Student Struggles Arise from Certain Words That Limit Their Growth

Sometimes we say words to ourselves that harm our growth. Students should be aware of what they are saying to themselves. All the ideas navigating in our minds are words, but we don't always know if they contribute to our growth or hinder it. Students need to develop a mindset that distinguishes between words that contribute to their success and those that don't.

A word can change the way you perceive the world. A word can motivate you to do more, help you pass your exam, or shift your negative thoughts to positive ones.

Before we go further, I want to show you two people and how they use words in their minds, one with positive ideas and the other with negative ideas.

The first student, named Jack:

Jack wakes up in the morning with positive words in his mind. He says to himself, "I am grateful for what I have. I need to stick to my plan. I know this part of the material is hard, but I will do my best to succeed. I’m going to spend more time on this lesson because it’s challenging. I don’t have to eat this kind of food because it harms my energy."

These are the words Jack says to himself as a positive student.

In contrast, the second student, named Mike:

Mike wakes up in the morning with negative words in his mind. He says to himself, "I don’t have the life I want. This plan won’t help me. This part of the material is hard. How can a student like me succeed? I’m not competent enough to make it. Even if I spend more time on this lesson, it’s too difficult to understand. I can’t avoid the food that harms my energy."

In these two scenarios, both students have different ways of talking to themselves.

The ability to change what is going on in your head is a skill you need to develop.

How to change the ideas that are sculpted in your head

Humans often seek comfort in any situation, and negative words may bring the comfort you're looking for. But to convert negative ideas into positive ones, you must become aware of your thoughts. Start by jotting down all the negative thoughts, revise them later, and the next day, try to avoid or replace them with positive ones.

Words alone won’t help you become more positive; you need to prove them to yourself. Start using the phrase, "Every challenge helps me grow," instead of negative thoughts. Then prove it by recalling past experiences where challenges helped you learn and grow—whether in your professional or academic life.

The phrase, "I am improving every day," will help you trust your abilities. To make it easier for your mind to accept, compare yourself with the version of yourself from last year. Tell yourself, "I couldn’t do these things last year, but now it’s easier for me. The same applies to this hard material. I will put in the effort, and by the day of the exam, I’ll be ready to answer all questions about this topic."

Words like, "I trust myself to make good choices," will have a big influence in your life, but you must prove it to yourself. Ask, "Why can I trust myself to make good choices?" Reflect on past experiences with good decisions, even small ones, as small choices lead to bigger ones.

Students often need help in their personal or academic life. As a student, don’t hesitate to ask a friend or family member for assistance. To encourage yourself, start circling this phrase in your mind: "I can always ask for help if I need it." Prove this to yourself by recalling moments when you had the courage to ask for help, even with small requests.

There are many negative words students say to themselves. If you catch yourself using some of them, try to replace them with positive ones and prove them until they become easier to accept.

1. "I’m not smart enough." This feeling of self-doubt can reduce motivation and contribute to a fixed mindset.

Replace it with this positive phrase "I am smart enough to learn this." Encourages a growth mindset and builds confidence in your ability to improve.

2. "I’ll never be good at this." Believing there’s no room for growth leads to frustration and weakens persistence.

Replace it with this positive phrase "I can get better with practice." Promotes perseverance and reinforces that learning is a process.

3. "I’m always going to fail." The expectation of failure prevents motivation and goal-setting.

Replace it with this positive phrase "I can succeed if I keep trying." Inspires optimism and motivates you to keep working toward success.

4. "I’m too dumb to understand this." This belief stops students from reaching out or trying something new.

Replace it with this positive phrase "I can understand this if I take it step by step." Breaking down tasks into smaller sections makes them less daunting. 

5. "School is pointless." Without understanding education's true purpose, engagement tends to decline.

Replace it with this positive phrase "School is important for my future." Helps you see the value in your education and stay engaged.

6. "I don’t belong here." Social comparison or imposter syndrome can make students feel out of place.

Replace it with this positive phrase "This is where I belong, and I am confident in my potential for success." Boosts confidence and fosters a sense of belonging.

7. "I can’t handle this workload." Feeling overwhelmed leads to anxiety, procrastination, and excessive stress.

Replace it with this positive phrase "I can handle this workload by managing my time well." Encourages better time management and reduces anxiety.

8. "Everyone else is better than me." Comparing themselves to peers lowers self-esteem and leads to feelings of inferiority.

Replace it with this positive phrase "I am improving at my own pace." Focuses on personal achievements rather than comparing yourself to others.

9. "If I ask for help, I’ll look stupid." Fear of judgment prevents students from seeking help that could enhance their learning experience.

Replace it with this positive phrase "Asking for help will help me grow." Removes the fear of judgment and promotes a collaborative learning mindset.

10. "I always mess up." This mindset causes fear of making mistakes, ultimately leading to hesitation and stunted growth.

Replace it with this positive phrase "I learn from my mistakes." Shifts focus to personal growth and resilience.

Be aware of the words you circle in your head. If they are negative, start replacing them with positive ones. If they are positive, be consistent in maintaining your progress.