Have you ever learned more from doing something than from just reading about it? That’s the heart of experiential learning—a hands-on approach that’s been shaping.
Experiential Learning, as a formal educational framework, was introduced in the 1970s by David Kolb, who developed a four-stage cycle that continues to shape how we learn through experience today. This four-stage model included:
- Having an experiential learning experience
- Reflecting on that experience
- Drawing conclusions from the experience
- Experimenting based on what was learned from that experience
It’s not enough for students to simply participate in experiential learning—they must also take time to reflect on their experiences to truly unlock their value. Think about the following questions when you decide to reflect on your experience:
- What did I learn from my experience?
- What strengths did I gain from my experience?
- How does this experience align with my future goals?
If one of your experiences happens to fall under the guidelines of an internship, includes high-impact learning with a supervisor, and is 6+ weeks and at least 120 hours, please consider getting it verified through our University Recognized Internship. Your internship must be non-credit and offer you real-world experience. If it turns out that that experiential learning internship is properly registered, you can earn official recognition and showcase your internship on your Gator Experience Record. This process goes beyond simply listing your experience on a résumé—it’s about having your hard work officially verified and recognized by the University of Florida.
The Gator Experience Record is UF’s official, verified record of your involvement beyond the classroom—capturing leadership, internships, and learning experiences. It helps you reflect on your growth and showcase your skills to employers, mentors, and grad schools. It’s more than just putting it on your resume– it’s a powerful tool that helps you reflect on your growth and showcase the real-world skills and impact you’ve made to employers, mentors, and graduate programs. Look for Your Gator Experience Kick-Off event on Monday, October 6, 2025 from 10am to 2pm, located in the Reitz Union North Lawn.
Ready to make your experience count? The Experiential Learning Student Guide is designed to help you maximize any experiential learning opportunity—from preparation to reflection—so you can grow with purpose and confidently share the impact of what you’ve learned.
