My Framework for Getting Top Grades at School 🏫
🎓 In this article, I will explore how my approach to studying has evolved from high school to undergraduate and now into my postgraduate studies, enabling me to consistently achieve top scores throughout my academic journey.
🦖 The Past
🚀 I attended an English-medium school in Bangladesh that followed the Cambridge International Education (CIE) curriculum. I went on to score one of the best results during my A-Levels (equivalent to HSC) by securing 4/4 A* (Individual Scores ≥ 90%) which you know is very difficult to attain if you are pursuing the same certificate.
Here’s what I did right and wrong during that time:
✅ The Rights:
- Being consistent with my routine. I had already developed a strong sense of routine from an early age thanks to my strict mom, and even though I used to despise this during that time, I am so grateful for it today.
- Learning key concepts properly. I wasn’t extraordinary like some of my friends, who could grasp a concept from the get-go. I emphasised spending a great deal of my time learning the fundamentals rather than looking for shortcuts.
- Being organised: I had a designated corner in my room where I organized materials for different subjects on labeled shelves to save time searching for resources. I also maintained a physical journal to track my progress in each subject.
❌ The Wrongs:
- Re-reading. This is one of the most popular techniques people use, as it gives us the impression that we are engaged in productive work. It’s a passive form of learning, which is very inefficient. Unfortunately, this was my go-to method of studying, which consumed a significant portion of my time.
- Summarising/ making notes. This is another popular study method that can be useful if done correctly. However, I didn’t know the right approach, and it took me half a decade to realise how inefficient it was. I used to simply transcribe important content from the book rather than follow the correct method. Ali Abdaal’s 5 Rs of note-taking show how it should be done:
- Record — there should be somewhere to take our notes (obviously).
- Reduce — there should be somewhere to summarise those notes.
- Recite — there needs to be an easy way to test ourselves using our notes.
- Reflect — our notes should be related to other notes we’ve already written.
- Review — we should regularly revisit our notes to ensure maximum retention.
Both of these methods helped me achieve good grades. However, if I had used the techniques I employ now, I could have attained the same scores with far less effort, allowing me to allocate more time to my hobbies.
- Shallow Work: Despite spending hours studying regularly, I often indulged in instant messaging between sessions. As discussed in my previous article on deep work, succumbing to these distractions leaves attention residue, significantly slowing down progress by reducing attention span and cognitive performance.
🤖 The Present
🛸 I’m currently doing my postgrad in business analytics and recently got the results for my first semester. Here’s what the grade sheet looks like:
Today, I spend less than half the time I used to on studying and still achieve the same grades. I also worked 40 hours a week (during the first semester) and had time for the things I loved.
🖼️ My current framework
- Short high-intensity sessions + Pomodoro: Instead of long, low-intensity study sessions, I use three 40-minute stretches with 5-minute intervals, employing a Pomodoro timer for high-intensity focus. I have a pre-planned study routine for what and when I will study a particular topic, which reduces the demand for my limited willpower and minimises spontaneity. I have adopted the Rhythmic Philosophy of Deep Work to do my daily tasks.
- The Feyman Technique: This has been a game-changer for me. I apply this technique not only in my studies but also when learning skills like programming or design. The Feynman technique involves simplifying a topic to explain it in layman's terms to someone else. When I learn a new concept, I imagine explaining it to my 10-year-old nephew. This forces me to break down complex ideas into easily understandable ones.
- Notion: Since 2022, I’ve relied on Notion for everything, from managing assignments and tracking books I’ve read to scheduling articles and managing finances. Here’s a link to my Notion template (used by 100+ students) for study tracking, where you can also check my current semester progress as well! Feel free to customize the template to suit your needs. I got the inspiration for the template from Cajun Koi Academy.
🏁Final Note
I’ve transitioned from traditional study methods to scientifically proven techniques over the course of a decade. The aim is to learn efficiently and swiftly, rather than merely convincing yourself that you’re dedicating time to studying.
Time is important, but there are ways to consistently achieve excellent grades with less effort. Ultimately, if you can’t find time for the things that bring you happiness, what’s the purpose of it all?
