Education Narrative

Education is a lifelong journey that has its advantages as well as disadvantages. In my
journey towards achieving success in the nursing career path, I have had various ups and downs.
One of the positive learning experiences that I have had in the past relates to the ability to
acquire critical thinking skills. In the past, I have been exposed to various assignments that have
had an impact on my life as a student and my future as a nurse. Through critical thinking and
reasoning, I have been able to learn how to make intentional and intelligent choices that relate to
the care of patients. I have learned how to gather data and, in so doing ensuring that I evaluate
the data available before settling on the best course of action.
Nursing involves one thinking and making certain critical decisions. A nurse’s actions
can have an impact on others. As a result, a nurse needs to develop critical thinking skills and
reinforce skills that he may already possess. I have been able to work on assignments, and this
has helped me to develop my critical thinking skills. Through assignments, I have been able to
collaborate with other learners and have been able to get different points of view on various
issues. Assignments have also enabled me to explore more, and this has expanded my knowledge
on current issues as well as various important topics in healthcare.

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In addition, the instructors have always given me feedback on various assignments. The
feedback has been very useful and has helped me make a number of improvements on my
writing as well as on my studies in general. I have been able to work on my weaknesses and
maximize my strengths. Every tutor who has been my instructor in the past has had their own
way of giving feedback. While assignments have had an impact on my overall grade, learning
goes beyond the grades. Grades tell whether or not an individual has met the expectations of the
assignments. However, when I have not excelled in certain assignments, I have been keen on
looking at the feedback given by my instructor. In certain instances, the instructors have guided
me on the steps that I need to take. Some instructors have asked probing questions, and this has
enabled me to assess my work and, in so doing, undertake a thoughtful reflection. Instructors
have also encouraged me to use their feedback, and this has motivated me to work harder and
achieve my goals.
One of the most important ingredients to success is having a growth mindset. A growth
mindset helps a learner to progress. A growth mindset is a belief that one’s talents can be
developed. Strategies such as hard work and feedback from other individuals can help one
achieve a growth mindset. In contrast, an individual who has a fixed mindset believes that their
talents cannot be developed and that they are innate. When students embrace a growth mindset,
they embrace values such as hard work and innovation. Mindsets give different meanings to
student experiences. One is able to view setbacks as learning experiences. Assignments have
helped me develop a growth mindset. Through feedback from instructors, I have been able to
identify key areas that need improvement. The challenging nature of some assignments has been
a pathway to greater learning. Challenges have pushed me out of my comfort zone and

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stimulated greater learning. I have been able to note areas where more work is needed, and I so
doing, created both short-term and long-term goals.
Nursing is a combination of theoretical learning experiences coupled with practical work.
I have had challenges both in theoretical learning. When I started, my writing skills required a lot
of improvement. I had challenges writing coherent essays. I used to score poorly in-class
assignments, and this was discouraging. My poor writing skills were affecting my grades. I
lacked sufficient levels of confidence and did not believe in my ca[abilities and skills. Self-doubt
was affecting my outlook towards life. Before beginning to work on any assignment, I felt
inadequate. I started procrastinating, and this had an adverse impact on my grades. In addition, I
did not have an elaborate plan on how I could undertake research as well as how I could
construct my essays from scratch.
Another bad experience that I had in the past was related to time management. I have
taken several online classes. However, unlike face-to-face learning, there lacks a predetermined
schedule. I had a problem ensuring that I was able to manage my schedule effectively. I also had
a problem being disciplined enough to create time for studying. When I sat down to study and
complete assignments, I was often distracted by various things. The phone was one of the main
distractors. I constantly found myself surfing the web and logging into social media pages to
analyze the trending images. I also received various calls, and these made it impossible to
concentrate and study.
Grit is an important characteristic that students must have. Grit ensures that one is able to
resist and overcome various setbacks. When one has a grit mindset, they are able to view failure
as an opportunity for learning. One keeps trying and becomes highly resilient in the wake of
setbacks. When I embraced the grit mindset, I was able to work on my writing skills. I regularly

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visited the university’s writing center and focused on improving my writing skills and, in
extension, my research skills. With time I was able to come up with plans on how to undertake
research and how to compose strong research papers that are grounded on evidence. I was able to
boost my self-confidence and worked hard on ensuring that I did not procrastinate. This was a
huge step, and with time, I was able to make progress. I was able to use the library to gather
research articles and strategies to get the most relevant research materials depending on my
topic.
I have been able to work on my schedule, and I have been able to ensure that I dedicate
enough time to my studies. I have ensured that I dedicate a few hours every week to my studies.
During my study time, I have ensured that I switch off all electronic devices that could have an
impact on my productivity. In this English class, I want to continue improving on my writing and
research skills. I believe that the asignments will offer me an opportunity to work on areas I feel
I am not excelling in. I am hopeful that the class will help me become a better student and a
better nurse in future.