It’s graduation season—the end of one era and the start of another, whether that means graduate school, a new job, the military, or travel. No matter what plans come next, students walking across the stage at commencement are closing the door to some of the most pivotal years of their–our– lives.
Reflection is the practice of studying your own experiences, thoughts, actions, and decisions to learn and improve. Reflecting on and remembering what matters most also helps you move forward in directions that keep you aligned with your aspirations.
Kelly E. Miller is the director of the University of Miami Libraries’ Mindfulness and Well-Being Programs and associate dean for learning and research services. Throughout the year, she leads virtual mindfulness programs and offers online and in-person workshops, retreats, and support.
“Mindfulness helps us to see clearly what is happening in our internal world as we experience or anticipate change,” Miller said. “For instance, we might notice that we are anxious as we imagine different future scenarios and that we are grieving at the thought of saying goodbye to dear friends and teachers. Mindfulness helps us recognize that it's normal as human beings to experience such a mix of emotions in times of transition and that these times, however difficult, are temporary.”
Reflection and mindfulness can take many forms, including simple practices like awareness of breathing and walking meditations. Miller suggests writing down what you’re grateful for in a journal each night before going to bed to help in times of transition.
“You might discover for yourself that, even in the most challenging of times, there are always things to be grateful for, whether a nourishing meal that you ate, the warmth of sunlight or fresh air to breathe, or the comfort of a cat or dog companion,” Miller said.
Every spring Patricia A. Whitely, senior vice president for student affairs and alumni engagement, invites graduating student leaders to participate in a senior reflections seminar. During the program, she challenges each senior to write about their college experience, reflecting on how far they’ve come.
“My long-term mentor taught a capstone course at St. John’s University that shaped how I have approached my career; it taught me the value of reflection,” said Whitely. “I started this seminar to encourage graduating seniors to slow down and reflect on how they have grown, what they have accomplished, and where they want to go next. Many of the alumni I connect with as I travel will remark how grateful they were to slow down and take a moment to write about their experiences.”
Former Student Government president Ivana Liberatore, who will graduate from the Patti and Allan Herbert Business School with a B.S.B.A. in finance, business analytics, and legal studies, was part of the seminar this spring.
“In the fast-paced environment of college, there is usually not much room for reflection. We always focus on what’s next, when the deadline is, or what the next step toward our future is,” Liberatore said. “As a senior, though, I have realized the importance of also taking the time to reflect on how we got here. It has helped me recognize how much I’ve grown and appreciate the moments and people that defined my experience.”
Adriana Alvarado, a senior studying biology on the premed track, served as program coordinator for the Department of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement as well as chair of the Rathskeller Advisory Board.
“I feel like everybody lately has been asking me, ‘Are you ready for grad?’ And my answer has been yes,” Alvarado said. “Reflecting on my four years has given me this closure of putting on paper all the things I accomplished in college and allowed me to see things in a different lens.”
