You knew it had something to do with rallying.
Before I begin, I’d like to state that the rally drivers I’ll make comparisons to are fantastic rally drivers in their own right. The fact that their individual approaches yield differing results should not diminish their achievements and feats. My comparison of different university colleagues to these drivers are not meant to be an unflattering comparison for the drivers, nor should it be taken as an undue compliment to those who fit the profile.
In my 3-odd years of studying in HELP, I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of people, most of the time in a leading or managing capacity. I wouldn’t dare to claim that I have worked with EVERY kind of person out there, but I daresay most of my colleagues, past and present, have given me a fairly wide view of what types of students are there in the entire Bachelor of Psychology course. Naturally, these observations are purely my own, and they are not to be taken as factual unless explicitly stated and cited/sourced. I also acknowledge that not EVERY single person I have worked with will fit neatly into one of the five major entries, but most of them will more-or-less fulfil the criteria for one category. Overlaps may exist, but aren’t really common.
The Meticulous, Consistent Trailblazer
These are the people who frequently lead or drive entire teams to success, not by sheer willpower or force of personality, but by painstaking attention to proper detail and a strong grasp of the overall idea. These people do not forge ahead simply because it seems like a good idea, but instead realize that overall progress requires attention to specific aspects which contribute to the overall performance. Their pace may occasionally dip below that of the Energetic Chargers, but usually emerge with higher standings or results to show at the end. Rally drivers in this category know that one stage is but part of the overall rally, and thus may opt for consistency over outright speed, coupled with careful attention to small but essential details. Students in this category are pretty much the same as the rally drivers.
Characterized by:
- extreme precision to fine detail, yet still involved in the overall situation.
- high degree of consistency for any given level of performance
- usually high level of performance
- Rally driver(s): Sebastien Loeb, Sebastien Ogier, Carlos Sainz
The High-Intensity, Energetic Charger
These are the people who are frequently the first to take the initiative or the lead, but not always due to skill or merit. The outstanding feature of these people are their high-performance energetic patterns of action, thought, and behaviour in general. These people usually achieve a reputation of someone who ‘gets things done’, but usually through sheer force of charisma or willpower. That is not to say that they are lacking in skill, but that skill or merit is usually subordinate to their energy or charisma. Rally drivers in this category are frequently blazingly fast but lack consistency, usually due to their high-speed, high-intensity approach that leaves little room for fine detail. Students in this category are somewhat of a mixed bunch, and do not necessarily share major traits that make them noticeable in their chosen domain.
Characterized by:
- An immediate, high-energy driving force to surge ahead of the others, usually with positive results, but at the cost of finer details.
- Performance fluctuations when unexpected or unpredictable obstacles are encountered.
- Intermittent phases of consistency, at any given skill level.
- Rally driver(s): Colin McRae, Marcus Gronholm, Petter Solberg (as Subaru WRT #1 driver)
The Methodical Runner-up
These are the people whose performance is notable for its consistency and attention to fine detail. While their level of performance rarely lands them top honours, their consistency frequently lands them among the highest performers, due to an outstanding track record of reliability and consistent performance. Rally drivers in this category are methodical and steady, rarely falling prey to the mistakes on the stages made by their more impetuous rivals. Students in this category are consistent above all, and due to their methodical nature, perform above the mean.
Characterized by:
- An extremely methodical, detail-oriented approach, usually at the cost of overall tempo and/or speed.
- A high level of consistent performance due to their nature of accounting for most factors that affect the end result.
- Rally driver(s): Mikko Hirvonen, Richard Burns, Dani Sordo
The Rebounding Charger
These are the people who, despite trying time and again, usually have a few outstanding results, the rest being mingled along with the others who do not perform in any remarkable way. The persistence is what characterizes their efforts, and due credit must be given to them. Rally drivers in this category usually fight against all odds to achieve results that would otherwise have been considered out of reach. Students in this category usually make surprising comebacks on assessments, usually on very favourable terms, but do not necessarily have the pace to maintain or capitalize.
Characterized by:
- A persistent “never say die” approach that keeps them going, and out of the reaches of mediocrity, yet do not quite fit into the category of consistent high performers.
- If and when given proper guidance and motivation, are able to meet or even exceed the performance levels of the Energetic Charger or the Methodical Runner-up; the best of this category usually equal the Blazers in overall performance, but their consistency remains questionable.
- Rally driver(s): Jari-Matti Latvala (2008-mid 2011) , Petter Solberg (as private team driver)
The Statistical Entry
These are the people who make up the majority of those who, for one reason or another, do not excel in any particular aspect. As a result, they usually are overlooked by those in the upper reaches of performance, whether academic or something else. Granted, these can still be solid, dependable performers who, through no fault of their own, have not achieved the same renown as the others. Rally drivers in this category are usually new entrants or national rally contenders, not really part of the headliner scene but present regardless. Pretty much every student not distinctly covered by one of the four preceding stages fall into this category.
Characterized by:
- Far too varied to describe.