Reflective or learning

journal
A learning or reflective journal is a steadily
growing document that you write to record the
progress of your learning. This type of journal is
not simply a summary of the course material; it
should also include your reactions to what
you've learnt.

Note: If you are writing a reflective essay,

please see our separate writing guide on
reflective essays.

Content
Read the assignment instructions and marking
• What issue(s) interested me and would I
criteria carefully. Base your journal entries on
like to study these in more detail?
these. Listed below are some general ideas that
may also help you write your journal. Use these • What are my ideas for action, based on
where they fit with your specific assignment this topic?
instructions.
You may also be required to include a
• What did I read for this topic, apart from the summary of the journal looking at what you
notes? (Include information and references learn across the term as a whole. For
from a range of sources) example, did you notice that some
weeks/topics were easier to learn? Did you
• What was the most interesting thing I read
combine or build on your understanding from
for this topic - why was that?
earlier weeks?
• What material didn’t I find interesting – why
was that? Structure
• What did I previously think was true, but Organise your learning journal with a section
now know to be wrong? for each week. If you are required to submit
the whole journal, use a heading for each
• What did we not cover that I expected we
week. If you need to include a summary of
should?
the journal, put this at the start or end of the
• What have I changed my mind about as a assignment (check this with your educator)
result of this topic? and give it the heading ‘Summary’. If you
have in-text references, then remember to
• What is one thing I learned in this topic that
include a reference list.
I may be able to use in future?

• What am I still unsure about? What would I

like to learn more about?

ACAP Student Learning Support. ACAP is a college of the Navitas Professional Institute Pty Ltd. National CRICOS Code: 01328A. RTO Code: 0500. Page 1/2
Style
Example of a section of a student’s
Learning or reflective journals require you to
reflective learning journal
write in both the first and the third person.

Use first person (‘I’) to provide your own Week 5: The counselling process
reflections about what you are learning, its
personal impact upon you, and how you would Reading Hackney and Cormier’s (2009)
apply theories, concepts and skills being
five-step counselling process led me to
considered in the unit.
reflect on the impact of the termination
Use third person (people’s names, process in relation to my personal
he/she/they and words like counsellors, an experience of being discharged from
individual etc.) when discussing the theories hospital after eight months. Whilst excited
or research of authors you discuss in your
about being well enough to leave, once
journal.
home, I was extremely sad. Over my stay
A learning or reflective journal might require I had formed close bonds with the staff,
you to provide examples of what you would and, I felt secure in their care. I was
say to a client or another person, and what surprised by the grief I experienced,
they might also say. These are called however, I found follow-up visits helpful.
verbatim examples. Similarly, when termination occurs as a
consequence of successful counselling
sessions, this too is often met with a sense
of both accomplishment and regret, due to
Self-evaluation
the loss of a significant relationship
Rate yourself on the following aspects of writing (Hackney & Cormier, 2009). Therefore,
a reflective or learning journal.
counsellors need to talk openly with clients
1 = very weak
about the feelings of grief and loss they
2 = weak
may experience, and a follow-up
3 = ok
appointment may be necessary to
4 = good
minimise the pain experienced (Geldard &
5 = excellent
Geldard, 2012). Hence, as a counsellor, I
Able to read, understand and reference the hope to sensitively integrate discussions
content of the unit regarding termination into the end stages
of the counselling process, and, if required,
1 2 3 4 5 offer follow-up sessions.

Able to find additional reading material on key

topics to show depth of understanding

1 2 3 4 5

Able to think about how and what you are

learning

1 2 3 4 5

Able to think critically about the unit material

and your own learning and reactions

1 2 3 4 5

Able to use first and third person appropriately

1 2 3 4 5

ACAP Student Learning Support. ACAP is a college of the Navitas Professional Institute Pty Ltd. National CRICOS Code: 01328A. RTO Code: 0500. Page 2/2
 What are some vocabulary and sentence structures I can use?

aspect(s) was (were)

idea(s)
For me, the [most] important
experience(s)
meaningful
issue(s)
significant
element
relevant
happened when…
useful
lesson resulted from…
insight arose from…
Previously, thought (did not think)
At first, I felt (did not feel)
In the past, noticed (did not notice)
questioned (did not question)
might be because of…
This
is perhaps due to…
could be explained by…
is probably related to…
analysed…
applied…
noticed… feel…
felt… know…
discovered… I now question…
Having observed… understand…
reflected… realise…
discussed… think…
experienced… wonder…
learned…
read…
realise…
I now
think…
understand…
developed
adapted my skills in…
changed my understanding of…
As a result, I have
learned my knowledge of…
realised my ability to…
improved
This knowledge is essential
This understanding could be to me in the workplace because…
important
This skill will be to me as a practitioner [because…]
useful
I will now need to… develop..
As a next step
I aim to… learn…
Next
I want to… improve…
I need to.. adapt…
change
Example: For me, the most significant insight was about building rapport. Having experienced the counselling triad, I
now realise the importance of using micro skills to help develop rapport. As a next step, I aim to further improve my use
of these skills.