A Growth Mindset In Progress
I am not content with the mundane day to day life I am living, and not reaching a higher level of understanding as the world moves around me without pause. Still as the world continues its daily orbit I feel as though I am stranded, continuously forcing myself to be happy and agreeable with my current status. Being as I have never been one to settle for the path of least resistance, I have decided to enroll in Delaware County Community College. Stepping foot on a Community College campus at my age was already weighing in the back of my mind. Transitioning into college comes with difficulties no matter where that transfer emerges from. Whether it is from High School, GED course, even a long term hiatus from learning in a traditional center, feelings of insecurities are typical of all freshman students.
I myself have had my reservations about coming back to higher education and learning. As with anything in this life, trying something for the first time, crippling fear generates internally. My reasoning is like most adult learners in today’s society. I need more money to survive and take care of my family. Every college freshman has obstacles concerning their college career, but mine differ slightly. My family means the world to me and I have two beautiful, young children who require my attention daily, a husband I love and support at every juncture in daily events, a full time job in a busy cardiac practice, as well as PTA and sports with my son. To say my schedule is demanding is an understatement. However, despite obvious obstacles I am embracing the struggle and learning from mistakes while embarking on this journey. My largest fear was mainly due to my age with obvious differences between myself and a majority of my peers. I worried I would be mocked for being too old and just starting community college.
I began watching videos for an assignment on mindsets. In particular, the videos that grabbed my attention focused on proving a growth mindset is more valuable than a fixed like Growth Mindset: Studies Showing the Brain is Malleable and Neuroplasticity. I adopted the theory of a growth mindset and currently am adapting its practices into my daily life. Finding students who have a similar scenario of life outside of the class as I do, who want to produce their best work in college, have provided me with a sense of social belonging in my current environment. I want to learn and flourish in my current surroundings. Not just as a student, but as person reaching for an advanced understanding of information presented, receiving answers, asking further questions that lead to deeper thought and process. Questioning my peers and engaging in thoughtful conversation is leading me to a greater level of understanding societies and myself. A quote that I have researched, is lingering softly in the distance, always presenting itself when I feel like quitting is my only option. "It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." (Confucius) I will continue my journey with a growth mindset and never stop learning.
I am not content with the mundane day to day life I am living, and not reaching a higher level of understanding as the world moves around me without pause. Still as the world continues its daily orbit I feel as though I am stranded, continuously forcing myself to be happy and agreeable with my current status. Being as I have never been one to settle for the path of least resistance, I have decided to enroll in Delaware County Community College. Stepping foot on a Community College campus at my age was already weighing in the back of my mind. Transitioning into college comes with difficulties no matter where that transfer emerges from. Whether it is from High School, GED course, even a long term hiatus from learning in a traditional center, feelings of insecurities are typical of all freshman students.
I myself have had my reservations about coming back to higher education and learning. As with anything in this life, trying something for the first time, crippling fear generates internally. My reasoning is like most adult learners in today’s society. I need more money to survive and take care of my family. Every college freshman has obstacles concerning their college career, but mine differ slightly. My family means the world to me and I have two beautiful, young children who require my attention daily, a husband I love and support at every juncture in daily events, a full time job in a busy cardiac practice, as well as PTA and sports with my son. To say my schedule is demanding is an understatement. However, despite obvious obstacles I am embracing the struggle and learning from mistakes while embarking on this journey. My largest fear was mainly due to my age with obvious differences between myself and a majority of my peers. I worried I would be mocked for being too old and just starting community college.
I began watching videos for an assignment on mindsets. In particular, the videos that grabbed my attention focused on proving a growth mindset is more valuable than a fixed like Growth Mindset: Studies Showing the Brain is Malleable and Neuroplasticity. I adopted the theory of a growth mindset and currently am adapting its practices into my daily life. Finding students who have a similar scenario of life outside of the class as I do, who want to produce their best work in college, have provided me with a sense of social belonging in my current environment. I want to learn and flourish in my current surroundings. Not just as a student, but as person reaching for an advanced understanding of information presented, receiving answers, asking further questions that lead to deeper thought and process. Questioning my peers and engaging in thoughtful conversation is leading me to a greater level of understanding societies and myself. A quote that I have researched, is lingering softly in the distance, always presenting itself when I feel like quitting is my only option. "It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." (Confucius) I will continue my journey with a growth mindset and never stop learning.