The small insight or preview I have had now from my next two school years have allowed me realize that the "risky" decission I took of getting into the Innovation Academy is one of the smartest things I have done in my life and that all the change and "barriers" will be totally worth it. One of the most important things I have realized is that before, I saw school as an obligation, and everything I did inside it were things I had to as I didn't have any other option; After reading "Mindset" and experiencing a week at the IA, I have clear that this fixed-mindset and disspointing views are in the direction of change.
I feel very satisfied, excited and happy of having taken the decission of being part of the IA. In only one week, I have experienced a whole new way of learning, I have met new people, I have felt very motivated and engaged, I have had the chance to work with people I am not used to, I have been able to step out of my comfort zone, I have been able to open my mind by sucking in different ideas and new experiences, and I have had a very convinient preview of what my last two years of High School will look like. Every day, I return home very excited, motivated and sharing every detail with my family about the IA, which makes me and at the same time my parents very happy and satisfied.
Something very imporant I have realized this past week, is how my mindest is shaping more and more into a growth-mindset each day, and how many people with a fixed-mindset surround me. Beside many anecdotes and experiences, I have realized this by something that is unavoidable: student's negative comments. This week I have been attacked with my friend's (not in the IA) negative comments, criticism, dissaproval, put downs and mockery. Comments such as "Haha, the Innovation Academy is a joke, you egg around all day", or "Are you kidding me? You have nothing to stress about, you are in Innovation...", or "...you do nothing all day, while I'm in my math class, I see IA students taking a walk at school...", and I could go on. Although this comments are very discouraging and off-putting, and I have been warned by senior IA students that they will never end, I have to start ignoring them, laughing at them, and not letting them affect me or put me down. No one will make my experience in the Innovation Academy less pleasurable, satisfying, and enriching.