From Overwhelmed To Top Student (How I Did It)

Summary

Wendy shares how she went from struggling in high school to becoming a top student and gaining admission to Cambridge University. Her success came down to one simple strategy: prioritizing her subjects. By grouping her subjects into three categories—'A' (high priority), 'Okay' (medium priority), and 'Blah' (low priority)—and allocating her study time accordingly, she improved her grades significantly. She used techniques like active recall, past problems, and focused preparation to excel in key subjects while managing stress and staying motivated. Wendy encourages others to find their own approach, highlighting the importance of studying intentionally and with purpose.

Takeaways

• 😀 Prioritizing subjects based on importance is key to improving academic performance.
• 📚 Wendy went from struggling in high school to becoming a top student and getting admitted to Cambridge University.
• 🕒 Time allocation should focus more on core subjects and less on subjects of lesser importance.
• 🔑 Group your subjects into categories: 'Ace' (most important), 'Okay' (important but not critical), and 'Blah' (less important).
• 💡 The strategy of spending more time on core subjects helped Wendy significantly improve her grades in chemistry and physics.
• 📝 Use techniques like active recall to enhance retention, especially for core subjects.
• 🚀 Starting study preparation early (at least 2 weeks before exams) helps to reduce stress and improve outcomes.
• 📉 Cramming can work for subjects that are not crucial to your future goals but should be avoided for key subjects.
• 🎯 Wendy's time management strategy made her studying feel more intentional and aligned with her future goals.
• 🤔 Find a study method that works for you, even if it’s different from Wendy’s. Experiment and tailor your approach.
• 📅 The importance of adjusting your study schedule based on evolving priorities and time availability.

Q & A

What was Wendy's main issue during high school?

Wendy struggled to balance extracurricular activities with her schoolwork. She found herself overwhelmed by the number of subjects and tasks, which led to procrastination and poor study habits, including cramming before exams.

How did Wendy's grades look before she implemented her new strategy?

Before making changes, Wendy's grades were decent but not exceptional. For example, her chemistry grade was around 60-70%, physics was 70%, and her language subjects like Greek and German were in the 80s, but biology was at 60%.

What is the main strategy Wendy used to improve her grades?

Wendy implemented a time allocation strategy where she prioritized her subjects. She spent more time on core subjects like chemistry, physics, and math, while reducing her focus on subjects she considered less important, like biology and languages.

How did Wendy allocate her time after making changes to her study routine?

Wendy allocated an hour for core subjects like chemistry and physics, 30 minutes for math, and 50 minutes for languages (Greek and German). This helped her focus more on her priorities and improve her grades significantly.

What role did prioritizing subjects play in Wendy's academic success?

Prioritizing subjects allowed Wendy to focus more time and energy on the subjects that mattered most to her future goals, such as math and physics. This approach led to noticeable improvements in her grades, particularly in her core subjects.

What is the 'active recall' technique mentioned by Wendy?

Active recall involves trying to explain a topic to someone else, or even to yourself. This technique helps to reinforce understanding and identify gaps in knowledge, making it easier to retain information for the long term.

How did Wendy adjust her study methods for different types of subjects?

Wendy divided her subjects into three categories: 'A' subjects (the most important ones), 'okay' subjects, and 'blah' subjects (those she didn’t care much about). She used different techniques for each group, focusing on deep study and active recall for her 'A' subjects and doing more targeted practice for the 'okay' and 'blah' subjects.

What impact did this strategy have on Wendy's stress levels?

This strategy significantly reduced Wendy's stress and overwhelm. By focusing on what mattered most, she felt more in control of her studies, which helped her manage her time and energy more effectively.

Why did Wendy decide to drop biology from her study schedule?

Wendy dropped biology because she wanted to focus more on her core subjects like chemistry, physics, and math. She realized that biology wasn't as essential for her future goals, so she chose to dedicate less time to it in order to improve in the areas that mattered more.

What advice does Wendy give to others about creating a study strategy?

Wendy suggests that students find a strategy that works for them, based on their own priorities and goals. She encourages others to experiment with different methods and share their subject groupings, as every student’s needs and preferences are different.