How to develop a growth attitude for higher learning
Perfection is associate illusion, one thing for college kids to attempt towards, that ultimately means falling short is inevitable. however don’t worry, that’s really a decent issue. allow us to tell you why.
developing a growth attitude
Wouldn’t or not it's nice if you'll simply win excellent scores altogether of your exams, essays and sophistication projects? Well, within the short term, perhaps it'd. however long term? undoubtedly not. really your overall development as a student would in all probability suffer if everything was very easy all the time. which may sound strange, however it’s true. That’s as a result of coping with tough issues is a necessary a part of exploring what you're really capable of.
This is however you read things after you have a growth attitude.
What is a growth mindset?
Simply put, students with a growth attitude believe that intelligence are a few things that may be developed through toil. They perceive that challenges shouldn’t be avoided – they must be embraced as opportunities that may cause you to a higher learner.
Because of this, individuals with a growth attitude focus their energy on improvement rather than worrying concerning failure. this permits them take control of their own development.
Fixed attitude vs growth attitude
There area unit several variations between a set attitude and growth attitude. somebody with a set attitude believes that you simply area unit either good otherwise you aren't, and there’s not tons that you simply will do concerning it. individuals with a set attitude conjointly tend to avoid challenges and provides up simply once they encounter obstacles or criticism. somebody with a growth attitude, on the opposite hand, believes that effort is the path to mastery and that criticism and challenges are valuable tools for improvement.
Placed side by side, this is how the two mindsets compare:
fixed mindset vs growth mindset
Learning from mistakes
We all make mistakes, but when it comes to learning, if you’re not making mistakes, then you’re probably doing something wrong.
Mistakes can make you a better learner because they force you to re-examine where you went wrong so that you can find a solution to a problem. The effort that you put in at these times are what help you develop.
“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.”
– Samuel Beckett
For example, say you don’t understand a particularly tricky lesson in class. If you respond by switching off because you don’t believe you can figure it out, what will you gain? Most likely nothing, because switching off is like putting your brain into hibernate mode.
But if you try to work out what’s going on by asking questions, attempting to provide an answer (even if it’s incorrect) and staying otherwise engaged in the lesson, then the effort you make will force you brain to make new neural connections. In other words, the more you study, tackle difficult problems and deal with mistakes, the stronger your brain will become – it’s like giving your brain an upgrade!
How to develop a growth mindset in 5 steps
- Challenge your brain
In order to keep your brain flexible, it needs to be challenged. One of the best ways of doing this is to vary the ways you receive and absorb information. Different study tactics can stimulate your brain in different ways. For instance, plotting what you’ve learned in a Mind Map can help you create connections between seemingly unrelated concepts, while research has shown that studying with quizzes is a great way of remembering and recalling information.
- Always think critically
Learning lessons by heart might earn you the occasional A-level test score, but ultimately you’ll need to develop the ability to critically assess the information you pick up if you’re to really understand what you learn. Keep a record of your thoughts on specific topics using Study Notes, and always try to justify your thinking using reasoning and evidence. These will be key skills for later life.
- Work with others
Students who critique one another’s thinking will learn more by having their thoughts and opinions challenged. Hearing other points of view on the same subject can round out and deepen your own understanding and help you to overcome difficulties you may be having. After all, getting stuck on something is part of learning, but working collaboratively on projects or in Study Groups with others is a great way of sharing thoughts and developing strategies to tackle any problems you meet.
- Learn how to learn
As mentioned above, mistakes are part of learning and life, so learn to recognize them as an opportunity to develop and improve. True learning happens through trial and error. Few scientists, inventors or artists ever make their breakthrough without getting things wrong first, so be persistent, patient and your rewards will come.
- Be positive
Students who believe that they will be successful in a particular task are more likely to actually be successful on that task. Why? Because anticipating success has been linked with perseverance, and perseverance is what brings about positive learning outcomes. So whenever you feel you might be slipping back into a fixed mindset, stay positive and make the decision to break free of it.