Fixed and Growth Mindset Essay Example

What is a fixed mindset and a growth mindset? A fixed mindset is when a person has this ideology that they have a fixed intelligence, while a growth mindset has the ideology that when they fail, they see it as an opportunity to grow. While considering some of my past experiences, I feel I have had a fixed mindset within my past and need to work on developing a growth mindset for the future.

School life did not help since it helped to mold me into having a fixed mindset. During high school I felt as if I had to make these amazing grades to succeed. Not only that, but my teachers held my hand all throughout my high school life. When college came around it was a complete turnaround from high school. I was thrown out of my comfort zone, and I had all these deadlines that I had to meet, with no acceptance of late work. With my plate so full I am having to learn how to prioritize some of my classes as well as trying to not be a procrastinator. 

My personal life did not help either since I was different from my family. While growing up with my parents I had learned that both of them had not really taught me about my Hispanic culture. I did not know Spanish, so I had no idea what most of my Spanish-speaking relatives were trying to say to me. I was an outcast, the bench warmer, of my family. Presently, both of my parents are in this era of disorganization. My father is a self-employed carpenter trying to balance his work life with his personal one, while my mother has become bed ridden due to an amputation of her left leg as a result of cancer. They both have these high expectations from me since I am a 1st  generation college student which puts a lot of weight on my shoulders. 

Yet, throughout all of the events of my life I have a goal to achieve a growth mindset. Through an article published by Dr. Carol S. Dweck, “Brainology” I had learned that praising of effort instead of intelligence is a great way to develop a growth mindset. Not only that, but the article had informed me to be calm when I had failed and take the failures and learn from them.

Within my past there were events that convinced me that I was different and that I never had to work hard to achieve my goals, a fixed mindset. However, I strive to eventually achieve a growth mindset. I had learned that school is meant to be a place of learning, not to just get by. Furthermore, family is a major contributor to either having a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. With all of this in mind, a fixed mindset or a growth mindset is all determined on your perspective of life, and how you push your own boundaries.