5 Elements of Highly Effective Students

I'd like to share the following five elements of highly effective students. The first two are what I consider "God-given" elements and the remaining three are what I call "developed attributes."

#1: Physical fitness Here, I am referring to a student's weight, diet, physical growth, strength, stamina, posture, exercise, etc. The reason why I consider this as a God-given element is that, while nutrition, exercise, and rest can significantly impact a person's physique and health, ultimately you are born with your body. In other words, there are certain innate limits and capabilities to your body. For example, if a person is born with physical deformities, there will be limitations as to what that person can do. Of course, some overcome physical handicaps to do amazing things, but that's the exception.

Having said that, there are somethings that we can all do to make the most of the body that we're born with--eat healthy, manage our weight, have good posture, exercise frequently, get plenty of rest, etc. It has been proven through research that one's ability to stay focused and engaged in learning depends greatly on physical fitness. So, one of the most important elements I find in highly effective students is that they are physically fit, have good posture, are not obese, exercise regularly, and rest their bodies.

#2: Intellectual capacity and resilience Often intellectual capacity is automatically understood or perceived as IQs or aptitude. That is not entirely wrong, but there's more to intellectual capacity than just IQs. While IQs matter, I would argue that the differences among typical students are quite negligible. Also, research shows that using a wide variety of instructional strategies can greatly close the apparent "intelligence gap" among students. In other words, it could be altogether possible that what we typically consider "smart" or "intelligent" students are simply auditory and visual learners who are served better by traditional teaching methods.

Highly effective students are not just "smart students," but those who are willing to learn, who remain curious, and who possess the "grit." A combination of these qualities makes students continuously learn/grow (growth mindset) and not give up when challenges are presented.

#3 Motivation I often meet or speak with students who lack motivation. But, I've learned that that does not mean they have no motivation whatsoever. They just have different motivations. For example, some are motivated to earn high scores on games. Then there are others who are motivated to do well in sports. Some desire to earn good grades at school. So, everyone has motivation but for different reasons or goals.

Highly effective students are those who have internalized wisdom from others (teachers, parents, grownups, role models) that working hard now will benefit them greatly in the future. In that sense, effective students forego immediate gratification for grander and long-term rewards. It's important to note that motivation is a product of external input that's been internalized. So, rather than asking students as to why they lack motivation, it would be wiser for grown-ups to provide positive stimulus and examples to students.

#4. Prioritization Students must learn to distinguish what is important and what is not so important. Students who aren't doing well in school usually have mixed-up priorities. That is, they place less important things (such as playing games or hanging out with friends) on top of their priority. This happens because young people are immature. Yet, they can be taught and influenced by wiser grownups (parents, mentors, and teachers).

Once the priority list is set up appropriately, students can learn to manage their time accordingly. They can focus on important things and also determine the amount of time they allot to specific activities. I personally share with the students that, as Christians, the first three priorities are God, family, and education/work. The rest can be things such as friendship, sports, hobbies, part-time jobs, etc.

#5. Relational Skills The last element of highly effective students is developing and possessing good relational skills. Especially as young people become teenagers and adults, they need to determine who can help or hinder their growth and development. Often teenagers misperceive parents as meddlesome inquisitors, teachers as heartless taskmasters, and pastors as annoying naysayers. Yet, effective students know that parents, teachers, pastors, mentors, and church leaders are all there to help, support, guide, and impart wisdom. These people are not the enemy! When young people give respect to whom respect is due, they will not only gain wisdom but also find many opportunities provided by others.

So how do you develop good relational skills? The Golden Rule from the Bible says if you want to be treated nicely, then you must be nice first. Treat others as you want them to treat you. That's the principle of reciprocity. Plus, humility will attract others to you. Hubris, on the other hand, will repel others. Respect others especially those who have earned it through experience and education.