Published on: 07 October 2023
Last Updated on: 13 June 2024
Hey there, lifelong learner! Ever stumbled on a task and thought, “I can’t do this”? But then, with some perseverance, found yourself mastering it? That’s the magic of a growth mindset. It’s not about how talented or smart you are; it’s about believing you can improve and grow through effort and experience. Ready to embark on this journey of endless possibilities and self-improvement? Let’s decode the art of fostering a growth mindset and making continuous learning a way of life!
The Tale Of Two Mindsets: Fixed Vs. Growth
At the heart of it, there are two predominant mindsets: fixed and growth. Those with a fixed mindset believe that abilities are static, a hand you’re dealt with and can’t change. On the flip side, those with a growth mindset see abilities as muscles – the more you use and challenge them, the stronger they get. Imagine believing you’re sculpting your brain just like clay, continuously molding and enhancing it!
Challenges Are Opportunities: The Growth Perspective
Do you shy away or take it head-on when faced with a hurdle? Those with a growth mindset view challenges as opportunities to learn. It’s like playing a video game: every challenge overcome is a level-up, adding new skills to your arsenal.
Map Your Growth: Free Tools For Project Management
Maintaining a growth mindset isn’t just about attitude; it’s also about tracking and planning your learning journey. With so many free tools for project management out there, like Trello, Asana, or Bordio, you can set learning goals, map out steps to achieve them, and monitor your progress. Consider these tools as your personal growth GPS, guiding you on your path of continuous improvement.
Feedback Is Gold: The Loop Of Learning
In the world of a growth mindset, feedback isn’t criticism; it’s golden advice. It helps identify areas of improvement and offers insights into how to get better. So, the next time someone offers feedback, picture it as a treasure map, highlighting paths to more excellent knowledge and skill.
The Power Of ‘Yet’: A Small Word With Big Implications
Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I don’t know how to do this”? Try adding a simple word: ‘yet.’ “I don’t know how to do this yet.” This tiny tweak reframes challenges, infusing them with potential and promise.
ALT: The ‘Yet’ Factor: Unleashing the Power of Potential.
Deep Dive: Unpacking The Growth Mindset
Brain Plasticity: The brain isn’t static. It evolves and reorganizes itself based on experiences, reinforcing the idea that we can always learn and grow.
Role Models: Surrounding yourself with individuals who embody a growth mindset can motivate and offer a tangible roadmap to improvement.
Risk-Taking: Venturing outside the comfort zone and taking calculated risks is a hallmark of a growth mindset.
Resilience: This mindset equips individuals to bounce back from failures, viewing them as learning opportunities rather than setbacks.
Curiosity Quotient: A high CQ, or curiosity quotient, often accompanies a growth mindset, driving individuals to seek new knowledge and experiences constantly.
Lifelong Learning: Whether formal or self-driven, continuous education becomes a natural pursuit for those with this mindset.
Adaptability: In an ever-changing world, those with a growth mindset adapt and evolve, making them more prepared for shifts and turns.
Goal Setting: Setting clear, actionable goals is a practice that can help channel the growth mindset into tangible outcomes.
Charting Your Journey Towards A Growth Mindset
Before diving in, consider these strategies:
Celebrate Small Wins: Every milestone, no matter how minor, is a testament to your growth. Celebrate it.
Stay Curious: Foster a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around you.
Seek Mentors: Find individuals who can guide, inspire, and challenge you in your learning journey.
In wrapping up, cultivating a growth mindset is like setting out on an endless adventure, where every challenge is a puzzle, every failure a lesson, and every success a testament to your continuous evolution. Remember, it’s not about where you start but the journey of growth and the endless learning horizons you’re willing to explore. So, gear up, stay curious, and embrace the world of possibilities with open arms!
Ankita Tripathy loves to write about food and the Hallyu Wave in particular. During her free time, she enjoys looking at the sky or reading books while sipping a cup of hot coffee. Her favourite niches are food, music, lifestyle, travel, and Korean Pop music and drama.
Ah, graduation. I still remember that day five years ago when I graduated from college. When I got up on stage to get my graduation certificate from my college principal, most didn’t pay attention. However, my parents and many of my friends did, pointing out to me who my closest supporters are.
Therefore, I decided to throw a house party for all those who cheered. All those who supported me in my journey to where I am now.
However, after my house party was over, I thought to myself - what else could I have done to show my appreciation for my dearest supporters?
Are house parties and dinners the only way to make them feel valuable? Or are there other concoctions that allow me to express my gratitude better?
This is why, after all these years as a writer, I finally got the opportunity to do some research on this topic. However, I was surprised to find out the number of things you can do apart from a simple house party!
Therefore, here are ten great ways for you to show appreciation and gratitude to your closest supporters after graduation!
How To Show Appreciation To Your Supporters After Graduation?
After careful research and starting multiple threads on Quora and Reddit, I found the answers I needed. Therefore, here are ten great ways for you to show appreciation and gratitude to your closest supporters after graduation!
1. Throw a Themed Graduation Celebration
Host a graduation party that mirrors your individuality and passions. A themed party can inject excitement and originality into your festivities, whether it's a Hollywood carpet affair, a lively tropical luau, or a nostalgic homage to your favourite era.
However, remember to send out graduation invitation cards or 8th grade promotion invitations well in advance. Customize your invites to match the theme of the event.
Therefore, decorate the venue accordingly and encourage guests to dress according to the theme. Moreover, organize activities that align with the chosen motif.
2. Organize a Virtual Event
If your loved ones are dispersed across locations or if you wish to include friends and family who can't be present physically in your celebration, consider arranging a virtual graduation event. Utilize video conferencing platforms to bring everyone together and plan engaging activities such as games, sharing memories through slideshows, or raising a toast to make the occasion memorable.
Regarding virtual activities, there’s one that I would have loved to do after graduation - play video games together over Discord. Some online multiplayer/co-op games that come to my mind are Sea of Thieves and Helldivers 2.
3. Embark on an Adventure
Commence your graduation journey by embarking on a trip to a destination you've always dreamt of exploring. Whether you're looking for a peaceful beach getaway, an enriching city exploration, or an exciting nature trek, traveling offers an opportunity to relax and commemorate the completion of your endeavors. Consider organizing the trip with friends or family to make it more special.
One video game that comes to my mind is Sea of Thieves. It’s an amazing game that you can play with your three closest classmates. Here, you can band together with them and go on an epic treasure hunt on your pirate ship! It’s one of the most engaging ways to have fun with your friends - one last adventure before all of you go your separate ways in life!
4. Craft a Graduation Time Capsule
Put together a time capsule filled with keepsakes from your school years. Include items like photos, notes from loved ones and teachers, copies of papers or projects, and other memorabilia that hold value. Seal the capsule. Set a date in the future to open it, allowing yourself to reflect on your growth and accomplishments over time.
This is one of the most interesting ways to celebrate your graduation after spending years together with your friends. I wish I had done this during my graduation, so that I could open it up five years later with my friends and reminisce our college days together!
5. Arrange for a Graduation Photoshoot
Capture the moment with a graduation photoshoot. Choose a location that's meaningful to you, such as your school campus, a park, or a picturesque spot in your city. Dress in your cap and gown. Bring props like your diploma, confetti, or a chalkboard with graduation messages. These photos will become mementos for years to come.
6. Give Back to the Community
Celebrate your graduation by giving back to the community that has been there for you throughout your journey. Coordinate volunteer. Organize fundraising efforts for causes for you.
Not only will this have an impact, but it'll also offer a meaningful opportunity to mark your graduation.
7. Organize a Graduation Brunch or Dinner
Invite your closest circle of friends and family to a celebratory brunch or dinner. Whether you opt for an eatery or cook up a meal at home, take the time to share anecdotes, show appreciation, and revel in each other's company.
Therefore, consider adding a graduation toast or speech to recognize the support and motivation you've received.
8. Reflect and Plan for the Future
Set aside some moments to ponder your achievements and set objectives for what lies. Therefore, pen down a letter addressed to yourself outlining your ambitions, aspirations, and the valuable insights gained along the way.
Moreover, this practice can serve as a gesture towards acknowledging your journey and keeping yourself driven as you progress.
9. Craft a Graduation Memory Book
Capture the essence of your graduation experience by compiling a scrapbook brimming with photographs, notes, and keepsakes from your school days. Include graduation announcements and event programs as personal reflections.
This creative endeavor can help immortalize memories while serving as a testament to your accomplishments.
10. Indulge in Some Relaxing Time
At times, the perfect way to celebrate is by unwinding and dedicating a day to yourself.
Therefore, indulge in a spa day and binge-watch movies. Enjoy your hobby. Take this opportunity to relax and relish in the joy of your deserved achievements.
Conclusion
Marking your graduation is a significant moment that can be personalized to showcase your individuality and path. Whether you opt for a celebration, a moment of solitude, or an adventurous escapade, what truly matters is acknowledging your successes. Embracing the promising future ahead. Cheers to you, graduate!
Additional Reading:
What Is STEM Education?
Where Can You Find Graduation Invitation Templates?
Transforming Education: The Impact Of Online Assessments And Learning Solution
The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic required big changes to the way we live our lives. From going to work to send our children to school, our daily lives changed overnight.
One of the biggest changes was the disruption of the typical learning experience for children around the world. Instead of attending on-site classes every day, billions of students found themselves instead amid a rapidly changing online learning environment.
And while this has been a process with its ups and downs, the impact of this period of transition and change on the future of learning is poised to be a positive one overall.
What do you think about online learning? This blog will look at the ways in which responding to the pandemic has improved the e-learning experience and changed the way we think about education.
Why Did The Pandemic Change Education?
Much attention has been paid to the way that COVID-19 affected the business landscape, with record numbers of employees working from home all around the world. The impact the pandemic has had upon the field of education has been a bit less discussed by many, but the long-term effects are even more pronounced.
The beginning of 2020 heralded the start of the COVID-19 pandemic for much of the world. This is perhaps especially true in the western world, with many people experiencing a seemingly sudden shift in their daily lives.
It was no longer safe to meet in person, for example, and appropriate safety measures were still uncertain in the early days of the world event. This led to partial or full lockdowns around the world, with people no longer able to attend school in person. Instead, the focus shifted to online education.
Online learning was not a new concept prior to the pandemic, but it was not a daily part of most people’s lives. That changed quickly, with children and adults alike relying on technology to keep them connected and maintain their coursework. And, because online learning was still a relatively underutilized tool in the pre-pandemic world, the shift from in-person to online instruction was jarring for many.
Today, years after the start of the pandemic, education both online and in-person has settled into a type of ‘new normal’. Let’s look at some of the ways in which this new reality is different from before.
Access To Education
Online learning is both a boon and a challenge for access to education. On one hand, the rise of technology-based learning makes it easier than ever to find the right class for almost any topic under the sun. More specifically, it is now easier than ever to find classes that fit in with your schedule.
Do you prefer to study at night? There is likely a class for you. Perhaps early morning courses better fit with your busy workload? That is probably an option too. Technology-based learning makes it easy to learn on the go as long as you have access to a compatible device.
The caveat, of course, is that you must have access to a compatible device to participate in online learning. And while many people have something that will work, be it a smartphone, an old tablet, or a computer, not everyone does.
This has led to the way we view education shifting in an unexpected way. Instead of looking at notebooks and pens as back-to-school essentials, many schools are instead looking at ways to make online
Versatile Learning Experiences
There is no ‘one size fits all’ teaching style that works for everyone. Some people do better with visual learning methods, for example, while others prefer to read from a book and take plenty of notes to study outside of class.
Just as with access to education, internet learning can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to personalized learning, however, it can be more productive when technology is wielded smartly.
Instead of sticking to one type of multimedia when conducting an online learning-based lesson, instructors who make it a point to include different types of engagement opportunities in their classes create diverse learning opportunities for their students.
Short lectures paired with group discussions, videos, and pop-up quizzes, for example, can appeal to a variety of learners without overwhelming any of them. Online learning can make this kind of blend easier than ever, allowing teachers to really reach students of different learning levels.
Enhanced Remote Learning
The rise of internet-based learning during the height of the pandemic has also made it easier to create ‘enhancements’ to more traditional in-person learning. Instead of requiring students to take handwritten notes or do their own outside research if they want more information about the topic in question, the increased use of online learning makes it easier to share a wealth of resources with students.
From additional text to videos and other media files, students can now easily access more factually accurate resources than ever before with the click of a button. Teachers can use this connectivity to curate a collection of assets designed to reinforce in-person lessons.
In fact, online learning can truly revolutionize education for good. Technology can support classroom learning even outside of the classroom, be it digital or physical. As online learning became the norm in 2020, students and teachers alike were forced to redefine what ‘engagement’ means in the pandemic era.
This resulted in an explosion of creativity, with students not only finding new ways to express themselves but also excelling at creative exam structures.
Technology serves not solely to disrupt ‘normal’ education, in other words, but rather as an addition to a modern learning experience that places more emphasis on students rather than teachers.
The Rise Of Hybrid Education
As the pandemic raged across the globe, in-person interaction of any kind became hotly debated. This led to the all-online learning approach.
There was no choice but to interact solely digitally for many people, in other words, which did not afford students and teachers much flexibility to craft classrooms that work for everyone – both the in-person learners and those who appreciate online options.
Today, as the pandemic slowly grows more manageable and vaccines are available which makes in-person interaction safer, the same urgency is not present.
Teachers are more able to experiment with their online and in-person classes to create a hybrid approach that combines the benefits of technology-enhanced education with the advantages of fostering direct communication and collaboration among students both online and off.
The future is bound to strike a balance between online learning and traditional classroom structure which makes it easy to utilize the internet and technology’s potential without forcing everyone to take part in virtual-only lessons, which are less-than-ideal for many people.
Perhaps more interestingly, however, is that hybrid education which features AI and data technology presents the opportunity to monitor students' learning trends and outcomes in real-time, making it easier to identify potential problem areas along with learning strengths and weaknesses.
This information can then be used, sometimes to create tailored learning experiences, sometimes autonomously using software, so that students have the best chance possible to thrive.
While not all the above has been fully realized and implemented, the COVID-19 pandemic took education to a place where online learning and the benefits it presents can be included in an everyday learning environment. This change is a permanent one, and although the extent to which it alters student life moving forward will be determined by individual school systems, education is poised to benefit greatly from the shift to technology-enhanced learning.
Tips To Get The Most Out Of Online Learning
Online learning is here to stay, but that does not mean that it is an easy process for everyone. In fact, even students who otherwise enjoy learning can find it difficult to focus in online classes. Without effective engagement strategies to maintain interest, it is easy to fall behind.
Let’s look at some tips to make online classes a successful experience!
1. Recognize your online course as a ‘real’ class
Some students view online learning as a break from ‘real’ learning – their in-person work. This is a mistake, however, as taking such a dim view of the class in question can result in students who are focused more on getting through an inconvenient appointment than sitting down and learning from their instructor.
Online classes require having enough self-discipline to schedule time out of every day to sit down and pay attention to the class. Whether the course is focused on real-time learning or features recorded lessons students can work through on their own time, it is critical to view online learning as having the same importance as more traditional classes.
One way to take online courses more seriously is to treat the class just like you would an in-person course. Create a schedule for yourself, get up on time, get dressed, and make a big deal out of settling down in front of your computer.
When you are dressed for success and create the mental expectation of something out of the ordinary happening (rather than just lounging on your bed, listening to the lesson while flipping through Facebook), you are setting yourself up for success.
2. Create a study space
This goes hand-in-hand with the point above. In addition to setting a specific time each day to sit down for your course, create a study space to utilize. This should be an area separate from your bed or couch which you set up as you would a classroom.
Collect your school supplies, stock the space with healthy snacks, and consider taking your backpack with you when you head to the space to get started. Whether this is a place on the floor of your living room or a private home office room, create a study space that is consistent. While you can change venues if you find one area too distracting, of course, part of the effectiveness of this tip is the structure it provides.
While it might be tempting to wake up late and haphazardly roll over and start your course while still in bed, doing this is setting yourself up to fail.
3. Be active
Whether your class has real-time discussions or instead features community forums where you interact with your fellow students, take an active part in the conversation! Interact with other students as well as your instructor, as needed and possible, to associate the class with people rather than a computer screen. This makes it easier for some students to focus during the class itself.
What The Pandemic Did Not Change
The role of teachers in education is more important than ever. This might seem somewhat counterintuitive – after all, if technology is doing the ‘heavy lifting, are teachers truly that critical to the process? The answer, of course, is a resounding yes.
As technology plays an increased role in online learning, instructors who understand not only their area of expertise but also the technology in question are vital to an experience conducive to learning.
With that in mind, choosing quality institutions with instructors well-versed with e-learning is critical to success.
This is true not only for students in grade school but also for those who are looking into higher education. It is perhaps especially important with higher education, in fact, as the courses can be quite detailed and complex as you progress towards your degree.
Note that even courses that have traditionally required primarily in-person education can be accessed online through accredited universities. Picking an online nursing program, for example, is an increasingly easy decision to make.
Elmhurst University is a trusted leader in the industry with all the resources necessary to craft a truly incredible online learning experience, especially for those seeking a brand new challenge as their aforementioned nursing course is tailor-made for those yet to study it before.
What do you think about online learning? COVID-19 has made the process more common than ever before, and while there are still challenges to work through, the impact this will have on education in the future could prove to be incredibly beneficial.
Additionals:
How to Get Great Masks during COVID-19Part-Time Job To Consider In Singapore During Covid-195 Ways Marketing Strategies Will Change Post COVID-19Commercial Construction After COVID-19: How Developers Can Adapt
Many counseling degree programs give their enrolled students a broad educational background, offering courses that teach them a variety of ways to administer therapy to people who need help. If you want to become a counselor, it is important to acquire this wide scope of training for maximum career versatility.
However, when you make the decision that counseling is the right career path for you, it is also wise to choose your counselings specialization as soon as you can. This will allow you to tailor your education to your career goals as closely as possible given the requirements of your degree program.
The following counselling specialisations are possible in Australia:
1. School Counsellor :
School counsellors can help students deal with problem behaviors such as bullying. Helpful electives for this specialisation could include courses like Educational Sociology; Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Multi-Problem Adolescents; Child Parent Relationship Training; Impacts of Autism Spectrum Disorder; and Supporting Students With Disabilities. Such specialised courses might not already be a part of the required foundation courses for the counselling degree program you're enrolled in.
2. Career Counsellor :
Career counsellors often administer group session to job seekers. They also frequently give tailor-made advice helping individual job seekers understand the various options that are open to them. They also recommend specific actions their clients can take to achieve their career development goals.
If you're considering a specialisation in career counselling, you may wish to select electives such as Employment Law Fundamentals and Managing Technology in Career Services.
3. Substance Abuse Counsellor :
Substance abuse counsellors find ways of helping their clients detoxify from alcohol or drugs; then they attempt to help them permanently beat their unwanted addictions.
If you want to pursue a career as a substance abuse counsellor, a few electives that could prove helpful include Psychopharmacology Fundamentals, Relapse Prevention Strategies, Art Therapy in Addiction Treatment, Twelve Step Fundamentals and Engaging Families of Youth in Substance Use Disorder Treatment.
4. Family and Marriage Counsellor :
When couples experience marital difficulties, they often choose to work with a family and marriage counsellor instead of seeking the divorce. In many cases, an experienced counsellor can help them find reconciliation. Working With Neurodiverse Couples is an example of an elective course that could be helpful to an aspiring family and marriage counsellor.
5. Grief Counsellor :
Grief is an emotion that often follows the significant loss. The death of a loved one or loss of a job can trigger intense grief. A grief counsellor's job is to comfort clients and then help them find productive ways of coping with the grief. A successful grief counsellor is able to help clients find solace in acceptance of the loss, although it may take quite some time for each client to reach this stage.
An example of a useful elective for aspiring grief counsellors is Bereavement and Art Therapy.
In Australia, you have several options if you want to prepare for a career in any of these counselling specialisations. You can complete either a bachelor's degree or a diploma of counselling. Some counsellors also earn a master's degree.
Demand for counsellors is growing in Australia, the USA and many other countries around the world. Since this is a career path that requires empathy and human-to-human connections, it is not likely that robots will be able to complete the most important tasks counsellors perform in the foreseeable future. Therefore the employment outlook for counsellors in all of these specialisations is outstanding. It is an excellent time to seek training to become a counsellor.
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