Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 1-12-2026

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Psychologist Carol Dweck’s body of research shows that mindset, meaning one’s outlook, can have a considerable impact on academic performance and learning. The assumption that skills and knowledge are inborn rather than cultivated through challenge can lead to a defeatist mentality, whereas challenge is central to development for those with a growth mindset. Mindsets are malleable, so even if individuals lean toward the former, it does not mean that their attitudes to learning are forever fixed; responding to rather than avoiding difficulty is key to this evolution.

Emotions may have a part to play in how people approach challenges, particularly in academic settings, since such contexts can induce anxiety. The mindset moderation manager is a simple tool to offset anxiety and any negative emotions associated with it and thus prime your brain for learning. The directions for using the mindset moderation manager are straightforward: spend 5 to 10 minutes writing out all the worries in your head—about the impact or details of an experience, assignment, problem set, exam, group project, presentation, or anything else. Afterwards, throw the mindset moderation manager away. Unburdening your mind in this fashion opens it up to the opportunities for problem solving and learning that higher education offers.

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