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I can't go that fast, I'm full of mice!
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Yay, an A!
Do you know that great feeling after a good grade?
The pride, the inner peace, the certainty that hard work pays off?
You're welcome, enjoy the moment - but be careful!
Because right now you're prone to fat cat syndrome.
From my experience as a student advisor, I know that the Fat Cat Syndrome is responsible for the fact that numerous students fail every semester - because of themselves. Today you will be made a little more sensitive so that you don't mutate into a fat cat.
What is Fat Cat Syndrome?
Fat Cat Syndrome describes the sluggish state of mind of a person who is resting on their laurels.
Just like a cat that has gorged itself on mice and is now lying around lazily with no intention of lifting a paw.
Because the person concerned assumes that they will continue to be successful (but without having to try), this way of thinking leads to complacency, escalating into arrogance, and ultimately personal defeat.
Because when studying you have to keep at it all the time - otherwise you won't be successful.
Use of the term among others by organizational psychologist and author Adam Grant.
He often diagnoses the fat cat syndrome in companies that resist change and innovation processes.
But the basic principle can be applied to anyone, he explains in a Ted Talk: »Think of a time when you were at the top of the podium.
Did you really want to change something about the current situation?
No of course not.
You probably even got cocky and refused to try new things.”
Fat Cat Syndrome in Studies
College students can also succumb to Fat Cat Syndrome.
For example, after a successful semester: When all exams have been passed, the homework has been handed in on time and the scholarship has been dusted off, many students tend to take it easy at first: They take the lectures lightly, put things off - and screw up the next semester.
And when students do exceptionally well on an exam, they sometimes tend to be less meticulous about preparing for the next exam: they start studying too late, only touch the material superficially (because they think they got it all the first time) - and miss the next exam.
What helps against Fat Cat Syndrome
Fat cat syndrome usually comes on gradually.
Complacency slowly creeps into your everyday life and initially unnoticed prevents you from working productively.
By the time you recognize this dynamic, it's usually too late.
But there are protective measures.
Self-reflection:
The ability to question your own actions and thoughts is one of the most important factors for sustainable success - no matter in which area of life.
Therefore, pause for a few minutes regularly (preferably daily) and take a critical look at your behavior.
Do your actions match your goals?
What are you happy with?
Where do you see potential for improvement?
Sparring partner:
Everyone has blind spots in their own behavior.
We also do not necessarily notice the first signs of Fat Cat Syndrome in ourselves.
A study group, a fellow student or other sparring partners are then an effective antidote.
Surround yourself with critical people and exchange ideas with them intensively.
Ask her to question you and your actions critically: How do I affect you?
How would you rate my way of working?
What do you think I should change?
This feedback can hurt - but it helps.
Attitude:
Your attitude towards your studies plays a large part in how susceptible you are to Fat Cat Syndrome.
That said, if you only focus on outcomes (such as grades), you will tend to overvalue and possibly pride yourself on these short-term accomplishments.
On the other hand, if you focus on the process of studying, you almost automatically place more value on the way you study.
As soon as learning, writing, improving yourself is the focus of your attention, you are very unlikely to become a fat cat.
Conclusion
Fat Cat Syndrome is dangerous.
But that doesn't mean you can't celebrate your successes!
Enjoy good grades and be proud of yourself.
But don't rest on your accomplishments.
Remain self-critical and regularly reflect on your actions.
Make sure you stay hungry;
hungry for further development.
Then you will be permanently successful in your studies - and stay.
