My Growth Mindset
Before this assignment, I had never heard of Carol Dweck or the growth mindset. I think that I may be very much in the fixed mindset section of the spectrum. When I started watching the first video, I felt a little uncomfortable and defensive because it was like this woman was directly targeting me. All my life, my parents have told me I'm smart and my teachers have called me smart. I've noticed that as I got older and I reached harder challenges, I thought "Well I must've reached my limit. Last year or that last test score was the best I'll ever be and it's all downhill from here." I took the ACT something like 9 times, but I never really studied. Once I reached the end of high school and I kept getting the same score, I called it quits because I thought that was as high as it would ever get.
I definitely don't look forward to challenges. For every assignment, it feels like my entire future depends on the grade. My big goal for each semester is to get the A. It makes me nervous to think about challenging myself because if I fail, I might not get the grade I want. If I have bad grades, I won't get into PA school. If I don't get into PA school, I'll be a failure.
All my life, I've wanted to be a vet. Right before college I found out that there are very few vet schools in the United States and that they're very competitive and hard to get into. My parents even asked me if I was sure that I wanted to challenge myself like that. I decided to be a PA instead because, I figured if I failed, I could still use my degree and PA prerequisites for something else. I assumed I wouldn't get into a veterinary program on my first try. I was unsure what I would do for a backup in the situation that I never got in.
It's hard for me to think about changing my mindset at such an important time of my life, but I'm going to work on it. I'm taking 16 hours with Physics, Evolution, and Organic Chemistry this semester so if there is any time to embrace challenge, it's now. Instead of seeing my failures as me reaching my limit, I'm going to try something new. I'll study in different ways. I'll speak with my professors if I'm still struggling. My plan is to "look boldly ahead" and be brave about the challenges I'm facing.
I definitely don't look forward to challenges. For every assignment, it feels like my entire future depends on the grade. My big goal for each semester is to get the A. It makes me nervous to think about challenging myself because if I fail, I might not get the grade I want. If I have bad grades, I won't get into PA school. If I don't get into PA school, I'll be a failure.
All my life, I've wanted to be a vet. Right before college I found out that there are very few vet schools in the United States and that they're very competitive and hard to get into. My parents even asked me if I was sure that I wanted to challenge myself like that. I decided to be a PA instead because, I figured if I failed, I could still use my degree and PA prerequisites for something else. I assumed I wouldn't get into a veterinary program on my first try. I was unsure what I would do for a backup in the situation that I never got in.
It's hard for me to think about changing my mindset at such an important time of my life, but I'm going to work on it. I'm taking 16 hours with Physics, Evolution, and Organic Chemistry this semester so if there is any time to embrace challenge, it's now. Instead of seeing my failures as me reaching my limit, I'm going to try something new. I'll study in different ways. I'll speak with my professors if I'm still struggling. My plan is to "look boldly ahead" and be brave about the challenges I'm facing.
(Image Information: Look Boldly Ahead
Source: Growth Mindset Memes)
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