how the growth mindset changed my schooling experience

For those of you who stay updated with my blog, you know I read the book Mindset over Christmas break and have been raving about it ever since. I guess it's just not very often that you read a book that truly has an affect on you and changes the way you think and act. I'm not going to pretend this was an overnight transformation, but I will say that this book has stayed with me far longer than most books do. And in the moments where I'm feeling glum, I always return back to the principles that are so beautifully explained in Mindset. Perhaps the only principles that I use more often than the mindset principles are those I've learned from the gospel and have been trying to implement my whole life.

In a post where I vaguely mentioned that having a growth mindset helped in my schooling this semester, a friend asked me to explain more in depth what I meant by that. So here's what was different for me:

1. I started out the semester with an enthusiasm for learning I hadn't had since my first semester of my freshman year. The growth mindset puts the focus on learning and growing, and I was really excited to approach my classes with that outlook, and just try to learn all I possibly could.

2. I pushed myself harder to do everything, especially the first few weeks. In my first semester here at BYU, I did the readings for maybe a week (if that), and then gave up, and ever since then I've done very few readings for my classes. But with the new approach to the semester I realized I had to try my very best in all aspects of the class, and I had to try reading again. And it worked! ...For a few weeks. As soon as midterms and papers started piling up, I will admit the reading was shoved to the side. And honestly, I think that's okay. Because I was still learning, and yes I wasn't perfect my first time. But I was better than I had been before, and that's what matters.

3. I studied to learn, not to pass a test. This is the biggest one for me, hands down. While there was, of course, a fair amount of cramming before tests, I honestly tried to study just to learn and retain information, and not to check it off a list. I used to be someone who would study to retain the information until after I passed a test, then forget it all and never think about it again. I think it's safe to say this is how a vast majority of people approach schooling, to be honest. But what a difference it made when I was reading and paying attention in class just to learn! I fell back in love with learning. A lot of this difference was made because I was in classes I truly enjoyed, and this was much harder to apply to those I wasn't as naturally drawn to. So obviously I still have things to work on. I had the same love of learning when I studied AP US History in high school, and can still to this day spout of way more random history facts than the average person. And now, after this semester, I can spout of a great deal of Human Development, Living Prophets, and Marriage Prep facts. So ask away my friends!

4. I remained more positive throughout the whole semester. By applying the growth mindset to my life, I was able to be confident and happy independent of hard things happening. My attitude was so much more consistent and stable than it had been in years (maybe I was just finally growing out of some teen hormones or something?) because it didn't fluctuate according to every circumstance in my life. My happiness was something independent of anything else, and that was refreshing. Obviously from my last post I've been sort of off in this regard as of late, and have had a harder time maintaining a positive attitude. Maybe it's time I read Mindset again.

And that's that. Those are the fundamental differences, and I feel like I covered the rest in my elaboration. Any more questions though, ask away! I obviously really enjoy talking about this. Or talking at all. I obviously really enjoy talking.

and with that, she finished her finals.

i'm pretty sure we're not actually supposed to read on reading days.

So far today I've successfully:

-eaten a granola bar
-sliced a banana
-stalked blogs
-caught up on studio c episodes
-ate a bowl of cereal
-organized old pictures and videos on the comp
-cried over a touching video
-commented on some facebook statuses
-charged my phone
-solved a level on flow I've been trying to beat for months
-stayed in bed most of the morning (and part of the afternoon)

So, you know, I'm feeling pretty accomplished.

Reading days are the best.

the bags are packed.

And I'm heading home!

Except, it feels weird. I guess because I'm going home for break and I haven't even finished all my finals yet. I suppose that's what happens when you live half an hour away and can't wait another minute - you decide to move early and drive back down to Provo for those nasty scheduled finals at the end of the week. The good news, however, is that the worst is over. All I have left is an online foods final today, a career explorations final tomorrow, and my clogging final Friday. You may think clogging is going to be the easiest, but I'm actually most nervous about that one. Probably because I haven't practiced and clogging is hard. Okay?!

Anyway. Took my last math test EVER on Monday and it felt liberating. I may not have walked out of there with an A, but at this point I'm happy with what I got. My brain was so extremely done with statistics weeks ago.

In other news, I'm going to be an aunt in approximately a week. Could be sooner, could be later, but STILL. You're probably tired of hearing this from me, but THIS IS A BIG DEAL. So, yeah. Please let me freak out.

I don't really have anything else to say. I suppose I could go study for my foods final. But really? Who does that? Aha. Haha. Ha. Okay fine.

belmont 15.

I love these girls. So so much.

intellect decline

Sometimes, I realize that since I've gotten to college, I've become dumber.

I mean, I'd still consider myself a smart, educated person, overall.

But then I go to write a paper and I write a piece-of-crap kind of paper because I know (for the right classes) I'll still get an A. And back when I was writing papers for Birrell and Woolsey, I knew that would never fly. And I wanted to impress them with my papers, so I would work hard to write good ones.

Also, perhaps I'm just a better spontaneous writer. As in, I can write killer FRQs and DBQs, but when it comes to writing a long paper that I've been assigned for weeks, I hate it. Because I don't like editing and reviewing and changing things. I'll just keep it at that first draft.

And this is seriously the most boring blog post ever, I don't know why I thought you'd be interested in this. But, it's just something I've observed.

So thank you, Birrell and Woolsey, for teaching me how to write. But it seems without you, I'm awful.

I just really need to get out of GE classes.

wanna see something cool?

If you don't think my roommates are the best roommates in the whole world after watching these videos, shame on you.

1. The Paint Swatch Wall

2. Fresh Queens of Belmont 15
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151059477011548

^^Second one here. I make no guarantees that you'll actually be able to watch it.


Needless to say, life is sweet right now. I've got the coolest apartment you ever did see, and I'm working hard after recent epiphany to put my study habits in order and organize my life effectively. It's going pretty well, I'd say. Tonight I don't have any homework to do (gasp!), and I get to spend it gazing at stars (astronomy project [that I'm starting early]) with a cute boy. So, there's that.

welcome to october

I seriously am having trouble believing it's already October. Even more crazy, do you guys know that I'm just about a third of the way done with fall semester?? A THIRD. That's insane, people. I still feel like we've just started. But the truth is, I've already taken 4 midterms and next week I take the second midterms for some classes. And that is just weird.

In other news, my life is really good. Really, really good. I'm enjoying school (for the most part), and sophomore year (despite some challenges) has turned out world better than freshman year.

I'm really happy, people.

In case any of you were wondering:

I can solve a medium level sudoku puzzle in 4 minutes during my stats class, which I think should just give me an automatic A since it's math-related, right? Right. Also, my record from last year is 3 1/2 minutes, I think, but I'm out of practice and slowly working back to that.

I'm still working on my handstand, however. My other roommates have the habit of just chilling in handstand position in the living room, and it's my goal to get there by the end of the year. I'll keep y'all updated.

My roommates and I have decided to work through all the different Halloweentown movies now that October is upon us, and I'm thrilled about it.

Roasted broccoli and carrots are my fallback.

Clogging is seriously so fun. I sincerely wish I had started earlier in my life, because I enjoy it so much. True, some days it kicks my butt and I may have mostly just stared on real confused Friday during class, but the best part is that I know if I practice I'll get it.

So here's to hoping your first day/week of October is just absolutely stellar (speaking of, I've recently been obsessed with drawing/making shirts of galaxies due to my Astronomy class).

Y'all are fantastic.



PS. Speaking of, any fantastic ideas for a Halloween costume? I always seem to procrastinate until the night before. 

appreciate the attractive

Call me conceited, but I don't think this much attractive should be allowed in one apartment.

(more photos to come, these ones awkward)

the audition

Sometimes, it's really healthy for us to do things that scare us out of our wits (I apologize ahead of time if any of this post is a repeat from last post - I don't remember exactly what I said and I'm not going to take the time to look it up).

Friday night, I did something like that and auditioned for Divine Comedy, the comedy sketch troupe at my school. It was absolutely terrifying. I've known for about a year that I wanted to do this, but I swayed back and forth on actually following through for such a long time. The past month has been the worst, as I realized auditions were legitimately approaching and I should probably begin working on my audition. I procrastinated, of course, and ended up writing my audition piece Tuesday, memorizing Thursday, and then performing it Friday.

What a comfort it is to have such incredible friends that never stopped cheering me on to do something they knew I wanted to, and that I was capable of. They came over and watched the piece, gave me feedback, provided much-needed pep talks (special thanks to the fabulous roommates [and more specifically Alyssa, who was pretty much calming me down the entire walk to auditions], and my wonderful sister and mother). I'm not someone who gets nervous very often, especially when it has to do with performing or getting up in front of crowds, so this was really surprising for me. I think the difference about this audition was that, 1) I wanted it so badly, 2) I had written the piece and therefore the responsibility fell on me if it flopped, with no one else to blame, and 3) It was an attempt to be funny, relying on your own wit, which frankly is just plain vulnerable.

Well, my audition actually went really well. I walked into the room (packed full of people, as it was an open-audition format where people could come and watch), and calmed down a lot more when I started watching performances. I was thinking, "Okay, I can do this, I really can." My wonderful sister and brother-in-law came and watched, trusty roommate Alyssa was sitting next to me the whole time, hallmates from last year were dispersed throughout the audience, and my other roommate and friend even interrupted their date to come watch. Of course, as soon as they called my block of numbers to come forward, I started feeling like I was going to throw up again. But, you know, old news.

And then I got up there and the adrenaline hit. And suddenly, people were laughing and I realized I hadn't written such a terrible piece after all. And it was amazing. I remembered why I was auditioning in the first place. I remembered that I love to perform, and that I love to make people laugh. And what a satisfaction it was to succeed in that regard.

Late that night, I received a phone call from DC team member Matt Meese (which, in and of itself, was such a cool moment such I pretty much consider him a celebrity in my book - HILARIOUS) telling me I had made it to callbacks the next morning. After a good measure of screaming, cheering, and dancing with my friends, I went to bed. At 9 the next morning, I was back in the Tanner Building ready to roll.

It's funny, because with a lot of people they might find the callbacks more terrifying than the auditions, but I felt the exact opposite. Remember the almost throwing up thing I had going on before? Well now I just felt calm and excited. We did some improv, then had 20 minutes to write a sketch with a group, and after that 30 minutes to write another, all the time being observed and cheered on by the team.

We had an hour and a half break, then came back to see the posted list of finalists, who would be spending all afternoon learning skits with the team, and preparing for a show that evening.

I didn't make the finalists list, guys. But you know what? I felt absolutely fine about it. I think when I tell people I'm happy and totally okay with it all, they think I'm hiding some deep sorrow. But I can honestly say that I'm not. I did my very best, and I have no regrets. I did something I was afraid of - I conquered a fear! And that is seriously the best reward. Even better, I had such an incredibly fun time doing it.

I've also been trying to figure out exactly what direction I want my life to go this year, and it's helpful to know that this is a good answer - that I can keep doing folk dance (at least this year), and that's where I'm supposed to be

So guys. There were 150 auditions, and 24 of us were called back. And if I ever want to feel even more conceited, I can always remember that there are 30,000 people on campus, and only 24 of us made it as far as I did. And that feels good.

If you want to see my audition video, follow this link! I'm sorry it's such bad quality (filmed on my phone), and it's sideways! I tried to fix it, I really did... But I failed. So if any of you are an expert in that area let me know. And for now you can either turn your head sideways, or flip your laptop.

Again, thanks to all of you - I couldn't have done it without your support!

And kudos to you if you read through this entire post. Much admiration going your way.

the week where i wanted to cry and laugh all at the same time

To say this week has been a roller coaster would be the biggest understatement of the century. Yes, I realize that's a hyperbole and there are probably going to be bigger roller coaster weeks this century, so I'll end up eating my words.

BUT SERIOUSLY.

Lucky for you, my fine readers, you were able to enjoy much of that roller coaster as it happened, with my daily updates ("What? Daily updates! Man, Anna, you must've had way too much time on your hands." The answer to that would be yes, I did.) about how sophomore year had been treating me so far. School itself was weird, since I switched my classes around so many times I don't really know what's going on in half my classes, and oh my gosh let's just say I think the cosmos have it out for me.

Things are good with the roommates... mostly. It's hard because the 5 of us that signed the contract together in February get along REALLY well. We laugh a lot, we keep things (mostly) clean, we have good communication, we're genuinely friends, etc. etc. The 6th roommate (mine) was random, and it seems some communication has been lacking, and because of that this weekend was, uhm... interesting. I don't want to say too much, because obviously this is the internet and it's public. I just hope we can all work things out and I'm praying to feel a lot of love for my roommate, because I really do hope we can all be friends and get past this, uhm... rough patch.

Enough said there.

In better news, while half of this weekend was filled with awful tension, half of it was filled with FUN. Because my roommates and I decided we would hold a game night Saturday night, it seems we've earned a pretty rockin' reputation around here. Whereas most of the week we were college bums (read: I watched about 8 episodes of Ned's Declassified), we pushed ourselves outside of our comfort zone on Saturday and made some good friends. Let me just tell you all, it was so worth it. If there's anything I've learned from college in my small experience both last year and this last week, it's that almost everyone feels the same the first couple weeks. A bit shy, awkward about introducing themselves, wishing there was a cool event going on they could attend, somewhat lonely, etc. The key, I guess, is to just make others feel comfortable, and providing an environment where people can chill and meet new people seems to do wonders for you, and for them.

I also tend to think of myself as the epitome of awkward when it comes to making friends with boys, but I have to tell you - I think most first experiences with these guys in my ward started out with me (and probably them) feeling awkward because it seemed like they weren't really interested in becoming better friends. But you know what? By the second or third time we talked/did something, things were infinitely better. And before you know it there's a guy teaching you all how to crump in your living room (hilarious).

So sophomore year, it seems like you've got a lot to teach me, both through good and bad experiences.

I'm ready!

bipolar

Monday: Don't even look at me this was a terrible first day.
Tuesday: Today was so much better than yesterday!
Wednesday: Excuse me while I have a meltdown on the phone with my sister.
Thursday: I love my life!

here we go

Say hello to Sophomore year's first meltdown.

It's okay. I'm okay.

second day of school

Okay, okay. Sorry that last post was a wee bit dramatic. It was a rough morning, to sum it up. The afternoon was pretty good but it seems that bad mornings tend to sour the rest of my day sometimes, something I should work on.

Last night I decided I needed to just appreciate things more and work on being more positive. Bad circumstances can turn out great if you have a good attitude, right? So last night I prayed that I would be able to not be as affected by my roommates alarm, and you know what?? Prayer is a powerful thing, that's what. I don't remember hearing her alarm this morning, and if I did I must I fallen back asleep mighty quickly (mighty quick?). Thank you, Heavenly Father.

Classes were great today as well. Nothing too thrilling, though this evening I definitely rearranged my schedule a whole bunch. It sounds a lot better and a lot more manageable to me now, so huzzah for that. My 3 dance classes are probably what I'm most excited for - folk dance, intermediate clogging, and beginning ballet. Yay for built in work-outs and fun classes!

As far as my apartment goes, I really do love it. I'm so happy to be rooming with the girls that I am, especially the ones I signed the contract with. Hearing constant singing is something I missed last year and it makes me happy to hear it again. Now I just need to get back in the habit of doing it myself.

So let's have three cheers for a second day of school that was far better than the first! This semester is going to be a party.