Mindsets

One of the main purposes of college is to develop our minds and become more complex and flexible thinkers. Our brains can be shaped, developed, and changed throughout our entire lifespans and much of that is the result of our beliefs about how our minds work. We all set our minds to believe certain things, and our beliefs help or hinder us as we move through life. Our beliefs and our ways of thinking develop into habits of mind. Dr. Carol Dweck has done exciting research on our minds and on fixed and growth mindsets.

If you have a fixed mindset you generally believe you are born with a certain amount of talent and intelligence that can’t be changed or can only take you so far in life.

If you have a growth mindset, you tend to think that through experience and effort your intelligence can change and you can do anything you set your mind to doing.