WEEK 8 GROWTH MINDSET

Photo Credits: I took this photo at Fort Sheridan Beach in IL

This is actually something that I have been thinking a lot about lately. It is easy to move through life not thinking about ways that you can improve or better yourself. Sure, many people think of ways to improve but usually it is for their job or for someone else. I have been thinking a lot about how I can be better for myself and to myself. 

School can be full of stress. Since elementary school, we were given grades based on our performance. I wish this wasn’t how school worked because of all of the things they talk about in the growth mindset. I’m surprised that there are kids who make it through school with a growth mindset because of the way school is structured.

For me, when I got a low grade on a test or assignment, I didn’t think about it as a chance to learn more. Now that the seed was planted in my mind, I feel I am doing a better job seeing a low grade as an opportunity to learn and improve my skills. It is not easy after being stuck in this one way of thinking for so long but it is something I’m working on.

I am working on prioritizing things this semester and being invested in a schedule that works for me. I have a lot on my plate for this semester and I am worried I might have spread myself a little too thin. But I just have to work on prioritizing things and working ahead in my classes so I stay on top of everything so I don’t get overwhelmed.

Something I really need to find the courage to do is apply for internships for next semester. I think I’m afraid of being rejected but I know that I’ll never know until I try. Again, I just need to prioritize it so I actually get it done!

GROWTH MINDSET THOUGHTS

I enjoyed watching the growth mindset videos. It is interesting that something that seems so simple, can change the way that kids look at a problem. I think it is very important for students to understand “not yet”.

Photo Credits: Jay Shetty (@jayshetty1) Twitter

 

I think a lot of it depends on the way that the students’ previous teachers and role models have treated them in the past. When students get trophies for participating in soccer games it does nothing to help the kids. The education system is in a very sad state right now. From the No Child Left Behind Act to teachers only focusing on making sure their students get a high score on standardized tests, the whole thing is a mess. There are good teachers out there but they seem to be less and less as time goes on. Walking through my old elementary school is depressing. There are no colorful drawings or artwork to adorn the walls. It looks more like a mental institution rather than an elementary school. I completely agree that we should not teach kids that easy is good, that working hard and not getting it right is worse than not trying and guessing right.

Photo Credits: Michael Courington (MrCourington53) Twitter