Want to be a top performer? These 5 mindset shifts will help for sure

Did you know that the real secret of top-performing students lies not just in what they know but in how they think? Academic success is frequently equated with innate intelligence or the number of hours spent studying but few know that more than memory, it is the mindset that drives performance.

Researches conducted in educational psychology and neuroscience have often revealed that before you sharpen your pencils or open your books, sharpen your mindsets.Before the next exam, every student should implement these five shifts in mindset, which are supported by research.

Change your mindset from "smart or not" to "I can grow"

Many students approach exams with the misconception that intelligence is predetermined where either they are good at math or not but this belief is not only false; it is also harmful. According to a 2024 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, students with a growth mindset and the belief that abilities can be developed through effort, have significantly higher learning-related well-being.

The researchers noted that growth mindset positively predicted students’ learning subjective well-being, mediated by academic self-efficacy and positive achievement emotions.

In a similar vein, a study published in Behavioral Sciences in 2023 found that Chinese primary school students with a growth mindset had more grit and better mental health.What to do:Change your perspective from "I'm just not good at this" to "I have not mastered this yet."

Accept mistakes as lessons learnt, not as failures.

Change your mindset from passive reading to active retrieval

Passive review or simply re-reading notes or textbooks, is a common but least effective study strategy. It feels like work but it rarely leads to deep learning. The practice of retrieval means actively retrieving information from memory. According to a 2011 summary of research published in Memory journal by Roediger and Butler, students who quiz themselves on a regular basis perform better than those who re-read material.

This outcome was noticed despite spending less time studying overall. The term for this is the "testing effect."What to do:Make your own quizzes, use flashcards, or use apps. Write the information down from memory or teach it to a friend. You don't really know it if you can't recall it.

Change your mindset from cramming to self-regulation

Especially during exam season, students frequently mistake being busy for being productive, not realising that true productivity stems from self-regulated learning where students plan, monitor and reflect on their study strategies. A 2002 comprehensive review published in Contemporary Educational Psychology by Zimmerman, stated that self-regulated learners actively set goals, monitor their performance and reflect to make strategic changes.

Particularly when under stress, these students are more resilient, adaptable and focused.

What to do:Divide study time into segments. Establish specific objectives (such as "Finish three essay plans today") and evaluate the results. Keep track of progress and distractions.

Change your mindset from avoiding feelings to managing exam anxiety

Pretending that exams are not stressful doesn't help as anxiety suppression can backfire on many students. However, research indicates that prior to a test, writing about exam-related stress can improve performance. Ramirez and Beilock's 2011 study, which was published in Science, found that students performed significantly better than those who did not write about their worries for ten minutes before an exam.

Those who did were able to relieve cognitive strain and free up working memory thanks to this practice.What to do:Before a big test, try journalling. Reframe your concerns after writing them down: "I'm nervous because I care but I've prepared." To reset, take a few deep, calming breaths.

Change your mindset from big objectives to small successes

Although "get an A+" is a nice goal, it does not tell your brain what to do right now. Breaking out of overwhelm and creating momentum is as simple as setting goals that are attainable. According to Schunk's 1990 research on goal-setting, published in the Journal of Educational Psychology, students who set clear sub-goals are more motivated and confident.

Short-term, specific goals, as opposed to vague ones, are associated with higher academic performance, according to a recent meta-analysis.What to do:Try "master pH formulas" or "complete one past paper" instead of "study chemistry." Small victories boost motivation and demonstrate progress.Aim for attitude and mindset over technique and method. The days leading up to an exam can seem like a sprint but students who learn to think in stages win exams. Changing your mindset can help you turn anxiety into purpose and dread into direction. You can prepare yourself not only for exams but also for lifelong learning by embracing growth, engaging with memory controlling your learning, managing your emotions and setting clear goals.

Your mentality is what gets you through the door, not your intelligence.