The power of reflection
Sheridan Tassy is a third-year PharmD candidate at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy.
Student pharmacists are constantly asked to reflect, whether it’s for an assignment, reviewing a product, or even just scrolling through social media. Reflection comes naturally, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized just how powerful it truly is.
Last school year, I decided to run my first full marathon. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, but the greatest reward wasn’t just crossing the finish line: It was the reflection that followed. Through that process, I gained invaluable insights about myself: how I function, my mental resilience, and how I overcome doubt.
That experience marked the beginning of my deep appreciation for reflection.
Types of reflection
According to Merriam-Webster, reflection is the “consideration of some subject matter, idea, or purpose.” But how can something so simple be so important? Reflection is essential because it increases self-awareness, enhances learning and development, improves problem-solving skills, and contributes to personal and professional growth.1 One of my favorite quotes that I feel captures the significance of reflection comes from John Dewey, an American philosopher: “We do not learn from experience ... We learn from reflecting on experience.” This idea highlights how true learning happens not just by going through experiences, but by taking the time to analyze and understand them.
There are various types of reflection. Some examples include cognitive reflection, which refers to our ability to pause and reconsider our initial thoughts or reactions.2 Emotional reflection involves analyzing our feelings in a given situation. Experiential reflection, as John Dewey referenced, draws on past experiences to gain insight.2 Reflecting on my marathon experience, I found myself engaging in many types, but especially emotional and experiential reflection. I was asking, “How did I feel during the race?” “How did I feel afterward?” I also reflected on the incredible sense of community among runners, recalling the encouragement and support we shared and how much it meant to me.
How to be more intentional about reflection
Research shows that reflection can distinguish extraordinary professionals from average ones.3 The beauty of reflection is that it can be seamlessly integrated into your daily life. It’s something you already do, but you can be more intentional about it. You can journal, set aside weekly reflection time, or even reflect during simple moments, like walking to class or commuting to rotations. Personally, I find that verbalizing my thoughts helps me process them more deeply. Speaking my reflections aloud allows me to fully grasp my thoughts and gain clarity.
Since running my marathon, I have become a strong advocate for reflection, incorporating it into my daily life. Actively practicing reflection has improved every aspect of my life: academically, professionally, and personally.
The power of reflection can take you far, and I hope by sharing my story, I can spare you the need to run 26.2 miles to learn that lesson!
References
- “Library: Reflective Writing: What Is Reflection? Why Do It?” Library at University of Hull. January 14, 2024. Available at: libguides.hull.ac.uk/reflectivewriting/reflection1a.
- “What Is Reflection? A Critical Step in the Experiential Learning Process.” University of Texas at Arlington Libraries. April 13, 2021. Available at: libraries.uta.edu/news-events/blog/what-reflection-critical-step-experiential-learning-process.
- Bailey, James R, and Scheherazade Rehman. “Don’t Underestimate the Power of Self-Reflection.” Harvard Business Review. March 21, 2022. Available at: hbr.org/2022/03/dont-underestimate-the-power-of-self-reflection.