Self-Reflection Essay Notes from Mr.

Johnson

One of the objectives of the IB program is developing self-reflective individuals. You will be
writing a self-reflective paper, including concepts drawn from your experiences as a student this
year and from other meaningful sources. Your paper will include concepts that are expanded by
explanations, illustrations, details or narrative examples.

Identifying areas of growth (emotional, social, conceptual, moral) is important, but becoming
aware of the need for change in one of these areas could be equally important.

You may refer to your tall-ship journey, your readings, especially The Book Thief, or other
experiences that have had an impact on you as an IB student. Please, though, do not tell me
about the value of team spirit (I recognize its value) unless you develop an idea that is personal
to you. More important, do not idealize yourself. Be as honest as you can be. Your writing will
be treated as confidential, unless you chose to share it with others.

To help you reflect I have provided some prompts below. Try to cover at least three.

1. Part of the (life-long!) maturing process is recognizing that we may mean well or try to do
the right thing and yet our actions may lead to unintended consequences. Describe
such an action and how you felt or dealt with the unintended consequences.

2. Identify a preconception that you held about yourself and how this preconception changed.

3. Describe an event or circumstance that challenged your beliefs or values.

4. Discuss an area of life in which you distrusted yourself and how you came to trust yourself.

5. Describe a process of meaningful discovery that has importance for yourself in the future.

6. Identify an emotional or social obstacle that you overcame and what you discovered.

7. Narrate (and analyze) an incident in which you stereotyped another (or others) and you
came to realize that your stereotype was inaccurate or unfair.

8. Examine an action for which your motivation was too narrow or shallow. How did (or does
your motivation need to be shifted?

9. When does team spirit become too much pressure on the individuals who make up the tea
team? When do you need to balance the groups interests against the individuals needs?

10. Describe a role conflict yourself as a family member, friend, athlete, student (or other)
and how different roles may come into conflict. How did you resolve the conflict?

11. When and why has the desire to speak up conflicted with the desire for self-protection?

12. Describe a difference of beliefs or values that you had with another person and how well
(or poorly) you handled this difference. (Conflict, negotiation, agree to disagree)