Get a Growth Mindset

Have you ever considered yourself a “jack of all trades”? When I first heard this term in my middle school English class, I was crushed by the fact that I deeply resonated with it. You see, a "jack of all trades" is somewhat good at many things but not good enough to be considered "talented". Hearing this made me feel like I wasn't good enough or deserving of my interests and hobbies. It can be this way with school, too; perhaps getting an A feels far beyond your reach, or your GPA is not at your ideal goal. Well, cheer up, buttercup; this likely means that you need to cultivate a growth mindset.

So...how can we mold our way of thinking to nourish a growth mindset? The answer lies in three key concepts: habits, balance, and grit. Within these three lies the key to success, not only in college but far beyond.

What is a growth mindset?

At the heart of a "growth mindset" is the belief that our achievements depend on our efforts to improve and that these efforts can be fruitful. People with a growth mindset are prone to believe that they can overcome complex tasks and problems and that time and practice are what you need to grow. Research has shown that our intelligence–our ability to learn, solve problems, and adapt–can't predict how well we'll succeed in future learning. Our motivation to study and persevere through challenges matters more. Luckily, this means that your current grades don't define you, and the key to success is the time and effort you devote to preparing for exams and understanding new topics, not your smarts alone.

Now, having a growth mindset is one thing, but to fully take advantage of it, we must take actions that go beyond our mind's ability; we must bring our thoughts to life.

How can I develop study habits?

If you want to make your bed every morning, you have to start by making your bed tomorrow and the day after that for about 66 days. After this time, you probably won't notice that you're making your bed because it will feel like an instinct. The first few weeks of developing a new habit require you to put effort into getting yourself to do something, but as time passes, the task becomes more and more natural. A growth mindset attunes people to seek improvement; with positive habits, this can be done efficiently to prevent burnout and promote endurance.

A habit is a behavior that occurs in response to a specific environment. If you want to learn a new habit, you must create the situations that will trigger the desired behavior. This means teaching yourself to respond a certain way (behavior) when given a particular situation (environment) by learning via association. Suppose you have the habit of reading a book before bed. In that case, it's probably because your brain associates going to bed (environment) with reading a book (habit). It's the same way with getting into the habit of studying and doing your work on time!

To develop habits, you have to...

• Feel rewarded after doing a behavior.
• Repeat it consistently.
• Be aware of the conditions that trigger your behavior. 

To develop healthy study habits, you should...

• Set up a schedule that optimizes both your studies and relaxation. Don't overstudy; we develop habits by consistently repeating a task, not by doing too much of a task at once!
• Reward yourself with a treat (aka positive reinforcement) by doing something that makes you feel good after you achieve a study goal. This will teach you to associate the habit with a positive event, encouraging you to study more often.
• Surround yourself with people who are also studying; try going to a library or coffee shop. Seeing others do something subconsciously triggers you to do the same–monkey see, monkey do (seriously).
• Be consistent! If your goal is to study x amount of time every day, try to do that every day for at least two months. You'll quickly see this study time become an imperative part of your daily routine.

Why Do We Need Balance?

Alas, it is said that too much of a good thing can kill you, and it is true. Too much hard work on any given day can kill your efforts and make it harder for you to continue. Being balanced is the ability to remain stable while handling opposite ends of a spectrum. Play as hard as you work! And if you feel guilty for "wasting" a time when you could be working, remember that having balance optimizes your efficacy at both ends. You can't learn a new subject in a day; you need time to process the information. Instead of working for seven hours straight, it's far better to take breaks and return after you have rested. This ensures that your brain is working at optimal capacity. Don't forget that life doesn't end after a bad grade; spending time exploring new interests, meeting with friends and family, having some alone time, or appreciating nature is important and necessary for our life and health.

The G in Growth Mindset

When all else fails, our grit will save the day. When our motivations are low, and we feel like improving our understanding is impossible, remember that growth comes from grit. When we contemplate our passions and goals, they fuel our perseverance and sustain our growth mindset. So, on those harder days where you start to doubt yourself, remember why you want to succeed in the first place.

Persevering through our challenges is easier said than done. Still, when we believe our current situations are changeable, we can improve. Try opening your mind to the many possibilities a Growth Mindset offers. I believe you can...do you?

What is a growth mindset? 8 steps to develop one. (2022, May 9). Western Governors University.

https://www.wgu.edu/blog/what-is-growth-mindset-8-steps-develop-one1904.html

Clear, J. (2020, February 4). How to Build New Habits: This is Your Strategy Guide. James Clear.

https://jamesclear.com/habit-guide

1. Myers, D., DeWall, N., & Gruber, J. (n.d.). Psychology (14th ed.). Worth Publishers.