As preparation for their first reflection session, students should do the following:
It is recommended at this point that the student–supervisor relationship is formalized and the student can consider himself or herself prepared for the first formal reflection session.
This initial reflection session should be a dialogue between the student and the supervisor based on the student’s initial explorations. It is recommended that the student sends their supervisor an outline of their research proposal ahead of the meeting in order to give the supervisor the opportunity to review their
work. This will ensure that the reflection session is focused and productive.
Topics of discussion that should arise during this session include:
• a review of the requirements and assessment criteria for the subject
• a review of ethical and legal implications, if applicable
• a dialogue about possible approaches and any potential problems that might arise
• a discussion of strategies for developing the student’s ideas for the essay and expanding the research so
that the essay starts to take form
• probing and challenging questions that will help the student focus their thinking; this should lead to
the development of the student’s working research question
• an outline of the next steps that the student should undertake in order to refine their question; this
should take the form of a research and writing timeline.
Following this first session, the student is required to complete the first student comment section of the
reflections on planning and progress form and submit it to their supervisor who must then initial and date
the form. Please refer to the section “Protocols for completing and submitting the Reflections on planning
and progress form” for more information.