Students' emotional intelligence key for success in school: study

Students who can understand and manage their emotions effectively can perform better at school than their less-skilled peers, according to a study that suggests the inclusion of emotional skill development to the existing school curriculum. The findings of the study revealed that students with higher emotional intelligence tended to get higher grades and better test scores than those with lower emotional intelligence scores. "Students with higher emotional intelligence may be better able to manage negative emotions, such as anxiety, boredom, and disappointment, that can negatively affect academic performance," said study co-author Carolyn MacCann from the University of Sydney. According to MacCann, the skills required for emotional intelligence -- such as understanding human motivation and emotion -- may overlap with the skills required to master certain subjects like history and language, giving students an advantage in those subject areas. The University of Sydney scientist said interventions involving the whole school, such as additional teacher training, and a focus on teacher well-being could be better options in cultivating emotional skills in students.