Learning to Learn: Reflections on my First Steps as a Med Student

Mini-CEX reflections By Shana | April 24, 2025 If there is one thing I have learned in my first year of med school, it is that learning how to learn is just as valuable as what we are learning. Before commencing this journey, I believed that all I needed to do was study hard and remember as much as possible. In this past term, I am beginning to understand that the way I learn (in terms of preparation, reflection and using feedback) is a huge component of the future doctor I want to be. This post is a reflection of that process (especially through the lens of two MiniCEX assessments).  The Learning Framework that Helped Me Get Clear In our Professional Practice tutorials, we were introduced to Zimmerman’s model of self-regulated learning. This model separates the learning process into three parts: forethought (the way you prepare), performance (what do you do during the task) and reflection (what did you learn after). This framework helped me categorise my thoughts and gav...