Academic skills least valued when assessing the ‘ideal student’ by academics and peers

Higher education staff and students value the ideal university student as a hard-working and punctual individual, embodying the notion that dedication and consistent effort often outweigh innate genius in achieving academic success.

Redefining Success: The Qualities of an Ideal Student as Perceived by University Communities

Moreover, the ideal student, as defined by both students and staff, emphasizes punctuality, organization, hard work, and enthusiasm over grades, highlighting the importance of personal growth and dedication in the learning process.

Subsequently, the journal Education Review has published this study, which involved a survey of over 1,000 students and staff at British universities, along with focus groups comprising 132 members from both of these groups.

Participants were asked to note down their top five most and least important characteristics they consider of an ideal student. The researchers then asked the university students and academic staff across the UK to rate each of the characteristics on a scale of one to five of importance.

The study results indicated that there are eight dimensions to being the ‘ideal student’, in order, as:

1. diligence and engagement
2. organisation and discipline
3. reflection and innovation
4. positive and confident outlook
5. Supportive of others
6. academic skills
7. employability skills
8. Intelligence and a strategic approach.

Redefining Ideal Student Traits: The Unexpected Emphasis on Punctuality and Dedication Over Intelligence in Academic Environments

The choices indicate that academic staff as well as the majority of students consider punctuality, rule abiding, dedicated and an enthusiastic student as ideal. Being intelligent and strategic do not appear to be much importance for staff and only moderately more important for students.

This is surprising, given the extent to which graduates are time and again judged on their degree results. Universities often promote graduate employment statistics, yet surprisingly, employment skills rank low on the ideal attributes list.

However, there was a slight difference of opinion between students and staff in their idea of the ‘ideal student’. For example, staff rated employability skills lower than students. Students prioritize a positive and confident outlook significantly more than staff, underscoring the importance of mental health and happiness.

The study highlights a difference between staff and students in their approach and priorities around student welfare. The study might be beneficial for staff professional development to include training on the role that staff can take part in supporting the welfare of students.