.

May 11, 2019 at 11:39 am

Thank you!! Great Ideas

April 30, 2020 at 2:04 pm

Thank you. I am trying to find a way to have them work well with Office 365 since that is the platform our district uses.

May 11, 2020 at 3:35 pm

Hi Jennifer! Thank you for the end of year reflection slides activity! It appears someone has to sited the first/title slide. It doesn’t have the same cutesy feel as the others. Am I correct? Is there a way to get the original?

June 1, 2020 at 10:11 am

Thank you! These are perfect! Do you have a teacherspayteachers shop?

May 16, 2021 at 6:23 am

Hello Ms. Findley,

Thank you for sharing your end of the year slides. They are all great ideas.

You may also love these freebies!

$end of year reflection essay prompt$

Math Posters

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Morphology Posters

Grammar Posters

Welcome Friends!

I’m Jennifer Findley: a teacher, mother, and avid reader. I believe that with the right resources, mindset, and strategies, all students can achieve at high levels and learn to love learning. My goal is to provide resources and strategies to inspire you and help make this belief a reality for your students.

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Guide to End of Year Reflections in Your Journal

The end of year brings about an opportunity for us to reflect on the past year and use that for the year ahead. The Stoics, from Seneca to Epictetus, reflected daily and encouraged their students to do the same;

“I will keep constant watch over myself and — most usefully —will put each day up for review. For this is what makes us evil—that none of us looks back upon our own lives. We reflect upon only that which we are about to do. And yet our plans for the future descend from the past.” —SENECA, MORAL LETTERS, 83.2, ~ 65 AD.

This guide will go over the practice of yearly reflection using your journal so that you become aware of the past and effectively plan for the year ahead.

1. Preparing for effective yearly reflections

Yearly reflections can be intimidating — reflecting on the full year and becoming aware of areas of improvements. To make this process a bit easier to do, here are a few preparation tips;

Block off chunks of time to self-reflect — Don’t attempt to do it all in one sitting. Rather dedicate about an hour or even 30 minutes each day when you have the most energy. For most, this is during the morning.
Setup the environment and focus — During the self-reflection time, find a place that will help you focus. This can be your bed, outside in nature, sitting on the floor, doing it with a friend, or at your desk. Additionally, some people find it easier to focus and get in the flow with a technique like pomodoro or putting on some background music .
Keep it simple and free from judgements — during the reflection process, it is common to go get discouraged or go down a rabbit hole. For example, being hard on yourself for having identified an area of improvement. It’s better to have uncovered that rather than not having self-reflected. Right?
Follow questions or prompts to self-reflect with — Starting with good questions and prompts helps solve two obstacles with yearly self-reflection. First, it eliminates the uncertainty and anxiety of HOW to reflect. Second, it eliminates the bias or influence of poor questions leading to poor reflections. Below, you will find quality questions gathered from research-backed sources.
(Optional) Self-reflect with pen and paper — There is something tactile, human, and personal about the nature of reflecting with a pen and paper. I suggest all journal keepers to start the reflection in their journal and build on it for the days to come. If you are able to focus on a digital device, you can do that too.

With the preparation done, the reflection is going to in two parts — first the big picture review and then more specific review of different areas of life.

2. Big picture review and reflection of last year

Starting with the big picture allows you to answer big questions before you dig deeper into the details. This way you can come back to the big picture if you get lost or want to refer back when reflecting. These questions are inspired by a book by David Allen, Getting Things Done, and from observing the journals of successful people .

Answer the following questions as broadly as possible for last year. We will get more specific in the next section.

Identify 3 top wins for the year. What made them happen?
What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned this year?
What were the risks you took this year?
What was your most loving service to someone or something?
What is your unfinished business from this year?
What are you most happy about completing this year?
Who were the three people that had the greatest impact on your life this year?
What was your biggest surprise?
What compliments did you receive this year? What would you liked to have received?
What else do you need to do or say to be complete with this year?
What one word or phrase best sums up and describes your experience this year? Reflect on this phrase. Is this phrase free from bias?
What stories from last year are you letting go?

3. Review and reflect on different areas of life

Having done the big picture reflection, it is now time to focus and individual areas of your life that make up the big picture .

To become aware of how different areas of your life are currently, here is a quiz that you can complete .

After completing the quiz, you will get a score for each area of your life. Specifically;

Relationships
Career and Work
Health and Wellness
Contribution to the World
Spirituality
Living Environment
Planning your life

From the quiz results, pick 1-2 areas of your life that you want to be a priority for next year.

For those priority areas, answer the following questions;

Why is this area important and a priority for me?
What has been working in improving this area?
What has not been working in improving this area?
What goals do I have for this area for next year?

Continue reflecting on the above questions until you don’t have anything left to put on paper.

4. Reflect and plan for next year

Now, with awareness of the past, we can look onto the next year for reflection and planning. Again, as Seneca said, “… our plans for the future descent from the past”.

What would make 20XX your best year ever?
What new habits can you cultivate that will help you to achieve your goals stated from the previous question? Here are some tips to kickstart keeping a journal for next year!
What bad habits can you remove that will help you to achieve your goals?
What are your immediate next steps to achieve these goals?
What would you like to be your biggest win?
What advice would you like to give yourself?
What are you planning to do to improve your financial results?
What are you looking forward to learning?
What do you think your biggest risk will be?
Who or what, other than yourself, are you most committed to loving and serving?
What about your work, are you most committed to changing and improving?
What is one of undeveloped talent you are willing to explore?
What brings you the most joy and how are you going to do or have more of that?
What one word or phrase would you like to have as your theme?

Based on these insights and findings, you are ready to set the most effective goals and visions for the year ahead.

5. Setting goals and re-visiting reflections

If you have come this far, you are now armed with reflections and insights about your life — holistically and for each area. Now, turn this insight into action. Are there areas you want to improve or have a specific goal for?

Continue to re-visit these reflections throughout the year. Remember to set small manageable goals that will move you closer to where you want to be before next-year’s reflection!

Template and Prompts for yearly journal reflections

Here is a document that you can copy – digitally or in your journal – and fill out for reflections;

Click here to view “Guide for Year End Review & Reflection”

How do you do your early reviews? Have some tips or comments to share? Please do share it in the comments.

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Observing the journals of leonardo da vinci, 1 comments on guide to end of year reflections in your journal.

I have just discovered your blog and though I have kept a journal for much of my long life, I am learning and being encouraged by your thoughtful posts.

Your most recent post is nearly a year ago, about reviewing the year 2020 in one’s journal. The time since your post has been relentlessly difficult for all of us and I hope that you and your loved ones are well. The gift of self-reflection which is nourished by journalling can help us see more clearly and be something to sustain us. Thank you for your contribution to that.

very best wishes,

a new subscriber,

9 Important Student Reflection Questions for the End of the Year

It’s the end of the school year, and you’re tired. Not to worry! This post will save you time. Use these student reflection questions to spark critical thinking about learning and growth.

As we near the end of the school year, we face a tough paradox. Teachers and students, in general, are done. In the extended wake of a global pandemic, our resilience has been challenged. Distance learning, hybrid learning, remote learning, in person learning – we’ve done it all in the past few years. Surely, the roller coaster we’ve experienced and our attempt to “return to normal” provides us with some critical reflection opportunities.

WHY REFLECTION QUESTIONS?

If we’re only using our own experiences to reflect, we’re missing out on hearing students’ voices. What has their experience been like? We can’t just assume to know.

While we don’t always want to ask for feedback — it can be scary to put ourselves in that place of vulnerability — it’s important that we do. Students often provide some of the most insightful observation we need to grow as educators.

But, the type of feedback we receive depends on the questions we ask. In this post, you’ll find some important student reflection questions for learning.

In teacher circles, I’ve noticed some common topics of conversation. These conversations helped me to generate a list of questions I’m recommending we ask students. And, I hope by sharing this list here, it will help other teachers create targeted questions to get valuable feedback from students. After all, if we come out of this year with new ideas for improving teaching and learning, that’s a win.

The questions that follow are perfect for the end of a course – semester or entire year. They’re crafted in a way that you can simply change the wording to adapt them to your setting.

End-of-the-year student reflection questions for eLearning #MiddleSchoolTeacher #HighSchoolTeacher

THOUGHT-PROVOKING STUDENT REFLECTION QUESTIONS

What (insert subject area) assignments helped you learn the best / most this year?
How did you know you were learning?
Which (insert subject area) concepts and skills do you feel the most confident with now?
What type of (insert subject area) assignments were the most thought-provoking for you?
Identify your effort level for this class.
What type of feedback was the most motivating to you over the year?
How much time did you spend on (insert subject area) work each day, approximately?
How did you grow as a (insert subject area) student during this time? ( Think about what you learned about yourself – your skills, your study habits, your knowledge, your mindset, etc. )
How does what you learned this year connect with other content areas and with real life?

End-of-Year reflection questions; reflecting on learning #EOYActivities

TIPS FOR MAKING REFLECTION QUESTIONS WORK

In order to get the type of feedback we need to improve our craft moving forward, we need to think carefully about how we are posing these questions. Instead of Did you enjoy learning in this class? , we need to create questions that reduce the likelihood that students will use the question as an outlet to vent. When creating questions, I’m always trying to anticipate possible responses and set students up for providing the most helpful feedback.

If you decide to use reflection questions with students, I recommend giving them some answer choices. (It will help students stay focused.) For instance, when asking them about what type of feedback was the most motivating, include a list. Google Forms makes it simple!

WHAT ABOUT MORE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS?

At the end of a semester or school year, I’ve always asked my students specific reflection questions about ELA concepts – reading, writing, and so on. Their answers always motivate me. I look forward to reading them – both the good and the bad. We can still ask students to talk about how they grew as readers and writers…about what books they enjoyed most or what writing skills they feel more confident with now. But, we also need to prioritize asking them about learning overall.

Keep in mind, students’ feedback is NOT always helpful! Once you begin reading through the results, create a set of filtering questions to help you process the information. For example:

Is the feedback specific enough to be helpful? (If not, don’t give it another thought.)
If constructive, is there any truth to this feedback that is worth considering?
What do I want to write down to remember for next year?
What affirmations did I receive that confirm I’m on the right track?

I hope these questions help you collect meaningful thoughts about your course from students! I’ve always found reading their comments to be a mixture of joy (it’s so rewarding to know what’s going well) and frustration (sometimes criticism comes in blatant tones). Separate the wheat from the chaff, and take what you need to move forward confidently.

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Ending the school year well, the big classroom supply list, professional development books for english teachers.

Course reflection questions are a great end-of-year evaluation activity!

One Comment

For the past several days, we have used these questions in place of our morning Bellringer. The responses from the students have been amazing, and I have definitely been pleasantly surprised by their answers. Thanks for sharing!

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End of Year Opinion Writing Prompts and Ideas for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade

End of Year Opinion Writing Prompts for Reflection

The end of the year offers opportunities for some engaging opinion writing! Have 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students reflect on the school year while practicing their writing skills. Use the EOY opinion writing prompts below as inspiration.

If your students are still struggling with opinion writing, then these opinion writing tips and paragraph frames can help provide scaffolding.

1. FAVORITE MEMORY

Have upper elementary students reflect on the school year and think about their favorite memory. Then, they can share their opinion on it, explaining why it was their favorite.

Combine this with a fun countdown to the end of the school year activity , having one student share their favorite memory each day.

2. MOST IMPORTANT THING THEY LEARNED

3. one thing the teacher should change next year.

No prep opinion writing template for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade

4. BEST BOOK

5. book awards.

This fun EOY writing idea came from teacher Carrie Jones. It's similar to the "best book" prompt, but has a little more nuance. Have students write opinion pieces explaining why they would give an award to a certain book or character. For example, students get give an award for the book with the:

best illustrations
best villain
kindest character
best author
funniest character
best chapter book series
character who learned the most

If you give awards to students at the end of year year, giving awards to books might be a fun addition to your end of year party.

6. HOW I CHANGED FOR THE BETTER

Encourage a growth mindset in students by asking them to reflect on how they have changed over the past school year. Have them write an opinion piece explaining how they changed and how that change was for the better.

Students can reflect on how they grew academically or how they improved their character.

7. KINDEST THING SOMEONE DID

8. best place to travel for the summer.

Have students share where they would most like to travel this summer and explain why.

Note: You know your students. If you have students who might be hurt by hearing about the fun travel plans of others, knowing that they will not go anywhere fun this summer, this might not be the best option.

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10 Ideas for Reflecting at the End of the School Year

Inspired by Times articles and features from across sections, these exercises can help both students and teachers think about their growth.

An illustration of a huge plant growing toward the sky in a large field with mountains the background

By Katherine Schulten

Last fall we began the school year with 10 ideas for building community , all of which were inspired by Times features. Now, as the academic year comes to a close, we’re making another list, one both teachers and students can use — ideally working together. Below, 10 ways to reflect on the year that was, think about what you learned, note how you grew and changed — and consider what it all means for next year.

We are also publishing a companion writing prompt to which we invite both students and teachers to respond. The prompt echoes the exercises below, and we invite you to share any part of your thinking that you’d like to make public.

Happy almost-summer, and thank you again for teaching and learning with The New York Times.

Start with a journal.

Do you ever journal? According to this Times article , scientific studies have shown a regular practice can help with both physical and mental health:

There are the obvious benefits, like a boost in mindfulness, memory and communication skills. But studies have also found that writing in a journal can lead to better sleep, a stronger immune system , more self-confidence and a higher I.Q .

Even if it’s not a regular practice for you, you might use a journal as a private space to focus on these reflections, responding to any of the prompts or exercises that resonate with you.

Here are some of the questions we’re posting in our related forum that might help you get started:

What do you want to remember about this school year? Why?

What surprised you?

What challenged you?

What successes are you most proud of?

What did you learn, whether in or out of school?

How have you grown?

How could you build on that growth next year?

When you’re finished, reread your work. Are there pieces you’d like to make public, either to others in your school community or via our related forum? What did you learn about yourself from doing this exercise? What would be helpful to share with others?

Draw a More/Less List.

Though this idea for creating a More/Less list was published in early January 2021, as the world was still grappling with pandemic isolation, you can borrow the exercise to think back on this school year — and plan ahead for the next one.

First ask yourself, what do I want more of in my life? What would I like to drop?

Here’s what to do next:

Grab a piece of paper and draw a line down the center to create your drawing area. On the left, write the word “More” at the top. On the right, write the word “Less.” Now think of the things that you enjoyed this year (you can also imagine things that would bring you joy in the future). Once you have an idea, draw a simple icon to represent it and draw it in the More column. If you want more jogging in your life, maybe draw a sneaker. Do the same for the Less side: If you want less social media, maybe draw a phone. These drawings don’t have to be realistic or well rendered; they just have to be recognizable to you. Think of them as secret symbols that remind you of your intention. If you worry you might forget what you meant, you can label them with a few letters to remind yourself. It’s OK to make your symbols simple (a heart, a plus sign) or abstract (a scribble, an x). This is the year ahead for you!

You might then share your lists in small groups, or display them gallery-style on the classroom wall. What ideas do you see on others’ lists that belong on your own?

Build from struggle.

The idea that struggle is vital to learning is well-established, according to Carol Dweck, a professor of psychology at Stanford University and an expert on constructive learning mind-sets. Her ideas and those of other experts are part of this piece , about educational strategies built on the idea that challenge is something to embrace in the classroom.

Both it and another recent Times piece, “ Tear It Up and Start Again ,” emphasize this point:

All of us fail to meet our goals sometimes. (If you’re not failing occasionally, the goals you’re setting are too safe and easy.) That is not a problem. What is a problem is failing and not learning from your mistakes.

To help you do just that, here are some questions inspired by both pieces:

When did you leave your comfort zone this academic year? How did you stretch yourself? What happened when you did?

What did you struggle with, or even fail at, this year? What was hard about it?

What helped when you struggled? What did you do to get yourself “out of the pit” of frustration, anxiety or confusion?

What could you build on, if you were to confront a challenge like this again?

Looking back, what did you learn from struggle or failure this year? How might that help you in the future?

Write a gratitude letter.

Like journaling, a regular gratitude practice in which you consciously count your blessings has been shown to make people happier and healthier. What are you grateful for this school year? Make as long a list as you can.

Then, consider taking the exercise a bit further with a “gratitude letter”:

In one study, researchers recruited 300 adults , most of them college students seeking mental health counseling. All the volunteers received counseling, but one group added a writing exercise focused on bad experiences, while another group wrote a letter of gratitude to another person each week for three weeks. A month later, those who wrote gratitude letters reported significantly better mental health. And the effect appears to last. Three months later the researchers scanned the brains of students while they completed a different gratitude exercise. The students who had written gratitude letters earlier in the study showed greater activation in a part of the brain called the medial prefrontal cortex, believed to be related to both reward and higher-level cognition.

This year, the Well section ran a “happiness challenge,” and part of it involved writing this kind of letter. Whom would you choose to receive yours? Is there someone who made a real difference in your life this academic year, whether a teacher, student, coach, friend or relative?

Here is Well’s advice for getting started:

Consider what you would thank this person for if you thought you would never see them again. Take a few minutes and write down what you would tell them, with as many specific examples as possible. Don’t overthink it: It can be both dashed off and straight from the heart. Think of it as a eulogy for the living. Then send it — by email, text, handwritten note, whatever. The medium doesn’t matter; sending it does.

Or, if you don’t want to send a letter to someone else, consider sending one to yourself. FutureMe is a website that allows you to write an email that will be delivered to you in six months, a year, three years, five years or even 10 years from now. What would you like to say to your future self? Why?

Make a playlist.

What music sums up this year for you? Make a list and explain your choices to others via short written annotations that express what’s notable or evocative about these songs, what they help you remember, and why they have been a meaningful part of your 2022-23 soundtrack.

If you’d like an example for how to do this, take a look at Playlist , a weekly tour of notable new music and videos chosen by Times critics. With sharp and engaging commentary, they analyze each of the 10 or so tracks in their roundup — breaking down lyrics, dissecting the instrumentals and discussing where the songs fit in the current music landscape. Here’s one from April featuring Drake, Kaytraminé, Blondshell, Yaeji and others.

When you’re done, share what you have. Are there songs that appear on more than one person’s list? If so, perhaps you can compile a class playlist to listen to, while you do some of these reflection exercises.

Leave recommendations for future readers.

In November, the staff of The New York Times Book Review chose the 10 best fiction and nonfiction books of 2022 and wrote a paragraph about each.

For example, here is the description for “Stay True: A Memoir,” by Hua Hsu:

In this quietly wrenching memoir, Hsu recalls starting out at Berkeley in the mid-1990s as a watchful music snob, fastidiously curating his tastes and mercilessly judging the tastes of others. Then he met Ken, a Japanese American frat boy. Their friendship was intense, but brief. Less than three years later, Ken would be killed in a carjacking. Hsu traces the course of their relationship — one that seemed improbable at first but eventually became a fixture in his life, a trellis along which both young men could stretch and grow.

What were the best books you read this year, in or outside of school? What short descriptions could you write recommending at least one of those books to future readers? Who do you think would be the audience for that book, and why would they like it? Those descriptions can then be posted as “ shelf talkers ” in classroom or school libraries for next year’s students. Here’s an example of how one school used shelf talkers to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

Graph some personal data.

Make a data visualization of some aspect of your academic or personal life this year. You might use our “ What’s Going On in This Graph” feature as inspiration for both the type of data to represent and the kind of graph to best display it.

For example, what does a typical school day look like for you right now? How could you graph that to show the breakdown of time you spend going to classes, doing homework, participating in extracurriculars, relaxing or spending time with friends or family? What does your graph reveal to you? Or, as we ask students weekly in our “WGOITG?” feature: What do you notice? What do you wonder?

To figure out what you’d like to visualize, first collect some data that interests you. Your phone might be a source of things, like the number of steps you take in a day, your regular appointments, or whom you text most often. You can also start collecting new data by noticing and measuring aspects of your life that interest you, whether about your physical or mental health, your habits, relationships, hobbies, goals, consumption of social media, or anything else, big or small.

Next, consider how to display it. This collection of over 60 graphs from The New York Times will show you maps and pie charts, scatter plots and bar graphs. You can also invent your own way to show what you’ve collected by experimenting with the expressive possibilities of shape, color and line. The Dear Data project , in which two information designers collected and hand-drew their personal data for a year, can offer inspiration.

Recommend something overlooked or unappreciated.

The weekly Times Magazine “ Letter of Recommendation ” essay celebrates “the overlooked and unappreciated.” Over the years, writers have extolled the virtues of dog tricks , dishwashing , superstitions , gum , memewear , eavesdropping and “ the eerie poetry of gravestones .”

What are the overlooked and unappreciated things in your school community that you might miss now that the year is over? A class or club or sport? A place you like to hang out? A particular food in the cafeteria? A tradition or ritual?

You might work with others to brainstorm a list, then each choose one item and write a vivid paragraph, or shoot a short, compelling video, that celebrates it. That work might then be published in your school newspaper or on your school’s website as recommendations for others.

Teach a new skill.

What unique, useful or interesting skills did you acquire this year, in or out of school? Could you teach them to others? Keep in mind that these new skills can be very small — more “I learned how to use a semicolon” than “I wrote a novel.”

A good model? The Tip column , which ran for years in the Times Magazine. As this summary explains, each bite-size entry gives a “slowed-down, step-by-step guide through the minutiae” of how to do something. Here are five examples:

How to Appreciate Spiders

How to Recover From Being Ghosted

How to Let Your Mind Wander

How to Sell More Lemonade

How to Talk to Dogs

How could you break down the skill you’d like to teach into steps that could help others master it too?

Change your mind.

Learning often means changing your mind. As you deepen your understanding of a topic, your thinking becomes more nuanced. Was there an important topic or issue about which you changed your mind this year? How did that happen?

At the end of 2022, The Times’s Opinion section reflected on “ The 22 Debates That Made Us Rage, Roll Our Eyes, and Change Our Minds in 2022 .” Here is how they framed it:

Debating is what we do here at Times Opinion. Good-faith back-and-forth is at the core of our mission and our daily work. We give you arguments, you decide what to think. And so when we review the major events of the past year — which included a land war in Europe, the collapse of crypto and, yes, The Slap — it’s only natural for us to reflect on the debates: What can the United States do to try to end that war? Is crypto a reasonable thing to invest in? When is it appropriate to hit someone in the face for making a joke about your wife? As 2022 nears its end, we are presenting 22 of the debates that defined the year, revisiting the ones you might remember (and reminding you of the ones you might have tried to forget) and asking the most important question of all: Did you change your mind?

The Times article is interactive, so it’s easy for you to record how you felt about the issues listed, then see how other readers voted. Do you remember discussing any of these topics in school?

Finally, think about what you learned from revising an opinion, whether it was about something in the news, an academic subject or an issue in your personal life. How could the process of rethinking your opinion help you in the future?

Teachers and students, don’t forget that we have a companion forum where we invite you to post your thoughts about any of the reflection exercises in this piece. We hope to hear from classrooms across the world, and we hope you’ll take some time not only to post your own thoughts but to comment on the responses of others.

Katherine Schulten has been a Learning Network editor since 2006. Before that, she spent 19 years in New York City public schools as an English teacher, school-newspaper adviser and literacy coach. More about Katherine Schulten

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Reflection: Dartmouth Essays That Worked

One writer looks back on her admissions process in light of the dartmouth’s new book, “50 dartmouth application essays that worked.”.

Five years ago, I began my Common Application essay with the following sentence: “To quote Ferris Bueller, ‘Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.’ I don’t intend to miss my life.” Half a decade later, those words still ring true.

Any college was taking a chance when they admitted a girl who quoted a film famous for encouraging students to play hooky. Not only did I open with this line, I hammered the point home as I described my disillusionment with valuing academic learning over personal experience — I was done running on the high school hamster wheel. When people ask me what essay got me into Dartmouth, I usually respond, “An essay about having a really fun summer.” While those words are true, there’s a deeper moral to the story — as incredible as Dartmouth’s academic resources are, and as academically rigorous as my high school had been, I wanted to learn outside of the classroom, to learn by doing, to learn from my friends. “As much as I value my academic identity and as far as my passion for learning goes, my interpersonal relationships teach me just as much,” I wrote.

I was honestly surprised when Dartmouth accepted me in April 2020. I had been deferred early decision, and the last student who had gotten into Dartmouth from my public Florida high school was a cross-country recruit in 2016. Like tens of thousands of high school seniors, I had the grades, test scores and extracurriculars, but I was full of self-doubt. I was also completely burnt out. Was I really “Ivy League material”? I certainly didn’t feel it. Looking over my statistics, I was just another data point. Not Ellie Anderson, but applicant 8,677.

My “Why Dartmouth?” and supplement essays allowed me to make my case. I crafted three versions of the former, and I could have kept going. I labored over my words carefully, drafting response after response, but it was challenging only having 250 words to respond, in some form, to a prompt that every Dartmouth applicant has read: “It is, Sir … a small college. And yet, there are those who love it!” Other than the encouraging words and flamboyant edits from my high school English teacher, I didn’t know if they were any good. Where to begin …

I would have loved to understand what makes an admissions essay compelling when I was in the throes of applying to college. Recently, The Dartmouth published “50 Dartmouth Application Essays That Worked,” a compilation of successful admissions essays. Looking through this collection, I felt like I was stepping back into my 17-year-old self. The selection includes essays featuring many of the qualities Dartmouth seems to be looking for in its students, or at least those I’ve found in my friends: compassion, curiosity, humility and a collaborative spirit.

The book opens with essays about environment and nature before progressing to the expected categories: academic interest, arts, heritage, identity, sports and, of course, “miscellaneous.”

A few stories grabbed me for their honesty, especially one that begins, “I have a complicated relationship with the truth.” I was hooked — it was real and raw. Her father suffers from bipolar disorder even though, to the outside world, nothing appears to be wrong. She has a secret too — she’s seeing a girl. How is one supposed to apply to college when their entire world is being torn apart, “standing in the middle of the bridge and setting fire to both ends,” as she says. But she learns a valuable lesson — to live her own truth, not anyone else’s.

When I was applying to colleges, I was given the following advice: “Don’t make your admissions essay a sob story.” But this essay certainly isn’t a pity party, which proves you can be honest and address your difficulties in the span of a few hundred words. These kinds of essays instead place their writers’ most beautiful strengths and flaws on full display.

Another such essay begins, “My feet live in infamy.” Yes, you can write your Common Application essay about your gnarled and calloused feet. Although the story begins with an anecdote of “ugly” feet, it becomes so much more — a toe-centric reflection. As the writer’s skin became thicker, she found her voice as well. She comes out of her shell in high school, learning to speak up after several tumultuous adolescent years as an introvert. By the end, she’s finally ready to bear her infamous feet and use her voice.

A deep current of intellectual curiosity runs across the essays, too. I laughed when I read a story about an applicant playing Super Mario Bros on a childhood road trip. The writer makes an in-game blunder, sending Mario hurdling into a turtle. “It was then that the terrible realization that curled my six-year-old toes hit me: Mario would return to play again, but when I die, I will not,” they said. What could have been a decade-long existential spiral instead drove the writer to philosophy and math, where they found solace in understanding the world rather than cowering at the unknown.

These writers are brave — both for sharing their stories to the black-box admissions panel and for allowing us readers a peek years later. On a campus where we often interact in passing “Hey, what’s up”-isms, reading the diverse selection of essays has grounded me once more in an understanding of what makes Dartmouth, Dartmouth. Students here are radically courageous in their quests for knowledge, acts of kindness and pursuits of greatness. In these essays, 650 words no longer looks limiting but becomes the etchings of a beautiful cohort.

After re-reading my own essay alongside those published, it struck me. As a 17-year-old sending off a piece of yourself to a nebulous online portal, it can be difficult to envision your future — your story is a moment in time caught in between all that you’ve been and all that you hope to become. I’m asking myself this question again as I look forward to my senior year at Dartmouth and re-read my ambitions and fears from the essay I penned in 2019. It’s been a lot of laughing at my naïvete, cringing at a heavy-handed application of adjectives and finding pride in my values.

Not only is this book a tool for Dartmouth applicants, but it’s a time capsule from the Class of 2023 to the Class of 2026, whose essays are included. This is who we were at 17. Looking back at my essay, so much has changed between now and then. How could it have not? But I see the seeds of who I’ve become in my essay, like an incantation: “I learn to understand others and to understand myself.”

Markman: In Support of Beilock’s Decision to Maintain Order and Protect Students

Moyse: president beilock’s optics obsession.

Slight majority of participating students vote “no confidence” in Beilock

College clarifies stance on professor annelise orleck’s arrest, dsg fails vote of no confidence in college leadership, beilock: college president apologizes for community harm, letter to the editor: we dartmouth faculty members support the recent actions by college president sian leah beilock, faculty gather on green in response to protester arrests, petition for emergency faculty meeting.

The Dartmouth

What is ChatGPT? Here's everything you need to know about ChatGPT, the chatbot everyone's still talking about

ChatGPT is getting a futuristic human update.
ChatGPT has drawn users at a feverish pace and spurred Big Tech to release other AI chatbots.
Here's how ChatGPT works — and what's coming next.

OpenAI's blockbuster chatbot ChatGPT is getting a new update.

On Monday, OpenAI unveiled GPT-4o for ChatGPT, a new version of the bot that can hold conversations with users in a very human tone. The new version of the chatbot will also have vision abilities.

The futuristic reveal quickly prompted jokes about parallels to the movie "Her," with some calling the chatbot's new voice " cringe ."

The move is a big step for the future of AI-powered virtual assistants, which tech companies have been racing to develop.

Since its release in 2022, hundreds of millions of people have experimented with the tool, which is already changing how the internet looks and feels to users.

Users have flocked to ChatGPT to improve their personal lives and boost productivity . Some workers have used the AI chatbot to develop code , write real estate listings , and create lesson plans, while others have made teaching the best ways to use ChatGPT a career all to itself.

ChatGPT offers dozens of plug-ins to those who subscribe to ChatGPT Plus subscription. An Expedia one can help you book a trip, while an OpenTable one will get nab you a dinner reservation. And last month, OpenAI launched Code Interpreter, a version of ChatGPT that can code and analyze data .

While the personal tone of conversations with an AI bot like ChatGPT can evoke the experience of chatting with a human, the technology, which runs on " large language model tools, " doesn't speak with sentience and doesn't "think" the way people do.

That means that even though ChatGPT can explain quantum physics or write a poem on command, a full AI takeover isn't exactly imminent , according to experts.

"There's a saying that an infinite number of monkeys will eventually give you Shakespeare," said Matthew Sag, a law professor at Emory University who studies copyright implications for training and using large language models like ChatGPT.

"There's a large number of monkeys here, giving you things that are impressive — but there is intrinsically a difference between the way that humans produce language, and the way that large language models do it," he said.

Chatbots like ChatGPT are powered by large amounts of data and computing techniques to make predictions to string words together in a meaningful way. They not only tap into a vast amount of vocabulary and information, but also understand words in context. This helps them mimic speech patterns while dispatching an encyclopedic knowledge.

Other tech companies like Google and Meta have developed their own large language model tools, which use programs that take in human prompts and devise sophisticated responses.

Despite the AI's impressive capabilities, some have called out OpenAI's chatbot for spewing misinformation , stealing personal data for training purposes , and even encouraging students to cheat and plagiarize on their assignments.

Some recent efforts to use chatbots for real-world services have proved troubling. In 2023, the mental health company Koko came under fire after its founder wrote about how the company used GPT-3 in an experiment to reply to users.

Koko cofounder Rob Morris hastened to clarify on Twitter that users weren't speaking directly to a chatbot, but that AI was used to "help craft" responses.

Read Insider's coverage on ChatGPT and some of the strange new ways that both people and companies are using chat bots:

The tech world's reception to ChatGPT:

Microsoft is chill with employees using ChatGPT — just don't share 'sensitive data' with it.

Microsoft's investment into ChatGPT's creator may be the smartest $1 billion ever spent

ChatGPT and generative AI look like tech's next boom. They could be the next bubble.

The ChatGPT and generative-AI 'gold rush' has founders flocking to San Francisco's 'Cerebral Valley'

Insider's experiments:

I asked ChatGPT to do my work and write an Insider article for me. It quickly generated an alarmingly convincing article filled with misinformation.

I asked ChatGPT and a human matchmaker to redo my Hinge and Bumble profiles. They helped show me what works.

I asked ChatGPT to reply to my Hinge matches. No one responded.

I used ChatGPT to write a resignation letter. A lawyer said it made one crucial error that could have invalidated the whole thing .

Read ChatGPT's 'insulting' and 'garbage' 'Succession' finale script

An Iowa school district asked ChatGPT if a list of books contains sex scenes, and banned them if it said yes. We put the system to the test and found a bunch of problems.

Developments in detecting ChatGPT:

Teachers rejoice! ChatGPT creators have released a tool to help detect AI-generated writing

A Princeton student built an app which can detect if ChatGPT wrote an essay to combat AI-based plagiarism

Professors want to 'ChatGPT-proof' assignments, and are returning to paper exams and requesting editing history to curb AI cheating

ChatGPT in society:

BuzzFeed writers react with a mix of disappointment and excitement at news that AI-generated content is coming to the website

ChatGPT is testing a paid version — here's what that means for free users

A top UK private school is changing its approach to homework amid the rise of ChatGPT, as educators around the world adapt to AI

Princeton computer science professor says don't panic over 'bullshit generator' ChatGPT

DoNotPay's CEO says threat of 'jail for 6 months' means plan to debut AI 'robot lawyer' in courtroom is on ice

It might be possible to fight a traffic ticket with an AI 'robot lawyer' secretly feeding you lines to your AirPods, but it could go off the rails

Online mental health company uses ChatGPT to help respond to users in experiment — raising ethical concerns around healthcare and AI technology

What public figures think about ChatGPT and other AI tools:

What Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and 12 other business leaders think about AI tools like ChatGPT

Elon Musk was reportedly 'furious' at ChatGPT's popularity after he left the company behind it, OpenAI, years ago

CEO of ChatGPT maker responds to schools' plagiarism concerns: 'We adapted to calculators and changed what we tested in math class'

A theoretical physicist says AI is just a 'glorified tape recorder' and people's fears about it are overblown

'The most stunning demo I've ever seen in my life': ChatGPT impressed Bill Gates

Ashton Kutcher says your company will probably be 'out of business' if you're 'sleeping' on AI

ChatGPT's impact on jobs:

AI systems like ChatGPT could impact 300 million full-time jobs worldwide, with administrative and legal roles some of the most at risk, Goldman Sachs report says

Jobs are now requiring experience with ChatGPT — and they'll pay as much as $800,000 a year for the skill

How AI tools like ChatGPT are changing the workforce:

10 ways artificial intelligence is changing the workplace, from writing performance reviews to making the 4-day workweek possible

Managers who use AI will replace managers who don't, says an IBM exec

How ChatGPT is shaping industries:

ChatGPT is coming for classrooms, hospitals, marketing departments, and everything else as the next great startup boom emerges

Marketing teams are using AI to generate content, boost SEO, and develop branding to help save time and money, study finds

AI is coming for Hollywood. 'It's amazing to see the sophistication of the images,' one of Christopher Nolan's VFX guy says.

AI is going to offer every student a personalized tutor, founder of Khan Academy says

A law firm was fined $5,000 after one of its lawyers used ChatGPT to write a court brief riddled with fake case references

How workers are using ChatGPT to boost productivity:

CheatGPT: The hidden wave of employees using AI on the sly

I used ChatGPT to talk to my boss for a week and she didn't notice. Here are the other ways I use it daily to get work done.

I'm a high school math and science teacher who uses ChatGPT, and it's made my job much easier

Amazon employees are already using ChatGPT for software coding. They also found the AI chatbot can answer tricky AWS customer questions and write cloud training materials.

How 6 workers are using ChatGPT to make their jobs easier

I'm a freelance editor who's embraced working with AI content. Here's how I do it and what I charge.

How people are using ChatGPT to make money:

How ChatGPT and other AI tools are helping workers make more money

Here are 5 ways ChatGPT helps me make money and complete time-consuming tasks for my business

ChatGPT course instruction is the newest side hustle on the market. Meet the teachers making thousands from the lucrative gig.

People are using ChatGPT and other AI bots to work side hustles and earn thousands of dollars — check out these 8 freelancing gigs

A guy tried using ChatGPT to turn $100 into a business making 'as much money as possible.' Here are the first 4 steps the AI chatbot gave him

We used ChatGPT to build a 7-figure newsletter. Here's how it makes our jobs easier.

I use ChatGPT and it's like having a 24/7 personal assistant for $20 a month. Here are 5 ways it's helping me make more money.

A worker who uses AI for a $670 monthly side hustle says ChatGPT has 'cut her research time in half'

How companies are navigating ChatGPT:

From Salesforce to Air India, here are the companies that are using ChatGPT

Amazon, Apple, and 12 other major companies that have restricted employees from using ChatGPT

A consultant used ChatGPT to free up time so she could focus on pitching clients. She landed $128,000 worth of new contracts in just 3 months.

Luminary, an AI-generated pop-up restaurant, just opened in Australia. Here's what's on the menu, from bioluminescent calamari to chocolate mousse.

A CEO is spending more than $2,000 a month on ChatGPT Plus accounts for all of his employees, and he says it's saving 'hours' of time

How people are using ChatGPT in their personal lives:

ChatGPT planned a family vacation to Costa Rica. A travel adviser found 3 glaring reasons why AI won't replace experts anytime soon.

A man who hated cardio asked ChatGPT to get him into running. Now, he's hooked — and he's lost 26 pounds.

A computer engineering student is using ChatGPT to overcome learning challenges linked to her dyslexia

How a coder used ChatGPT to find an apartment in Berlin in 2 weeks after struggling for months

Food blogger Nisha Vora tried ChatGPT to create a curry recipe. She says it's clear the instructions lacked a human touch — here's how.

Men are using AI to land more dates with better profiles and personalized messages, study finds

Lawsuits against OpenAI:

OpenAI could face a plagiarism lawsuit from The New York Times as tense negotiations threaten to boil over, report says

This is why comedian Sarah Silverman is suing OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT

2 authors say OpenAI 'ingested' their books to train ChatGPT. Now they're suing, and a 'wave' of similar court cases may follow.

A lawsuit claims OpenAI stole 'massive amounts of personal data,' including medical records and information about children, to train ChatGPT

A radio host is suing OpenAI for defamation, alleging that ChatGPT created a false legal document that accused him of 'defrauding and embezzling funds'

Tips on how to write better ChatGPT prompts:

7 ways to use ChatGPT at work to boost your productivity, make your job easier, and save a ton of time

I'm an AI prompt engineer. Here are 3 ways I use ChatGPT to get the best results.

12 ways to get better at using ChatGPT: Comprehensive prompt guide

Here's 9 ways to turn ChatGPT Plus into your personal data analyst with the new Code Interpreter plug-in

OpenAI's ChatGPT can write impressive code. Here are the prompts you should use for the best results, experts say.

Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, has a global deal to allow OpenAI to train its models on its media brands' reporting.

Watch: What is ChatGPT, and should we be afraid of AI chatbots?

Main content

Open access
Published: 15 May 2024

Reflect to interact – fostering medical students’ communication through reflection-focused e-learning

Laura Janssen 1 ,
Kristina Schick 1 ,
Tiziana Neurohr 1 ,
Sylvia Irene Donata Pittroff 1 ,
Sabine Reiser 2 ,
Johannes Bauer 2 ,
Pascal O. Berberat 1 &
Martin Gartmeier 1

BMC Medical Education volume 24 , Article number: 541 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

Previous research indicates that reflection can foster medical communication competence. However, best practices for embedding reflection in online medical education are missing. This study examined how reflection processes can be promoted and embedded in an e-learning course on physician–patient communication to foster learning.

We investigated three differently designed e-learning conditions featuring different proportions of reflection triggers and compared their effects on students’ reflections. We had 114 medical students in their first clinical year complete one of the variants: video modelling (VM, n = 39), video reflection (VR, n = 39), or a variant merging both approaches (VMR, n = 36). Each student wrote a total of nine reflections based on the same guiding questions at three time points embedded in the course. The students’ levels of reflection were measured using an adapted version of the REFLECT rubric (scale 0–18).

Students of all course variants achieved good levels of reflection beyond the descriptive level at all three time points, with no significant differences between the variants. The mean reflection scores at the end of the course were M = 14.22 for VM ( SD = 2.23), M = 13.56 for VR ( SD = 2.48), and M = 13.24 for VMR ( SD = 2.21). Students who completed VM showed significantly improved levels of reflection over the course, whereas we found no statistically significant development for those in VR or VMR. The reflection scores correlated significantly positively with each other, as did the text lengths of the written reflections. Reflection scores also correlated significantly positively with text length.

Conclusions

Our study offers a teaching strategy that can foster good levels of reflection, as demonstrated in the three e-learning variants. The developed reflection prompts can be easily embedded in various e-learning environments and enable reflections of good quality, even in settings with limited available teaching time.

Peer Review reports

Interaction with patients is fundamental to medical practice [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ] and providing quality care [ 5 , 6 ]. Physician–patient interactions have an impact on patients, physicians, and the relationship between them [ 7 ]. It affects patients’ health [ 8 , 9 ] as well as physicians’ health (stress level and burnout risk) [ 4 , 10 ]. Problems during physician–patient interactions also cause a major part of patients’ complaints [ 2 ]. Hence, medical students must develop clinical communication competence [ 6 ], which must go beyond familiarity with basic theoretical concepts or being able to reiterate phrases commonly used in interactions. Prospective physicians have to adapt their communication [ 11 ] in a context- and situation-specific way to the individual patient [ 6 ]. They must also develop sensitivity to their verbal and non-verbal expressions, integrate the patient into the conversation, and be able to cope with emotions [ 12 ].

As medical education shifts from a transmissive (teacher-centred) to a reflective learning model [ 13 ] inspired by constructivist learning theory [ 14 ], reflection is increasingly incorporated into curricula [ 15 ]. To develop individual communication strategies, students should reflect on (observed or their own) experiences with patients [ 16 ]. Reflection as a “metacognitive process creates a deeper understanding of the self and the situation to inform future actions” [ 17 ]. By critically analysing a situation and their cognitive and behavioural responses to the situation [ 16 ], students can develop self-awareness and awareness of the other and the situation itself [ 12 ]. They might identify new perspectives and lessons learned that they can apply in future interactions [ 18 , 19 ]. Implementing reflection in clinical communication training may increase students’ communicative competency [ 5 ], as reflection might correlate with communication skills [ 20 ]. Furthermore, reflection in general can improve skills in health care [ 21 ], particularly the quality of patient care [ 22 ], and may enhance empathy among practicing physicians [ 23 , 24 ]. Therefore, good medical communication training should encourage students to reflect [ 6 ].

Extending digitalisation is another shift in medical education, creating the momentum to design new teaching approaches [ 4 ] and offering new learning opportunities for medical students [ 13 ]. Studies have indicated the effectiveness of online learning in fostering the communication skills of health care providers. Learning with online modules was shown to increase the ability to break bad news [ 25 ] and enhance physiotherapy students’ ability to handle distressing communication within a single e-learning training [ 26 ], and it was more effective than role-play [ 27 ]. Further, e-learning offers the possibility of individualised learning pathways, for example, learning pathways adapted to the needs of advanced learners by providing additional content [ 28 ]. However, as a promising teaching approach within medical education [ 29 ], e-learning bears unique characteristics, opportunities, and challenges. In self-study, students can flexibly adjust the time they spend with the teaching materials. However, students often cannot ask direct questions, and individual feedback is usually delayed. Additionally, lecturers do not get an impression of their students during delivery. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that while learning autonomously, students deal with course content in a way that leads to effective learning and improved competence. Collecting evidence on promising learning environment designs and teaching approaches of online courses is essential to inform clinical teachers about how to foster the effective learning and competence development of their students.

In this respect, we consider initiated reflections embedded in e-learning formats to be particularly promising. During reflection, students actively deal with the course content. As medical education is moving towards more reflection-orientated learning, e-learning should also include methods that promote critical thinking skills and reflective practice [ 13 ]. However, there is limited research on encouraging learning environments or pedagogical strategies to enhance medical students’ reflection [ 30 ], and despite the known benefits of reflection in various health care professions, it is still not a thriving practice in medical education [ 31 ]. Various authors have described how to measure reflection, but only a few have addressed how to embed reflection into online teaching [ 32 ]. Although reflection prompts have been described in recent literature, evidence of the suspected effects remains limited [ 33 ]. Best practices are rarely known, and acceptable approaches to teaching reflection or consistent guiding principles do not yet exist [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ].

The aim of this study was to examine how reflection processes can be embedded and promoted in an e-learning course on medical communication competence. Therefore, our study explores how differently designed e-learning conditions foster reflection, as well as how reflection can be embedded in courses in which little time is available for reflection. Hence, we also aimed to gain initial insights into whether short written reflections can promote reflective capacity. Understanding how reflection could be facilitated to foster medical students’ communication, considering the specific characteristics of online learning, might offer new teaching strategies and improve student learning.

We designed three e-learning variants of a course on medical communication competence with different proportions of reflection triggers and analysed students’ written reflections, as they have been proven to encourage deep reflective thinking [ 38 , 39 ]. Based on an exploratory approach without formulating hypotheses, we aimed to answer the following research questions:

Which e-learning course variant is most effective in reflecting on the course content: a teaching approach that focuses on independently deducing the course content (VR), an explanatory teaching approach based on video modelling using good practice examples and exemplifications (VM), or a variant merging both approaches (VMR)?

Which levels of reflection are reached in the course variants?

Does the quality of reflection correlate with students’ written text length?

We redesigned a face-to-face introductory course on medical communication for medical students in their first clinical year into three e-learning variants, using the course management system Moodle. All variants comprised the same theoretical content, including videos of simulated physician–patient interactions. The variants differed in their proportion of learning elements fostering reflections (reflection triggers) on course content and own learning process. The number of reflection triggers increased in the variants (0, 1, and 2 triggers). In the variant with two triggers, two different triggers were used to promote reflection (Table 1 ). All three course modules followed the same structure.

We designed the variant without reflection triggers based on video modelling (VM) [ 27 , 40 ] using an illustrative example (rule-example approach) [ 41 ], which has been proven in previous research to promote factual knowledge [ 42 , 43 ]. This variant focused on explaining good and bad practice videos. For example, students watched an entire physician–patient consultation in the correct order complemented by explanations. The level of complexity to which learners were exposed was limited, and close guidance was offered [ 41 , 43 ].

In contrast to this teaching approach, we designed another variant with two reflection triggers, which we called video reflection (VR) [ 41 ]. This variant included one interactive video exercise in each module (m), as videos—particularly interactive video exercises—have been described as a promising approach to stimulating written reflection in previous research [ 18 , 44 ]. VM focuses on interactive engagement with the same videos as in the variant VM but without offering explanations. For example, the above-mentioned physician–patient consultation was segmented, and students had to select the optimal structure by themselves. Interaction is described as a critical factor in terms of how the material is presented to capture learners’ attention and effectively facilitate student learning transfer [ 45 ]. Thus, interaction can encourage engagement with the learning material and has become one of the most important strategies in e-learning to teach critical thinking [ 46 ], which is associated with reflective capacity [ 47 ]. In addition to the interactive video exercise, we used an open-ended question at the beginning of each module as a second reflection trigger, asking the students how the exercise was associated with the course topic of this module. Students had to compose a short text before they could proceed in the course module.

The third variant (VMR) combined elements from both approaches. It contained one reflection trigger—the open-ended question about the association of the exercise with the module topic.

Each course variant contained three 45-minute modules on the basics of communication (Module 1), structuring consultations (Module 2), and empathy and emotions (Module 3). The e-learning course was moderated by two physicians (female and male) with specialisations in gynaecology and psychosomatic medicine, who conveyed the same theoretical content to all students, while different teaching approaches were used in the e-learning variants. Learning was asynchronous in all variants. The physician–patient interactions shown in the videos focused on the topics “basics of communication” and “beginning a physician–patient interaction” (Module 1); “conducting and structuring an entire physician–patient conversation with a new patient (in the medical field of internal medicine)” (Module 2); and “reacting appropriately to the emotions of stressed patients” (Module 3). At the end of each module, the same written reflections were prompted in every variant (Table 1 ). By employing guiding questions, the students reflected on the course content and their learning processes. Based on their reflections, we examined how actively students dealt with the learning material and how deeply they reflected, as well as which course variant increased the quality of the reflections.

Reflection prompts

The reflection prompts chosen to initiate the written reflections were based on Koole et al. [ 18 ] and focused on the three core elements of reflection: awareness , understanding , and future actions/transfer [ 48 , 49 , 50 ]. Koole et al. used six guiding questions to assess the quality of medical students’ reflections. These questions made the three core elements of reflection visible and distinctly measurable, although they are usually merged within a reflection process. In contrast to Koole et al., we did not pose questions explicitly asking about emotions, as we aimed to explore whether students reflected on emotions on their own initiative. We adapted the questions in the following way:

Reflection prompt: Awareness

Describe some aspects that you noticed during the physician?patient interactions shown in the videos

Reflection prompt: Understanding

What did you learn? How? Why is that useful?

Reflection prompt: Impact on your future physician–patient interactions

Which learnings might be helpful for your future work? What do you plan for your physician?patient interactions?

We embedded these questions in all variants at the end of a course module (three time points). Therefore, students answered each question three times, as recent literature indicates that a single sample is insufficient for an accurate assessment of reflectivity [ 51 ]. The students had to answer the questions to proceed in the course. A minimum of 500 characters per prompt was specified to promote the reflection process. There was no time limit. Furthermore, the written reflections were not graded to minimise extrinsic motivations [ 52 ].

Participants

Data were collected in the winter semester 2020/21 at the Technical University of Munich. The study participants were medical students in their first clinical year enrolled in a curricular, obligatory course on medical communication. Thereby, effects due to possibly above-average motivated, voluntarily participating students were reduced [ 53 ]. A total of 121 students were randomly assigned to one of the three course variants, with 114 completing all modules and reflection prompts (VM: n = 39, VR: n = 39, VMR: n = 36, 80 female, 33 male, 1 other). The average age was 22.02 years ( SD = 2.48). How students processed the e-learning environment was flexible regarding location and time. The students had not previously received lessons about reflective thinking.

Data analysis

We applied the REFLECT (Reflection Evaluation for Learners’ Enhanced Competencies) rubric, as it is an established tool for assessing reflective capacity [ 16 , 37 ] widely used in medical education [ 16 , 19 , 54 ]. The rubric developed by Wald et al. measures the depth of reflection. It comprises five criteria that assess five core processes of reflection [ 55 ]: the spectrum of written exploration , the writer’s presence in the written work, the quality of description of conflict or disorienting dilemma , the writer’s attention to their own and others’ emotions , and the meaning-making derived from the explored experience [ 55 , 56 ]. Since we wanted to prepare students for their future patient interactions with our communication course, we added a sixth criterion to the rubric: link to action , according to Hung et al. [ 54 ] This criterion evaluates whether writers mentioned actions they would or would take to apply their learnings.

These six criteria were rated considering four levels of reflective capacity. The levels used in the REFLECT rubric were developed by Wald et al. [ 55 ], building on established frameworks for mapping reflection, such as the work of Mezirow [ 57 ] and Kember et al. [ 58 ]. The written reflections were scored on a scale ranging from 0 to 3 on four levels: habitual action or nonreflective = 0, thoughtful action or introspection = 1, reflection = 2, and critical reflection = 3 [ 16 ]. The sum of the six criteria of the rubric is the overall reflection score, the highest possible value of which is 18 (6 criteria × highest score 3) (cf. Additional Information for exemplified scorings). Two medical student assistants and the first author with a background in communication science were trained as raters, discussing the rubric’s criteria until reaching a shared understanding, as advised by previous research on the application of the REFLECT rubric [ 55 , 56 ]. Subsequently, they analysed 50 written reflections collected in a pilot study (summer term 2020) under identical conditions until they reached a high level of interrater reliability (the intraclass coefficient [ICC] for a one-way random model with measures of absolute agreement was 0.95). The internal consistency of the ratings (6 items) was satisfactory, with Cronbach’s alpha of a positive effect of 0.74.

We received written reflections from 117 students from the three variants. Three students did not answer all nine reflection prompts; thus, their texts were excluded from the analysis. Each of the remaining 114 students wrote 9 reflections (3 prompts per module in 3 modules at different time points). All 1026 reflection prompts were analysed. Each module’s three reflection prompts were analysed jointly to ensure that the reflection process was pictured in its entirety while leaving the three core elements of the reflection ( awareness, understanding, and transfer ) recognisable. For each student, three overall scores were identified. For quality assurance, we repeated the interrater reliability measurement after 18.90% and 54.37% of the ratings, with the ICCs remaining high (0.94 and 0.87, respectively). SPSS (version 28) was used for statistical analysis. We used a mixed ANOVA to assess the effects of course variants on reflective capacity (as measured by reflection scores [RS]). RS were normally distributed for all groups, as assessed by the Shapiro-Wilk test ( p >.05). We conducted post hoc analysis using Tukey’s corrected p-values to test for differences between the variants. Furthermore, we used the scoring scheme of the rubric to verify the levels of reflection and conducted a mixed ANOVA with a Creenhouse-Geisser correction to analyse whether the levels of reflection changed during the course in the three variants. Lastly, after analysing the scatterplots, a Kendall’s tau-b correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the linear relationship between RS and text lengths.

Our first research objective was to analyse which teaching approach is most effective in reflecting on the course content, comparing an e-learning course variant that focuses on independently deducing the course content (VR) with an explanatory course variant based on video modelling using good practice examples and exemplifications (VM) and a course variant merging both approaches (VMR).

Comparison of the three e-learning variants

The comparison of the three e-learning variants showed a statistically significant interaction between time (module) and group (VM, VR, and VMR), Greenhouse–Geisser F(3.649, 202.51) = 5.98 , p < .001, partial η² = 0.097, as well as a significant difference between the groups for Module 1, but none within the groups. Tukey post hoc analysis revealed a significant difference ( p =.008) between RS of variants VM and VR in Module 1 (-1.90, 95% CI [-3.39, -0.41]). The mean RS in Module 3 was M = 14.22 ( SD = 2.23) for VM, M = 13.56 ( SD = 2.48) for VR, and M = 13.24 ( SD = 2.21) for VMR. Regarding students’ RS at the end of the course, we could not determine significant differences between the variants at the end of the course in Module 3. Therefore, regarding our first research question about which variant was best in reflecting on the course content, we could not determine a variant that fostered reflection significantly better.

Levels of reflection in each variant

Our second research objective was to determine which levels of reflection students achieved in the three e-learning variants. With means of RS between 11.44 and 14.22 (scale 0–18; Table 2 ), students reached the second highest level of four levels, the levels of reflection , in all variants and modules (m). Students in VM improved significantly during the course, with Greenhouse–Geisser of F (1.58, 60.00) = 23.96, p < .001, partial η² = 0.387 , and Cohen’s d = 0.79, indicating a large effect [ 59 ]. This significant improvement occurred from Module 1 ( M = 11.44 [ SD = 3.11]) to Module 2 ( M = 14.00 [ SD = 1.99] t (38) = 6.57, p < .001, Cohen’s d = 1.05), with no significant differences between Modules 2 and 3 ( M = 14.22 [ SD = 2.23]). The ANOVA with a Greenhouse–Geisser correction showed no significant differences between the modules in VR (Module 1: M = 13.33 [ SD = 3.02], Module 3: M = 13.56 [ SD = 2.48]), F (1.65, 62.69) = 0.13, p = .836). Neither was there a significant difference in VMR during the course (Module 1: M = 12.56 [ SD = 1.93); Module 3: M = 13.24 [ SD = 2.21]), F (1.78, 62.55) = 1.40, p =.253). In summary, the only significant improvement during the course occurred in VM. Students of all course variants achieved the second-highest level of reflection .

Correlation of text lengths with reflection scores

Our third research question explored whether length was related to quality. The most extended text was written in VM in Module 1 (578 words). Similarly, the variant VM of Module 1 showed the longest texts on average ( M = 311 words, SD = 94.73). The shortest texts, on average, were composed in VR in Module 3 ( M = 246 words, SD = 42.22). Variant VR also included the shortest text overall, written in Module 2 (160 words). The text length decreased from Module 1 to Module 3 (Table 3 ).

We also analysed the linear relationship between RS and text lengths (Table 4 ). The RS correlated significantly positively with each other across the modules. There were moderate effects between RS of Module 1 and RS of Module 2 ( r =.369, p < .001) and small effects between RS of Module 2 and RS of Module 3 ( r =.219, p =.001) and between RS of Module 1 and RS of Module 3 ( r =.142, p =.039). Similarly, there were significant positive correlations within the text lengths across all modules, all with moderate effects: between Module 2 and Module 3 ( r =.443, p < .001), between Module 1 and Module 2 ( r = .414, p < .001), and between Module 1 and Module 3 ( r =.304, p < .001). We also found significant positive correlations between RS and text lengths in all modules, with moderate effects between RS of Module 3 and text lengths of Module 3 ( r =.404, p < .001) and RS of Module 2 and text length of Module 2 ( r =.345, p < .001) and small effects between RS of Module 1 and text lengths of Module 1 ( r =.235, p < .001).

Discussion and conclusions

Previous research has indicated that reflection can promote clinical communicative skills [ 5 ]. However, there are no clear best practices for embedding reflection into (online) medical education [ 31 , 34 , 35 , 37 ]. Against this background, we analysed how reflection processes can be fostered in an e-learning course on medical communication competence. We examined how deeply students reflected on the course content, as well as on their personal learning process, by measuring students’ reflective capacity in three e-learning variants of the course with different proportions of reflection triggers.

With our first research question we analysed which e-learning course variant is most effective in reflecting on the course content. According to our data, at the end of the course, the quality of the students’ reflections did not differ significantly among the variants. In VM, students showed the lowest reflection score at the beginning but improved their reflective capacity significantly from Module 1 to Modules 2 and 3. By contrast, in VR and VMR, students started with higher RS and maintained a reflection level beyond description across all modules. Therefore, in VR and VMR, no significant developments were measured. This is consistent with previous research results showing that students exhibit limited and varied development of reflective skills through reflective writing [ 35 ].

In Module 1, there was a significant difference between the course variants. The design of the beginning of the course seems to have an effect. This significant difference between variant VM (without a reflection trigger) and VR (with two reflection triggers), considered in connection with the higher reflection values in Module 1 of VR compared to VM, indicates that the placement of reflection triggers at the beginning of the course creates the setting and awareness for reflection. Accordingly, a reason for the lack of improvement in VR and VMR could be that the course designs of these variants were more focused on reflection than the design of VM, and the students had to interpret some content themselves before they wrote their first reflection at the end of Module 1, which might have fostered their self-reflective attitude. Previous research on reflection has emphasized the importance of promoting a self-reflective attitude by encouraging students to reflect on and to evaluate their own learning [ 60 ]. In our variants VR and VMR, the open question at the beginning, in which students had to write about their previous knowledge or their personal thoughts on a topic in the field of medical communication, could have promoted a self-reflective attitude. This could have improved students’ reflective capacity before the first written reflection prompt.

Since our analysis examined how deeply the students reflected on the learning content and their learning process, their reflections could only be initiated at the end of a module. In VM, the first reflection prompt was written reflection at the end of Module (1) The RS of VM demonstrated that students particularly increased their level of reflection after this first written reflection from Module 1 to Module (2) Thus, the first reflection prompts might have already trained students’ reflective capacity, which would be consistent with the interpretation that the reflection-oriented learning environments of VR and VMR (with the open question at the beginning of the modules and, in VR, additionally with the interactive exercise as reflection triggers) could have already promoted students’ reflective capacity before the first measurement. This interpretation would indicate the effectiveness of the reflection triggers in VR and VMR, especially after their first use (Module 1), after which no more effects are recognisable. The latter would again be in line with previous research that considers the development of reflective skills through written reflection to be limited [ 35 ]. Further, the higher initial scores in VR and VMR might have limited the possible increase in RS.

Regarding our second research question and the overall level of reflection, the RS achieved in all nine measurements and variants showed that students consistently accomplished a medium level of reflection (the second-highest level of the rubric). This level goes beyond descriptive texts, indicating active engagement with the learning material and good reflection (cf. Additional Information for two examples of written reflections and their scoring). Lower levels of reflection are purely descriptive and reproductive, the medium level indicates personal insights beyond theory, and high level reflection involves critical reflection, including change of perspective and transformative learning [ 35 , 55 , 57 , 61 ]. Our finding is contrary to pertinent literature stating that students mainly reflect on a descriptive level [ 15 , 35 , 61 , 62 ] but is consistent with previous studies indicating that the highest level of reflection, critical reflection , is unlikely to occur frequently [ 57 ]. That students commonly do not reach the level of critical reflection was described in previous studies that analysed reflection exercises in health professions [ 63 , 64 , 65 ] as well as in other disciplines [ 61 , 66 , 67 , 68 ].

There is no general agreement in the literature regarding which factors hinder students from developing high quality reflections and critical reflection. A possible cause could be that accomplishing critical reflection, the highest level of reflection, requires time [ 66 , 69 ], as it involves perspective transformation, which might include a significant period from initial observations to final conclusions [ 57 , 66 ]. To improve reflective capacity and to support critical reflection, recent literature has recommended teaching students the benefits of reflection. Students should understand that reflective practice can support them in their development [ 31 ] and should be provided with evidence of the potential educational and practice-related benefits of reflection [ 70 ]. High-quality reflection may also be fostered by outlining the components of critical reflection to students, such as linking past, present, and future experiences, integrating cognitive and emotional experiences, considering experiences from multiple perspectives, stating lessons learned, and planning future behaviour [ 70 ].

With our third research question, we aimed to clarify whether longer written reflections were more qualitative and should be encouraged, for example, through a specific number of characters or more guiding questions. A higher number of words could indicate that more aspects and arguments were mentioned, which is evaluated as a higher quality of reflection. However, long texts could be formulated repetitively without offering more content, and deep reflections could also be formulated concisely. Our findings show significant positive correlations between RS and text length, indicating that higher reflective quality could possibly be measured in longer texts. This is consistent with previous research results indicating that when students engage in higher levels of reflection, they tend to write longer reflections [ 71 ]. Prior studies have described that word count correlates with reflection scores [ 67 ]. Important questions about possible reasons for this remain unanswered in current literature. Ottenberg et al. have noted that longer reflections might be assumed to show profound reflection, but that this may not always be the case. They therefore suggest that the contents of reflections could be examined as reliable evidence of depth of reflection [ 67 ].

Limitations and future research

Although our study provides new insights and evidence, we acknowledge some limitations. Based on these results, we could not derive whether the good reflective capacity levels demonstrated by the students’ written reflections led to better communicative competence and skills in patient care. We also noticed three factors that might have limited the increase in RS. First, a feedback questionnaire provided to all students at the end of the course showed that students perceived the module themes communicative basics (Module 1) and structure of the conversation (Module 2) as less challenging than emotion and empathy (Module 3). Increasing difficulty may have distorted the findings. RS, which remained constant as difficulty increased, might have been higher with steady difficulty.

Second, habituation effects must be considered: The reflection prompts were provided with the same wording across all course modules to ensure comparability and because previous research has proven single samples to be less suitable for accurate reflectivity assessments [ 51 ]. Nevertheless, students might have been less motivated to compose qualitative answers towards the end of the course, as they had to answer the same questions three times. To analyse this potential effect, time logs could verify whether students spent less time on the reflection texts over the course and whether this influenced RS.

Third, teaching students the basics and importance of reflection before the reflection exercises seems to improve their reflection [ 31 , 70 ]. In most studies, participants were trained in advance [ 72 ]. We did not pre-train students in this study, nor did we teach them the importance of reflection, as this might have distorted the results of our research questions. We also did not provide feedback to our students, as it could have influenced their motivation and the results of the study. However, there is broad evidence that ongoing feedback can improve reflection [ 70 , 73 , 74 ], and we plan to incorporate it into our subsequent courses. Since feedback given by lecturers requires resources, additional future possibilities could be the complementary use of automated feedback and more advanced artificial intelligence technologies to analyse and assess reflective writing, as well as to provide personalised feedback to students [ 68 ].

Lastly, future research will have to clarify the development of reflective skills over time and to prove whether and how increased reflective capacity leads to better physician–patient interactions in medical practice. There is limited research on the relationship between the quality of reflections and academic achievements of medical students [ 67 ], and previous studies have shown mixed results [ 75 ] or reported little evidence on how reflection correlates with other measures or performances in medical school [ 67 , 76 ].

Practice implications

Our study contributes to the understanding of how reflection can be embedded and promoted in online learning environments, offering a teaching strategy leading to levels of reflection beyond the descriptive level with the aim of improving physician–patient interactions. The developed reflection prompts can be embedded easily into e-learning and enable qualitative reflections even in short time frames if little teaching time is available. The teaching approach of starting the course with an open-ended question promoting reflection led to good reflection levels right from the beginning, presumably because these questions sharpened the awareness of reflection.

Since students achieved a good level of reflective capacity in all three course variants, and no variant promoted reflection significantly better, we recommend choosing the variant adapted to the needs of the course. If there is a demand for a more interactive learning environment from faculty or students, VR can be used as a suitable variant. If students need more exemplifications, VM can be used, as video modelling has proven to be effective for the training of communicative competence in previous research results [ 4 , 40 ].

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Abbreviations

intraclass correlation coefficient

module 1/module2/module3

reflection score

standard deviation

standard error mean

video modelling

video reflection

video modelling and reflection

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Acknowledgements

We thank Bernhard Haller, data scientist at the Institute of AI and Informatics in Medicine, Technical University of Munich, for his advice and support in the statistical data analysis.

Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL. This work was part of the research projects voLeA (11/2018–10/2021) and voLeA-TraIn (11/2021–04/2024), supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF) [VoLea: grant number 16DHB2133; voLeA-TraIn: grant number 16DHB2201].

Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.

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Contributions

LJ and MG designed the study. LJ and TN performed the formal analysis, supported by MG and KS. LJ wrote the initial draft. JB, MG, and PB supervised the entire research process. All authors contributed substantially to the conception and design, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation of data. Furthermore, all authors revised the draft, made essential contributions to this paper, and critically reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Laura Janssen .

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Janssen, L., Schick, K., Neurohr, T. et al. Reflect to interact – fostering medical students’ communication through reflection-focused e-learning. BMC Med Educ 24 , 541 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05368-4

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05368-4

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Reflect to interact
We received written reflections from 117 students from the three variants. Three students did not answer all nine reflection prompts; thus, their texts were excluded from the analysis. Each of the remaining 114 students wrote 9 reflections (3 prompts per module in 3 modules at different time points). All 1026 reflection prompts were analysed.

90 End-Of-Year Journal Prompts for Reflection

90 end-of-year questions to help you reflect

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30 end-of-year reflection writing prompts to reflect on the past year

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30 end-of-year journal prompts to plan for the new year

FAQ: Why is it important to journal for reflection at the end of the year?

FAQ: The best tips for working with these end-of-year writing prompts

Set aside dedicated time

Embrace authenticity and honesty

Don’t worry about grammar or spelling

Get creative with your responses

Reflect on your growth and accomplishments

Stay open-minded and curious

Will you try any of these end-of-year journal prompts?

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Journal Prompts for End of the Year Reflections

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1. What were your biggest accomplishments this year?

2. What were your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

3. What new hobbies or interests did you discover?

4. What did you learn about yourself?

5. What moments brought you the most joy?

6. What moments challenged you to grow?

7. What relationships have been the most meaningful to you?

8. What goals or dreams did you accomplish?

9. What goals or dreams are you still working towards?

10. What are you most grateful for this year?

11. What habits or routines have positively impacted your life?

12. What habits or routines would you like to change or improve?

13. What books, movies, or TV shows had the biggest impact on you?

14. What new skills or knowledge did you acquire?

15. What self-care practices have you prioritized?

16. What are you most proud of yourself for?

17. What advice would you give your past self?

18. What advice would you give your future self?

19. What moments made you laugh the hardest?

20. What moments made you cry the hardest?

21. What new perspectives or beliefs did you adopt?

22. What moments made you feel the most alive?

23. What moments made you feel the most at peace?

24. What new friendships did you form?

25. What moments reminded you of the beauty in the world?

26. What moments made you feel the most loved?

27. What moments challenged your perspective?

28. What moments made you feel the most inspired?

29. What moments made you feel the most grateful for the people in your life?

30. What are you looking forward to in the new year?

100 End of the Year Journal Prompts for 2023 Reflection

100 personal prompts for end of year reflection

Your Personal Growth

Wellness & Self Care

Work Life & Education

Get a goal setting strategy that actually works!

Emotional Challenges

Relationships & Social Life

Fun & Hobbies

Goals, Habits, & Productivity

Why Reflecting on Your Year Matters

Which Areas of My Life Should I Reflect On in My Journal Prompts?

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40 End-of-Year Journaling Prompts to Inspire Reflection

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Reflect with These 40 End-of-Year Journaling Prompts

1. What changes did I experience this year?

2. What were some moments of joy I experienced this year?

3. How have I prioritized my well-being this year?

4. What strengths did I discover in myself this year?