Common Reflection Mistakes (DP IB Creativity, Activity, Service): Revision Note

What common mistakes should students avoid in CAS reflections?

Prioritising description over analysis

• Providing only a summary—a brief statement of the main points of what occurred

• Recording events without including an analysis

• Failing to explore why an experience mattered or what it reveals about the student or the world

• Writing reflections that are "predictable" or follow a formula rather than being honest and personal

Neglecting feelings and personal growth

• Ignoring how the experience relates to moods, feelings and emotional responses

• Omitting evidence of growth (i.e. the development of new skills or a positive change in a student's perspective)

• Treating reflection as a "waste of time" rather than a tool for building self-awareness

• Forgetting to mention the challenges

Issues with timing and intent

• Leaving reflections until too late in the 18-month CAS journey

• Creating "forced" reflections—entries written only to satisfy a requirement rather than out of genuine insight

• Treating CAS as a "tick-box" exercise—an attitude where students do the bare minimum to fulfill a requirement without real commitment

• Reflecting just to "please someone else"—writing what the student thinks the CAS coordinator wants to hear

Missing connections to Learning Outcomes

• Failing to link reflections to the seven learning outcomes

• Providing evidence that is too vague to prove an outcome was met

• This will greatly reduce your ability to demonstrate your achievements during the final CAS interview