Growth Mindset

When I was in 4^th grade, my math teacher had implied that I was stupid for I can’t solve “easy” arithmetic problems in my head. It made me cry, and from that day I swore to myself that math was an enemy. I continued to believe that I was weak in math and there is nothing I can do to alter that. I resigned to believing that I cannot improve in math. I copied my friends’ answers in our assignments and cheated on my math tests in college. Until I moved here in the US. I didn’t know anybody, and I'm not very good at making friends. I took the placement test in math in LMC, and I was embarrassed for scoring 20% in math. I decided to start anew, so I enrolled in Math 12 (Pre-algebra). I was surprised that I got an A in the first quiz. For the first time I saw a progress in my math abilities, so I embraced it. I enrolled in Algebra and Statistics. My professor, Mr. Diwa Ramos, wrote notes like “Excellent!”, “Well documented. Keep up the good work!” on my lab assignments which motivated and encouraged me to do my absolute best.

This experience makes me believe that I am in the growth-mindset spectrum. After watching the presentation of Carol Dweck about the Growth Mindset Theory and the Power of Yet, I realize that I have so much room for improvement, and that my mindset differs in situations. I excel in school because my professors are helpful and encouraging. I am yet to reconnect with my friends who I left in the Philippines and have not talked with although social media applications had made communication accessible. There are innumerable circumstances that I have pinned in the “yet” board of my life, so I will start with myself and hopefully, work rapidly on others.