Reflective Writing: The Key to Well-being for Year 12 Students in a Future-Focused World

In today’s world, it feels like we’re always being encouraged to think ahead. Planning for the future, working towards long-term goals, and focusing on what’s next are all deeply ingrained in how we operate, especially in schools. But sometimes, all that forward-thinking can come at a cost—we forget to pause and take stock of where we are right now.

For Year 12 students, this future focus is particularly intense. As they prepare to leave school and start the next chapter of their lives, the pressure to think about the future is at its peak. From university applications to career decisions, it can feel like there’s always something they need to plan for, with not much time left focusing on the present, let alone thinking back over what’s already taken place.

There’s no doubt that planning for the future is important, but it’s equally important to take a moment to acknowledge where they’ve come from and how they’ve grown. Reflective writing offers an opportunity for students to slow down, process their thoughts and feelings, and gain a deeper understanding of their personal journey. In fact, it’s this practice that can support their well-being, helping them navigate the high-stress environment of Year 12.

The Pressure to Always Look Forward

In Australian culture, and especially in education, there’s a huge emphasis on the future. From a young age, students are asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The constant focus on what’s ahead can leave students feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Then, when students reach Year 12, they’re bombarded with questions like, “What are your plans after school?” or “What will you study at uni?” It can be hard to escape the feeling that their whole future is on the line, especially with exams and major life decisions just around the corner.

We all need time to pause and process experiences of past years. This is where reflective writing can help shift the focus from the future to the present. It provides students with the space to consider what they’ve achieved, the challenges they’ve overcome, and how they’ve changed. In doing so, they’re not just planning for the future—they’re learning from the present.

Reflective Writing Supports Well-Being

It isn’t just about self-expression; it’s about well-being. The process of writing down thoughts and feelings helps students process the emotional ups and downs they’re experiencing, especially in a high-pressure year like Year 12. Taking time out to reflect can be grounding, offering a moment of calm amid all the stress and expectations.

According to AITSL research, “there is a general consensus that the well-being of many students has deteriorated since 2020, which has been supported by reports indicating an increase in the number of contacts to Kids Helpline during the COVID-19 pandemic. Calls to the helpline rose 30 per cent in Victoria in the first six months of 2021 compared with the first six months of 2020, and by 14 per cent in NSW (Carey 2021).” 

This kind of writing gives students an outlet to release their worries, anxieties, and frustrations. Whether they’re navigating friendship changes, academic challenges, or the general stress of leaving school, reflective writing offers a way to externalise those emotions in a healthy way. Instead of letting everything build up, they can use writing as a tool to make sense of what’s happening around them.

In the bigger picture, it promotes emotional resilience. It allows students to look back on their experiences with a critical eye, identifying patterns, learning from mistakes, and celebrating growth. This kind of personal insight helps them build confidence and self-awareness—skills that are vital for managing stress and developing well-being strategies, not just in Year 12, but beyond.

The Vital Role of Educators in Supporting Student Well-Being

From AITSL Professional Standards:

  • Teachers at the proficient career stage are expected to “ensure students’ well-being and safety within school by implementing school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements” (AITSL 2022, p. 17).
  • Further, Principals are expected to be “well versed in the latest research and developments in … student well-being” and to “create an ethos of respect taking account of the spiritual, moral, social and physical health and well-being of students”.

Looking at the Present, Not Just the Future

We all know that Year 12 students are under a lot of pressure, but sometimes it’s easy to overlook how valuable it is for them to think about what they’re experiencing right now. Future goals are important, sure, but understanding the present moment is just as crucial for long-term success and mental health.

Shifting the focus from future planning to present learning gives students the chance to consider questions like:

  • What am I proud of this term?
  • What have I learned about myself this year?
  • What challenges have I overcome?

These aren’t questions they get asked in a typical day at school, but they are exactly the kinds of questions that can unlock a greater sense of self-awareness and personal growth.

By regularly engaging in reflective writing, students can develop a habit of learning from their day-to-day experiences, not just from major milestones. This way, they’re not only preparing for what’s next—they’re learning about themselves in the present. This practice builds a strong foundation for self-understanding that will serve them well throughout their life.

Writing Builds Resilience

In a culture that’s obsessed with success, Year 12 students can often feel like they need to get everything right the first time. But life hardly ever works that way! Reflective writing allows students to acknowledge their mistakes and setbacks without shame. It helps them see that failure is part of growth and that the lessons learned from tough times are often the most valuable.

According to AITSL, “Transition points, such as the commencement of primary school, moving from primary to secondary school, and exiting secondary school, represent a time of change and have the potential to be stressful in the short term.” 

Through reflection, students can build resilience by learning to accept challenges and adapt. This is especially important during Year 12, when academic pressures and personal transitions are at their peak. Over time, they develop the emotional flexibility to handle life’s ups and downs, which is one of the most important tools they can carry into adulthood.

Practical Ways to Bring Reflective Writing into Year 12

So how do we bring this practice into the Year 12 classroom without it feeling like just another task?

Here are a few easy ways to get started:

  1. Make it routine: Set aside time at regular intervals, such as weekly or fortnightly. It doesn’t have to be long—just 20-30 minutes where students can journal about their experiences, thoughts, or feelings.
  2. Keep it ungraded: This one is important. Reflective writing shouldn’t feel like an assessment. Let students write freely, without the pressure of being marked. It’s about the process, not perfection.
  3. Offer prompts: To help spark student thinking, offer a few prompts to get them started. For example, “What’s one thing you’re proud of this week?” or “What’s been the biggest challenge, and how did you handle it?”
  4. Encourage private reflection: This form of writing is personal. Allow students to keep their responses private unless they want to share. This way, they’ll feel more comfortable being honest in their writing.
  5. Link it to growth: Encourage students to look at what they’ve written as a way to track their personal and academic growth. Ask them to look back at earlier entries and see how they’ve developed over the year.

The Benefits Beyond Year 12

One of the best things about reflective writing is that it’s a skill students can take with them into adulthood. While Year 12 is a high-pressure year, life after school brings its own set of challenges. Whether students are heading into university, work, or something else, it’s a valuable tool to process new experiences and stay in tune with their well-being.

My School Journey: A Reflective Writing Solution for Year 12

While the benefits are clear, it’s not always easy for students to get started on their own. That’s where My School Journey comes in. This program offers a structured way for Year 12 students to engage in reflective writing throughout their final year, helping them slow down and make sense of their experiences.

My School Journey provides weekly prompts designed specifically for Year 12 students. These prompts guide them through a variety of writing exercises, encouraging them to explore their thoughts, feelings, and growth over the year. From considering academic achievements to processing personal challenges, each prompt is tailored to help students build self-awareness and emotional resilience.

One of the key strengths of My School Journey is that it’s easy to incorporate into a student’s routine. In just 20-30 minutes each fortnight, students can start to build a habit of self-reflection that supports their well-being in this critical year.

For teachers and schools looking to support their Year 12 students’ mental health and well-being, My School Journey offers an accessible and valuable solution. It’s a simple way to introduce a powerful practice, providing students with the tools they need to stay grounded in the present and build resilience for the future.

About the creator of My School Journey:

Cathy Hallewell is an experienced Australian educator and co-founder of 12 Stories, a project that encourages people to write their life stories. With nearly 30 years as Head of English across both state and private-sector schools, Cathy has been dedicated to nurturing students’ literacy and critical thinking skills. Additionally, her extensive work in Pastoral Care for Senior Secondary students has given her a deep understanding of the emotional and developmental needs of young people, which she brings to her current work. Passionate about writing and storytelling, Cathy believes in the power of personal reflection to foster connection, self-understanding, and emotional well-being. Through 12 Stories, she helps individuals preserve their memories and share their unique life journeys.