To ask what makes a dc academic

[ThisMintTraybake]

Is there any particular characteristics or habits that the academic high flyers have in common? What are some ways to improve your academic achievement?

Well 'academic' and 'intelligent' are two different things. You are conflating them. A mistake prevalent in our society.

The former has two meanings:

• Relating to education and scholarship
• Of theoretical, but not practical interest.

Every single one of those academics you spoke about, no matter how nerdy/well-dressed/whatever they are. All have something in common.

The ability to pass exams, and have excellent written + oral communication skills, in their field of interest. In 2024 undergraduate degrees (in the UK at least) have 'diverse' modes of assessment, some may be more 'practical'. But all Master's degrees whatever the country require a dissertation, or written output with the appropriate formal language and formatting. Similarly, a PhD requires a thesis. These are all requirements of education and scholarship.

The definition of intelligence however is broader:

• The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.

This covers a broad range of abilities as you stated. The nursery worker who knows what a baby wants when they start to cry? Intelligent. My illiterate grandmother whose food was perfect, and who could cook anything once she'd watched someone else do it? Intelligent!

Many people understand something instinctively but cannot communicate in a formalised way. They will never be 'academic'. I know many people who for example can fix anything, but they can't pass written exams on the theory of 'fixing things'. Similarly a good cook like my grandmother will eb able to articulate why they do certain things but they may not be able, or even want to write essays on the subject of cooking.

Maybe with the use of AI more of these people will be able to access academia. But there are so many qualifications, covering a wide variety of skills, I don't know when 'academia' became the gold standard for a judgement of intelligence.

Being a good reader from a young age and being read to a lot. Reading is so important because not only do you learn so much from reading but it is also vital for accessing the rest of the curriculum once you reach a certain age ie work sheets, text books etc.

Being given as many opportunities to learn about things as possible - owning lots of books, toys that help learning (lego, puzzles etc), visits to museums, art galleries, nature walks, other countries/cultures, musical instrument lessons, sports lessons all those sorts of things. The more you're exposed to the more you are likely to find out what you are good at and what really interests and inspires you.

By having parents that take a big interest in your school work. Making sure all homework is done, going to parents evening, reading your school book with you every day, testing you on spellings, wanting to hear about your day at school. Helping and supporting you in anything you're struggling with, buying helpful text books, getting a tutor if needed, paying for private school where you will have small classes.

Having a good memory and IQ are also going to make a big difference.

There are lots of things that parents on a lower income can do - but having money really is a huge advantage in encouraging a child to do well in academic terms IMO. There are so many experiences and opportunities not to mention revision books and tutors that have to be paid for if you want them - and that is so much harder to do if you are poor.

Foster any innate curiosity that you have. Find out more about everything. Most things become more interesting when you know more about them.

@ThisMintTraybake
From Google and Oxbridge sites:

1. Curiosity and Intellectual Engagement: High-achievers possess a genuine curiosity and actively seek knowledge beyond the curriculum.
2. Self-discipline and Time Management: Effective time management and self-discipline are crucial for academic success.
3. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: Top-performing students excel in critical thinking and problem-solving, breaking down complex issues systematically.
4. Effective Study Strategies: High achievers use various study techniques tailored to their preferences and material.
5. Resilience and Perseverance: Academic success requires resilience and perseverance in the face of setbacks.
6. Effective Communication Skills: Strong communication skills are vital for articulating ideas clearly, both in writing and speech.
7. Lifelong Learning Mentality: Academic high-flyers embrace continuous learning beyond formal education.

You're 15 and now in the UK? How did you even find MN to post on?

My 3 kids are all very different even though they were all read to/encouraged to read/talked to etc. They all did fine - got good degrees/jobs but only one was top of her class through university/high school etc. I think the difference is a natural bent toward academia (ds probably has this too in fact but has adhd so it slows him a bit), an ability to organise her work really well, an ability to be dogged in the face of challenges, and strong curiosity.

My advice to you is to read as much as you can and read widely - fiction and non-fiction. To be curious - ask questions, talk to your teachers etc. and to focus on learning how to learn. This is the thing my academic child really grasped. How to take effective notes. How to learn something so it sticks. How to plan an essay. There are techniques to all of this.

ChatGPT?

Read beyond the set texts and required readings--expand your intellectual and cultural range. Invest desire, energy, passion in what you are learning and discovering.

I taught both my DCs to read before starting school. We sat down for a max of 10 mins a day but they both were happy to do this. It seemed to give them a huge head start at school.

It could be natural innate intelligence as some children have but IMO academic is not the same; it is a genuine desire to study and enjoyment of it without guidance from the parents usually. More like a combination of intelligence and desire to use that to learn on their own free will. For example, one child is naturally very intelligent and an early reader but does not enjoy studying or learning particularly — I would not describe as academic. Another who is also intelligent loves to study and learn and spends much of their time doing so by choice and therefore does well — I would describe as an academic child / student.

I agree. A child will drive their own learning through their curiosity and this is the best way to learn. You don’t need to encourage them at all. They will want to learn.

I would say interest.i wasn't what one would call particularly academic in school, got ds in half my subjects ( undiagnosed dyslexia may have played a part here) but I did go on to do my masters and PhD in Neuropharmacology at Russel group universities.

It was only towards the end of my undergraduate that I decided this was the route I wanted to take and needed to get my ass in gear to achieve it. I now lecture in a Russel group uni and I would say determination, interest and engagement are some of the largest predictors of success

i prefer oxford and Cambridge advice and psychology today preferably then edit my articles from that information, to hopefully help the op.

Books, books, books.
Being read to, spoken to, fostering their interests.
Intellectual confidence can increase if you feel your intellect is respected and seen.