Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
By Angela Duckworth, PhD
In this must-read book for anyone striving to succeed, pioneering psychologist and 2013 MacArthur Fellow Dr. Angela Duckworth shows parents, students, educators, athletes, and businesspeople – both seasoned and new – that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent, but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls “grit.”
In Grit, Duckworth takes readers into the field to visit cadets struggling through their first days at West Point, teachers working in some of the toughest schools, and young finalists in the National Spelling Bee. She also mines fascinating insights from history and shows what can be gleaned from modern experiments in peak performance. Finally, Duckworth shares what she has learned from interviewing dozens of high achievers.
First year students reading the text this fall can expect to:
- Explore what we can learn from experiments in peak performance to succeed in college
- Explore ways to engage with personal interests, seek purpose, adjust mindset, and get the most out of deliberate practice to develop resilience
Every first-year student will pick up a free copy of this text during Welcome Weekend at the Penn State Berks bookstore using the flyer provided and students are encouraged to begin reading the book at that time.
The Penn State Berks 2020-2021 Common Reading Program is sponsored by Barnes & Noble Education.
The purpose of the Common Reading is:
- to provide all First-Year students with an enjoyable and positive reading experience
- to reinforce the message that reading is an integral part of the college experience
- to foster a sense of community among our first-year students.
The First-Year Seminar (FYS) course will include academic expectations based on the content of the Common Reading selection.