After a brief but badly needed two weeks off from uni after finishing summer school, I’m now back to normal classes.

One of my first readings is on self reflection, something that has been pushed in several of my classes at RMIT. I understand the purpose of it and how it can help me in future, my only issue with the technique is that it is time consuming. When I’m done with something I generally have so much else on that I’d prefer to finish it, sigh with relief and then move onto the next thing rather than spending precious moments evaluating. I do suppose that assessing my work and thought process is valuable in itself though and if I become better at the practice it might become effective and worthwhile for the time that I put in.

Considering this blog is where I base most of my academic reflection, the reading was very relevant to this blog and how I can better use my time and words to the fullest advantage. In the reading it was called “cognitive housekeeping” and I like that term. Basically it can be thought of as sorting out my thoughts on any particular topic, ideally organising and extending the thought process.

I did note a few techniques that would be particularly useful for learning based on everyday thoughts and events, and also in study when I need direction:

• Acknowledge the assumptions that I have made about people or events
• Challenge familiar situations and ideologies
• Tell someone about a situation and then let them ask basic questions about it, and see if there is anything simple that you overlooked
• Listen to the views of others and remember that people don’t always share the same views as you
• View things from a longer term context