The fixed mindset, or the belief that people are stuck with the amount of intelligence they are born with, should be exiled. Average, decent, and mediocre are not self-defining words in the vocabulary of a growth-minded graduate student.

Think on this: No one could debate the human body was created to evolve. Wouldn’t it be absurd to tell the body, “Do not grow taller!” The brain is the body’s control center, believing anything other than “I can learn” contradicts the brain’s function.

So, why do we give up when stress overcomes willpower? Unfortunately, human nature dictates choosing the least resistant path. We indulge in our impulsive inclinations. Let’s be honest, if you quit school, the chances of you re-enrolling are slim.

Growth mindset is the hero! Growth mindset swoops in and reminds the overwhelmed student to keep the end in sight. Without it, failure is predictable.

How I Developed Growth Mindset 

I slowly developed a growth mindset. Before, I lived in the comfort zone breeding negative self-talk and laziness. When a wise person I trusted encouraged me, I realized my limiting beliefs were excuses. I was scared to fail or even try.

Somewhere, I let insecurity creep into my mind and erase the truths my grandmother fostered in me as a child. Thankfully, the encouragement debunked my self-concept, and I baby-stepped into the learning zone. With corrections and small successes, my eyes opened to the truth; I was my enemy. I reshaped my thoughts and began to dream.

I found when my days were going great, I could easily maintain a growth mindset. But, when my days were difficult, I leaned back into a fixed mindset.

Here are some tips I use to stay in a growth mindset!

Ten Tips for a Growth Mindset

Tip 1: Check Your Inner Circle.

Think about the people you spend the most time with. Do they respect your endeavors and commitments? Do they cheer you on? Or, do they keep you out late when you should be studying? Surround yourself with like-minded people when feasible.

Tip 2: Manage Your Time. Don’t Let Time Manage You.

Protect your time from social media distractions. Don’t get sucked into the reel rabbit hole…again! The assignment deadline is on the calendar. Reduce mental burnout and stress by scheduling your time.

Try this experiment: Write down every task you do during the day and how long the task takes. You will be surprised to find how much time is eaten with texting, dishes, driving, hygiene, and other mundane engagements. Now that you have an idea of where your time goes, adjust your schedule to fit in your schoolwork. Give yourself a little wiggle room. Don’t be too rigid!

Tip 3: Eat Genius Foods. 

Research confirms that certain foods increase mental clarity and focus. Try to incorporate avocado, olive oil, salmon, eggs, kale, dark chocolate, blueberries, and dark greens into your daily diet. Do you have a looming assignment ahead? Eat them all and watch your brain speed through the work!

Want more details on how foods enhance your thinking? Check out Genius Foods by Max Lugavere

Tip 4: Get Eight Hours of Sleep. 

Dreaming allows the subconscious to step in and sift through the conscious thoughts of the day. Sound sleep can coax your brain to create new ideas and find solutions. Not to mention you will wake up with energy!

Wanna throw a little exercise into the mix to increase oxygen flow to your brain? Play music when you wake up and dance to your three favorite songs.

Tip 5: Hydrate Your Brain. 

Within the first hour of waking up, drink at least eight ounces of ice-cold water. Cold water triggers your metabolism and can act like caffeine by releasing adrenaline. Now your brain is alert. Continue drinking water throughout the day for optimal concentration and memory.

Want super fuel for a growth mindset? Add lemon to your water. Potassium from the lemons increases blood flow to the brain. Your brain will reward you with happier thoughts and your energy will spike.

Tip 6: Erase Fear With Gratitude.

Is that case study, research project, or major paper causing you anxiety? Take a deep breath. Try asking yourself what you are grateful for and watch the spirit of fear ease away as you meditate on thankfulness.

Tip 7: Shut Down the Lies. 

You are tired, hungry, and overwhelmed. A little voice whispers…give up. The work is too hard. Just give up. We tend to believe little lies we tell ourselves, but you do not have to. Self-assess what your brain and body need. Refuel and push forward.

Tip 8: Take a Shower.

The skin is the largest organ in the body. Sometimes, the only cue to renewing your mindset is a satisfying scrubbing with soap to rid your body of daily toxins.

Tip 9: Make Room For Unpredictability. 

Life can be plain unfair and unsettling. Have positive support in place ahead of time. How about writing yourself encouraging notes…just a couple words. Hide them in your textbooks and drawers. A nice surprise is headed your way. After all, maintaining a growth mindset means you are your best friend.

Tip 10: Visualize the End Game.

Imagine yourself walking across the graduation stage with the degree in your hands. See yourself accepting the job offer from your new boss. Always keep the visual in the front of your brain. Then, take manageable steps through the finish line.

Why I Chose Thomas University

Thomas University’s mission statement underscores the faculty valuing student’s individual capabilities to achieve personal and professional transformation. I wanted professors to dig up the strengths that I did not see. I needed professors to place the right pencil in my hand, so I could erase the weaknesses. Thomas’ status as a regionally accredited, private institution with a small student-teacher ratio appealed to my need to learn directly from my professors and to collaborate with classmates.

I also learned that the university was a Christian, nonprofit entity which translates to service-minded people promoting the better good. As an army veteran’s wife, I wanted a university which supported active military, veterans, and their spouses formulated to fit the classroom teacher’s work and home schedule. All facets compounding defined Thomas University as the clear choice.

Educators never stop learning; check out Thomas University’s available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

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M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (Tier I Certification)

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (Tier 1 Certification) is a new degree program at Thomas University that will lead candidates to Georgia Tier I Certification in Educational Leadership following successful completion of coursework and state assessments for Tier I.

This program is designed for educators interested in pursuing leadership at the school or district level. Thomas University’s M.Ed. in Educational Leadership will equip candidates with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to be successful in leadership roles below the principal level in the local school or in district level leadership positions that do not supervise principals.

The goal of the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (Tier 1 Certification) program is to develop leadership and management skills through practical, job-embedded, authentic tasks and field experiences that will impact school improvement and create a positive school climate for all stakeholders.

Ed.S. in Educational Leadership (Tier II Certification)

The Ed.S. in Educational Leadership (Tier II Certification) is a new degree program at Thomas University that will lead candidates to Georgia Tier II Certification in Educational Leadership following successful completion of coursework and state assessments for Tier II.

This program is designed for educators who have Tier I Certification in Educational Leadership and are interested in impacting educational change and pursuing higher level leadership at the school or district level. Thomas University’s Ed.S. in Educational Leadership will equip candidates with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to be successful in leading a school as a principal or high-level district leader.

The goal of the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership program is to develop effective leadership and management skills through application in an educational leadership setting, rigorous performance-based coursework, and job-embedded tasks that will impact school improvement and create a positive school climate for all stakeholders.

Certificate in Educational Leadership Tier I Certification-Only

The Educational Leadership Tier I Certification-Only is a new add-on certification program at Thomas University that will lead candidates to Georgia Tier I Certification in Educational Leadership following successful completion of coursework and state assessments for Tier I.  This program is designed for educators who currently hold a master’s degree and are interested in pursuing leadership at the school or district level.

Thomas University’s Educational Leadership Tier 1 Certification-Only program will equip candidates with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to be successful in leadership roles below the principal level in the local school or in district level leadership positions that do not supervise principals.

The goal of the Educational Leadership Tier 1 Certification-Only program is to develop leadership and management skills through practical, job-embedded authentic tasks, and field experiences that will impact school improvement and create a positive school climate for all stakeholders.

What differentiates Thomas University’s Educational Leadership programs from other schools that offer similar programs?

Thomas University’s M.Ed. program in Educational Leadership (Tier 1 Certification) and Ed.S. in Educational Leadership (Tier II Certification) are designed for working educators in the field because the program can be completed in only five semesters to include coursework and field experience. The Tier I in Educational Leadership certification-only program can be completed in only three semesters to include coursework and field experience leading to Tier I Certification in Educational Leadership.

Also, graduates of Thomas University’s M.Ed or Ed.S. Teacher Leadership Program may transfer six hours from their Teacher Leadership program resulting in the Tier 1 Certification program being completed in just two semesters.

In addition, the programs cater to the schedules of working educators as it takes place in an online format with class meetings online one night every other week, and courses are eight weeks in length. The teaching faculty in the Educational Leadership program are field practitioners with school or district level leadership experience that will link theory and practice and effectively guide candidates through job-embedded tasks that provide opportunities to engage in authentic school improvement initiatives in their own setting.

School partner mentors provide an additional layer of guidance and support throughout the program for each candidate.

Courses will develop expertise and experience in:

• Using data to improve schools
• Instructional leadership for school improvement
• Overseeing effective organizational management
• Engaging in culturally responsive leadership
• Developing teachers and teams
• Overseeing/managing school operations
• Communicating/collaborating with stakeholders
• Leading with a social, emotional, and cultural lens

In addition, the program is designed to take place with a cohort of colleagues allowing for rich learning experiences and collaboration for the duration of the degree program.

How will these programs help educators during this time of COVID and post-COVID teaching? How will it better prepare them for today’s education challenges?

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of education resulting in long-term impact requiring different skillsets for educational leaders during this time of COVID and post-COVID teaching.

Thomas University’s Educational Leadership programs will equip candidates with these important skills which include building trust with their communities through effective engagement and collaboration, providing support for students, families, and staff members’ social and emotional needs while also creating an inspiring and motivating school environment while leading with a culturally responsive lens.

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (Tier 1 Certification) program provides a critical skillset for educational leaders during this time of the pandemic because it focuses on the intentional integration of social-emotional learning across courses with a focus on improving student achievement by addressing student gaps and accelerating learning.

The Ed.S. in Educational Leadership (Tier II Certification) program centers on leading from a culture of care with a focus on improving student achievement by addressing student gaps and accelerating learning in a culturally responsive manner focused on equity.

The Tier I Certification-Only program centers on the intentional integration of social-emotional learning across courses with a focus on improving student achievement by addressing student gaps and accelerating learning.

What career opportunities are available to students who graduate from these programs?

M.Ed. in Educational Leadership degree for Tier I Certification

• Assistant Principal
• Associate Principal
• District Coordinator
• Other district level leadership positions

Ed.S. in Educational Leadership degree for Tier II Certification

• Principal
• District Director
• Assistant Superintendent
• Superintendent
• Other high-level district level leadership positions

Tier I in Educational Leadership Certification-Only

• Assistant Principal
• Associate Principal
• District Coordinator
• Other district level leadership positions

Why should a prospective student choose these programs?

Prospective students who are looking to advance their careers into leadership in education should choose the educational leadership programs at Thomas University because they are designed for working educators to receive the skillsets needed to be successful through practical job-embedded authentic tasks guided by practitioners and mentors and focused on the critical skills needed for leading schools during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These practical experiences coupled with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required of educational leaders during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic will result in Thomas University Educational Leadership candidates being highly sought after by districts.

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