How do you become a topper student? Is there something different in their brains that allows them to study better or perform exceptionally well in exams, or can any student learn how to study like that? That’s what we’re discussing in today’s blog.
Step 1: Give yourself time
The first thing a topper student does, and what you should do as well, is give yourself time.
Understand that what makes a student successful is the ability to take in information, retain it, and use it when needed. However, top students understand that the brain requires time to absorb facts. The amount of time you take to absorb information depends on you, as it’s different for everyone.
For example:
I may take two hours to read a particular chapter, but my friend might only take 30 minutes. I need to know how much time I need to study a chapter so I can plan my day accordingly.
Essentially, you need to give yourself enough time to study. This is because when you read something new, it first goes into your prefrontal cortex and into your working memory. Your working memory can only hold information for a limited amount of time—maybe just a few seconds. Unless you give yourself time, your brain cannot convert this information from your working memory to your long-term memory, which resides in the hippocampus at the back of your brain.
If this conversion doesn’t happen, later on, you won’t be able to remember the information.
Step 2: Don’t Trust Your Memory
The second thing is, “do not trust your memory.” Memory is tricky, even for top students. Having given a lot of exams myself, I know that you might finish reading a chapter, underline and highlight key points, but a month later, you might not even remember that you’ve read it, let alone recall the content. Your brain needs repeated exposure for the information to stick.
To improve your memory, here are two things you can do:
1. “Make a concise version of whatever you're reading” to make revision easier. This is essentially creating your own notes.
2. ”Leave little reminders” across your room, on your phone, or on your laptop using sticky notes. These reminders will help keep the facts fresh in your consciousness.
I have a story from my studying days:
I used to write one fact I had trouble remembering on my hand every morning. Throughout the day, whenever I saw my hand, I’d glance at the fact, and by night, that single fact would be firmly established in my memory.
Funny enough, that fact would often trigger memories of other related facts, almost like keys unlocking a door of information.
Step 3: Learn with Different Contexts
The third thing top students do is “learn information in different contexts.” The brain learns best when it can relate new information to various situations.
For example:
If I tell you something new and you can't use that information anywhere, your brain won’t retain it. But if I give you five different use cases for that information, suddenly, it becomes more valuable, and your brain is more likely to remember it.
One thing I used to do was read the same topic from two to three different sources.
For example:
I would read about the same topic in my textbook, from senior notes, and even from Wikipedia. Each of these sources would present the topic in slightly different ways, and together, they would give me a fuller picture of that subject, making it easier to remember.
Another great way to add context is by discussing the topic with your friends. Not only is this a fun way to spend time, but it also helps you learn how they approached the topic. You may realize that while you understood the topic in one way, your friend has a different perspective, and discussing it with them helps both of you understand and remember the subject better.
Step 4: Think About Memory Hooks
The fourth step is “thinking about memory hooks.”
Whenever you’re reading something, think about how you would remember it if someone were to ask you about it later. Just having this thought process can help you see the information differently.
For instance:
If you’re reading about mitochondria being the powerhouse of the cell, ask yourself: How would you remember the word "mitochondria" if someone were to quiz you a month later?
Would you think of "mito" as a power, or imagine it as the "mini power plant" of a cell? These memory hooks are extremely useful because they help you recall the right information at the right time.
Step 5: Learn to Ask for Help
The fifth and final step is to “learn to ask for help.”
Too often, students stay average because they think they can do everything on their own. Top students know that asking for help is a great way to learn faster and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Ask your seniors what they would have done differently, which topics they would have focused on, and how they would have studied. By doing this, you can save a lot of time and learn more effectively.
These are the five things every student should do from today to become a better student.
I made a video a few months ago, which is part one of how to become a better student.
I hope you found this video helpful, especially with your upcoming exams. If you did, please share it with your friends who are also preparing for exams.
Cheers,
Sid
PS: If you are looking to learn more about Neuroscience: https://sidwarrier.com/course
Thank you so much. Really Helpful. Much Needed.