Page 5 - Corette-October-2021

Think it into existence. The power of the mind is infinite.

BY TORIE WEIDLICK ‘23

When I head into a test, my brain reminds me that I really like these tips but refrain from engaging
I’m probably going to fail no matter how hard I in toxic positivity. Let yourself feel and struggle
try. Most of you reading this have probably expe- with learning; it is alright. However, don’t beat
rienced this as well. As CJ students, we take on a yourself up with a smile on your face. It’s okay
lot of challenges, but the majority of us can never to be upset that you got a lower grade than you
believe we are good enough to succeed. Believe expected, but don’t forget to pick yourself up
me, I can relate, but the truth is it is a lie, and you again. Personally, I look to Bob Ross as my idol
absolutely know it. for positivity, so I recommend you check out The
Sometimes, I like to reminisce on my days in Joy of Painting and add “happy accidents” to your
Mrs. Fellin’s E4 study skills class. Some of the big daily vocabulary. One poor grade might seem
topics we discussed were “growth mindset” and tragic, but a growth mindset will remind you
“self-advocacy.” Fellin would stand in front of the of how it will look in retrospect. You are strong
class and proclaim: “Believe in the power of yet!” enough and you can use mistakes as a way to
As a self-described pessimist, I had never really grow, your brain says.
thought about my mindset before I was in the Don’t forget that everyone else in life is
class. To be honest, I didn’t trying to grow her mindset
think about it much after. I too. I mean everyone: the
just wrote it off as a myth that CHARACTERISTICS OF girl who sits next to you in
mindset could actually impact history, your parents, even
my life and went back to think- A GROWTH MINDSET your teachers- everyone.
ing about whatever my fresh- So, talk with your friends
man self thought about. about the way we, as stu-
Over the summer, though, • Believing intelligence and dents, think. Let’s start a
I fell into boredom. I started • talents can be developed. conversation. Let’s improve
considering the idea of • Believes effort is the path to our mindsets as a commu-
mindset and what it meant in mastery. nity.
my life. Of course, I turned to • Believes mistakes are an Learning is like taking a
the internet. After doing a • essential part of learning. cross country roadtrip. It’s
single Google search, I stum- not just about the destina-
bled upon Dr. Carol Dweck, a • Views failure as an tion; it’s about the journey
leading researcher on growth • opportunity to learn. you make to get there, too.
mindset. I tuned into her TED • Believes failures are just While it is easy to spend the
Talk, and within the first 30 • temporary setbacks. entire drive thinking about
seconds, I connected with • Embraces challenge. the excitement of the East
what she was saying. Failure Coast, don’t forget to get
isn’t a failure; it just means SOURCE: mvorganizing.org out every so often and see
we don’t understand the the gems along the way.
concept we are studying quite The Grand Canyon, Route
yet. Something that really struck me was when 66, Rocky Mountains, you name it. But when you
she said, “The words “yet” or “not yet” give kids finally make it to your destination, you can see
greater confidence [and] give them a path into just how far you have worked and how far you
the future that creates greater persistence.” have come.
Further research suggests that changing your If you’re reading this and thinking that you
mindset is as simple as changing your lan- don’t have what it takes to have a growth mind-
guage. Instead of focusing on what questions set, you’re mistaken. It’s not a hereditary trait;
you got wrong, look to where you succeeded. it’s habitual. Growing is a marathon, not a sprint.
For the questions you missed, look to see how You can’t go to sleep with a fixed mindset and
you can grow in understanding the concept. wake up with a growth mindset. It is a constant
Teacher and writer Amanda Morin of Under- and conscious effort; it will take your whole life
stood.org gives three easy and applicable to change the way that you think and react to the
tips on how to begin to change your mindset: world. Start with baby steps. It only takes one
“Reflect on the positive, ask for support, [and] little action today to begin a lifelong journey for
embrace the process.” growth for tomorrow. As Dr. Dweck states in her
Ted Talk, “Let’s not waste any more life.”

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