Why Journal?

The power of journal writing has been widely researched and documented. It is mostly commonly used as a means of documenting and reflecting on our attitudes, behaviours, feelings (such as a personal diary). Journal writing can also be very therapeutic as it gets issues off your mind.

In recent years, journals are being used to help people learn and change. For example, some patients undergoing counselling keep journals to document their personal development. Journalling gives you an opportunity to step back, reflect, analyse, and become aware of yourself. Once you are aware, learning and change can take place.

Journals have also been introduced into the field of education. Across the curriculum, students are keeping journals to document and reflect on their learning progress. Too often students are so busy trying to memorize information and finish assignments that there is little time to think or reflect on what they are doing or how they are doing it. This leads to shallow understanding, repetitive mistakes, and/or vacious cycles of behaviors.

How to keep a learning journal?

FIrst rule; there's no right or wrong way to journal. Journalling is a personal discovery and, therefore, writers choose their own style of expression. Writing can take on many forms from a free flow of ideas (a stream of consciousness) to responses to particular questions. Pictures, doodlings, point form, symbols, numbers as well as words are seen in journals.

You can include any thoughts or experiences which are relevant to interpersonal communications. By learning to make journal writing a part of your life, it will help you express your thoughts and reflect on issues.

Some topics for your journal

• A face to face encounter with someone that is significant to you.
• Reflect on things in your life that are not going well. Reflecting is an important tool in building up your personality.
• Write about your goals in present tense and the steps you will take to achieve these goals.
• Reflect on your behaviour, how you communicate and who/what has influenced the way your communicate.