How to write a reflective essay in grad school: Write reflectively about your masters or PhD journey with template examples

16 Feb

Master reflective writing in grad school! Let me show you how to write a reflective essay or paper about your master's or PhD journey, and share some template examples to help you get the words out!

Reflective writing, an integral component of the doctoral journey, stands at the crossroads of personal introspection and scholarly inquiry. It can feel super weird at first, but once you learn how to do it, you’ll be tapping away on your keyboard in no time!

What is reflective writing?

At its core, reflective writing transcends the confines of traditional academic discourse, inviting researchers to traverse the realms of personal experience and emotion. Unlike the detached objectivity often demanded in scholarly writing, reflective writing encourages the use of the first-person perspective ('I'), enabling researchers to imbue their narratives with authenticity and introspection. By sharing lived experiences and articulating thoughts and emotions, researchers can forge a deeper connection with their audience, fostering empathy and understanding.

Outlined below are three key characteristics that define reflective writing and serve as guiding principles for PhD students navigating this terrain:

Personal Engagement

Reflective writing is inherently personal, rooted in the researcher's lived experiences and perceptions. By embracing the first-person perspective, PhD students can weave a narrative that reflects their unique journey through the research process. Whether recounting moments of triumph, frustration, or revelation, personal engagement fosters authenticity and adds depth to the reflective narrative.

Temporal Reflection

Beyond mere recollection, reflective writing entails a nuanced reflection on how experiences have shaped the researcher over time. PhD students are encouraged to explore the temporal dimension of their research journey, tracing their growth and evolution as scholars. By examining past experiences through the lens of present understanding, researchers gain invaluable insights into their academic development and scholarly identity.

Evidence-Based Reflection

While reflective writing embraces subjectivity, it remains grounded in evidence and critical inquiry. PhD students are tasked with substantiating their reflections with supporting evidence, ranging from personal observations to scholarly literature. By integrating evidence into their reflective narratives, researchers demonstrate rigor and credibility, enriching their contributions to the academic discourse.

Getting into the reflective mood!

Before you can write reflectively, you need to get into a reflective mindset. Here are some tips to do that!

Start with self-reflection

Before putting pen to paper, take time to reflect on your research journey. What were the defining moments? How have these experiences shaped your perspective as a researcher? Engage in introspection to uncover insights that will inform your reflective narrative.

Embrace vulnerability

Reflective writing requires a willingness to embrace vulnerability and authenticity. Don't shy away from sharing moments of uncertainty, failure, or doubt. It is through vulnerability that true growth and learning occur.

Now, let’s get writing!

How Should Your Reflective Writing Look?

When it comes to crafting your reflective writing, it's essential to adhere to certain guidelines to effectively convey your experiences and insights. Here's what you should keep in mind:

Write in the past tense

Since you're recounting events that have already occurred, using the past tense helps provide clarity and structure to your narrative.

Be clear and specific

Avoid vague statements by being precise in your language. Paint a vivid picture for your readers by providing detailed context, enabling them to fully grasp the significance of your experiences.

Use chronological order

Help readers follow the sequence of events by employing words that denote order, such as "It started by..." and "Subsequently...". This enhances the flow of your writing and ensures coherence.

Maintain objectivity

Focus on presenting facts objectively rather than interpreting them. By sticking to the facts, you establish credibility and invite readers to draw their own conclusions.

Now that we've covered the foundational aspects of writing about your research experiences, let's delve deeper into the reflective process.

Exploring Your Thoughts and Feelings

Reflective writing extends beyond mere description; it invites introspection and analysis of your emotional and cognitive responses to your research journey. Here's how to effectively convey your thoughts and feelings.

Utilize verbs related to thinking and feeling

Express your beliefs, thoughts, and emotions using appropriate verbs such as "believed," "thought," "felt," and "empathized." This adds depth to your narrative and fosters a deeper connection with your readers.

Mind your verb tenses

Navigate between past and present tenses to distinguish between past experiences and current reflections. This ensures clarity and coherence in your writing, guiding readers through your evolving perspective.

Template phrases to help you

Now you’re ready to dive into your own reflective writing, here are some template sentences to help you.

Here are some phrases you might want to use when you're describing what happened during your research, how you felt about it at the time, and how you feel about it now.

"During my research, I encountered ________, which initially made me feel ________, but looking back, I now realise ________."

"One significant aspect of my research journey was _______, evoking emotions of _______, yet upon reflection, I've come to understand ________."

"As I progressed in my research, I faced challenges such as _______, leading to feelings of _______, but in hindsight, I've learned ________."

"When reflecting on the early stages of my research, I remember feeling _______, particularly when ________, but now I recognise ________."

"At the outset of my research, I anticipated ________, however, as I delved deeper, I encountered ________, eliciting emotions of ________, but now I see ________."

"During the data collection phase, I experienced ________, which influenced my feelings of _______, yet upon reflection, I understand ________."

"Throughout my research, there were moments when I felt _______, especially when ________, but now I see those instances as ________."

"As I look back on my research journey, I recall moments of _______, causing me to feel _______, but with hindsight, I've come to appreciate ________."

Here are some phrases you might find helpful when you're summing up and you're concluding, when you're thinking about the key learning points you've taken from your research and the things you might change in the future as a result of that.