7 QUESTIONS TO DEVELOP A GROWTH MINDSET:

1. WHAT DID YOU DO TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF TODAY?
2. WHAT DID YOU DO TODAY THAT MADE YOU THINK HARD?
3. WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM THIS?
4. WHAT MISTAKE DID YOU MAKE THAT TAUGHT YOU SOMETHING?
5. WHAT DID YOU DO TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM?
6. WHAT STRATEGY ARE YOU GOING TO TRY TOMORROW?
7. WHAT HAPPENED TODAY THAT MADE YOU KEEP ON GOING?

During the Bear POWER Summer Leadership Retreat, Bear Blazers initiated nightly discussions recapping the day, and focused on developing a growth mindset.

When considering personal goals, college and work readiness, reflecting on strengths and challenges can be helpful for developing plans to meet those goals, or overcome difficulties. Questions fostering a growth mindset offer students a way to look at the bigger picture, identify their strengths and challenges, and act upon them in a positive way.

We utilized a set of growth mindset questions to offer students time to reflect on their day using open communication, and a practiced method for breaking down large situations into smaller, more manageable chunks for reflection. Students remarked upon what they did that went well, how they solved problems, and what they learned that could help them overcome new challenges the next day. Though we used the method on a smaller scale during a three-day retreat, it translates well as a skill to be used in every day life as a college student. Our goal in focusing on a growth mindset was to provide students with a positive system for framing events, and a way to use their strengths to face new challenges with confidence.

Our nightly growth mindset discussions were at times very vulnerable, and our students were always honest and open in their expression about their days. They supported each other, developed close-knit friendships through building each other up, and identified things in life they wanted to achieve. It was very special to watch these conversations unfold, and for students to gain confidence as individuals, and as a group. We hope to see this continue as students start classes in January, and we hope to maintain principles of a growth mindset as we coach students through their Bear POWER experience.