For the high achievers, studying gave them the pleasing, absorbing challenge of flow 40 percent of the hours they spent at it. But for low achievers, studying produced flow only 16 percent of the time; more often that not, it yielded anxiety, with the demands outreaching their abilities...The low achievers found pleasure and flow in socializing, not in studying.

Summary

This quote suggests that high achievers often experience a state of "flow," characterized by deep engagement and enjoyment, while studying. They find studying to be a fulfilling and immersive challenge. On the other hand, low achievers frequently feel overwhelmed and anxious when studying, as the demands exceed their abilities. Socializing, instead of studying, brings them pleasure and a sense of flow. This highlights the individual differences in how different people perceive and engage with academic tasks, and how their levels of competency affect their experiences.

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