What you’ll learn to do: recognize the importance of reflection as an intellectual process

Psychologist and educational reformer John Dewey once noted, “We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.” Throughout college, you will build an intellectual scaffolding that will not only prepare you for a career but also help you understand your identity and your place in the world. Critical thinking will help you think carefully and deeply about your work. Reflection is the critical thinking skill that connects that scaffolding, building bridges between information and understanding, theory and practice, isolated knowledge and collective insight.

Reflection can be practiced and improved. By understanding the thinking processes and tools that comprise effective reflection, you will be taking the first step toward greater understanding of not only yourself but also the complex world in which we live.