Mastering the Art of Error Reflection:
Insights from Pre-Uni New College
Feb 28 2025

Balancing time between instructional learning and self-study, while learning from mistakes, is crucial for academic success.
Pre-Uni New College provides guidance to navigate this effectively:
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Emphasise Self-Study
Students should aim to dedicate three hours of self-study for every hour spent in class. This deepens understanding, allows for exploration of topics, and offers valuable practice time.
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Emphasise Self-Study
Students should aim to dedicate three hours of self-study for every hour spent in class. This deepens understanding, allows for exploration of topics, and offers valuable practice time.
Once a healthy balance between instruction and self-study is established,
focusing on understanding mistakes becomes key:
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The Power of Self-Reflection
Merely noting the correct answer when you make a mistake isn’t enough. It’s crucial to understand why you choose the incorrect answer during the exam. This self-reflection can illuminate knowledge gaps or misconceptions.
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Analyse Your Thought Process
Delve into what led you to the incorrect answer. Identifying patterns or recurring errors in your thinking can lead to substantial improvements in future performance.
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Learn to Choose Correctly
After understanding why you selected an incorrect answer, the next challenge is to learn how to select the correct answer in future situations. What should you be mindful of next time? How should your approach change?
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Record Your Reflections
Make sure to record these reflections in your Error Notebook. This tool enables you to revisit your reflections and understandings in the future, reducing the likelihood of repeating the same mistake.
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Use Errors as a Learning Guide
Errors can be incredibly insightful. If a specific topic or concept repeatedly leads to incorrect answers, it signals the need for additional time and effort in understanding it.