how to become a top 1% student

Summary

In this valedictorian speech, Gohar shares invaluable lessons on achieving academic success. He emphasizes four key principles: avoiding distractions through 'shiny object syndrome,' maintaining consistent progress with 'no zero days,' building effective systems to stay organized, and focusing on personal growth instead of competition. Gohar offers practical advice for students aiming to stand out, including selecting one major pursuit to focus on, using productivity tools like Scholar OS, and pursuing unique, unconventional interests that align with one's passions. His message encourages students to stay focused, disciplined, and true to their goals to reach the top 1%.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on one goal at a time to avoid distractions and achieve meaningful progress. Don't jump from project to project without completing any of them.
• 😀 Practicing 'No Zero Days' means doing something, even a small task, every day to maintain momentum towards your goals.
• 😀 Consistency is key to success—whether it's in academics, sports, or personal projects, showing up daily makes a huge difference.
• 😀 Building systems for managing tasks, goals, and life can help you stay organized and achieve success more efficiently.
• 😀 A to-do list may not be enough; create a personalized system to track all areas of your life, from schoolwork to health.
• 😀 Scholar OS is an all-in-one productivity tool designed to help students organize and manage school, college applications, finances, and more.
• 😀 Avoid competing with others just for the sake of it. Instead, focus on what interests you and where you can excel naturally.
• 😀 Innovation comes from exploring novel areas and pursuing interests that may not be typical, rather than following what everyone else is doing.
• 😀 To stand out, pursue projects or research in fields less traveled by other students, such as humanities research, instead of just STEM.
• 😀 Resisting the temptation to mimic others' paths leads to authentic growth, helping you stand out in unique and valuable ways.
• 😀 Set yourself apart by being the first to tackle something novel in your age group or community—this is how you make your mark and enter the top 1%.

Q & A

What is the main reason the speaker stands as the valedictorian?

The speaker credits their success not to their parents or family, but to someone named Gohar, who helped them succeed both academically and in extracurricular activities.

What is 'shiny object syndrome' and how does it affect students?

'Shiny object syndrome' refers to the tendency to become distracted by new and exciting opportunities, leading students to jump from one project to another without completing anything. This can prevent students from achieving their full potential.

How does the speaker recommend avoiding shiny object syndrome?

The speaker suggests resisting distractions by focusing on one main project at a time, especially after exploring different opportunities in the first year. This focus helps to achieve meaningful accomplishments over time.

What does the concept of 'no zero days' mean?

The 'no zero days' concept emphasizes the importance of making at least some progress every day toward a goal, no matter how small. This consistency builds momentum and helps avoid falling off track.

Why is consistency important in achieving goals?

Consistency is key because it maintains momentum and prevents the psychological trap of giving up after minor setbacks. Even small daily efforts contribute to long-term success.

What does the speaker mean by building a system to achieve success?

Building a system refers to creating a set of tools, routines, and processes to help track and manage various aspects of life, such as schoolwork, extracurriculars, and personal goals, making it easier to stay on track and organized.

What is Scholar OS and how does it help students?

Scholar OS is a customizable Notion template designed to help students manage their academics, college applications, finances, health, and more. It helps streamline and organize the various aspects of a student’s life into one integrated system.

What does James Clear’s quote 'You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems' mean?

This quote means that achieving goals is not about aiming higher but about having the right systems in place to support consistent progress. Without effective systems, even high goals will be difficult to reach.

What is the downside of competition in achieving academic success?

Competition can lead students to focus on the wrong attributes or areas just because others are doing them, rather than pursuing what they are truly passionate about or naturally inclined to do. This can stifle creativity and lead to a lack of fulfillment.

How can students avoid unnecessary competition?

Students can avoid unnecessary competition by focusing on their own unique interests and strengths, rather than imitating others. By choosing unconventional paths, such as researching in fields like English or History, they can set themselves apart and achieve success.