What do top students do differently? | Douglas Barton | TEDxYouth@Tallinn

TEDx Talks
26 Mar 201514:38
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe speaker emphasizes that high IQ is not the primary determinant of academic success, debunking a common myth among students. Through 13 years of research across various countries, it's revealed that a set of teachable and usable skills are more significant in achieving top marks. These skills include self-motivation, self-discipline, and resilience, along with the practice of mock exams which are found to be a strong predictor of success. The speaker also highlights the importance of a balanced study timetable that prioritizes non-study activities to maintain happiness and productivity, encouraging students to focus on the right study techniques rather than just hard work.

Takeaways
  • 📈 The majority of students do not believe that a higher IQ is the most important factor for improving grades.
  • 🔍 The speaker's research across various countries has shown that top students do not solely achieve their results because of higher IQs.
  • 🌟 A small set of skills has been identified as statistically significant in explaining why top students achieve top marks, and these skills are common across different countries.
  • 💡 The skills that lead to top academic performance can be taught and used by students to improve their results.
  • 🚫 Students often overestimate the importance of IQ in achieving academic success, whereas other factors like practice exams are more predictive of results.
  • 📚 Practice exams are a key factor in predicting academic performance, as they allow students to apply what they remember rather than just memorizing facts.
  • 💪 Self-motivation, self-discipline, and resilience are essential skills for students to perform well academically, regardless of their IQ.
  • 📉 Hard work alone is not sufficient for academic success; it must be combined with the right strategies and habits.
  • 🎯 Top students differentiate themselves by focusing on the right activities, such as taking practice exams and maintaining a balanced study timetable.
  • 🗓️ Creating a study timetable that prioritizes non-study activities can lead to better adherence and a more balanced approach to studying.
  • 🌍 The findings from the research are relevant to students in various countries, emphasizing the universality of the identified skills and habits.
Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the speaker's presentation?

    -The speaker's presentation focuses on debunking myths about what contributes to academic success, emphasizing that factors like practice exams, self-motivation, self-discipline, and resilience are more important than IQ in achieving top results.

  • How long has the company 'Elevate Education' been researching student habits and practices?

    -Elevate Education has been researching student habits and practices for the last 13 years.

  • What did the research by 'Elevate Education' find about the relationship between IQ and academic performance?

    -The research found that IQ is not the number one predictor of how well a student will perform academically. There are 13 variables more effective in predicting academic performance than IQ alone.

  • According to the speaker, what is the most effective factor in predicting academic performance?

    -Practice exams were found to be the most effective factor in predicting academic performance, with top students doing more practice exams than others.

  • What is the role of self-discipline in the research conducted by Martin Seligman and Angela Duckworth?

    -Self-discipline was found to be more effective in predicting academic results than IQ alone, with self-discipline being two times more effective according to the research by Martin Seligman and Angela Duckworth.

  • Why do many students struggle with maintaining a study timetable?

    -Many students struggle with maintaining a study timetable because they often start by scheduling study sessions without considering other activities they enjoy. This leads to boredom and a lack of balance, causing them to abandon the timetable.

  • What is the key difference between the study timetables of top students and the majority of students?

    -The key difference is that top students prioritize non-study activities such as socializing, hobbies, and sports in their timetables first, and then schedule study sessions around these activities, ensuring a balanced approach.

  • What is the significance of doing practice exams according to the speaker?

    -Doing practice exams is significant because it helps students to not only remember information but also to analyze, evaluate, and develop arguments, which are the skills needed to perform well in actual exams.

  • How does the speaker suggest students should approach their study habits to improve their results?

    -The speaker suggests that students should not just aim to work hard, but work hard doing the right things. This includes focusing on practice exams, self-motivation, self-discipline, and resilience.

  • What is the message the speaker wants to convey about the importance of working hard?

    -The speaker emphasizes that while working hard is necessary for academic success, it is not sufficient on its own. Students must also focus on the right strategies and habits to ensure their hard work translates into better results.

  • What is the role of resilience in a student's academic journey according to the presentation?

    -Resilience is important because every student will lose marks at some point during the year. Being able to pick oneself up and move forward after setbacks is crucial for continued academic progress.

Outlines
00:00
📈 Improving Grades: Beyond IQ

The first paragraph introduces the topic of improving academic performance and challenges the common belief that a higher IQ is the primary factor for success. The speaker discusses the findings from 13 years of research across various countries, revealing that top students achieve their results not solely due to IQ but through a set of specific skills and habits. The importance of practice exams as a predictor of academic success is highlighted, emphasizing that it's a controllable factor unlike IQ. The summary also touches on the need for self-motivation, self-discipline, and resilience, which are critical for consistent study and overcoming setbacks.

05:02
🧠 The Myth of IQ and the Power of Self-Discipline

The second paragraph delves deeper into the misconception about the role of IQ in academic success. It cites research by Martin Seligman and Angela Duckworth, which shows that self-discipline is a more significant predictor of academic performance than IQ. The speaker warns against the strategy of merely working hard without focusing on the right techniques, as hard work alone is insufficient. The importance of doing practice exams is reiterated, as they help students apply their knowledge rather than just memorize it. The paragraph also discusses the ineffectiveness of memorization and the need for top students to analyze and evaluate information to excel in exams.

10:03
🗓️ Effective Study Timetables and the Role of Self-Discipline

The third paragraph addresses the common issue of students creating study timetables that they fail to adhere to. It contrasts the approach of most students, who focus on scheduling study time first and neglect other activities, with that of top students, who prioritize their interests and hobbies in their timetables. This balanced approach leads to a happier and more productive study routine. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not just working hard, but working hard on the right activities, which are identified through research as differentiating top students. The paragraph concludes with advice for students to focus on the process, as getting the process right will naturally lead to improved results.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡IQ
IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a measure of a person's cognitive abilities. In the context of the video, it is discussed as a common misconception that high IQ is the primary determinant of academic success. The speaker clarifies that IQ is not the most critical factor for top students' performance, emphasizing that other skills and habits are more significant.
💡Academic Performance
Academic performance refers to how well a student does in their studies, typically measured by grades or scores on exams. The video focuses on understanding what factors contribute to better academic performance, debunking the myth that IQ is the sole predictor and highlighting the importance of practice exams, self-discipline, and other skills.
💡Practice Exams
Practice exams are mock tests that students take to prepare for actual exams. The video emphasizes that top students tend to do more practice exams, which is a key predictor of academic success. It is suggested that practice exams help students apply their knowledge rather than just memorizing facts.
💡Self-Motivation
Self-motivation is the ability to encourage oneself to take action toward goals. The video mentions that self-motivation is crucial for students to work consistently throughout the year, which is a key habit of top students.
💡Self-Discipline
Self-discipline involves controlling one's impulses and focusing on long-term goals rather than immediate gratification. The video discusses the importance of self-discipline in creating and sticking to a study timetable, which is a common practice among top students.
💡Resilience
Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. In the context of the video, it is highlighted as a necessary trait for students to bounce back from losing marks and to keep progressing in their studies.
💡Study Timetable
A study timetable is a schedule that students create to organize their study time and activities. The video explains that top students are more likely to stick to their study timetables because they prioritize activities they enjoy, which contributes to their overall balance and productivity.
💡Memory-Based Activities
Memory-based activities refer to study methods that focus on memorizing information. The video points out that while many students rely on memorization, top students differentiate themselves by engaging in practice exams that require analysis and application of knowledge.
💡Differentiation
Differentiation, in the context of the video, refers to the distinct habits or practices that set top students apart from their peers. The video discusses how certain skills and habits, such as taking practice exams and maintaining a balanced study timetable, differentiate top students and contribute to their success.
💡Underperformance
Underperformance is when a student does not achieve their potential in their studies. The video addresses the issue of student underperformance, suggesting that it often results from a lack of effective study techniques and an overemphasis on hard work without the right strategies.
💡Engagement
Engagement refers to a student's active involvement and interest in their learning process. The video discusses how a cycle of disengagement can begin if students work hard but do not see the results they expect, leading to a sense of futility and giving up.
Highlights

Most students do not believe that IQ is the most important factor for improving grades.

Hard work is seen as more important than IQ for achieving better grades by a significant portion of students.

Elevate Education's 13-year research across multiple countries identified habits and practices of top students.

Top students do not necessarily achieve their results due to higher IQs or being smarter.

A small set of skills is statistically significant in explaining why top students get top marks.

These skills are common across different countries, making them universally relevant.

The skills that lead to top marks can be taught and used by students to improve their results.

Elevate works with a quarter of a million students across 1200 schools in four countries.

Students should not worry about their IQ as it is not the primary determinant of success.

Practice exams are a more effective predictor of academic performance than IQ.

The number of practice exams a student completes can estimate their results.

Self-motivation, self-discipline, and resilience are essential for academic success.

Self-discipline is more effective in predicting academic results than IQ alone.

Hard work alone is not sufficient for success; students must work hard at the right things.

Top students differentiate themselves by doing practice exams and having a balanced study timetable.

The majority of students focus on memorization techniques before exams, while top students focus on application.

Top students create study timetables that prioritize personal activities and interests before study.

A balanced timetable that includes hobbies and socializing leads to happiness and productivity.

Transcripts

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Academic SuccessStudent HabitsIQ MythPractice ExamsSelf-DisciplineStudy TimetablePerformance PredictorsExam TechniquesMotivation StrategiesEducation InsightsLearning Methods