And if it is to be the cream of the crop, then make sure you have got your purpose set out clearly to ensure your motivation never falters.

So, let’s get to it. How do we attain those straight A’s and beat the rest of the class in the rat race? Is there a one sure method or way or does all the hard work actually pay off? Well, before I incorporate the cardinal rules and tips from top scorers around the world, let me offer my opinion. It’s been just a couple of years now, since I last remembered studying.

I have always done relatively well in class, be it primary, secondary or university education. But I only topped my class on three occasions. These three occasions were the best moments of my life because I wanted to be at least in the top three positions. When I was in Secondary Two, equipped with great motivation from my dad, I started working hard for mathematics, one of my weaker subjects. I practised math sums, religiously. I then started working equally hard for all my subjects and my hard work presented me with the 1st in class title. It felt (unexplainable). Then I topped the class in Secondary Four- again with hard work and then after a big gap, in my final year of University, when a group of us scored the top for our television production. It was a team effort and that made it even more special. The big gap didn’t mean that the other years I was lazy. It just meant that my focus was elsewhere. I was an avid hockey player and I tried my best to juggle between my love for the sport and my studies.

That’s the only way it works for me: Hard work and more hard work. I know it sounds cliché but it is the truth. Trust me; I have not been bribed by parents to tailor this article to their benefit. This article, along with my experiences is honestly a guide for you.

Getting good grades in school is a challenge that is best conquered using proven methods of studying anda particular framework of attitudes. This is because the way you think about school and the challenge of getting good grades has a big impact on the way you study and complete assignments, and therefore the grades you get.

Topping the class may not necessarily mean being the best in everyone’s eyes. Some students work to their best calibre and are usually satisfied with their achievements. The most important thing about excelling in our studies include a few points: That our grades are good enough to secure a spot in a tertiary institution or a school where we want to further our education; that our grades support the entry requirement for our choice of course. That our grades are beyond any sort of criticism and that our grades support the justification of securing a good job in future. Our attitudes have to be precise as well. A right attitude in life, will never lead you the wrong way. The right attitude in studying is the “concealed” motivator that so many students seek.

Let me enlighten you with a few cardinal methods and habits that you can put in practice as from now:

• Maintain a dedicated attendance for all your classes. You might just miss out on tips to do well. I remember the days, when I use to be absent from class. I would miss out on choosing the better topics for group projects-topics that I felt I could get better grades for.
• Look through your past performances, especially your past exam papers. Take note of your weak areas and work on them. Remember, mistakes are a learning ground.
• Always complete your homework so that there is time for corrections and answers to your queries.
• Don’t pressurise yourself. You must understand your learning methods. Expose yourself to different study guides and reference books. Make sure you are in a comfortable position to understand what you are studying.
• Make a plan. Trust me, it works. Sort out all the topics that you have to cover in a stipulated timeframe. Make small notes on any issues you have with certain topics and what you are going to do about it. There are many creative plans that can surface. But without discipline, you won’t be able to carry out any plan. In fact, getting great grades will remain a dream.
• Topping the class or achieving good grades is no child’s play. There has to be consistency. Consistency in your studying patterns and how you absorb knowledge and information, especially when your teacher is explaining. You have to be consistent in covering your entire syllabus on time and yet have time for revision.
• Prayer or meditation. This is essential to distress. It is very important to give your mind and body a break and divert your attention to place that is far from the norm. It also gives you an opportunity to talk to yourself and scan through your thoughts.
• After the lecture or class, always spend approximately 20 minutes reading your class notes, and reading the material from the textbook. This is crucial as books are usually written by subject experts and are more extensive and enhanced.

Lists are meant to go on and on. But the deal is to practise what I have preached. Try to apply some these pointers in your daily study pattern. Have a positive study attitude. Before you start dreaming of achieving good grades, please understand why and how you are going to secure that top position.

Just remember, that as you move on to different levels of education (Polytechnic, college, university, graduate, professional, etc) the skills required to maintain good grades will vary. You have to be flexible and adaptable to the new and different sorts of study and work habits.

Let me end with a quote by Thomas Alva Edison. Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.