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?

With a nod to Rema and Selena Gomez, today’s topic is about what most college students need but rarely get enough of: rest and relaxation.

I will never forget waiting for Spring Break – getting wound up like a crossbow by mid-term exams and barely able to relax during break.

So, before you find yourself in a similar position, try one or more of these activities to help you calm down and enjoy not only your week off but the rest of the semester.

1. Unplug – Press the off button and step away from your devices.
   Spend time in nature
   Read a book for pleasure
   Spend time with family and friends
   Take a warm bath with candles or create an at-home spa
2. Practice Self-Compassion by forgiving yourself for making perceived mistakes or errors in judgement
   Catch up on sleep and create a consistent sleep routine
   Seek support if needed (Wellness Advocate Ami Lilley-Plexico; TimelyCare; mentor; or spiritual leader)
   Listen to music
   Set boundaries – take control and protect your time.
3. Practice Mindfulness – Mindfulness means keeping a moment-by-moment non-judgmental awareness of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment.
   Try yoga or tai chi
   Create art or other activity that requires your total focus (i.e., cooking, gardening)
   Learn box breathing or other breathing practice
4. Stay active – enough
   Go jogging or hiking
   Play a solo or team sport
   Take yourself out to an art fair, play, or new restaurant
5. Get Creative
   Pick up a new skill or dance move
   Plan a staycation
   Reorganize your room or personal space; clear out clutter

Spend a proper amount of time each week taking care of yourself whether you’re in school or on break. This will help you do your best in all areas of your life.

If you want some help setting some rest and relaxation goals, call 618-235-2700 ext. 5495.

You may also use this link to make a coaching appointment:

Make Coaching Appointment

We look forward to seeing you soon. And if you mention that you saw this blog or one of our other Success Coaching blogs, you can pick something from our collection of free gifts and prizes.

Sometimes, on that freeway of life, we find that we would like to make a turn. For instance, it  happened to Jami Houston, Director of Success Programs here at SWIC. Before she even began her first semester of college, Jami said she found herself changing majors.

“I applied to college as a history, pre-law major,” she explained. “I really had no idea what I wanted to do. A conversation with my dad, led me to think about sports marketing. When I went to orientation to register for my first semester classes, I knew I didn’t want to major in history, so the advisor changed me to undecided.”

Once Jami started the semester, she met with her advisor who “let me know some options including advertising, marketing, and leisure studies. I didn’t want to do the math required for marketing, so I chose advertising.”

If you have found that you are not thrilled with your major and you’re almost through the first (second or third) semester, you are not alone. About a third of all students change their major at least one time.

There are actions you can take if you are not sure about your current choice of major to help you narrow down the list or if you are still undecided. From creating a personal mission statement to identifying your interests, you can get closer to discovering your unique purpose.

But first, determine if you really need to change your major. For example, if you are struggling or uninterested in your classes, that may be a sign to consider a different degree plan. In addition, if you are not interested in pursuing a career in the major you have chosen, or if you only chose it because of the potential for lots of money, then you should probably change directions.

“Mean” professors and difficult courses are not usually reasons to switch majors.

Interests

Some methods that students have used to determine their major include knowing what they are good at and taking general education courses to help find out what they like.  Talking to an advisor or the Career Center can help you uncover your interests. Also, ask people with careers you’d like to have what their major was in college.

If you don’t have a strong sense of what your academic interests are, think about the classes and projects you have enjoyed.  Also, think about people who have changed your life for the better. Brainstorm how you like spending your time and list any skills you possess that you are proud of.

Another key to finding your interests is identifying what activities create a state of flow or put you ‘in the zone.’  These are terms that describe having a feeling of energized focus as you enjoy and are totally immersed in your what you are doing. This is a good indicator of something you may want to pursue as a career or hobby.

Also, spend time with people who inspire you. Make sure you are surrounding yourself with positive, goal-driven people who lift you up. You may even want to evaluate your relationships with friends to make sure you are not stuck in unproductive or unhealthy patterns of behavior.

VALUES & PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT

If you’re asking yourself, “What is my purpose?” you’re not alone. One study showed that only ¼ of American adults say they have a clear sense of purpose.

Think about what you believe in and think about the social causes you support.  Even consider what you would like to be remembered for at the end of your life. Ensure that passion — not duty — drives your purpose. What are some ideals you believe are important for living a good life?

Also, what kind of impact or change would you like to bring about in your community or the world? A mission statement states what you are going to do and why. The mission statement serves as a constant reminder of what is important to you.

Finally, adopt a growth mindset because it allows you to:

• Embrace challenges as opportunities
• Persevere in spite of failure 
• Accept feedback and constructive criticism

When asked how changing majors worked out in the long run, Jami said,  “After college, I did work in advertising/communication briefly. But since then I’ve worked in event management, recreation, human resources, college admissions, academic support, and leadership with every position building on the experience I gained from the last. While I didn’t end up with a career in advertising, I still use the skills I learned from the degree such as working with people, understanding cultures, and professional communication skills.”

If you would like some help with creating your mission statement or learning more about a growth mindset, you may use this link to make a coaching appointment:

*Be sure and always meet with an advisor before dropping or adding classes!

For More Information

Undecided? Here are four steps to choosing a major

Start finding your purpose and unlock your best life

How to Know When You Should (or Shouldn’t) Switch Your Major

5 ways to find your purpose before choosing your major