Last week, the scholars from all the UT summer research programs had a bowling and pizza party in the Union Underground!
-created by Sarah Libring, Rutgers
2015
Mindset and The Emperor of All Maladies
During the course of the program, we are encouraged to read two books: Mindset and The Emperor of All Maladies to bring us more awareness about ourselves and the complicated disease of cancer. Mindset explores the power of our mindset while Emperor traverses through the story of cancer.
Reading through the first few chapters of Mindset has taught me so much about myself, as cliché as that may sound. By breaking up the two types of mindsets, fixed and growth, Dweck highlights parts that I haven’t connect before. I found myself, while reading her book, constantly thinking about situations that I have encountered. Using the short quizzes she describes in the beginning, I initially rated myself in between the two extremes, leaning more toward the growth mindset. However, as I continued reading, more and more examples of my fixed mindset appeared. As I transitioned from high school to college this past year, the section on that transition really related with me. My frustrations and worries about my activities highlighted my fixed mindset side. By reflecting on past experiences, I am learning more about my tendencies to lean toward the fixed mindset at times.
With this increased understanding about myself, I will hopefully be able to have a more growth mindset.
Relating this back to the Emperor book, the different scientists practiced such a growth mindset that they were able to see past failures and to work toward more advancements. A growth mindset can allow us to achieve things beyond what we know by ways of persevering and pushing our boundaries.
-Ming Nguyen, Rice
Research as a Career & Going to Graduate School
I have been asked many times by others regarding the question of post-college plans. At first, I had
a vague sense of what I want to do for my future. However, engaging in undergraduate research labs made me realize doing research and performing experiments are actually very fun. It matches my learning styles and fosters me to become an independent learner. I developed important bench techniques, useful notes-taking and critical thinking skills. Moreover, my creative capability and knowledge about science were also expanded. In my opinion, research is process of learning; it is the matter of coming up with a question, applying the known concepts to experiments, and discovering new theories.
Through reading the book The Emperor of All Maladies, I was extremely inspired by the never-give-up spirits of all scientists. Although cancer has the worst history out of all diseases, researchers are still trying different approaches to treat and cure it. If it’s not for research, there won’t be any chemotherapies or drugs that are currently saving millions of lives.
Research really has a huge impact in the world.
Thus it gave me a solid reasoning to go for graduate school to receive more trainings and dedicate my career in science and research.
–Zhiying Zhu, CCNY
