Gibbs' Reflective Cycle: A Proven Reflection Technique for Better Study Habits

Jun 16, 20243 min read

College life is a wild ride - juggling classes, activities, friends, and more. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant hustle. As a college student, you know the struggle of preparing for major tests. Study plans get derailed, motivation fades, and despite your best efforts, sometimes the results don't always match your hard work. In the first part of this four-part series on transformative student reflection practices, we explored a few reflection routines for improving student success.

Now, we focus on a specific game-changing reflection technique. What if there was a powerful framework to transform how you approach studying? One that would allow you to gain profound lessons from your academic experiences to optimize your process over time? Enter Gibbs' Reflective Cycle. Say hello to Gibbs' Reflective Cycle.

Woman dressed in white dress and wearing a straw hat planning on a calendar, with a white backpack sitting in front of her

What is Gibbs' Cycle?

An educator named Graham Gibbs created this six-stage framework to transform how students grow from their experiences. Engaging in a cycle of continuous self-improvement through systematic reflection opens the door to a world of growth and potential. Reflection is a success habit that increases academic and personal potential.

Breaking The Reflection Cycle Down

Let's take a closer look at how Gibbs' Reflective Cycle works. Imagine using this cycle to reflect on your recent midterm exam. It's like taking a journey through your study process, exploring your emotions, evaluating your actions, and planning for future success.

Description:

Objectively describe what happened. Describe your study process - hours you prepped, strategies you used, any challenges you faced, and your final grade.

Feelings:

This part is crucial. Get real with how you felt throughout. Were you anxious about the heavy workload? Disappointed by distractions and briefly excited by small wins? Dig into those emotions.

Evaluation:

With honesty, pinpoint what went well and what didn't. Maybe your structured review sessions paid off, but social media derailed your focus. Call out the highs and lows.

Analysis:

Now connect those dots. Why did some things click while others crashed? Analyze the key factors interacting behind the scenes. Did an inefficient workspace feed distractions? Did prioritizing practice questions solidify concepts? Analyze what contributed to the wins and the challenges.

Conclusion:

If you got a do-over, what would you change? Building in scheduled breaks? Stricter boundaries around social media? Identify potential improvements.

Action Plan:

Student sitting at a table and planning on laptop

Finally, develop or revise strategies moving forward. Create a distraction-free study zone, use website blockers, or include rewards after hitting targets. Optimize your process.

By completing this cycle, you've reflected deeply on your unique studying behaviors, mindsets, and strategies. You now have clarity for meaningful adjustments.

Making It Stick

Of course, the best effect is making Gibbs' cycle a habit. Here are a few tips:

Start a Reflection Journal:

After any significant class, exam, presentation, etc., spend 10 minutes working through the six stages. Seeing your reflections stack up over time is powerful for spotting growth.

Gather a Reflection Crew:

Share your cycle work with classmates for new perspectives and accountability. You'll be amazed by the collaborative insights.

Use Reflection Tech:

Apps like Notion allow you to create and use templates for each stage for efficient journaling.

Remember, the most crucial step is to implement those Action Plans! Reflecting is just the first part—action brings about real change. So, don't let your insights go to waste. Take the initiative and put your fresh strategies into action. That's where the real magic happens.

Navigating college is a high-wire act, but Gibbs' Reflective Cycle is a reflection process that can provide the self-awareness, wisdom, and personal growth to stick those landings. It's the tool for turning experiences into success.