Academic grade performance can be influenced by individual attributes, including motivation, attitudes, and beliefs. These attributes can be manifested by current events, such as technology or world events. Through a survey-based study using validated measures coupled with student grade performance at three instances during their tenure in higher education, we document that attributes common to current students influence academic grade performance differently for higher versus lower performers. Among other findings, we identify that higher performing students' grade performance is positively affected by the attributes: fear of punishment and distributive justice; while lower performing students' grades were not affected by those attributes. We provide practical recommendations for faculty to help influence attributes in order to potentially improve academic grade performance. Indeed, this study has important implications for those involved in fostering student success.