When my apprenticeship in PR and communications with the PRCA first started, one of the things I had to quickly adapt to was how important the admin side of tracking my learning is. Reflections, timesheets and feedback all form part of this process. While they may sound mundane, they show the progress I am making and how my learning is being recognised. Because my apprenticeship is delivered through Onefile, the learning journal is something I use regularly, so I’ve seen first-hand how central it is to my development.
When I heard that Onefile was updating the learning journal, I was curious to see if it would make uploading and tracking my learning smoother. The new changes are designed to make the process clearer and smoother for both learners and assessors, and already I've noticed how much easier it feels to keep on top of everything.
Cleaner journal layout
The first thing I noticed was the new layout. It’s much clearer and feels less overwhelming when I sit down to log my reflections at the end of the day. I can now link my timesheets and reflections together, so I’m not left wondering which entry goes with which activity. It also helps my assessor, who can instantly see how my logged hours connect to what I’ve written about my learning.
Improved reflection quality
The tailored reflection fields have also made a big difference. Before, it sometimes felt like I was filling in a blank box with whatever came to mind. Now, the prompts guide me to think about what I’ve actually taken away from each session and how it connects to my role. It makes reflections more focused and meaningful. Instead of writing something vague, I’m pushed to be specific about skills I have built or insights I can use, which makes the reflection much more useful when I look back later.
Easier time-logging
There have also been positive changes made to the time-logging feature. I can record multiple time entries against each journal reflection, which feels more accurate. Sometimes learning happens in short bursts, other times it stretches across a whole afternoon, and it is good to be able to show that properly. It also makes my off-the-job hours easier to track, so I feel more confident that the record is fair and reflects the work I am putting in.
An easier way to receive and act on feedback
One of the updates I've found most helpful is being able to see my mentor’s feedback directly on my journal entries. Instead of hunting through emails or scrolling through old uploads, the comments are right where I need them. It keeps everything together, makes the feedback feel more immediate, and saves me valuable time. As someone balancing full-time work with learning, having a straightforward way to act on feedback quickly makes a real difference.
Keeping my progress on track with approvals
The new approval process is something I can see being really useful as my apprenticeship goes on. Having my reflections reviewed and signed off by my tutor gives me peace of mind that what I am recording is on the right track. If an entry needs to be reworked, I’ll know straight away through the automated notifications, which saves any confusion or delays later on. It also means that my tutor and I are working from the same place, rather than me worrying if something has been seen or not. For me, that helps build confidence and keeps me motivated to stay consistent with my journal.
For any apprentice, balancing learning time alongside a full-time role means every bit of time counts. These updates have made the learning journal feel more straightforward and supportive of these commitments, which takes away a lot of the pressure that comes with staying on top of admin. Instead of feeling like a chore, logging my progress now feels like part of the learning process itself.
Because the system is clearer, I can focus on reflecting properly rather than worrying about whether I have recorded something in the right place. To me, the journal now feels like a tool that keeps me motivated, organised and able to recognise how far I’ve come.