“Grit and Growth”

The theme this week (“Friends and Enemies”) introduced the idea that tangible or intangible resources or obstacles can serve as your friends and enemies as you pursue your college degree. Note that your friends and enemies can be interpreted as your opportunities and threats. If you have not yet read this week’s lectures or viewed the videos, please do so before starting this assignment.

Address the following items in your paper:

1.Opportunities and Threats

a.As we discussed last week, a SWOT analysis is a tool that helps businesses and individuals assess their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. For this assignment, you will focus on Opportunities and Threats.

b.To generate your list of Opportunities, explore the Grantham catalog or website to identify at least three opportunities (resources) you will rely on the most as you pursue your degree. Write a paragraph of at least 250 words to convey your opportunities.

c.To generate your list of Threats, think about your personal and professional obligations to identify at least three threats that you may need to overcome as your pursue your degree. Write a paragraph of at least 250 words to convey your threats.

2.Grit

a.Explain what grit means to you and why having grit is important in life. Use your own words – do not copy what has already been provided in this class. Provide an example from your own experience in which you demonstrated grit to accomplish a big goal. If you do not think you have demonstrated grit in the past, describe an instance in which you failed to accomplish a big goal and describe how you would act differently if you had a chance to try again.

3.Growth Mindset

a.Look up some information about Dr. Dweck’s Growth Mindset. Type the words dweck growth mindset into your favorite internet search engine. Select one source (be sure to write down the URL) and while reading/viewing that source, take some notes about what points the author is making. Do not copy word for word – use your own words to rephrase what the author has written.

4.Comparison of Grit and Growth Mindset

a.Write a paragraph of at least 250 words in which you describe the growth mindset, and how it relates to grit. You might also compare it to “fixed mindset” which is often presented along with growth mindset. Provide your own examples of what it means to have a growth mindset, and how you can apply the concept in your college work.

Use Microsoft Word to prepare your assignment. You will attach the Word document to the assignment dropbox (do not type directly into the dropbox).

Refer to the Pocket Keys for Writers to help you list your sources for this paper.

Remember to include the following information on the top of your paper: