To-Do List

            For this coming week before spring break, I want to get as much done as I can, and ensure a break with as little work as possible. The only in-class exam I had this week was this morning, but I do have a take home test to complete before Friday for EDIS 2890. Along with the take home test, I have homework to complete for math by Friday before I leave to go home. I plan to attend all of my classes this week, and it is necessary I attend my discussion section for Sociology Friday morning, as it was not cancelled because of break. I have some reading to also catch up on during the week, but I hope to get all caught up and be ready to continue working hard when I return from spring break the week after next.

Fixed Mindset Vs. Growth Mindset

Success in academics can be affected by many general factors as well as personal techniques. In Dweck’s book, she discusses the importance of one’s mindset in relation to their own personal success. There are two opposing mindsets: you can have either a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. A fixed mindset is the more limiting of the two, as it is not the encouraged mindset to have. Someone with a fixed mindset is focused on short-term successes and failures. They are not concerned with learning, but with showing they are already intelligent. A failure to someone with a fixed mindset can seem life lasting, and can even reflect an identity. On the other hand, one with a growth mindset is much better off in academics, and even life. This person is interested in not only succeeding, but in learning. Students with a growth mindset do better in school than students with a fixed mindset. The long-term benefits go to those with a growth mindset.

            Personally, I find myself as more of having a growth mindset. I was more of a fixed mindset student in the past, but have changed for the better. Working to learn and grow is better in the long run, and along the way I may still succeed. I will not be put down by failures, but be encouraged to try harder next time.

Mindset

In order to optimistically view academics, it is important to have the correct mindset. The new book assigned for my academic achievement class discusses this task. When thinking of intelligence and the type of person you are, many people believe these do not chance, or are unchangeable. I, on the other hand, believe that it is very possible and necessary to change your intelligence or who you are. Intelligence is constantly changing, as learning something new is adding on, and increasing intelligence. Also, you can better yourself as a person in many ways. Believing that you can change yourself as a person and your mind is an optimistic and beneficial way of thinking. This mindset is necessary for growth.

With the importance of mindset comes the way you approach obstacles. Depending on the obstacle, there are many things I can do to get my mind off of the problem or complete the obstacle. I usually, whenever faced with a problem, try to finish whatever the task may be as soon as possible. If I put off what I need to do, I can procrastinate for a long time. In coping with an obstacle that I cannot simply complete, there are a couple things I may do. I like to talk to friends or family, or really just anyone I can speak to about what I am feeling. Sometimes I turn to work or fun when faced with a problem; I can just find something to do to get it off my mind for the time being. I may go for a run, or work on homework, or play some kind of game, even. I like to keep optimistic when face with obstacles, and complete them with my best ability.

My Personal Action Plan

            After finishing my first book assigned for my academic achievement course I’m currently taking, I have learned many things in relation to academic success. By learning this material and writing personal action statements for each chapter, I am now ready to devise my personal action plan and a few semester goals.

            From Lipsky’s book, I learned how crucial time management can be to succeed in academics at a university. Managing my time is something that I have been working on, and now using weekly planners and to-do lists, I reduced procrastination greatly and get my work done much sooner now. Choosing a suitable study location is something I have just recently been changing. I have come to find that studying in my room is much more distracting than studying at the library. Listening in class is also very important, and I now know how to listen selectively and attentively and take the best notes that I can. When it comes to class readings, I understand the assignments much better now with many helpful reading and note-taking techniques. Using memory tools has recently helped greatly with my studying. I get more sleep at night and review notes immediately after class. Finally, test preparation for myself has changed the most. I begin studying for the test much sooner than I used too. I also make review guides and study with others more frequently. Hopefully all of this work and change will pay off, and help me succeed at my second semester.

Test Taking

Taking exams at the University of Virginia has proved to be a very difficult task for myself. Even if I have felt prepared for a test, when it comes to actually taking it I have a hard time. Starting my second semester, I want to try new techniques and better prepare for exams, and get the grades I want and deserve for my second semester.

            I have recently come to find there are many strategies you can use to improve your test taking abilities. To succeed in test taking, one step is to prepare well with the material. Teaching others is a great way to make sure you know the material, and also helps you see what you don’t know so well. Making practice tests and study guides is also very helpful. Test anxiety is a very common problem with test taking, and even though I feel I do not normal get anxious about upcoming tests, I can take away knowledge with ways to make testing more relaxed. Positive and optimistic thinking helps, not only in test performance, but life as a positive outlook enhances your success. Finally, when it comes to the actual exam and preparation, studying is the best thing o do. This semester I am studying much more frequently and spread out, hoping to improve my performance at UVa.

Enhancing Memory

            Your memory is crucial to success in academics at a college level, and there are actually many ways you can enhance and better your memory. Prior to my current EDIS class, I had never really thought about my memory or working to help my memory at all. I felt I had a good enough memory and that there wasn’t much I could do to make it better. However, as I have learned from the class readings, I can take a few steps in bettering my memory. The first—which I have always had a problem with—is getting an adequate amount of sleep at night. I normally stay up too late even if I have to wake up early. It is good for your memory to get more sleep, and I am going to work on this area. Also, as a kinesthetic learner, there are many tips to help me remember what I read and learn. I can find a fun way to remember information by acting it out or turning it into some kind of game. Making questions and study guides will help to keep information in my longer-term memory, as well as working in groups or with others. Breaking reading and studying into chunks instead of long sittings is very helpful in keeping you attentive. Teaching the information I need to learn is also a helpful tool in both learning and finding weaknesses in the area. Now with many new techniques and tools, I can work on enhancing my memory.

Dealing with Distractions

            Regardless of where you are studying, what you are studying, or the level at which you are studying, you will always have to deal with some kind of distraction. Distractions are definitely one of the biggest problems to students at all levels. I know that personally, I am constantly fighting many types of distractions each and every day.

            There are two types of distractions: internal distractions and external distractions. Internal distractions originate from within you and happen solely because of your own self. Examples include daydreaming and a lack of motivation.

On the other hand, external distractions come from a source outside of you, and include the TV, a computer, and other people. I deal with many of both types of distractions daily. I always find myself daydreaming and my mind wandering away from my work. Sometimes it is very hard to focus, and I just decide to be lazy. Also, the constant external distractions all around me make for an even greater problem. I would say that external distractions are much more of a problem to myself than internal distractions. I find that external distractions actually take me away from my work and end up leading to more internal distractions. With motivation and hard work, I still find time to complete my reading and work, even with the many distractions. However, distractions are still a time-hindering problem.