In high school I participated in football, wrestling and baseball and played for five different position coaches while playing football for the Crimson and Blue of KU. While the various coaches had a different style for coaching, each would let me know when I was doing something wrong. Their criticism was never meant to hurt me. As they saw something that needed improvement, they advised me on ways to better myself. Of course, some days I believed they did not know what they were talking about and I thought it was best to continue doing things my way. Other days I was convinced they were out to get me and no matter what I tried I could not get it right. Eventually both of these emotions passed and after a few hours, weeks or months of working at it, sure enough they were right and had found a way for me to improve.
Fortunately, not everyone has to actually strap on a football helmet to achieve the rewards offered by constructive criticism. True, honest feedback is one of the most rare gifts we can be given. We do not have the ability to survey our actions from a different point of view, so we become stubborn in the way we perceive ourselves. This stubbornness develops a rut that is increasingly difficult to climb out of as time passes. Constructive criticism is sometimes difficult to handle, yet finding the positive from it gives us the push we need to climb out of those ruts and grow.
The SELF sophomores are preparing to go before a review committee to showcase what they have achieved. Knowing that when I was a sophomore in college, I may have been worried that I had not yet accomplished enough. Maybe I had not joined the right groups or taken on adequate leadership responsibilities. If there would be teachers on the committee, I may have worried what they would think if I had not done well on their last test. Would they think I was incompetent? Would I even deserve to be here? Then to overcompensate for those feelings I am sure I would have acted cocky and made myself believe that I had done more than everyone else. I would have thought, “What could they tell me that I do not already know?” I would prepare myself to hear what they had to say and then brush it off simply as advice they felt obligated to give everyone. Both are reactions that would have been irrational states of mind.
My advice to you is to graciously accept the feedback you have earned. Typically the hardest part of accepting criticism is suppressing ones immediate response to it. As I have mentioned you may feel crushed by the words they have spoken and you may turn defensive and shut down to what is being said. Don't! Separate yourself from the situation and listen as if you are only there to take mental notes of the advice. Breathe. Your heart may be racing and you may start to feel overwhelmed, so take a moment to breathe before sincerely thanking the reviewer for their opinion. After you have eliminated your emotions ask questions to ensure that you correctly understand what is being asked of you. De-construct the criticism into points that can help you improve. This will show that you value their response and have already begun working towards their advice for improvement.
After the meeting is over, give yourself at least half an hour to consolidate your thoughts. Find somewhere quiet to reflect on and write down the advice you were given before discussing feedback with your supporting peers. Take the time to think about the goals you can set to improve in those areas as well as how you can apply those changes to your current goals. This half an hour will also give you a chance to run through the emotions you suppressed during the meeting. Give your mind and body a chance to relax and accept the rewards of positive criticism.
As it turns out I am a little jealous of the opportunity that has been established. You sophomores have a chance to be praised for the good work you have done. You have the opportunity to hear first-hand what this committee sees as avenues for you to improve your education. The review will give you time to see how far you have come in this early in your college career and the opportunity to establish a new outlook on what you can achieve before you graduate.
Rock Chalk