Hellenic Claire S.

Flores

Diligence over Intelligence

The day has finally come to unravel the truth. After such long and tiring hours of
enduring a difficult exam that has the potential of changing the lives of Accountancy and
Accounting Technology students in split seconds another stressful and agonizing part of waiting
takes over. The next scenario would then be students who were frantically checking results.
During these specific moments, phrases such as “I knew it; the intelligent students nailed it
again” or “I wish I had those genes” would be the common ranting of students. Seriously, there
are still a lot of students who think that achieving high marks and passing examinations are due
to one’s intelligence. While there might be truth about it, think again.

For decades, it is alarming how many students still see intelligence as a sure win ticket to
academic success. A recent study would prove that intelligence or cognitive skills alone are not
enough to help a person succeed. Let’s take for instance the result of the researches conducted
from the University of Adelaide in Australia and the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom
which reveals that non-cognitive skills such as diligence has great and positive influence on
successes of children.

Intelligence then must be topped with diligence. Here’s the distinction between these
words. The former means the highest faculty of the mind and capacity to comprehend, while the
latter refers to constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken. Some of the
manifestation of diligence includes but not limited to the following, passing requirements on
time, answering their own homework, maintaining consistent study habits, and grit. A research
of Angela Duckworth, a psychologist from the University of Pennsylvania on grit which refers to
the ability to stick to a goal overtime, prove that intelligence alone is not the sole factor that
determine success but also grit.

Intelligence is usually associated as Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and diligence is coined

with Emotional Quotient (EQ). While there are people who believe that being blessed with high
IQ during conception is something that would eventually make them create or discover
something that could position them above the rest. David Thomas, a principal lecturer at ASU
explained the incremental theory of intelligence which means that intelligence is malleable and
can grow if you use the right strategies and techniques. This notion gives hope to those students
who have not started well in class.

As quoted by Hatim Bhat, “IQ gets you hired but EQ gets you promoted.” Due to the
intricacy of the workplace being emotionally unintelligent can damage outcomes. Similarly, with
the complexity of the course some gave up their dreams. Even if they are mentally intelligent,
they are emotionally unintelligent for not handling the pressure. To someone who may not have
exceptional knowledge and skills, but possesses in abundance the ability to persevere they must
not doubt their competences. Intelligence will give you high marks now, but diligence and grit
will keep you moving. One must see to it that they put high premium to cultivating the value of
discipline and hard work.

Intelligence is usually generalized as the secret formula for achieving academic success.
However it will not get things done. Intelligence then must be coupled with diligence for a
student to succeed in his or her quest for competence.