Author and researcher, Walter Mischel believes that self-control drives the engine of success. During our book talk, we will share ways to help students exercise self-control so that they can avoid diversions and stay on task.
Take a moment and respond briefly to these two questions.
- What is your definition of self-control?
- Why is self-control an important ingredient in the recipe for student success?
I think self-control is the ability for a person to control their actions, behaviors, and responses given the circumstances in which they find themselves. A reaction at a family get-together my be acceptable but inappropriate in a different situation such as in school or at work. I believe self-control is important in student success as students will find themselves in a variety of learning environments–classroom with other students, independent work at home and in school, etc–and with various individuals in their journey. Students need to be able to utilize their executive functioning skills in these various situations in order to complete the required work for school.
Self-control is, by my definition, the ability to keep one’s composure in volatile, difficult or frustrating situations, the ability to work persistently toward a goal while keeping distractions at bay and the ability to be future-minded rather than just simply “in the moment.” As one of my 6th grade boys who likes working on cars with his dad puts it, self-control is “pumping my brakes instead of slamming them down at the last minute.” An initiative at our school this year is focusing on “hitting the pause button” which is an important component of self-control.
As we are learning, self-control is an important ingredient in the recipe for student success. It helps temper impulsive or thoughtless decisions, it helps calm anger and frustration in order to give way to clear thinking, it enables one to forge through adversity and not get distracted by life’s roadblocks. Self-control allows a student to learn to delay gratification and see the “big picture” (doing well in 7th grade relates to earning that high school diploma or helps an 8th grade boy maintain his eligibility to play football freshman year). As we are reading, self-control, coupled with optimism and a positive growth mindset, assists students’ imagination and creativity to shine through what they do as well as permits them to learn from mistakes and do better the next time rather than succumb to failure, defeat or negative self-talk.
1. A phrase I use on a daily basis, usually multiple times with my junior, senior and senior plus students with special needs, “Think before you do” is my definition of self-control. Being able to think about the consequences of a verbal response or physical action before responding.
2. Self-control allows students to focus on learning and stimuli in their present environment. It allows the cool system to be more active than the hot system, which in turn allows students to grow academically and socially so they can reach their potential and be successful adults. It allows students to create future goals and help them to attain those goals.
Self-control is the ability to manage one’s actions, emotions, impulses.
Practicing self-control allows students to focus their energies on the task at hand and tune out distractions. Being focused can lead to better decision making and better outcomes.
Self control in my opinion is showing restraint and will power over immediate impulses.
I think that if we practice restraint and learn self-control early in life, we are then able to have some control over the shaping of our own development. Meaning, learning self-control at an early age helps to keep us on-track with specific goals and build into adulthood.
1. The late TWHS teacher, track, and cross country coach, Gary Smith, used to tell young runners that the mark of their dedication was how hard they pushed themselves when no one was watching. I define self-control as the amount of effort (physical, mental, emotional…) you exert when no one is observing.
2. Self-control is essential for student success because it’s the basis for what academia asks of students. Without self-control, a student at any level will not be able to successfully engage in the activities schools ask of them. Whether its a simple assignment or a very complex one or any sort of instruction, a student has to be able to control him or herself to listen, comprehend and, perhaps most critically, carry out and successfully complete the task at hand.
Self control is the ability to stop and think and weigh out the outomes before making decision. It is being able to regulate your emotions and impulses and think before you act.
Self control helps students succeed by taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture before they act. It helps them focus on making the best decision and having a postiive outcome.
To me self control is the ability to regulate our choices. Sometimes I think about self control as the ability to delay a choice. Having the chance to think about what possible consequences could along with the choice one is about to make. I also think about self control as the ability to say no to something even though it is very easily obtainable.
Self control is important for student success because it helps them keep their focus and also maintain some sense of order in their lives. Along with this they can also do a much better job of prioritizing and completing tasks. I would also say that when kids practice good self control it can build confidence in all areas especially academics.
Self control is an important trait to have as a person in order to be successful throughout life. I think self control has a lot to do with self discipline. Self discipline enables one to resist temptations that interfere with learning and changing for the better. Self discipline allows one to have will power over many things in life. If a person has self control they are more likely to develop “sticktoitiveness” and stay on the path to a better future.
My definition of self-control is wanting to do or say something RIGHT now, but not allowing myself because it would be better to wait.
Self-control is important for student success because we all need to learn that we’re part of something much bigger. It’s not just about us. We need to take turns, allow others to shine and give of ourselves rather than just take what we want because we want it. When students learn self-control they learn to be part of a team not the center of attention
I believe self-control is the ability to control an impulse in order to make a good choice. Learning and practicing self control is an important piece of the “hidden curriculum” that takes place in school. If students lack self-control it is often viewed by the classroom teacher as disruptive behavior and consequences make follow.
Self control is the ability (see outcomes) to pause and think about your reactions, behaviors and responses.
Self control will help students make better decisions in the future for better outcomes and will build self confidence.
I believe that self-control is the ability to control impulses, responses and reactions to situations and scenarios that we are faced with in our daily lives. Because our society is given 24-hour a day “access” to everything through technology (shopping, news, information etc.) I worry that this is what our students are learning is the norm…instant gratification. We, as educators, need to help them understand the importance of self-control and the rewards that come from patience and perseverance. Schools should work to include purposeful activities that encourage students to learn and better understand how to exhibit self-control.
Self-Control is the ability to control our impulses and desires. For instance, while reading all those lovely chapters, I controlled my impulses to eat a whole roll of Neccos (leftover from my Christmas stocking) and only ate 1/2 of them. I also wasn’t hungry but felt I needed some pretzels and dipped them in cream cheese only eating a controlled number and not slathering them with the whole container of cream cheese. Now I am drinking a glass of wine writing this not drinking the whole bottle.
With student success, it is important to help children learn self-control so our classrooms don’t turn into crazy town chaos. They can learn better, we don’t become alcoholics or screaming control freaks, and everyone is in a better environment.
Self-control means being able to resist temptations and avoid acting on impulse. In simple terms – it’s the ability to regulate yourself. It is such an important skill for kids to learn because when kids have better self-control, they do better in school and get along better with others. Self-regulation helps kids deal with friendship problems, attend to tasks in the classroom, manage organization, react to negative situations, react to disappointment, listen to directions…all things crucial to success!
1. I define self-control as the ability to exert one’s will in order to delay gratification or an impulse.
2. Self-Control is so important for student success because kids are constantly bombarded with self-sabotaging options that they must resist in order to be successful in school and in life. Self-control allows a student to avoid slapping another student when provoked, mouthing off to the teacher when feeling misunderstood, and sleeping in class because the topic is SOOO boring! There are thousands of decisions every day that require self-control, and students who can control their mind and emotions move towards maturity and mastery. Those who don’t find themselves struggling both academically and behaviorally.
Self Control is the ability to stop and be present in the moment and use appropriate tools to guide oneself through a situation. In our fast paced digitally connected world the ability to be present and use good self control in the moment is becoming harder for the younger generations to achieve. We are finding that we have to carve out time during the school day to teach kids to be present with themselves so that they have a better understanding of what it feels like to just be as well as modeling tools and strategies to assist them with self control.
Self control is the ability to make intentional decisions. It could be saying no to something that has a negative effect on our life, or it could be saying yes to something that has a positive effect on our life.
Students need to have self control in order to find success in school. They need to be able to navigate many different temptations during their daily lives, both inside and outside of school. They need to have the control to set and work toward a goal to find their passions in life.
Self control is the ability to think before reacting, considering the positive and negative consequences. We have used the formula E + R = O (event + response = outcome). We have the conversation with our students that we can’t always predict or choose an event, but we can choose our response, therefore affecting the outcome.
Self control is the ability to manage your body’s reaction mentally and physically to the things that are happening around you. Self control is so important to the success of a student because it helps them to make the right choices when something comes along that could help or hinder their education.