Growth Mindset: Re-do's

“Try Everything” by Shakira from Disney’s “Zootopia”

It seems appropriate to appreciate this Growth Mindset inspired song what with the streaming service “Disney +” having just recently been released as well as this concept that started this class this semester coming to a close. This song is not only catchy, but the message is something I have only just now internalized in a new way after being introduced to Carol Dweck who started the craze. For kids hearing this song at such a vital time in their life, this song could be future changing. By encouraging someone that they can choose their battles and not let their initial setbacks scare them into abandoning ship. I was the poster child of the kid who never chose to try new things. Ice-skating, cheerleading, piano, art lessons, dance—these are just a few activities I never attempted thanks to intimidation. During that fanciful and free time of life when time is abundant and responsibilities absent, this could have been the time for me to find my calling. Instead, I still enjoyed those formative years in other ways conducive to how I turned out today but I still think it could have been constructive had I taken a chance on even one of those listed. These days, this young version of me still has me sit on the side-lines when it comes to many things. However, even in little ways I’m leaning toward considering spending time on my short and sweet bucket list. Some of these include getting back into baking or taking a pottery class again since it stirred such an interest the first time I took it. Trying everything means new things as the tides turn and happiness and fulfillment in putting time and effort into things which contribute to these takes on new forms. I think foremost is this underlying presence of an attitude that is more calm and collected about not forcing yourself into self-fulfilling failure since some things inherently take more tries but at the same time indeed forcing yourself to circle back to square one when you do have to give yourself grace and do something a second or third or fourth time.

(Image Source: Pixabay Stock Photos)

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Learning Challenge: Sleep Study

“What Would Happen If You Didn’t Sleep?” by Ted Talk Speaker

I have been waiting to watch this four minute video for this precise week: week 15, most appropriately is referred to as “dead week.” This week before finals it is all too real for my fellow students (myself included) to be unsafely sleep deprived. Or to add insult to injury, sleepless but bugged out on sugary caffeinated soft drinks and Starbucks coffees. This video put into perspective just the result of such activities on one’s health. We learn about Randy Garner, a 1965 High School student who in order to do a study he stayed awake for a whopping 11 days—264 hours. The results were extreme to say the least. The hallucinations by the final day of his experiment are explained by his growing his lack of coordination and concentration. A tired brain unable to process physical stimuli seems the environment one would expect for one to become out of touch with reality, paranoid, and unable to remember short-term. It was said that he didn’t endure long-term effects, but goes on to explain that it can be cause for more prominent and prolonged side effects like hormonal imbalances just to name one. It even said that death could come from such serious cases of insomnia! Some of this taught me nothing more than I already had a hunch about or learned about in school (the science of sleep, that is), but it is a good reminder that shut eye is so necessary.

I myself have been up for a total of 4 days several years ago and can say that it was definitely a terrible experience. It started after I experienced my first full-fledged panic attack. What I recall about the incident is trying so many quick-fix methods to force myself into slumber that simply didn’t work, whether teas or medicines or exercising to the point of exhaustion. Physically, I can’t forget the unfamiliar and scary feeling of losing the ability to discern my surroundings through sensory signals. Most prominently probably is how my distorted my sense of touch was that somehow I couldn’t make sense of the tactile stimulants around me from one another. It shot me into this realm of feeling outside of my body, almost detached. This, along with my body naturally having an increased heart-rate from my lack of rest made the anxiety that threw me into this sleepless episode only worse. I can’t remember how or why this period ever ended or I would share the secret, but I hope that in the next week or so I don’t relive this!

(Image Source: Pixabay Stock Photos)

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Famous Last Words: Almost Done

These last couple of weeks have been challenging. I can’t believe that the end of the semester is so close, I feel like it’s been such a short time since it started. Since about the end of October, every day seems to have melted into each other and I’m not sure which way is up and which is down at this point. I’ve made such slow progress on my Storybook project after my “full steam ahead” attitude not long ago and am not sure if I even have the time in the next couple nights to do a story about Draupadi.  Since my project focuses on “twins,” I had the intention of doing two chapters featuring female characters with opposite gendered “other halves” as they make for a good comparing/contrasting pair. However, I have SO FEW points left to earn since I have done so many Extra Credit assignments it really just will take a few of these to earn my “A.” As such, since I am graduating and since the likelihood I can keep my website up and running in the months afterward are slim—I think this is what I will do. At this point, my remaining finals and post-graduation job hunting has taken full priority. Luckily this class is just that flexible that I can still earn an “A” this way.

In other news, I have a new tortoiseshell kitten. She was a stray that a family friend found her on Halloween, and we were chosen to take her in after they began asking coworkers and friends to give her a “forever home.” She is curious and spunky in comparison to my carefree and calm cat, so she’s been a welcome addition! Otherwise, outside of this class all is as usual- just trying to stay afloat until freedom when I complete college and can tie a bow on this chapter! I’m gearing up for the career-level job application and interview process ahead. This is making my motivation and focus fluctuate, but someday I imagine these days will just be like a dream forgotten! I do want to enjoy these days while they last, but I also want to make them worth it! So every bit of free time and wiggle room I can make I am taking full advantage of.

(Image Source: Pixabay Stock Photos)

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Reading Notes: 17 Fascinating Women from the Mahabharata (B)

“17 Fascinating Women from The Mahabharata” by Sharath Komarraju

Since I bought the book, I figured I might as well do my last “Reading Notes” with final thoughts about my reading in a more general way. A sort of parting thoughts about how this book ties up some of the major characters which I have gotten to know over the course of this semester. I have to say, some of the themes of womanhood, feminism, family, and other related commonalities which seem so unapparent at first really are fairly significant with a critical eye. For example, these final chapters—after the ones which focused on the woman most “center stage” in the Mahabharata—also are incredibly interesting to read about. The way this author has emphasized their qualities individually and communally. In Part B,  out of Ghandari, Amba, Subhadra, Ulupi and Chitrangada, Uttara, and Renuka I think it’s just the last three or four whose names escaped me. That being said, most interesting was tying the authors facts, figures, and theories of Ghandari, Amba, and Subhadra. With Ghandari particularly I liked how he tied her emotional states to that of other women’s—emphasizing this maternal, feminine bond with women so different in circumstance and importance. Furthermore, the interpretation on certain women’s upbringing as far as education was concerned was another vital takeaway which made me think back to the men whose skills and knowledge set them apart. Given their educational journeys being so noticeable a feature of the epic, it’s interesting to contrast and compare that of women like those in these chapters. I see how their wisdom and guidance in some ways, like those in former chapters, set the stage for various series’ of events that occurred. They seem to have great power in using their unique gifts for love, war, or otherwise. How these overlap with moments where they seek vengeance for loved ones slighted or slain—like Subhadra for example—really emphasized for me how savage women are with particular causes. Many of them likely to do with emotional or traumatic scenes, like children or husbands’ deaths.

Bibliography:
Author: Sharath Komarraju
Title: "17 Fascinating Women from The Mahabharata"
Source: Kindle

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

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Reading Notes: 17 Fascinating Women from The Mahabharata (B)

“17 Fascinating Women from The Mahabharata” by Sharath Komarraju

Something I didn’t expect from this reading was to realize how male-centric the Mahabharata is. This makes me think my natural instinct to write from the perspective of women characters about women characters and particularly their relationship to their male counterparts subconsciously came to this conclusion before this reading made it clear. What I noticed about the women whose chapters were selected for this book (Draupadi, Kunti, Ganga, Satyavati) is that their stories are related in many ways, whether that be in their childhoods, the critical incidents where they were involved in the epic, or similarities in their relationships. So while this reading is more of a summary or annotation of the Mahabharata, it also made some claims and pointed out some characteristics that differ between alternate renditions of the epic which were new to me. For example, most important for my own project is a part in Draupadi’s section that states that in the original text, the scene in which she is forcibly disrobed and her sari magically duplicates until it wore out her abuser was actually on account of her “own inner good that protects her from all harm.” In speaking about different interpretations taken by alternative authors, he uses language like “if we accept this more realistic ending…” which highlights for me that in reading a certain text does not mean it should necessarily be taken at face value. This separating fiction or myth from (more likely) fact with such a lens is something that I think would prove useful when I go to probe for meaning in the PDE which I had access to. These decisions on which “side” to take seem imperative for how a character is subsequently perceived by the reader. In the same way Komarraju made me rethink the significance of Draupadi, Kunti, Ganga, and Satyavati- I think it’s important to notice how my own rewriting might impact their image or reputation.

Bibliography:
Author: Sharath Komarraju
Title: "17 Fascinating Women from The Mahabharata"
Source: Kindle

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

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Extra Credit Reading: Mahabharata, Part F

Mahabharata, by Epified on YouTube

- Duryodhan tried to disrobe Draupadi, which shocked and horrified the onlookers who covered their eyes as he started to pull on her garment. But because she chanted for Krishna’s help, the garment just kept coming and the fabric compiled into a stack that could make a hundred saris. Bhishm vowed to kill Duryodhan and avenge the humiliation that his wife suffered, and he smirked and laughed at this statement and ordered Draupadi to sit on his lap—a sight that angered the Pandava’s and made the swear that they would kill the Kauravas. Arjun pledged to kill Karn and Sahdev, Shakuni. Dhristhirastra tried to assuage the disagreement by asking Draupadi that he would grant her three wishes. She only wanted two things: Yudhisthir’s freedom and the Pandavas freedom and their kingdom.
- After the Pandava’s are released and return to Indraprasth with revenge on their minds, meanwhile at Hastinapur the Karuravas were plotting a second scheme through another game of gambling. The Pandavas were aware of the consequences should they lose this game of dice—twelve years of exile, plus one in hiding, yet the agreed yet again and lost as expected. They surrendered their kingdom in Indraprasth and headed for the forest, knowing that retaliation was 13 years away. Some Hastinapur’s tried to convince them to stay, while others said they’d rather suffer alongside them than remain under the rule of Duryodhan. Yudhisthir, knowing he wouldn’t be able to look after their welfare, sent them back to look after Kunti. Krishna visited the Pandavas and urged them to fight back to win back what belonged to them but was met with disagreement and was told that “anger and revenge did not fit his divine nature.” He was then talked down by Yudhisthir, who he pledged to support when the time came. Early on in their exile, they were faced with a rakshas (demon) named Kimira, whose brother Bakasur was killed by Bhim only months before. In the battle, the brothers combined their strengths to overcome the demon and decided that together this event showed that together they could defeat any opponent no matter how powerful. This lent them the confidence that the Kauravas would be no match against their powers. This thought was a glimmer of hope for them.
- While in the forest, they were not used to living like ascetics after always living on amble means, and sharing sparse resources led to some tension sometimes. They always accepted sages and saints who came to their hut. Once, the sage Ved Vyasa visited and told them about the virtues warriors should have and told Arjun would have to have access to the celestial weapons of Indra and Shiva. Arjun performed austerities in the Himalayan Mountains, where he was attacked by a wild boar. He brought him down with arrows, while another hunter did the same. This hunter was Shiva in human form. Arjun shattered the hunter’s crown while in a physical altercation. He was gifted the Pasupata weapon afterward. Before he left, he told him to pray to his father, Indra, for his respect. At his obedience, other Gods visited him, including Varuna, Yamraj, and Kuber. Varuna gifted him his noose (sieze demons and enemies in the past), Yamraj his mace, and then the Antardhan Astra (puts the enemy to sleep.) He was struck with wonder and gifted them sweets and flowers. From the clouds, a majestic chariot carried by a thousand horses came from the sky. The charioteer invited him to heaven, and said his father invited him to Indralok. On his way, he saw a streak of light, stars, celestial beings, rishis and apsaras in the clouds. At Indralok, he saw Indra’s elephant Airavat at the entrance. Here he was trained to use the thunder bolt and of his other weapons. After a bout of homesickness, Arjun decided to go back to his brothers.
- Arjun is cursed by Urvashi for rejecting her proposal for marriage, and his brothers travel to try to gain the grace of the Gods while he is still in Indralok. They reached a valley in the Himalyas, which while there they encountered a strong wind which carried fragrant flower petals. Draupadi was enchanted by the unearthy smells of the flowers, and she demanded he bring her more. He traced the path following the scent, making himself lost in the forest where he found a conch shell which he blew. He was met with a massive monkey who claimed he was Vayu and Kunti’s child. He found that this monkey was more powerful than him as he couldn’t even lift his tail, so he begged his forgiveness for his behavior and the monkey revealed his true form and told him he was Hanuman. At this point he granted him a boon which would aid him in his and his brothers fight with the Kaurava before they went separate ways.

Bibliography:
Author: Epified
Title: Epified: Mahabharata, Part F (Playlist)
Source: YouTube

(Image Source: Screenshot by me of episode 45, YouTube)

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Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Part E

Mahabharata, by Epified on Youtube

- Though Balram was insulted at first about Subhadra and Arjun, he eventually approved of the alliance. Draupadi was not pleased that Arjun had married another woman, as was expected. To try to ease her feelings, Arjun made Subhadra a maid for her and it was said she was “moved by her simplicity,” and had even come to like her and consented to their marriage. Many people attended the ceremony.
- Not long after, Subhadra announced her pregnancy. They would name him Abhimanyu. When Arjun narrated to her of his stories and skills of war, little did the couple know that even while the pregnant woman was unconscious, the baby had received all of the knowledge that Arjun had shared with his wife. This was the start to unborn Abhimanyu’s life as a great warrior. Though, his fate had been decided since his father had failed to finish his thoughts when his pregnant mother had fallen asleep while he spoke.
- Yudhisthir was hesitant to perform the yagya he was suggested to have because he was concerned that his city might suffer the consequences of an unexpected revolt. When he learned of Krishna’s fear of Jarasandh’s power, he thought certainly that the Pandava’s certainly couldn’t be competent enough defeat him. However, he insisted that with the skills of 3 of his brothers combined would  be enough to take him. So Yudhishthir, Arjun, Bhim, and Krishna went to Magadh as brahmins where they challenged Jarasandh to fight where he was split in two and cleared the path for the Rajasuya Yagya. Yudhishtir was made the emperor.
- At Yudhishthir’s coronation, Shishupal objected to the honor granted to Krishna and disgraced the Pandava’s and Krishna. Krishna used his Sudarshan chakra to behead him and the event was resumed. As the city celebrated their new king, with the chariot carrying Yudhishthir to the Ganga, Duryodhan became even more spiteful and envious. While at the court, Duryodhan mistook a crystal floor for a pool of water and when he went to cross it he was embarrassed. When he saw a pool filled with lotuses, he was convinced that this too was an illusion and as a result fell in. Duryodhan was humiliated in front of everyone, including Draupadi who laughed out loud at him and added insult to injury. While most were making fun of him as he stormed out, Yudhishthir tried to stop him but it did nothing to mitigate his hate for his cousins.
- Shakuni, Duryodhan’s uncle, warned Duryodhan that even the strongest forces could not overcome the Pandavas in battle and thus it would be foolish for him to fight them as victory would surely be on their side. Thus, Shakuni hatched a plan to use Yudhishthir’s interest in dice to use his skills to take away their kingdom through not war but a game, which would prove deadlier than the sword. Dhritarashtra was made known of the plan and sent Vidur to Indraprasth to invite the Pandavas. Yudhishthir was a kshatriya, thus was bound to accept any challenge related to gambling and fighting, so despite the warning of deceit by the Karuvas brought by Vidur he accepted.
- Though Yudhisthir spoke against Duryodhan’s using Shakuni as a substitute for rolling the dice, as it went against the terms of the game, but conceded when he called him a coward and the came commenced. The Pandava’s lost their pearls, wealth, chariot, army and horses, and his kingdom to the Karuvas. After losing all his wealth and possessions, Yudhisthir was left with nothing else to wager. Until finally, to everyone’s shock he wagered his brother Nakul who was a powerful warrior and one of Yudhisthir’s prized possessions. Next was Sahadev. Even still, he was desperate to continue though he suspected foul play. Then Arjun and Bhim were lost despite those who told the Pandav to surrender. Yudhisthir even lost himself to Shakuni.
- Shakuni told Yudhisthir he could win himself back from their slavery by staking Draupadi, which against his better judgement succeeded to this suggestion but lost her as well in this final defeat. Vidur when told to fetch the woman refused and warned the Karuvas of the devastating consequences of the events that unfolded, but this fell upon deaf ears and he sent a guard in his place. She refused to go with him, but when he went back a second time he didn’t take no for an answer and dragged her out of her chamber to the assembly hall by her hair. Witnesses to the event were shocked and shaken to see what occurred, with her clothes torn, crying out for help, and hair disheveled while she tried to defend herself. After seeing the helpless faces of her husbands, she pleaded with the elders for help but none came to her rescue. Dhritirashtra and Bhishma could do nothing. “The ideals of morality and virtue had lost their meaning.”
- Draupadi was pointed at, mocked, and called names in the court by the Karuvas and she raged… “her words fell like fire” and on the floor she closed her eyes and prayed to Krishna for protection.  

Bibliography:
Author: Epified
Title: Epified: Mahabharata, Part E (Playlist)
Source: YouTube

(Image Source: Screenshot by me of Episode 44, YouTube) 

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Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Part D

Mahabharata, by Epified on Youtube

- Drupadi grows up to be a beautiful princess, and her father plans a swayamvar for her in Panchaal. Many princes of nearby kingdoms attended the contest, including Duryodhan and other Kauravas, as well as the Pandavas disguised as brahmins. The challenge was to shoot an arrow at a fish’s eye as it swam in a bowl of oil. All but Arjun could lift the divine bow, a surprise to all after all the other Kshatriya had failed, and he effortlessly completed the task.
- The events at Draupadi’s swayamvar was more than a simple ceremony, it was a turning point in the Mahabharata: “a point in time where paths of destiny converged and seeds of future devastation were sown.” Karna, King of Anga, was insulted by the princess who spoke that a “soot-putra” had no business in participating in the presence of kings and that he could not be worthy of her even with his archery skills. Little did she know of the future of war ahead after she said these unkind words. Krishna and Balram happened to be in the hall, not to take part but to observe. Krisha, in his all-seeing eyes saw “all that had happened, all that was happening, and all that was about to happen.” He was happy that Draupadi had received Arjuna as her husband.
- On their way home, the five Pandava brothers had to fight off hostile local princes. At their mother Kunti’s orders, the brothers were told to “share” Arjuna’s wife so as not to create strife among them. Yudhishtir, Bhim, Nakul, and Sahadev were hesitant because it seemed wrong since Arjuna was the one who won her hand in marriage. A sage who happened by their home told the family of Draupadi’s former life in which she had prayed for a spouse with five virtues, and thus he said having so many husbands was her destiny so the brothers agreed. Dhrishtadyumna, Draupadi’s brother, spilled the beans on his sister to their father who weren’t fans.
- The Kauravas tried to kill the Pandavas by burning down the palace (allegedly made of wax) that they had taken for shelter, but they exit safely and settle instead in Ekachakra as wandering brahmins. After word was spread about the multiple marriage of Draupadi and the Pandava’s, the Kauravas were angry and jealous. Draupad called Karna and the Kaurava’s, Bhishma, who said that they should divide their kingdom with the family. Drona, who was also part of the Kaurava council, sent Vidur for the brothers to Hastinapur as they were currently under the protection of the Panchaal king. The brothers agreed and were welcomed with open arms; they crowned Yudhishthir and were given the kingdom of Khandavaprasth. He agreed to move away from his cousins in Hastinapur to this wasteland cursed by Indra to prevent problems with his cousins that would result in war. This place was inhabited by asurs, rakhashas, and nagas.
- Krishna invited Vishvakarma, a divine architect,  to help the brothers build up the barren kingdom they inherited. During their time in the woods, Arjun and Krishna met Agni who in his hunger wanted to burn down the forest. As this would be beneficial to the brothers who wanted to rid their land of asurs, rakhashas, and nagas and thus approved clearing them through wildfire. Then the work began to construct the magnificent city they called Indraprasth since it was meant to resemble Indra’s own city which would entice many from Hastinapur to relocate to mansions given to them by generous Yudhishthir. Duryodhan, who was filled with envy blamed Dhritarashtra for giving Khandavaprasth to the brothers.
- Narad Muni visited the new kingdom at Khrishna’s request, who was sought for guidance in the administration of the kingdom. Upon meeting Draupadi, Narad was reminded of the story of the asura brothers Sundha and Upasundha. It was said these two were inseparable much like the Pandavas, and they thought that death could only touch them if it was at each other’s hands. The two fell in love with the same woman, Tilottama, who was created by Vishwakarma with millions of gems. In a deadly dual over the same woman. After Narad narrated the story, he warned the brothers that Draupadi’s beauty could cause the same dispute and that they ought to stand together despite all odds. Thus, after negotiation it was decided they would each keep her as his wife for a year and that if one should intrude he should be exiled for 12 years. After hearing from a balcony that a brahmins belongings were stolen by thieves, Arjuna went for his weapons in Yudhishthira’s chambers knowing that he would be punished because dharma was “above all” and he felt compelled to help the brahmin in need. He felt ashamed but happy to do the right thing and ready to leave Indraprasth because despite others urging he stay, he stuck to his principles.
- In the Himalayas, Arjuna and the band of brahmins stayed by the river Ganga. One day, he was pulled to the bottom of the water and was met with Ulupi, daughter of the Naga Kauravya and king of Naaglok. Arjuna gave in to temptation with the beautiful woman despite betraying Draupadi. After a few months he left, and the group had grown long beards and reached Kalinga where most were dropped off. Arjuna kept on until Manalur, where King Chitrasen’s daughter, Chitragandha stole his heart and he asked her hand in marriage. After 3 years and she gave him a child, he decided to go back to his brothers and stole away in the night.
- Krishna told Arjuna that all his experiences were predestined when they had met and dined at Prabhasa, on the outskirts of Dwarka. During this time he also told him of his desire to marry his sister, Subhadra, which was agreed to despite the knowledge that she was sought by Duryodhan too. Since gaining Balrams approval would be difficult if not impossible, Krishna told Arjuna to make the girl fall for him and then abduct her during a festival while disguised as a sanyasi.

Bibliography:
Author: Epified
Title: Epified: Mahabharata, Part D (Playlist)
Source: YouTube

(Image Source: Screenshot by me of episode 27, Youtube)

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Tech Tip: Google Art Extension

Tech Tip: Google Art Project for Chrome

I love art, so this tech tip is totally up my alley. This chrome extension “Google Arts & Culture,” as it’s called on the chrome web store, is easy to install and adds an extra bit of flair with every new tab I open. I think these come from the same Google photos and art archive that is used for ChromeCast for tv. It really reminds me of another extension called Stumble Upon which I guess has now moved to Mix. I haven’t used this in years, but basically what I remember of it is with each time you reload a page it takes you to a new website- of which there are seemingly endless in number. I recall being a teenager and finding some very cool websites this way. Before I discovered sites like Reddit and before Facebook became prevalent where it incorporates links from other sources, this was how I accessed obscure sites. I recall one in which it had a ton of envelope icons, each different from the other, where if you click them it would open a random, out of context handwritten or typed letter. It was so fun to see the different fonts and styles of writing people had, and each seemingly used a different utensil. Some even had pictures or stamps. This was quite fun. Websites like that one and this one are great tools for exploring the internet. I’m happy to have beautiful photographs, paintings, and drawings before I access the internet site I intend to. The only drawback is the fact that the icons of frequently visited sites are no longer there to easily open my most used websites. This is a small disadvantage for the visual treat that this tool allows, though!

(Image Source: Screenshot by me, Google Arts & Culture Extension)

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Learning Challenge: Taking Up "Single-Tasking"

“Single-tasking Is the New Multi-tasking” by James Hamblin for the Atlantic

It is indeed becoming increasingly more complicated to “check out” or “go off the grid” these days, and somehow being seen struggling trying to satisfy many tasks at once is just a price to pay to be considered successful. I totally relate to the “my brain has too many tabs open” meme below the embedded video. Technology is such a double-edged sword. On the one hand, so much valuable knowledge is at our fingertips. On the other hand, so much irrelevant time wasters are too. Somehow, also, it’s impossible to separate yourself from these social media sites that drown so much time. Since even employers are using these platforms to reach their desired audiences, it’s almost like you’re expected to have a visible public online presence to be considered suitable for a position in a modern world that is so entrenched in these communication systems. I love the quote that “maybe this is life mimicking internet” to explain his observation of his inability to focus on one thing at a time. I’m not surprised at all with the statistic that overall negative college GPA’s are associated with students who use social media and text. It’s bizarre to think that the type of smart phone I had entering college the first time years ago had limited internet access and no apps, I can definitely vouch that my grades reflected this lack of distraction.

I think I might have to take up this man’s suggestion for “single tasking” or “tab-less Thursdays” as he calls it to remedy my overly stressed and overwhelmed brain. I think the problem with being so inattentive is the fact that we have so few moments to have thoughts of our own when the thoughts are being dictated by a thousand things in our environment. Sometimes after a long night of homework and my brain is blank I realize how much time had passed since I’d had an original thought that wasn’t for the purpose of engaging with some stimulus that I was obligated or coerced to engage with. Even in that moment, I’m still compelled almost against my will to continue to think about the thing that I was working on rather than “opening a new tab” for a space with my own thoughts! Also, as hard as it is I think I need to try to regain the discipline I had as a freshman the first time years ago before the modern smart-phone and try to not let this device dictate my attention span.

(Image Source: Pixabay Stock Photos)

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Growth Mindset: Giving Grades

“Why Do We Get Grades In School?”  video by PBS Studios

In this video by PBS Studios, it discusses the origin of what we students are so fondly familiar of: letter grades. According to our informative host, it seems that a professor named Ezra Stiles is behind this polarizing practice that has made students dread report card day for centuries. It’s interesting to learn that the system wasn’t standardized for widespread use for some time. I myself think it would make a world of difference if we were still assigned value to our academic efforts with “descriptive adjectives” instead of the number scale we are so used to seeing. I can see how systems for grading performance and improvement in school is important and necessary, but it is a shame that it holds so much weight in terms of someone’s mental health. Most intriguing were questions 3 and 4 in this short video: Do grades really matter? Are they actually effective tools for helping students learn? I think they are in a sense, a single paper blueprint for the type of student someone is, but as this woman states it tells a limited story about someone’s educational journey. A high GPA does, in theory, require a vigorous work ethic but I find it hard to believe that someone can deduce who a person is from a paper alone. I appreciate that this woman discusses the difference between those who succeed with and without having proved themselves in a standard classroom because as she notes there are those who “conform” and climb the ladders of a career and those who are “visionaries” who make their own ladder.

I am all about Alfie Kohn’s perspective on creating creative and critical thinkers through “qualitative accounts of student performance.” This concept of hands-on versus hands-off teaching with a goal of encouraging students to chase personal improvement rather than arbitrary grades makes me consider those progressive teachers and mentors in my life who have helped me to pin less of my self-worth on a standardized system. I think of progress reports from my childhood when narrative type breakdowns of a students progress was more prevalent, and one on one conferences with gifted instructors of mine who worked to target and correct where my work went wrong, and professors that give sufficient opportunity for making up academic losses with the intention that we actually go back and work on our weakest areas. There are advantages and disadvantages, but I think even if our schools are entrenched in a quantitative system so long as there are teachers that help their students in the ways listed above there will be students better equipped and more enthusiastic for their futures.

(Image Source: Pixabay Stock Photos)

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