From “I can’t do this” to “I’m not there, yet” to “I did it”
Mindsets are beliefs that impact how we approach challenges. When you tell yourself I’m not good at Math, I’m not a science person, I’ve always been a bad test-taker, I’m an awful writer, you are performing under a fixed mindset. According to Dr. Carol Dweck, author of Mindset, a fixed mindset assumes that our character, intelligence, and creative ability are static givens which we can’t change in any meaningful way.
Developing a growth mindset during your college years is crucial for academic and personal success. A growth mindset, the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work, empowers you to embrace challenges, persist through obstacles, and see failures as opportunities to learn. This mindset fosters resilience and a love of learning, which are essential as you navigate the complexities of college life and prepare for your future career.
Ten recommendations to develop a growth mindset in college and in life
- Embrace Challenges: See challenges as opportunities to grow rather than as threats.
- Learn from Criticism: Use constructive criticism as a tool to improve, not as a personal attack.
- Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: Focus on the process and the effort you put in, rather than just the outcome.
- Cultivate Curiosity: Always ask questions and seek to understand things at a deeper level.
- Stay Persistent: Don’t give up easily; persistence in the face of setbacks is key to developing a growth mindset.
- Adopt a “Not Yet” Attitude: When you haven’t mastered something, remind yourself that you haven’t mastered it yet.
- Surround Yourself with Growth-Minded People: Spend time with peers who encourage and motivate you to grow.
- Reflect on Your Learning: Regularly take time to reflect on what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown.
- Set Learning Goals: Set goals focused on what you want to learn, rather than just what you want to achieve.
- Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself when you fail, recognizing that setbacks are a natural part of the learning process.