Being a good student doesn’t just mean achieving high scores on tests. It means having: a love of learning, a passion for knowledge and a hunger to develop and grow academically. So, what are the traits and habits that shape a good student? The following is not an exhaustive list; however, it is a very good start.
1. A GOOD STUDENT HAS A GROWTH MINDSET
A growth mindset is a deeply held belief that a person can learn anything given enough time and effort. Carol Dweck is a Professor of Psychology at Stanford University. She is the world’s most recognised student of the mindset trait. In her 2014 Ted talk, Dweck spoke about growth mindset in terms of, ‘The power of yet’.
2. A GOOD STUDENT IS BRAVE
Brave kids are going to be the ones who take risks and amass experiences. They can use those experiences powerfully in their learning and growing. They quickly establish what they love and loathe and then they are more likely to create a life they love. They are also going to be the students who take learning risks that lead to lateral, out of the box thinking. The world needs that kind of thinker.
3. A GOOD STUDENT IS ORGANISED
A high school student can study as many as nine different subjects with nine different teachers and nine different sets of expectations. It is impossible to thrive under those circumstances unless a child is highly organised. Fortunately, organisation is something we can teach. We can also employ aids like diaries, planners and study schedules.
4. A GOOD STUDENT IS CONSISTENT AND PERSISTENT
Learning happens slowly and consistently. Take for example the process we went through when we learned to read. There were steps, from holding a book the right way up, to recognising letters to phonetics, years of practising and finally fluency. It’s not actually that hard to learn to read for neurotypical kids, but you do have to develop building blocks and commit to regular practise. It is the willingness to practise that contributes to success as a student.
5. A GOOD STUDENT IS ABLE TO DEAL WITH FAILURE
Failure is one of the greatest tools in the learning process. Unfortunately, too many people are simply overwhelmed by the feeling of failure rather than being able to stand back and look at the lessons it can teach us. Having the tenacity to stare down failure is an extraordinary skill.
6. A GOOD STUDENT SETS GOALS
Goal setting focuses a student’s attention towards certain behaviours and information and away from distractions. Research tells us that incremental goals are far more effective than large goals. If a student is able to break down a big goal, like solving a big problem, innovating or achieving a higher grade, into small bite-sized pieces they are more likely to be successful. If they can incorporate the feedback they receive on each occasion, the small wins eventually lead to big achievements.
7. A GOOD STUDENT IS ABLE TO CONNECT LEARNING TO LIFE
A successful student is able to see their studies in the context of the wider world. If a child has read, observed and discussed the world, issues and ideas on a regular basis, they will be able to place their learning in context. Without context, it is easy to understand why a child would think, “What’s the point?”
8. A GOOD STUDENT KNOWS HOW TO LOOK AFTER THEIR MENTAL HEALTH
One of the greatest obstacles to a child’s academic success can be their mental health. Anxiety, in particular, is a growing concern in Australian schools. A large-scale 2018 study, conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) found that “nearly half of Australian students reported feeling “very stressed”, up from 28% in 2003 when the study began. Students who reported feeling confident while doing difficult schoolwork fell from 76% to 59%.” It is very difficult to learn when in a state of stress. If a child hasn’t been taught the emotional regulation skills required to create calm and a sense of flow, it is very hard to achieve success.
9. A GOOD STUDENT PARTNERS WITH TEACHERS
A child’s relationship with their teacher is fundamental to their success at school. Effective students recognise that their teachers are their allies. The importance of this relationship was borne out in the ground-breaking research of Professor John Hattie.
10. A GOOD STUDENT VALUES EDUCATION
Finally, if a child is to achieve success in education, they need to value education. In life, we very rarely persist or strive in an endeavour if we don’t think it is valuable. Studies show that children are more likely to embrace education and succeed in homes where education is valued, where there are books and where parents are engaged in learning.
