Developing Academic GRIT in Students Self-Discipline Competence Motivation Academic Engagement Academic Coaching

Goals & Objectives Relate previous training to current training. Identify concepts of GRIT, Conscientiousness, and Self-Regulation. Explore proactive interventions for struggling students based on theoretical frameworks. Examine academic coaching questions designed to motivate. Discuss an evaluative procedure for advising Identify specific advisor needs. Identify methods for collaboration.

What is GRIT? Resilience + Focused Commitment Perseverance and passion for long term goals Resilience in the face of perceived failure Deep commitment and focus Optimism in the face of adversity Positive adaptation

What Does GRIT Look Like? Tenacity Focused passion over long periods of time despite setbacks, failure, adversity, and plateau’s. Tendency not to abandon tasks when they become difficult Will-Fullness

Developing Academic GRIT GRIT: Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals (Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, & Kelly, 2007) What promotes GRIT? What can we influence? Intellectual Capacity Emotional Intelligence Self-Confidence Emotional Stability Creativity Vigor

GRIT and Talent/Ability IQ as a predictor of academic success rises with the complexity of the task (Neisser, 1996). IQ is the best documented predictor of academic success. But, IQ does not ensure success. Why not? Higher educated adults are higher in GRIT than their less educated peers. Older adults tend to have more GRIT. What is the best predictor of student success?

Perseverance & Follow-Through Self-Confidence Integration Towards Goals Deliberate Practice (Termann & Oden, 1947) How can we best support/encourage these traits? Can we encourage these traits? Can we teach them?

Perseverance malleable (Roberts & DelVecchio, 2000) The way in which we think, act, and feel is malleable (Roberts & DelVecchio, 2000) The More often students are invited to seek help and support, the more likely they are to persevere. The more connected students feel to their institution the more likely they are to persevere. Can we measure GRIT early in a students career?

GRIT Scale Consistency of Interests I often set a goal but later choose to pursue a different one. New ideas and new projects sometimes distract me. I become interested in new pursuits every few months. My interests change from year to year. I have been obsessed with certain ideas or projects for a short time but later lose interest. I have difficulty maintaining my focus on projects that take more than a few months to complete.

GRIT Scale Perseverance of Effort I have achieved a goal that took years of work I have overcome setbacks to conquer an important challenge. I finish whatever I begin Setbacks don’t discourage me. I am a hard worker. I am diligent. Follow-through was found to be a better predictor of future academic accomplishment than board scores or grades

Conscientiousness Significant predictor of academic success (Noftle & Robbins, 2007) Self-Control & Perseverance (McCann, Duckworth, & Roberts, 2009) Preparation, self-control, industriousness, responsibility, and persistence.

Differences in GRIT, Conscientiousness and Self-Regulation GRIT is a personality trait (can be influenced) Conscientiousness is a personality trait (that can be influenced) Self-Regulation is an ability Ability to evaluate emotion regulation strategies and to influence affective experience in order to promote goal attainment (Ivcevic & Bracket, 2014.

Emotion Regulation Ability People’s capacity to reason about and identify effective strategies for influencing emotions (Ivcevic & Bracket, 2014). ERA is emotional intelligence. Distress (Test anxiety) Higher stress tolerance (frustration w/ material) Interpersonal challenges

ERA Strategies Deep breathing Exercise/Stretching Cognitive Re-Framing (Growth Mindset) Mindfulness Meditation (Observer) Visualization (Mastery experiences) Nature/Spirituality Sleep Nutrition Social Connection Laughter/Taking ourselves less seriously Therapy/Coaching/Counseling

ERA- Mental Contrasting Mental contrasting of fantasies about a desired future with reflections about potential obstacles manifests goal commitment (Oettingen, 2000). VS. Indulging fantasies without considering obstacles (prohibitive). Dwelling on negative aspects of present reality (prohibitive).

ERA- Mental Contrasting Mental contrasting energizes action and strengthens goal commitment (Oettinger, et al., 2009) Getting Started- Implementation Intentions enable more reliable goal actions Staying on Track- Implementation Intentions protect goal striving from getting derailed.

Adaptive Self-Regulation Strategies Combining both getting started and staying on track: 1. What do I want? 2. Why do I want it? Identify three potential obstacles and devise a plan to meet the challenge 3. What is the most critical obstacle? 4. What strategy will I implement to manage this? (Stadler, 2010)

Motivation Achievement Motivation Persistence & Competing Conscientiousness & Extraversion Mastery oriented goals lead to love of learning, difficulties perceived as challenges, and persistence. (Curry, Elliott & Moeller, 2006) Avoidance Motivation Anxiety, withdrawal, and school avoidance Performance goals lead to evaluation apprehension, seeing obstacles as threats, and to giving up. (Baron, Tauer, & Elliott, 2002)

Self-Theories Re-Visited Fixed Mindset- Learned I can or I cannot….I am smart or dumb…I am talented or not talented….Success is best measured in a straight line…I compare myself to others. Growth Mindset- Learned I love challenges…Obstacles are opportunities to grow…I will get better today…Success is certainly measured by a crooked, winding line…Challenge/skill dynamic

Coaching Questions What is it that would make you feel so good about your academics? What is the most important obstacle that stands in your way? What would happen if you made an “if-then” plan that links an obstacle to eliminating a bad habit to a response that that helps you overcome this obstacle?

Coaching Questions In what ways have you implemented this strategy in other aspects of your life? Athletics, exercise adherence, healthy eating, social How can you apply these mastery experiences specifically to your academics?

Coaching Questions What do you feel is your biggest incentive for acting? What action steps are you now willing to take? What feelings are you having right now about the decision to make changes? How will you know that you have made progress? What actions will you take before the next time we meet? How can I best help you right now?

Strategies for Reducing Student Attrition Systemic Issues Remediation courses Tutoring Patience (most doctoral students not fully prepared) Faculty/Advisors Degree completion To what degree is this intellectually/ethically responsible? (Early attrition is better than late attrition)

Impact for Student Advising Student Embarrassment (Golde, 2005) Decreased confidence Few doctoral level students enter graduate school with requisite cognitive skills required for success (Baxter & Magdola, 1998) Time commitment Student motivation Should departments help students remedy gaps in their knowledge to reduce attrition? If so, what are those strategies? What are the ethical considerations?

Advising Challenges Emotional Impact Ethical Considerations Time Resources Collaboration (AAESS, peer mentors, admissions, students) Other?

Advisor Input System of Evaluation Delivery Reporting Strategy Communication Improvements Portal AAESS Advisee’s Transition to Clinics How are students best served?

Thank You!

Theoretical Categorization of Reasons for Doctoral Attrition Mismatch with department (DCP) Curricular challenges Graduation requirements Mismatch with discipline (Chiropractic) Does not fit with scholarly practices Isolation with department Marginalized within the community Isolation with discipline Marginalized from the discipline