Building a Growth Mindset: its meaning and relevance during the college application process
In her viral 2013 TED talk, psychologist Angela Lee Duckworth discusses the concept of "grit” defining it as “passion and perseverance for very long-term goals… sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality.”
She emphasizes the importance of adolescents developing grit and further explains that one of the best ways to develop grit in adolescents is through a method coined "growth mindset," originally developed by Carol Dweck at Stanford University. Through a growth mindset, adolescents learn how their brain functions and that their ability to learn is not fixed. Importantly, it teaches that failure is not a permanent state but a challenge that everyone encounters and can learn and grow from. Dweck notes that when adolescents embrace a growth mindset, they learn to persist through challenges, learn from criticism, and feel inspired rather than threatened by the success of others.?
So how can parents help their adolescent children develop a growth mindset? This is especially relevant during the turbulent period of college applications and admissions, where adolescents often face immense pressure and self-doubt.
Here are some strategies:
Normalize Stories of Mistakes and Perseverance
We’ve all had moments in our lives that didn’t go as planned. Instead of teaching adolescents to be ashamed and afraid of making mistakes, encourage them to be open about learning from their mistakes when they inevitably occur. One effective way is by sharing your own stories of perseverance, even emphasizing gratitude towards certain mistakes you made that allowed you to grow profoundly after the fact.
Emphasize Small Successes in Adolescents' Routines
If your child is struggling with self-confidence due to the relentless comparisons during college applications, remind them that their best achievements are based on their own strengths and goals, not on those of others. Celebrating small successes can help build a sense of accomplishment and reinforce the value of consistent effort.
Encourage Realistic Goal and Expectation Setting
Ensure your child has a realistic understanding of the college application process and its difficulties. By setting achievable goals and managing expectations, adolescents can better handle setbacks and stay motivated to improve.
Encourage a Broader View of Success
If your child doesn’t get into their dream school, this does not mean that life is over! Wherever your child ends up, if they put in effort and enthusiasm, they can find pathways to personal and professional success. Help them to understand that success can be defined in many ways and is not limited to attending a specific institution.
Provide Support
Be aware of signs of mental distress if your children are anxious about the college application process, and offer support—both personal and, if needed, professional. It’s crucial to ensure they feel supported and understood during this challenging time.
By fostering a growth mindset, parents can help their adolescents build resilience, improve their academic performance, and develop a healthier approach to challenges. This mindset not only benefits them during the college application process but also sets the foundation for lifelong learning.
Written by Angela, BIC’s College Coaching Assistant Director
Originally from Philadelphia, Angela graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and holds a Master's Degree from Columbia University. She has 10 years of experience working within international education.