In this activity, students explore how experiences of failure, challenge and setbacks can contribute to learning and personal growth. By reflecting on their own experiences and sharing these with peers, students begin to recognize failure as a normal and valuable part of the learning process rather than something to avoid. Through structured reflection and group discussion, they identify patterns in how they respond to setbacks and discover strategies that help them move forward. This activity supports the development of resilience, self-awareness and a growth-oriented mindset. It encourages students to approach future challenges with greater openness and confidence.
- Activity goal
- Reflect
- When
- In class
- Where
- Offline
- Duration
- < 30 minutes | < 60 minutes | > 60 minutes
- Group size
- Small | Medium
Step-by-step plan
Step 1: Introduction and setting the tone
Emphasize that the goal of this activity is to explore how being open to failure can support growth. Normalize the topic by briefly sharing your own experience with failure and what you learned from it. Explain that students will reflect on their own experience with failure using the What, So What, Now What reflection approach. Create a safe environment by agreeing on ground rules such as confidentiality, respect and avoiding self-criticism.
Step 2: Preparing the activity
Divide students into groups of 3-4 and provide each student with a graphic organizer presenting the steps What, So What, Now What. Explain that students will use it to reflect on their experience. This reflection approach allows them to make a clear distinction between what actually happened in a situation, what they learned from it and how this translates into their future actions.
Step 3: Individual reflection
Ask students to individually reflect on a moment when they experienced failure, a challenge or a setback in their academic journey. They write this in their own graphic organizer.
- What: What happened?
- So What: So what did you feel or learn?
- Now What: Now what will you do differently next time?
Step 4: Group discussion
Invite students to share their reflections within their group. When one person shares, the others can indicate whether or not they recognize specific parts of the reflection. After everyone has shared, the group identifies common themes or insights. Use prompts such as:
- What patterns do you notice in how you deal with failure?
- What helped you move forward?
Step 5: Plenary reflection
Bring the class together and ask each group to share one key insight or strategy. Collect these on the board and cluster them.
Consider the tools and materials mentioned here as suggestions. In many cases it’s possible to use alternative tools. Please turn to the Learning & Innovation team of your faculty first to see which online and offline tools are available and how to apply them.
Offline
- Graphic organizer presenting the What, So What, Now What reflection steps.
Tip 1
- Let students write a short follow-up reflection about what mindset they will practice next time they face a setback.
