--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I looked for themes and underlying…" description: "\"“I looked for themes and underlying principles across lectures,” and “I went over mistakes until I was certain I understood them.” They were studying t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/carol-s-dweck-3250_motivation_i-looked-for-themes-and-underlying-princ_1555625.jpg" --- # I looked for themes and underlying principles across… ![“I looked for themes and underlying principles across lectures,” and “I went over mistakes until I was certain I understood them.” They were studying to learn, not just to ace the test. And, actually, this was why they got higher grades—not because they were smarter or had a better background in…” quote by Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/carol-s-dweck-3250_motivation_i-looked-for-themes-and-underlying-princ_1555625.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/carol-s-dweck-3250_motivation_i-looked-for-themes-and-underlying-princ_1555625.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/carol-s-dweck-3250_motivation_i-looked-for-themes-and-underlying-princ_1555625.jpg) > ““I looked for themes and underlying principles across lectures,” and “I went over mistakes until I was certain I understood them.” They were studying to learn, not just to ace the test. And, actually, this was why they got higher grades—not because they were smarter or had a better background in science. Instead of losing their motivation when the course got dry or difficult, they said: “I maintained my interest in the material.” “I stayed positive about taking chemistry.” “I kept myself motivated to study.” Even if they thought the textbook was boring or the instructor was a stiff, they didn’t let their motivation evaporate. That just made it all the more important to motivate themselves.”” [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Deep learning comes from seeking underlying patterns and correcting errors, not merely aiming for high grades. **In simple terms:** Learning by understanding, not just testing. Key Takeaway Focus on mastery, not performance. Themes learning motivation mastery growth mindset Mood determined optimistic reflective Type educational motivational psychological When to use this quote - studying complex subjects - overcoming boredom - self‑directed learning - maintaining interest in challenging courses Key Concepts metacognition self-regulation intrinsic motivation Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn boredom into curiosity? - What strategies keep you motivated during tough topics? A Different Perspective May falter when external pressures dominate intrinsic curiosity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Kept Motivated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kept-motivated-454491/) [Motivated Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivated-study-5825017/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Motivation Evaporate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation-evaporate-5825019/) [Self motivated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-motivated/) [Understood Studying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understood-studying-5825018/) ## Related quotes > [I've talked to Frank Gore, Willis McGahee - different guys who had similar injuries to me. Those guys have been great mentors to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-bridgewater/i-ve-talked-to-frank-gore-willis-mcgahee-different-guys-who-had/) [Teddy Bridgewater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-bridgewater/) > [The thing that kept me motivated was seeing myself do well, just seeing myself make plays out there on the field. Then I've had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geno-smith/the-thing-that-kept-me-motivated-was-seeing-myself-do-well-just/) [Geno Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geno-smith/) > [What kept me motivated was the fact that I constantly wanted to be better. I wasn't satisfied with what I was doing. I knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/breanna-stewart/what-kept-me-motivated-was-the-fact-that-i-constantly-wanted-to-be/) [Breanna Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/breanna-stewart/) > [Injuries have always kept me going, always kept me motivated, actually taught me how much I have to put hard yards and the hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hardik-pandya/injuries-have-always-kept-me-going-always-kept-me-motivated-actually/) [Hardik Pandya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hardik-pandya/) > [Thanks to a lot of good people around me, they kept me motivated, and I'm here as a champion in two different weight classes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-pereira/thanks-to-a-lot-of-good-people-around-me-they-kept-me-motivated-and-i/) [Alex Pereira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-pereira/) > [I have to give credit to my trainer. He definitely kept me motivated in staying in shape... I've always been naturally curvy, but of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-upton/i-have-to-give-credit-to-my-trainer-he-definitely-kept-me-motivated/) [Kate Upton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-upton/) > [“It was clear from talking to them, that what kept them motivated was the quality of the experience they felt when they were involved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/it-was-clear-from-talking-to-them-that-what-kept-them-motivated-was/) [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) > [Even though it feels like you are so far away from the big leagues, my love for the game kept me motivated to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-judge/even-though-it-feels-like-you-are-so-far-away-from-the-big-leagues-my/) [Aaron Judge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-judge/) > [Keep your head up.Keep yourself motivated to take any challenge in struggle of life.Believe tomorrow will be better if you can bear hardship today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/keep-your-head-up-keep-yourself-motivated-to-take-any-challenge-in/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [Homeschoolers are the ultimate do-it-yourselfers. They are self-motivated and self-directed, independent-minded and creative. They are not content to turn their education of their children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pearcey/homeschoolers-are-the-ultimate-do-it-yourselfers-they-are-self/) [Nancy Pearcey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pearcey/) > [I've always been self-motivated, but I can't take a ton of credit for any success I've had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-billingsley/i-ve-always-been-self-motivated-but-i-can-t-take-a-ton-of-credit-for/) [Peter Billingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-billingsley/) > [“I’m very self-motivated,” she’d state with an assertiveness that she didn’t quite feel in her gut, and the HR guy would look down at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dexter-palmer/i-m-very-self-motivated-she-d-state-with-an-assertiveness-that-she/) [Dexter Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dexter-palmer/) > [“If you have the right people on the bus, they will be self-motivated. The real question then becomes: How do you manage in such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/if-you-have-the-right-people-on-the-bus-they-will-be-self-motivated/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [Never let adversity deter you from your dream that are really your destination. Keep your self motivated and willingness to take every situation by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/never-let-adversity-deter-you-from-your-dream-that-are-really-your/) [Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/) > [When you want something desperately and you lose it, no matter how hard you try to get yourself motivated, it's always difficult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-jay-okocha/when-you-want-something-desperately-and-you-lose-it-no-matter-how/) [Jay-Jay Okocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-jay-okocha/) ## More by Carol S. Dweck > [“you aren’t a failure until you start to blame.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/you-aren-t-a-failure-until-you-start-to-blame/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [“tune in to the messages you’re sending. Are they messages that say: You have permanent traits and I’m judging them? Or are they messages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/tune-in-to-the-messages-you-re-sending-are-they-messages-that-say-you/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [A company that cannot self-correct cannot thrive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/a-company-that-cannot-self-correct-cannot-thrive/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [...when people already know they're deficient, they have nothing to lose by trying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/when-people-already-know-they-re-deficient-they-have-nothing-to-lose/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [Most experts and great leaders agree that leaders are made, not born, and that they are made through their own drive for learning and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/most-experts-and-great-leaders-agree-that-leaders-are-made-not-born/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [“Genius is not enough; we need to get the job done.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/genius-is-not-enough-we-need-to-get-the-job-done/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [Why seek out the tried and true, instead of experiences that will stretch you?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/why-seek-out-the-tried-and-true-instead-of-experiences-that-will/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [What can I learn from this? What will I do next time I'm in this situation?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/what-can-i-learn-from-this-what-will-i-do-next-time-i-m-in-this/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [When we praise children for their intelligence, we tell them that this is the name of the game: Look smart; don't risk making mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/when-we-praise-children-for-their-intelligence-we-tell-them-that-this/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [We're not saying people don't need fuel for strenuous work; they just don't need it constantly. People have many more resources at hand than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/we-re-not-saying-people-don-t-need-fuel-for-strenuous-work-they-just/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [“What on earth would make someone a nonlearner? Everyone is born with an intense drive to learn. Infants stretch their skills daily. Not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/what-on-earth-would-make-someone-a-nonlearner-everyone-is-born-with/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it's not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/the-passion-for-stretching-yourself-and-sticking-to-it-even-or/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [The whole point of marriage is to encourage your partner's development and have them encourage yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/the-whole-point-of-marriage-is-to-encourage-your-partner-s/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [“When people with the fixed mindset opt for success over growth, what are they really trying to prove? That they’re special. Even superior.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/when-people-with-the-fixed-mindset-opt-for-success-over-growth-what/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [I'm such an egghead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/i-m-such-an-egghead/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) [Explore all 135 Carol S. Dweck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) ## More Motivation quotes > [Some people give you that motivation to work harder simply to get the hell away from wherever they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/some-people-give-you-that-motivation-to-work-harder-simply-to-get-the/) [Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/) > [My embarrassing confession is that my father is a 'Camelot: The Musical' obsessive. So as a child, when we were going to visit relatives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-chibnall/my-embarrassing-confession-is-that-my-father-is-a-camelot-the-musical/) [Chris Chibnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-chibnall/) > [Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [Every human creates his own problems. Problems are ones private property and we shouldnt meddle into them self-initiatively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-papian/every-human-creates-his-own-problems-problems-are-ones-private/) [Ruben Papian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-papian/) > [One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. There must be love and a vocation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessye-norman/one-needs-more-than-ambition-and-talent-to-make-a-success-of-anything/) [Jessye Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessye-norman/) > [“Now you," Grandma barks at him. "Yes, you, the invisible truck driver," she added, giving me a wicked grin. "Go stand next to Rose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/now-you-grandma-barks-at-him-yes-you-the-invisible-truck-driver-she/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [“Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive. Fear of falling asleep at night. Fear of not falling asleep. Fear of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/fear-of-seeing-a-police-car-pull-into-the-drive-fear-of-falling/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-not-willing-to-learn-no-one-can-help-you-if-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Have a Blast; Life wont last! Make the best of the journey before it is over!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/have-a-blast-life-wont-last-make-the-best-of-the-journey-before-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is like riding on a bus. God is the driver and I am the passenger. Have faith God knows which route to take.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jefroy-hanson/life-is-like-riding-on-a-bus-god-is-the-driver-and-i-am-the-passenger/) [Jefroy Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jefroy-hanson/) > [“Friction is necessary. Ease of life leads to complacency and the atrophy of the human will and spirit. Within our struggles lives our strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-versey/friction-is-necessary-ease-of-life-leads-to-complacency-and-the/) [Jason Versey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-versey/) > [When you heed the calling of your heart, you are following your purpose. Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/) [Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/) > [Needs cause motivation. Deep-rooted desires for esteem, affection, belonging, achievement, self-actualization, power, and control motivate us to push for what we want and need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/needs-cause-motivation-deep-rooted-desires-for-esteem-affection/) [Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/) > [Life is going to hit you some line drives, and sometimes you'll have to think fast. However, it's better to think first than to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bytheway/life-is-going-to-hit-you-some-line-drives-and-sometimes-you-ll-have/) [John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bytheway/) [Browse all 14,479 Motivation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I looked for themes and underlying principles across lectures,” and “I went over mistakes until I was certain I understood them.” They were studying to learn, not just to ace the test. And, actually, this was why they got higher grades—not because they were smarter or had a better background in science. Instead of losing their motivation when the course got dry or difficult, they said: “I maintained my interest in the material.” “I stayed positive about taking chemistry.” “I kept myself motivated to study.” Even if they thought the textbook was boring or the instructor was a stiff, they didn’t let their motivation evaporate. That just made it all the more important to motivate themselves.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Carol S. Dweck" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/i-looked-for-themes-and-underlying-principles-across-lectures-and-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Motivation" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/i-looked-for-themes-and-underlying-principles-across-lectures-and-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/carol-s-dweck-3250_motivation_i-looked-for-themes-and-underlying-princ_1555625.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/carol-s-dweck-3250_motivation_i-looked-for-themes-and-underlying-princ_1555625.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/carol-s-dweck-3250_motivation_i-looked-for-themes-and-underlying-princ_1555625.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I looked for themes and underlying principles across lectures,” and “I went over mistakes until I was…” — Carol S. Dweck", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Carol S. Dweck", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I looked for themes and underlying...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/i-looked-for-themes-and-underlying-principles-across-lectures-and-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/i-looked-for-themes-and-underlying-principles-across-lectures-and-i/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```