In this article:
We live in a noisy world, a world that valorizes action.
As a student, it can be admittedly difficult to carve out a home for stillness, to give yourself breathing space to hear yourself think. Reflecting is a fundamental part of thinking well, to take a moment between the non-stop action to quiet the mind and sink into the present.
I like to think of reflections as time capsules, boxes filled with the greats, not-so-greats, and the little things we held by our side. You open them to observe how your days flow on to weeks, months, years, eventually. They help us capture and make sense of how we change with the world around us.
Notion makes this wonderfully simple (and aesthetic!) to keep my reflections in one place, from daily highlights to photos and journal entries. What I love most about Notion is its customizability — you can keep your setup as minimal as you’d like or as creative as you wish!
After testing out different layouts over the past couple of months, one setup worked particularly well for me: daily highlights, weekly reviews, and a photo gallery.
Each day, jot down something that made you smile.
Good things are happening all around us. Some days they are tougher to spot, and it’s on those days that we need them the most. Keeping a log of daily highlights nudges you to look for the positives, the silver linings that take a bit of digging to surface. Things get a little brighter when you look for the good in them. I now try to carry a running tab of positives at the back of my mind!
Daily highlights tracker
Reflect on your week, thoughts on your mind, wins, challenges, and hopes.
Observing your thoughts and feelings can help you see yourself clearer. Throughout the year, my motto has been: pay attention to what you pay attention to. It seems obvious, but intentionally taking note of my thoughts has helped me realize much about myself that I wouldn’t have nearly as easily without.
I’m usually too busy to write on a daily basis, and have trouble remembering what exactly happened after a month has passed by, so reflecting weekly has been my sweet spot!
List of weekly reflections
Your weekly review: overview, thoughts, wins, challenges, hopes
Also highly recommend turning your dedicated reflection time into an evening of self-care. Enjoy a cup of tea, read a good book, anything that strikes your fancy! :)
Gather small mementos to look back on.
Putting together a photo gallery can add a fun touch to your journaling routine. I like to set aside some time each week to sift through my camera roll and add new memories!
Your wall of memories
If you’d like to set up your journal in a similar style, please feel free to use my template. Happy reflecting, and wishing you the best for the academic year ahead! :)