Mistakes are Great!

Everyone makes mistakes.   Sometimes in education we think we should be perfect all of the time, but that is not possible if the goal is to learn new things, to grow and to improve.  So why are mistakes so great?

* You find out what you know and what you don’t know.

* You find out that what you thought you knew was incorrect and then you have a chance to learn it correctly.

* Mistakes give you a chance to reflect on how you prepared or studied and to make improvements.

* You get to evaluate what you have been doing and make positive changes.   This can involve sports, working in organizations, etc.

* Looking back, you may find that a mistake sent you in an entirely new and better direction.  

When you make a mistake, change how you talk to yourself.  Don’t put yourself down or think negatively about yourself.  Instead turn it around and see what you can learn!  That makes all the difference in the world about how you see yourself and about your motivation and forward progress!

First Semester Success: Study Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (of Any Semester) of College, by Arden B. Hamer, is now available at wordassociation.com and amazon.com.