We all hope that high ability students will achieve their potential and demonstrate their personal best (PB); however, this requires that students may have to expend effort, learn information in a different manner and demonstrate what they know.
Many high ability students 'outsource' revision to teachers in regular classrooms because most high ability students learn new information in 1 – 3 repetitions, whereas most students require 7 – 10 repetitions so high ability students get used to teachers repeating work for the rest of the class and often (especially in heterogenous classes), walk out of class believing that they know everything about a certain topic.
Unfortunately, this method of learning is powerfully reinforcing, and it may not be until students change schools and cohorts when they have a realization that an approach that has worked well for many years will no longer be sufficient if they are to attain their personal goals. A useful approach might be to utilize a gradual approach (1% improvement each day) as outlined in James Clear's book, Atomic Habits.
It requires a careful, gradual approach to turn an air-craft carrier around in a river with a gentle nudge here and a careful push there, requiring an experienced and skilled tug-boat operator to effect the desired outcome, so a slow, gradual approach is required to effect changes in one's study habits.
Emeritus Professor Miraca Gross used to say (in Latin, of course) the equivalent of 'hasten slowly', meaning 'get on with it but don't rush'- which applies to a change of approach to study skills. Students have an endpoint of school clearly defined but one shouldn't wait until final school exams in case there are adjustments still to be made. Expending effort in one's study is important. Not everyone can achieve a specific outcome, but it is important to achieve one's Personal Best so that it is clear that one has not underachieved.
To achieve one's 'PB' change might be required. E = R (i.e., Effort = Rewards) might be as important as Einstein's famous Theory of Relativity. Whether in Sport or in academic achievement, there is a point at which one wants to 'peak,'' reaching their Personal Best to achieve the desired short and long-term outcome. With a clear timetable to work towards, it is important that one begins to work hard (perhaps making significant changes), so that one can take personal responsibility for any changes that take place and for related outcomes.
© Michele Juratowitch
michele@clearingskies.com.au