Reflection is the act of describing, interpreting, evaluating and planning with newly discover information how to develop into a better version of oneself.
For the most part this is simple when it is personal experiences that are being reflected upon. However, academic work which are concepts that solely exist in my subconscious landscape. Feeling lost in the fog, is the perfect description of the emotions that are evoked within me when I am tasked with reflecting on theory taught in Health Systems Sciences. This stems from my uncertainty of whether I have accomplished the interpreting, evaluating and planning parts of reflection well. Especially when they require somewhat of my own existing knowledge as a foundation. Interpreting, to me, means figuring out how this new piece of information fits into the body of knowledge that I have about the health system. if it does not then I am required to find out its truthfulness. If it is proven true, then i need to attune my frame of think to incorporate this new body of information by weeding out the false information that I believed. Evaluating involves understanding the value that this information adds to health systems thinking. For example, context, problem solving, identifying complex problems etc. Planning means being cognizant of how this knowledge will help me become a better Health Systems Scientist.
With all this I feel like my academic reflections lack the same authenticity and realism that personal reflections have. They sometimes end up being too idealistic. I am not sure how this can be tackled. This year types of reflection guidelines were introduced such as 5R framework, CARL framework and The four F's of active reviewing, I plan to use these guidelines and hopefully along the way I find a reflection method that unlocks withing me the art of reflection. I hope to emerge from the fog, with discovered clarity, and striding confidently forward.
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