I talked previously about the ‘success mindset’, and I’m hoping that you’ve taken that on board, but sometimes it helps to be clear about the other side of the coin, just to ‘ram’ the point home. So is there a failing mindset that has been identified by educational psychologists? Yes there is! Now, like everything in psychology, I am describing tendencies and correlations here – so if you are a person who performs brilliantly in your exams, and have some (or perhaps all) of the traits described here, then all I can say is ‘well done and good luck to you’.

However, if you are struggling, and recognise some of your traits here, then maybe there are a few clues about how you might need to begin the process of change. The mindset which strongly correlates with exam failure and underperformance is often called the ‘surface learner’. The surface is learner is uncritical and unquestioning, as Schmeck (1993) described them:

"…we have adults who do not see it as their function to reflect, form opinions, evaluate, disagree, oppose, challenge, conceptualise or integrate information in meaningful ways. We have adults who plod along without thought until, at roughly 10 year intervals, they have what has come to be popularly known as the ‘mid-life crisis’ - permitting themselves for one brief period to ask ‘what does it all mean?’"

Ouch!

Surface learners are people who, in the psychological lingo, tend to have an external locus of control. In other words they believe that their success depends largely on factors outside of their control, and so there is little that they can do to change their chances of success. With this belief on board, it tends to become a self-fulfilling prophesy - believe that you are impotent, and you will tend not to put in much effort, and so your success WILL depend largely on external factors! Surface learners tend not to question or think about what they are actually doing. They tend to focus on the process of learning (turning up to classes, handing in work on time, reading their textbooks) rather than what it’s all about. Surface learners tend to view education as something that is done to them; rather than something they actively take part in.

If you recognise some of your traits in this description, then maybe it’s time to challenge yourself and make some changes. You are not a god. You are not totally in control of everything in your life. Sometimes you will have bad days, and rotten luck. But you do have a lot of ability to affect what happens in your exams. By taking control and responsibility, you change your own attitude and also have a big effect on your likelihood of success. Don’t be spoon-fed: grab that spoon and feed yourself!