Students of very high ability are expected to do well academically, and usually they do and even can provide help in writing papers other students. But there are pitfalls along the way. Not only might they have problems relating to teachers – who may possibly be less able, but peer group relationships may be affected, too. Bright students may be torn between wanting to show what they can do, and needing to keep in with their group of friends. With careful management, both of these targets can be achieved.
Very Able Students' Approach to Their Work
There may be a temptation to produce work at a slow rate and of less-than-perfect content – in other words, just coasting along. This is partly because it requires less effort, but also because it will prevent others from seeing the student as different and even as "showing off."
It is always worth making the best effort with work, but there are ways of preventing this from affecting relationships. Here are some suggestions:
- Never comment unfavourably about the work of others.
- Don't always be offering advice on how their work might be better.
- If asked for help by other students, take a humble approach and do what is asked – but limit advice to explaining concepts not understood. Students have been known to ask to copy the work of others, or for others to complete a task on their behalf. At worst, this would be considered cheating. At best it prevents the others from learning and may give them false expectations of their own grades. They may also come to rely on help in the future.
- In a classroom setting, it might be tactful to avoid often being the first to answer. The teacher or lecturer will expect that you have the answer anyway.
- Never brag that it took only an hour to write a good essay. That's bound to annoy everyone else.
- Similarly, don't keep saying that other tasks were easy.
- Consider joining an out-of-class group set up for intellectual pursuits.
Highly Intelligent Students and Their Social Relationships
- If other students see they are outshone by a bright peer, it is natural for them to feel put out. A defensive mechanism can kick in which isolates the able student socially from the rest of the group.
- If others resort to mocking – such as with nicknames like "boffin," "prof," or "Clever Dick" – it's important not to react negatively. The taunts can usually be laughed off, and there are worse names. And it shows that others recognise good ability when they see it.
- If mocking becomes upsetting, try reasoning. Explain that you find yourself able to do these things, by luck and inheritance perhaps, and that you are keen to reach your career goals so you must work hard at this time.
- Consider mixing socially with the most able students around. They will be just as likely to do what all students do in their spare time, but will all have something important in common.
- Don't be afraid to join in activities where high intelligence gives no advantage. Examples might be sports, visual arts, drama, music; it could cheer up other students to be better at these things than their intellectual friend, and lead to better social cohesion.
Very able students need to keep up their motivation and effort with work, but should be sensitive to others, both peers and teachers. Their successful social relationships depend upon not flaunting any superior abilities, getting involved in activities where they're not especially able, and also meeting up with others who have a similar intellectual profile. They may need to accept negative comments from others, but if these are managed well, they should fade away. For the sake of their future, very intelligent students should reach for the stars.
