“I Read and Write Good, Pinnacle of Potential Reached.”
“What do doctorate students do? They read. They think. They write stuff.” After Dr. Jason Clark said this, I thought “Ah, I am so glad I am in this program. This is where I need to be.” Why was that my response? Because I thought to myself “I am a natural writer. I read and write very good. Easy!”
The title of this blog and my mental response are written in jest. Not just for the blatant grammatical blunders, but also because of the mindset implicit in them – a mindset of “I’m a natural. I am glad I chose the easy road.” This mindset is antithetical to what Dr. Carol Dweck contends is required for success – a growth mindset. The reality is these next two years will challenge me. And that is necessary. When I was in college, I remember hearing people (myself included) assessing whether certain classes were worth registering for based on the level of ease. As we learn from Dr. Dweck, the path of ease is not the path of growth, and, therefore, ought to not be the desired route.
Now, I thoroughly enjoy reading. This was not always the case. Before the age of 18, one could hardly pay me to read a book. However, a love for reading ignited and has remained. I am an avid reader, who reads widely and eagerly. Despite this, I would hardly say I am an effective reader. Reading books cover to cover, word for word is my reading habit and method of choice. Though I read a lot, I do not read quickly. The hope is to develop my reading in this program.
In regards to writing, I take great delight in pedantically wordsmithing sentences and how they sound. However, writing to make clear, concise, and logically robust arguments is a skill I desire to cultivate. My writing voice can lean towards a passive rather than an active voice. What good is clever wordsmithing if the argument is lost on the reader? Last semester’s Expertise Essay highlighted this. My third draft had double the maximum word count.
Finally, note-taking is the skill I am weakest and most eager to strengthen. In reading the first few chapters of How to Take Smart Notes, I became incredibly excited to learn how to develop this skill and create a system, habit, and natural rhythm for taking notes. Currently, I underline books, write in the margins, and then forget about them. In lectures, I attempt to write sentences in the exact vernacular of the lecturer. If I take nothing else away from this semester other than an effective, efficient note-taking and note-storing system, it would still be worth it.
The months ahead will be a challenge. I may have a proclivity for reading, thinking, and writing thoughts down. But this does not mean the journey of the next two years will be easy. The road ahead is for my growth. It will be a challenge. Therefore, I am exactly where I need to be.
About the Author
David Beavis
David is Australian by birth, was raised in Southern California, and is the Youth and Young Adults Pastor at B4 Church in Beaverton, Oregon. David and his wife, Laura, live in Hillsboro with their dog, Coava (named after their favorite coffee shop). M.A. Theology - Talbot School of Theology B.A. Psychology - Vanguard University of Southern CaliforniaOne response to ““I Read and Write Good, Pinnacle of Potential Reached.””
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David, I enjoyed reading your post and appreciated your honest critique of your reading, writing, and note-taking skills. Particularly, your reference to loving to read and yet perhaps not being as effective in your reading as you might like, caught my attention. I, too, have noticed that in myself. I like to read every word and I like to take my time, and yet I have much to improve when it comes to retaining material and digesting it in ways that can be used effectively and creatively.
I also appreciated your reference to the growth mindset, which is freeing and inspiring, and adds new layers of fun and joy to learning. Looking forward to learning alongside you this year!