Lecture Notes: Improving Academic Performance

Introduction

• Initial engagement question about improving grades.
• Majority of students expressed desire for improved grades.

Key Questions

• Importance of IQ: Few students believe IQ is the main factor for improving grades.
• Importance of Hard Work: Approximately 40% of students feel hard work is key.

Research Overview

• Elevate Education's Research: 13 years of research on student habits and practices.
• Countries Studied: Australia, South Africa, UK, US.

Key Findings

1. Top Students and IQ:
   • Higher IQ not necessarily linked to top results.
   • Many students overestimate the importance of IQ.
2. Skills that Matter:
   • Identified small set of skills that predict success.
   • Skills are cross-cultural (relevant in multiple countries).
3. Teachability of Skills:
   • Skills can be taught and employed by students to improve results.

Essential Skills for Improvement

1. Self-Motivation:
   • Ability to work consistently throughout the year.
2. Self-Discipline:
   • Avoid distractions (e.g., social media).
3. Resilience:
   • Ability to recover from setbacks and losses.
   • Self-discipline is found to be twice as effective as IQ in predicting academic success (research by Seligman and Duckworth).

Hard Work vs. Smart Study

• Hard work is necessary but not sufficient for success.
• Many students who work hard do not achieve high results due to ineffective study habits.
• Michael Jordan Quote: Emphasizes that practicing with poor technique leads to poor results.

Right Study Practices

• Practice Exams:
  • Most crucial predictor of student success.
  • Top students prioritize practice exams over rote memorization.
  • Majority of students focus on memorization rather than understanding how to apply knowledge.

Case Studies

• Year 11 students in the UK vs. Australia exhibit similar study behaviors.
• Top students (about 11%) engage in practice exams while others focus on memorization techniques.

Self-Discipline and Time Management

• Study Timetables:
  • Majority of students create timetables but abandon them quickly.
  • Top students include leisure activities in their timetables, which promotes balance and productivity.
• They prioritize activities they enjoy to maintain motivation and happiness.

Conclusion

• Three Key Takeaways:

  1. Don’t overestimate IQ; it’s beyond your control.
  2. Don’t just work hard; work hard on the right strategies.
  3. Model the habits of top students to improve results.

• Final note: Get the process right and the results will follow.