Want to know how I made tests go from soul-crushing failures to exciting puzzles I wanted to solve?  Well let me tell you a little story.  It was summer, and I recall everyone talked about vacation.

This was back in the day, and I was excited to take classes. Well, not always, in all honesty. But after I learned some cool things about mindset and perspective, the way I looked at things changed dramatically.

As my attitude evolved; I found I was no longer working, but excited to challenge myself and solve little mysteries in learning.

This whole transformation was due to the research of Stanford University psychologist and author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success Carole Dweck. Her work led to the idea that mindset (beliefs) are more important than talent or intelligence in determining a person’s success. Dweck wrote that a fixed mindset limits the individual, while a growth mindset encourages, well, growth and change.

Dweck explained:

A fixed mindset is the belief that intelligence and talents are fixed traits that created success – not effort. The fixed mindset creates an internal monologue focused on judging. If it’s hard for me, I must be a loser.

Growth mindset: The belief that the most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. They constantly monitor what’s going on without judging. Always asking, How can I improve?

The steps below spell out how to make the change.

Steps to Turn a Fixed Mindset to a Growth Mindset

Step1. Learn to hear your fixed mindset “voice.”

When you hit a setback or face criticism, the fixed mindset voice creates self-doubt. Identify negative thoughts and the message.

Step 2. Recognize that you have a choice.

It is your choice how you interpret setbacks and challenges. You can interpret them as signs that you are permanently lacking, or as a signal that it’s time to try new strategies, consider advice, and increase efforts.

Step 3. As you face challenges, setbacks, and criticism, respond to your fixed mindset voice with a growth mindset voice.

Step 4. Take the growth mindset action.

Over time, which voice you follow becomes pretty much your choice. Practice hearing both voices, and practice acting on the growth mindset. See how you can make it work for you. All it takes is some practice to turn your limiting language into supporting, encouraging self-messages.

Sources:

Dweck, C. S. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, 2006. Random House.

Growth mindset brain image.  Retrieved 23 May, 2024, from  www.flickr.com/photos/paulapiccard/43058632290

I’ve been spreading the word about time management for a long time, and I wondered how students – such as peer tutors in the Success Center – scheduled their assignments and study time.

“Time Management is great when you use it,” English peer tutor Haley D. laughed wryly. 

She said it starts with keeping her planner up to date.

“Having a timeline helps you think about what’s important instead of nitpicking the little things.”

Peter B-F agrees. He is also an English peer tutor, but instead of a physical planner, Peter uses the Reminder app that came on his iPhone.

“It’s too easy to forget assignments without it,” he said.

Here’s what the Apple website posted about the Reminder app:

Use Reminders on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

With the Reminders app on iOS 13 or later and iPadOS, you can create reminders with subtasks and attachments, and set alerts based on time and location. You can ask Siri to schedule a reminder for you on your iOS device or your Apple Watch.

If you have an android phone, Google has a Reminders app that works in a similar way:

Beautiful and easy to use interface, minimum of clicks, try it and you will like it! 

Enter reminders directly in the list row at one click or voice input
Quickly create, delete, transfer and search reminders
Lists of reminders, tasks, shopping, missed calls, birthdays and more
Geolocation

“Time management can make you healthier,” Peter added, “because you can get more sleep.”

For those new to time management, it is about planning for the day and week which includes planning for enough sleep each night.

“It also causes less stress,” Haley said. And she’s right. A lack of time management routines often causes anxiety as the student rushes to complete assignments by deadline. College is hard enough without inviting problems.

To get started, click here to access the Success Center’s handout Strategies for Time Management. 

First, add all assignments and due dates in your planner or online calendar. Then to figure out when to study, fill out a time management grid (the last page of the Strategies for Time Management handout.)

If you need accountability or have other academic concerns, make an appointment for Success Coaching. Success Coaching is free and offers support with time management and other behaviors that affect learning such as test anxiety, memorization, or mindset.

The two tutors differ in their approach to time management and they complete assignments in different ways as well, but it works for them. Haley likes finishing as much of her work as she can as soon as it’s assigned. Peter spreads his work out over the week.

Whether you’re like Haley or Peter doesn’t matter as long as you have a system that works for you.  If you are struggling with time management, call or stop by the Success Center and schedule an appointment for Success Coaching.

Did you know?

Did you know you can do one single thing to reduce pain and insomnia, as well as strengthen your immune system.

But that’s not all! 

This miracle activity can also lead to healthier relationships and academic and professional success.

You don’t have to pay a fortune, starve yourself, or work your core until you have abs of steel. 

“Only a few minutes each day”

All you have to do is spend a few minutes each day sincerely expressing gratitude.

Regular gratitude practice can boost both your mental and your physical health. According to Psychology Today, “Grateful people are indeed less likely to have mental health problems like depression.” One study found that a gratitude intervention increased mental resilience in a group of older adults.  

Another study cited in Psychology Today,  suggests that spending even a few minutes engaging in a gratitude activity, such as writing a letter of gratitude to a loved one, can motivate you to make healthy food choices.

Need some ideas to get started? 

The Greater Good Center at Berkley suggests these:

• Keep a handwritten or electronic journal of big and little joys of daily life.  Go into detail about a particular person or thing for which you’re grateful; this carries more benefits than a surface-level list of many things.
• Write down “three good things”—identify three things that have gone well for you and write about the cause.
• Write thank-you notes to others and give them to the recipients.
• Think about people who have inspired you and what was significant about them.
• Engage in “mental subtraction.” Imagine what your life would be like if some positive event had not occurred.
• Add this twist to step up your gratitude game: At the end of each week, thank someone  you know about something specific—Thanks for being such a good listener yesterday!—and then reflect on the person’s response and their feelings.  

When we share the gratitude that we’re journaling about, according to the study, the practice becomes even more beneficial.

Feeling grateful is a skill one can develop. If you find yourself feeling tired of the stresses you’re facing, think of something that can make you feel thankful, then share that with someone.

If you want to improve your gratitude habits or work on other academic or professional goals, do not hesitate to contact a Success Coach. 

Plus, get a free gratitude journal while supplies last with a coaching appointment!

More information can be found at:

“Gratitude” reviewed by Psychology Today Staff

“How to Upgrade Your Gratitude Practice”

“Tips to Foster Gratitude”

How Do I Cultivate It?