One task, one class, one day

Earning a poor grade or falling behind on assignments can make students feel like everything is lost. It isn’t.

Psychologist Angela Duckworth defines grit as sticking with something over time, especially when it’s hard. She notes that it’s not about talent, it’s about stamina. Grit isn’t fixing everything at once. It’s showing up again tomorrow.

We can help students build grit by: 
 

1. Focusing on one task, one class, one day. Narrowing the focus reduces overwhelm and makes getting started possible.
2. Aiming for progress, not perfection. Effort and improvement matter more than getting everything right.
3. Using small wins to rebuild confidence. Small successes create momentum and motivation to keep going.

Falling behind or earning a bad grade doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means it’s time to reset, take the next step, and keep going. That’s grit.