Looking backwards, looking forwards

In Session 1 you started to look at your own roles, skills and qualities. The key point here was that by reflecting on our experiences, we learn something from them that helps us to move on.

Session 2 has shown how drawing a timeline is useful in terms of plotting what happened and when, and how we feel about these experiences; what we’ve learned from them and how they’ve helped to shape us as a person.

You have been looking back at your experiences of life, or a period of your life. Mo’s timeline illustrated that there are ups and downs, and that other factors have influenced his timeline. He has control over some of these factors, such as choosing to stay in Glasgow or to return to London. Other factors, like the economic recession or availability of college places, are outside his control.

Activity 2.4 Influences and choices

Timing: You should spend around 15 minutes on this activity.

In the next session you will be looking forward, and exploring the factors that influence the choices you make about your future. To start you thinking about the factors that influence your life, have a look at Figure 2.7. This spider diagram is a graphic way of illustrating connections.

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Figure 2.7 Spider diagram of what the main factors in Mo’s life might look like

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This diagram represents the factors that have been an influence in Mo’s life. It is a spray diagram of boxes arranged around a central box, like the spokes of a wheel. In the centre of the spidergram is a box reading ‘Mo’. Six boxes surround this central box, all connected by a line to the centre box. From the top and going clockwise, the first box reads ‘University education, skills in research, career goal’; the second box reads ‘Support organisations’; the third box reads ‘Availability of college places, suitable accommodation, lack of finance, language skills, racism’; the fourth box reads ‘Political situation in Iran, Political situation in UK’; the fifth box reads ‘Parents, family, friends’; and the sixth box reads ‘Personal attitude, resilience, motivation, work ethic’.

Figure 2.7 Spider diagram of what the main factors in Mo’s life might look like

Thinking about the range of factors in your life that influence your choices about the future, try drawing a spider diagram for yourself on paper or at bubbl.us [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] . The bubbl.us website has instructions on how to use this free online tool. If you prefer not to use this, or don’t have access to the internet, don’t worry – pen and paper will do just as well. You can use the sheet provided.

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Go to Activity 2.4 of your Reflection Log. Once you have completed the activity, make sure you save the document again.