WRAPPING UP THE YEAR: REFLECTION, RESET, AND RENEWAL

November 20, 2025 6

James Klusener

@jamesklusener

The end of the year is finally in sight, whether you believe it or not. You’ve either written your last exam, or you’ll do so soon. This means it’s time to reflect on the year—your wins and failures, what you did right, and what you can do differently. We all experience an end-of-year slump, which can leave a sour impact, so it’s important to take stock of the year you’ve just finished.

A great place to start this mental reflection is with your physical space. Many of you may be moving out of your accommodation soon. Moving requires you to organise, pack, and clean. This is a perfect opportunity to begin: start by throwing out anything you no longer need—old papers, textbooks you can sell, and miscellaneous items that no longer serve a purpose.

And don’t just restrict this maintenance to the physical world; extend it to your digital life. Clean out your inbox (mine’s at 13,440, so I think I ought to take my own advice!), and don’t forget to close all your browser tabs—they can add up fast.

Once you’ve done this, look back on the biggest moments of the year and create a list of your wins, losses, and lessons. Identify what you can do better and the things you may have done well. This process is important as it encourages you to reckon with the decisions you’ve made throughout the year and how those decisions have impacted you.

After completing this process and feeling satisfied with what you’ve accomplished, celebrate and enjoy the end of the year! Have a nice lunch with friends or family. Enjoy your favourite foods and take some well-earned rest.

Before the new year begins, make sure you write down your goals, the improvements you’d like to make, and any other adjustments you deem necessary.

Taking the time for these rituals—from cleaning your room to reflecting on your lessons—is how you give the year a proper and satisfying ending. This process honors all the hard work you’ve put in and clears the path for a truly restorative and beneficial break. Now go enjoy it. You’ve definitely earned it!