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Week 8 Growth Mindset

Wow, what a semester it has been! It has been busy and it has been flying by. In this semester, I have been forced to be more organized than ever, and have learned that sleep is a privilege, not something that should be an expectation. Here are a few other notes of my growth:

In this Class

In this class, I have grown more strong and independent in my writing. I have never been much of a big sharer, especially since I often see writing as a private, self growth motivation. With this class, I have been pushed to share more. If one was to look at my first Growth Mindset and compare it to this one, I think it would be very apparent what I am talking about. My length may not be much longer, but my content is so much stronger.

In General

In general, I have learned to take criticism as a favor, not an insult. There is no time in life to dwell on things that you’ve done wrong when you’re always on the go… instead, focus on the present and where you are going from here! Oh, and cherish any free time you have! Those moments are little gifts.

Some steps are larger than others

Week 8 Reflections

Being as it is midterms, it is time to look back and reflect on the work that I have done in the past and prepare myself for future assignments.

Reflection is key to growth

Reading

I love reading, and, as is evident in my Reading Notes, I like writing about some topics more than I enjoy others. Certain chapters of this (Japan) have been a little more absurd than others and hard to rewrite. In these upcoming weeks, I am most excited to read the European stories (weeks 11-12). Since a large population of America descends from this area of the world (including myself) I think it will be interesting to see what variations of these stories have been adopted here in America and which have completely disappeared all together.

Writing

As someone who is an avid journaler and writer, it is sometimes hard to have to write about a certain theme. This being said, I know it is broadening my horizons entirely and challenging me to think in ways I otherwise wouldn’t. The different revision techniques we use also are so interesting to me. I have them copied down in my notebook because I want to use them on some of my entries in the future.

Connecting

When looking at the work created by my classmates, I most admire those who are not afraid to go all out. The stories that are the most absurd are typically the best. Being a grammar nerd because of my major, the worst thing is reading a story that has terrible wording etc and cannot be understood. It ruins the production that is being conceived in my brain

Learning Challenge: Empathy

As a child, my parents always said empathy was my number one strength. It is very rare that you see a little child going up and asking people on the street “what’s wrong”. It is something I’ve always been told but, until several years ago, never fully understood. Here are a couple great points about empathy:

1- it is different than sympathy. Sympathy is when you can comprehend what someone else is going through on a mental level. Empathy is when you understand it on a physical level. When someone is empathetic, even if they have never personally been in the same position as someone, they are able to put themselves in their place and feel for them. It is an amazing thing

2- people with high levels of empathy are more prone to depression. In addition to feeling for themselves, they are always feeling the pains of others as well, making it hard for them to function at times.

Comprehension is key

Growth Mindset: Nowhere I'd Rather Be

The Beauty of OU

My entire life, I went to small, private, “college prep” schools. Every day I would get up, throw on my plaid uniform, go to school, have my jumper measured in my first period class to make sure it was long enough, etc etc. It was a routine that I had. Each day when I would walk down the halls I would see the same faces (there were less than 400 of us in the entire high school) and hear rumors about the same people. If something even reasonably dramatic happened in your life, everyone in the building knew about it within an hour of you. That is just how it is.

I am blessed in that my parents let me pick where I wanted to go to college, and, of course, I chose OU. The reason I chose it was for its size and structure. Yes, the school is big, but so are the hearts. When I toured, everyone on campus was so loving and kind and helpful, I felt instantly at home. The only changes I would make are the bike lanes (which, honestly, need to go). Other than that, I love this place. I have grown so much while being here, both academically and personally. I physically cannot picture myself anywhere else.

Learning Challenge: How to Focus With ADHD

As someone that struggled with undiagnosed ADHD for years of my life, I have learned lots of different ways to pay attention while studying. It all has to do with the environment you create for yourself.

So many thoughts,so little time

1-If you know you are an easily distracted person, don’t sit in your room or in a highly populated area (the basement of the Biz) because you know you’ll end up just watching people walk around and not actually on the work in front of you.

2- Orchestra and piano music often help create a tone for work, especially for those who have to do a lot of writing. These types of music allow you to block out sound without confusing your thoughts with the singer’s lyrics.

3- Pressure can make perfect; I’m not saying to procrastinate everything (especially tests!) but for assignments that are smaller, if you know you focus well under pressure, sitting down and convincing yourself you have to have it done by a certain time may be the way to go!