The first thing to keep in mind is that celebration allows us to shine a light on mistakes. By noticing the mistakes, we can examine them and fix them. Mistakes that are not recognized or ignored cannot be corrected.
Second, remember mistakes are valuable feedback. Mistakes are part of the learning process and can show us where our weaknesses lie and show us where we have room for improvement. They helps us see the gaps in our knowledge and aid us in identifying what study skills we lack.
Third, by celebrating mistakes, we are reminded that it is OK to make them. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes – that is just part of being human. Mistakes are not an end in themselves. Rather, their value lies in what we learn from them. When we make a mistake, we can admit it and correct it.
Fourth, admitting and celebrating mistakes promotes accountability. Organizations work only when people are willing to be held accountable. Imagine a college where there is no concern for quality and effectiveness. Professors come to class late and unprepared. Residence Halls are never cleaned. Financial Aid checks are always late.These kinds of mistakes only happen when no one is holding each other accountable and they lead to a failed institution. Mistakes only become apparent when people are committed to improving the quality of an institution. So we need to become committed to improving our individual quality as and hold ourselves accountable for our mistakes.
Finally, by celebrating mistakes, we cut the problem down to size. Often when we make a mistake, we deposit a layer of regret, worry, and anxieity on top of it. We not only have a problem with the consequences of our mistake; we also have a problem with ourselves for making the mistake in the first place. When we celebrate mistakes, we eliminate that layer of concern and face the problem. This allows us to tackle the problem realisitically, recognize there is a solution, and get down to the business of correcting the mistake.
Hopefully, these points make you realize that there is an entirely different attitude to take towards our academic mistakes. Rather than fearing them, ignoring them, and making them the end of the world, we can marvel at our mistakes and realize that failure is not fatal. Midterms are the perfect time to recognize these mistakes and take action.
Source:
Ellis, Dave. Becoming a Master Student, 12 ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2009. Print
