The Three Questions of the Rolfe Reflective Model
Rolfe reflective model is the simplest among all the reflective models. It focuses on three most important questions. The questions are-
What – This question demands a description of the situation happened and analysis of the experience that would assist the person to learn.
So what- This question demands experience and interpretation of oneself and consult comprehensive insight of different people in the situation. Otherwise, One cannot explore others interpretations (Brown, 2015).
Now what- At the last stage, take certain steps to improve the practise which you have learnt from the previous experiences. Make a simple action plan that describes the improvement in practises.
When I started preparing for the exams, I had an idea of the areas to be prepared to achieve certain marks. However, this time I realized that preparing a set study goal would give me more result. I started preparing a strict study plan, I realised that having a plan will encourage me to do better and study more. This is how I started constructing “Study Goal tool” for my exams. Getting organised and focusing on study goals is the initial step, which will be needed to achieve exam success. Goal setting is a powerful process, which motivates to think about the ideal future and turn visionary efforts to realistic future. I included revision of every chapter of every subject in the study plan. I discussed my study plan with my teachers. Teachers advised me to use guide books and reference books to get acquaint with more case studies relevant to my subject matter. I prepared timetable for the whole day with specific time to a particular chapter. After going through the whole chapter, I used various previous year`s exam papers to test and evaluate myself. I compared my answers to the last year`s topper answer sheets and learnt how can I improve my writing answer styles. Through topper answer sheet, I analysed and came to know how to use tables, graphs and highlight the problems in the case studies of the particular chapter because self-evaluation plays an important role in success of any exam. The way to success is not simple and straight. There is a curve known as failure and these failures create a loop of confusion. One can achieve the goals with determination and perseverance and faith in self. Exam time free calendar tool helped to make study plan in minutes by deciding how much time a topic of a subject needs. After making the timetable, I reviewed the time that I have assigned to each subject to smoothen my preparations. I was motivated because of the maximum marks of students of last exams conducted by the authority. I used an operant conditioning theory to achieve change behaviour during my exams. I surrounded myself with books. I explored a place where I felt most comfortable. I decided to stay in a room alone or library in my colony near to my house. Before planning the preparation process, I sat calmly to make set my goals because I was unclear about the goals. I decided to achieve the goal as 90% marks in the exam this time. I created short goals, which can completed within a day that leads to way to long term goals. Focusing on goals in the short term remains a motivating factor. Many students in my class have been achieving good marks in the subject in which I lag. I asked my friend to conduct a group study so that, It will help me as well as others to solve problems. Group study motivates each other to perform better in a group. It also inculcates competition in one’s mind.
Developing a Study Goal Tool for Exam Success
After having a set plan goals in my hand, I explored my strengths and weaknesses. The subject that I like the most was more focused ignoring the rest of subject, which plays equal important role to achieve wonderful marks. Many of my classmates failed to outline the process to achieve study goals because they could not stick to their plan. I noticed that they haven`t created a realistic plan which more focuses on weakness. Weakness in a particular subject needs more time to cover the topics. The difficult subjects should be prepared much earlier to exams. Therefore, teachers can help to solve the problems. I used SMART goal setting concept to outline my goals. Each component of SMART is beneficial especially in education. I experienced that studying continuously for exams is a hard task. I decided to avoid video games, watching television and roaming around with my friends. However, I had to avoid these things just for two months. I started following my timetable and worked hard to achieve my goals. However, the motivational factors do not continue for long. I lose my inspiration in between the prolong exam duration. I feel lazy. Sometimes I sleep more, get tire to do anything, roam here and there as a break, and waste my time.
Motivation is a strong reason why I study and make plans as a driving force to achieve the goals. I made mistakes while making the plan; I have not included the celebration of small wins. After completing the exams, I notice the goals were lacking the power of small wins through celebration. Acknowledgment of achieving small goals will raise the confidence and encourage shifting the focus on the other subjects (Nuttin, 2014). I should believe that SMART goals are achievable. Do not confuse celebration with time wasting activities. I could not engage myself in treat. I always excused it as time waste activity. I should have celebrated my achievements and always remember to keep my eyes on the goal. Moreover, the goal planning helped me to reduce same time exam stress. The stress level does not allow executing the task patiently.
Dewey`s theory establishes that experience arises when there is an interaction between two major principles- interaction and continuity. Interaction refers to conditional influence on one’s behaviour. Continuity is the experience where a person will influence his /her future for better or worse. From interaction point of view, I kept myself updated through group studies. Any update regarding subject or syllabus reach to the students through interaction. The continuity factor was not very strong in my case. As there was a time of two months for exams to arrive, so this time tend me to get lazy.
I was able to develop lifelong learning and update myself with all kinds of abilities, interest, and knowledge practically through education. The time during exams stimulates learning powers of the mind. I was able to maintain discipline through punctuality, and time management. I attained punctuality during preparing for the exams. Through group studies, I was able to build team spirit. I started helping my classmates. We worked as a team. The motive of group study was to solve subject related problems.
The Power of SMART Goal Setting
Mere experience activity of carrying out development in academic results may not be sufficient to give a sustainable improvement in future. Judging and evaluation is a part of reflection. Reflection contributes to learning and development. By reading various subject related case studies about the implication of theories. I helped me to develop my analytical thinking. I learnt to concentrate more on important things. The diverted energies of my mind concentrated and focused on important things. Slowly and gradually in a two month time, I could develop my strength to focus. I made myself strong enough not to be influenced by sensory inputs such as loud noises and watching TV and video games (Taylor, 2018). This helped me to control my mind from distraction. The cycle of learning comprises some elements. The elements are concrete experience, observation, and reflection, formation of abstract concepts and test them in new situations. I have not contributed equal time to each subject. I more focused on the weak subject in which I was not scoring well. However, this time I realised overconfidence for the strength subject can led us down. The reflection starts with awareness of weak subjects and uncomfortable topics. I studied more deeply in subjects in which I was scoring low in previous exams. I focused on identifying the knowledge of weak topic, challenging assumptions, and exploring the alternatives to understand the topics easily (Jayatilleke, & Mackie 2013).
A psychologist works on the subject named human behaviour. Psychology is related to read someone`s mind. In the study of behaviour, it is the study of mental functions. The goal of psychology is to predict, explain, and control behaviour. The study of psychology aims to treat people who suffer from mental illness and emotional difficulties or research on how people think. The field of psychology constitutes clinical, neuroscience, cognitive, social, development, and statistics (Gluckman, 2017). There are many types of psychologist with an array of specialisation in a particular subject. The objective of one psychological career can differ from other psychologist goals (Layne, 2018). The areas of specialisation can be counselling, research, and clinical. Specialisation determines a specific goal in the particular field.
- Research psychologist- It studies people and behaviour with fundamental psychological principles. Research psychologists develop new theories to understand what people think. They design concepts, collect data, and analyse them. The goal is to interpret the result by using concept. A type of research psychologist is an evolutionary psychologist (dicks, 2014). The goal of evolutionary psychologist is to determine how evolutionary principles such as fitness influences one`s thought and feeling. In today`s era, the scope of evolutionary psychologist is not emerging much successful because behaviour of highly rigid ancestral thinking is changing and the youth is adapting new behaviour.
- Counselling Psychologist- This is one of the fastest emerging careers in the world due to increasing addiction to alcohol, drugs, and cocaine. In counselling career, it has its own identification in the name of substance abuse counsellor. To be qualified as counsellor, one should have strong personality especially when dealing with patients, who are suffering from withdrawal symptoms (Douglas, Woolfe, Strawbridge, Kasket, & Galbraith, 2016). Counselling psychologists handle temporary, less deep and long issues. Psychologists assist people dealing with problems such as dealing with death, with available resources or personal strengths (James, 2017).
- Applied Psychologists- Applied psychologist works on effect that poverty and teaching style have on students. It helps teachers to overcome academic challenges. In applied psychologist, it develops theories to resolve and improve teaching and learning process. Clinical Psychologists- Clinical Psychologists help people to resolve variety of emotional, social, and mental health problems (Browne, 2018). Firstly, psychologists use various treatment methods such as psychoanalysis. For example- A neuropsychologist works with a person who has injured head and lost his/her memory(Schwartz, Lilienfeld, Meca, & Sauvigné, 2016). A neuropsychologist helps them to return from the trauma and live a productive life. A popular career in clinical psychologist is emerging as marriage and family therapist.
Making strategies to achieve future goals in the field of psychology
After obtaining graduation degree in psychology, one has to prepare strong educational base to handle challenges of human behaviour which means to obtain a master`s and doctoral degree in psychology. Before taking a decision to become a psychology major, I have to make my life so disciplined that I could devote my maximum time to learn the skills required (Dowd, 2018). If one adheres to listen to personal problems of individuals and families, psychology career will whole-heartedly. Just focus on listening others problem without judging them on any problem and the activity. Try to listen to problems patiently, collect, and analyse data to test the situation. To be a successful Psychologist, talk to people that work in the psychology field (Duckworth, Gendler, & Gross, 2016). Psychologist communicates with patients to encourage people to share their repressed thoughts. Psychologist tries to manage their own reaction and accept the problems of the patient such as sex offenders. Psychologists try to understand their deeds and bring changes in them.
References
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