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  • Essay / Reflecting on My High School Experience: Nurturing a Growth Mindset

    A fixed or growth mindset can determine how successful you will be in life. Both of my high school life experiences that I faced during my math classes and college applications indicate that I have a growth mindset. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayThe article “Brainology,” created by psychologist professor Carol S. Dweck of Standard University, presented a research study based on the psychology of mindsets and how these mindsets affect individuals. In Dweck's article, it is established that students can have one of two types of mindsets, either "...Students are afraid of challenges and are devastated by setbacks" or "...Students enjoy challenges and are resilient in the face of setbacks” (Dweck). Otherwise known as fixed and growth mindset. The author defines the fixed mindset as follows: “Many students believe that intelligence is fixed, that each person has a certain amount of it and that's it” (Dweck). In other words, everyone has a certain amount of intellect and there is no way to improve it. It is emphasized that this state of mind is demoralizing for students because it leads them to have a poor image of themselves and increases their need for validation. Growth mindset, on the other hand, illustrates that students “…believe that intelligence is a potential that can be realized through learning” (Dweck). The difference in this mentality is that individuals embrace challenges, benefit from mistakes, and are more likely to thrive in the face of delays. It's obvious to adopt and use this mentality, as Dweck implies. Growth mindset allows students to be more motivated and eager to learn, while fixed mindset limits students' intellectual growth and forces them to focus on their academic appearance. Throughout high school and college, I always struggled with math, especially when I first entered. high school. It was always an obstacle to overcome, even with extra support like having tutors, studying, or always doing my best. My freshman year of high school I failed Algebra 2 both semesters, I took my first semester online to make up the credit needed to graduate on time, so my senior year I only had 'to worry but to retake a semester of algebra. When I spoke to my advisor, she informed me that I would not be able to graduate on time if I did not retake Algebra 1 and Algebra 2, knowing that I had so many math class for my mother and I set a goal for myself. During the summer, I attended summer school at Diego Hills Charter to maintain my math credits so I could graduate on time and have a stress-free senior year. My determination to achieve my goal began to fade when the principal told my mother and I, “It is unlikely that you will be able to complete both math sessions.” When he said those words, I thought “how am I going to do this”? My mother spoke to me and made me understand that if I have something to achieve and achieve, go get it after this conversation, it made me realize that I have a goal to achieve, over the course of summer and that's what I did. I completed both of my math classes on time and graduated high school on time. I even had the opportunity to graduate early. Knowing that I achieved this goal when others doubted gave me, 5(3), 312-319.