We’re excited to share insights from a fascinating study that explores how student behaviour and characteristics in school can significantly predict life success, even decades later!
Conducted over a remarkable 50-year period and surveying 440,000 people, this research highlights the importance of being a responsible student, having a genuine interest in school, and developing strong writing and reading skills.
The findings reveal that these factors can lead to greater educational attainment, occupational prestige, and income, regardless of family background or cognitive ability. This study emphasizes the profound impact of student behaviours during formative years.
While the study emphasises multiple traits, being a responsible student stands out as a particularly significant personal trait linked to later life success. This trait was consistently associated with higher educational attainment and occupational prestige.
You can download the report below and if you’d like to evaluate your students, there’s a free Responsibility Quiz to download as well.
The study identified several specific student behaviours that predicted later life success, including:
- Being a Responsible Student: Higher levels of responsibility in school were associated with greater educational attainment and occupational prestige both 11 years and 50 years after high school
- Interest in School: A genuine interest in school was linked to higher educational attainment at both time points, as well as higher occupational prestige and income later in life
- Writing Skills: The development of writing skills during adolescence was also considered a significant predictor of future success
- Reading Skills: Similar to writing skills, reading skills were found to be important in predicting educational and occupational outcomes
These behaviours were shown to have consistent relations to long-term outcomes, even when controlling for factors such as parental socioeconomic status, IQ, and broad personality traits.
How do the best students conduct themselves
The best students tend to conduct themselves in several key ways that contribute to their success:
- Responsibility: They take ownership of their learning, completing assignments on time and adhering to deadlines. This sense of responsibility is crucial for achieving higher educational attainment and occupational prestige
- Engagement and Interest: High-performing students show a genuine interest in their schoolwork. They are actively engaged in their classes, participate in discussions, and seek to understand the material deeply, which correlates with better long-term outcomes
- Attention and Focus: Successful students pay attention in class and remain focused on their assignments. This attentiveness helps them stay on track and avoid falling behind, which is linked to better educational attainment and future income
- Positive Attitudes: They often maintain a positive attitude towards their teachers and the learning process, which can foster a supportive learning environment and enhance their educational experiences
- Motivation and Achievement Orientation: Best students are typically motivated and strive for achievement. They set goals for themselves and work diligently to reach those goals, which contributes to their long-term success
These behaviours and attitudes not only help them excel academically but also lay a foundation for future success in their careers and personal lives
How do students acquire these traits
Students who may not initially possess traits such as responsibility, engagement, and motivation can acquire these traits through various strategies and interventions:
- Goal Setting: Encouraging students to set specific, achievable goals can help them develop a sense of responsibility and motivation. By breaking larger tasks into smaller, manageable goals, students can experience success and build confidence in their abilities.
- Positive Reinforcement: Providing positive feedback and reinforcement for responsible behaviours can encourage students to continue those behaviours. Recognizing and rewarding effort and achievement can motivate students to engage more fully in their education.
- Mentorship and Support: Connecting students with mentors, such as teachers, counsellors, or older peers, can provide guidance and support. Mentors can model responsible behaviour, offer advice, and help students navigate challenges, fostering a sense of accountability.
- Skill Development Programs: Schools can implement programs focused on developing specific skills, such as time management, study skills, and self-regulation. Workshops or classes that teach these skills can help students learn how to manage their responsibilities effectively.
- Creating a Supportive Environment: A positive and supportive school environment can encourage students to engage more fully. This includes fostering strong relationships between students and teachers, promoting a sense of belonging, and creating a culture that values effort and improvement.
By implementing these strategies, students can gradually develop the traits that contribute to their success in school and beyond
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Download Report
The report “How you behave in School Predicts Life Success Above and Beyond Family Background, Broad Traits and Cognitive Ability” Brent W. Roberts, is available to download from American Psychology Association – https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-pspp0000185.pdf
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Free Responsibility Quiz
Based on the survey, MyCareerMatch developed quiz for high school students to self assess and discover their own personal Responsibility and Interest Rating.
Click here to download the PDF
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Thanks for reading,
Nathan Chanesman | CEO | MyCareerMatch | Sydney
