How to write a reflection?

has anyone got any advice or guidance for writing a reflection? i have never done one in my life and i'm not sure how to even go about starting.....

what tense/person does it have to be written in? it seems a bit school-like in a way -"...first we did this and then this blah blah..." that kind of thing, "and this is how i feel about it...."

grr i hate doing new things i have had absolutely no experience of!!

is there anywhere that has one online somewhere to read an example? (obviously it will have no bearing on what i have to do mine on but would be a great help if there is...)

thanks peeps

Re: how to write a reflection??

I find it helps to use a 'model' for my reflections, I have used the Gibbs model and found it easy to follow.

Try here for some ideas. http://www.devon.gov.uk/reflectivepractice.pdf

Re: how to write a reflection??

thanks for that. gonna be annoying and ask another question though - do i write it as an essay then? or do i put it under headings?

god how dumb am i! (i'd ask my tutor but only met her once and her office is in a different campus to ours entirely!!)

everyone else seems to know what they're doing as they have done them on access courses grr.

Re: how to write a reflection??

We have to write them in essay style, that is how we were told to do them.

You are not dumb at all, it is hard to get to grips with when you have never done them before.

I only did one academic one last year, and am really struggling with the one I am doing at the moment, so you aren't alone in finding it hard.

Good luck with it.

Re: how to write a reflection??

thanks so much midwifemissy.
good luck with yours too!

Re: how to write a reflection??

You are welcome.

Thanks hun. x

Re: how to write a reflection??

Well i think as its yours, then it has to be yours if you know what i mean!
I would go on the following points.
What happened?
How did it make you feel,
What did your mentor do or not do to make you think/reflect
What now?How will it inform your practice?
What will you do next time to make it better for the woman/you/mentor

Back it up with some refs.
If you still having a prob...pm me and ill email you one of mine...I have loads...!

Re: how to write a reflection??

gibbs seems to be the most used model... not heard of barnett, but i regularly use the driscoll model.... here are some reflective assignments (using various models) that may help you structure yours.....

http://www.studentnurse.org.uk/communication.htm
http://www.studentnurse.org.uk/reflection.html
http://www.studentnurse.org.uk/research2.html
http://www.studentnurse.org.uk/holistic care.htm
http://www.studentnurse.org.uk/handover.html
http://www.studentnurse.org.uk/literature review.htm
http://www.studentnurse.org.uk/reflectionFeedingProbs.html
http://www.studentnurse.org.uk/reflection3rdStage.html
http://www.studentnurse.org.uk/reflectionPOP.html
http://www.studentnurse.org.uk/cervical cytology.htm

not all related to midwifery but may give you some ideas..... good luck