Report: Harvard's Successful Students Study And Schmooze

Students who integrate studying with schmoozing are the ones most likely to enjoy success in their university careers, according to a report by Professor of Education Richard J. Light of the Kennedy School of Government.

In the second report for a series on undergraduate education called "The Harvard Assessment Seminars," Light said that the highest achievers at Harvard are generally those students who develop working relationships with members of the faculty, take some small classes and participate in study groups on a regular basis.

"I think that some students, when they come to a fine university like Harvard, think that the best way [to succeed academically] is to go to class and study," said Light.

"While sitting alone in your room is important, the other step is developing interactive relationships with other people," he said.

The study, which took place over a year and a half, was based on interviews with 570 Harvard undergraduates.

Another of the study's findings was that Harvard students believed developing good writing skills was important, and that they learned most when they wrote several short papers for a course.

As a result of this finding, several faculty members have said that they plan to give more short writing assignments in place of longer ones, Light said.

The report is a sequel to a study which was published in the fall of 1990. The earlier report discussed teaching methods which would improve the quality of courses.

Although only a modest fraction of the Harvard faculty has implemented the suggestions put forth in Light's first report, Light said that he is thrilled with the response. "If only 10 or 20 percent do it, that's 200 courses. If I'm helpful to even a modest number of people, I consider it a great success."

Although they support the findings, the Administration will not mandate changes, Light said, adding, "The Harvard culture is not for administration to tell professors 'You must do this and that.'"

The reports, which were initiated by former Harvard President Derek C. Bok, will continue with the support of President Neil L. Rudenstine. The next report, expected to be published sometime over the next two years, will explore the quality of student life