Based in Kelly Kearsley, . Friends motivate you to work harder. If you want to get better grades, earn that next promotion, or even make more money, hang out with people who are already doing those things. A 2015 study conducted by researchers at the HSE Centre for Institutional StudiesOpens a New Window. found that the academic performance of over 100 Russian university students was similar to that of their friends. Based on a 2013-2014 examination of the students’ social network data, researchers concluded that while the students didn’t choose their friends because of their friends’ grades, those who hung out with high achievers improved their own performance. And what about those who hung out with underachievers? You guessed it—their grades dropped. 5 WAYS FRIENDS INFLUENCE YOUR SUCCESS, ACCORDING TO SCIENCE Facebook Opens a New Window. Twitter Opens a New Window. Pinterest Opens a New Window. LinkedIn Opens a New Window. Share