Learning Through Mistakes

I am continually impressed by the resilience and potential for growth within each one of our Middle College students. One aspect I would like to reflect on this week is the learning that can occur when students find themselves in a situation where they have made a poor choice.

When students find themselves in the aftermath of a poor decision, it is easy for them to feel anger, shame, frustration, disappointment, embarrassment. However, it is precisely in these moments that the capacity for learning shines brightest. By acknowledging our mistakes and understanding the underlying factors that led to them, we open ourselves up to invaluable lessons that can guide us towards better choices in the future.

One aspect worth noting is how our brains function in times of emotional turmoil or conflict, such as during a friendship fire (conflict between friends). Neuroscience tells us that when faced with stress or intense emotions, our amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for our fight or flight response, takes over. In these moments, our ability to reason and make rational decisions, located in the prefrontal cortex, becomes compromised. To navigate through these challenges effectively, it's essential to recognize when we are operating from a place of emotional reactivity and consciously make an effort to shift back into the prefrontal cortex. As an adult we find this a very real challenge and it is often best practice when working with middle college students to press the ‘pause’ button and allow students time to sit with these feelings, acknowledge what lead to them there and self-reflect before looking for a solution.

Once we are using the logical reasoning part of our brain again, we can step back into the productive struggle and learn from this challenging moment in time. Any poor choices can lead to consequences, which in turn can spark conversations with many stake holders- parents, teachers, friends, and peers. These conversations, while uncomfortable, provide fertile ground for growth and self-reflection. By engaging in open and honest dialogue, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and also cultivate empathy and compassion for others.

As we continue our journey of education and self-discovery, let us remember that it is through our mistakes that we learn, grow, and ultimately become the best versions of ourselves.

Mr Brett Kersnovske, Head of Middle College Students