In this article, I’ll explain the seven rules I followed to become a straight-A student.
(I’ve since completed my formal education.)
If you take my advice, I’m confident that you’ll get better grades. You’ll lead a more balanced life, too.
But first, here’s some background information about me, to assure you that I have some credibility in writing this article. (I don’t say these things to boast, really!)
- I got 9 A1’s for the GCE O-Levels.
- I got 4 A’s for the GCE A-Levels, along with 2 “Special” paper Distinctions and 1 Merit.
- I received a full academic scholarship to study at Duke University, which consistently ranks as one of the best universities in the world. I graduated from Duke in 2011.
- I did a double major at Duke, and graduated summa cum laude (First Class Honors). My GPA was 3.98/4.0.
- Throughout my academic career, I never received a grade lower than an A- at a major exam.
Now, just to be clear…
Do I think I’m a super impressive person because of these achievements? No.
Do I think students should be obsessed about grades? No.
Do I think good grades are the key to long-term success? No.
But do I think that grades matter, at least a little? Yes.
A strong academic record can open doors for you down the road. More importantly, through the process of becoming a straight-A student, you’ll learn values like hard work, discipline, and determination.
These values will serve you well, long after you take your last exam.
So go ahead and pursue academic excellence. Just don’t let it become an unhealthy obsession.
Now that we’re clear on that, we’re ready to explore the seven rules.
Rule #1: Always have a plan.
(a) As the semester progresses, keep track of key dates: tests and exams, project submission deadlines, term breaks, etc.
Enter these dates into a physical or digital calendar.
If you choose to use a physical calendar, I recommend that you get a management diary. This will allow you to see the week’s events at a glance. The inside of the diary should look like this:
If you choose to use a digital calendar, I recommend Google Calendar.
(b) Schedule a fixed time every week where you review your upcoming events over the next two months. Mark down when you’ll start preparing for that Math exam, working on that History project, or writing that English paper.
(d) Next, note your commitments for the coming week, e.g. extracurricular activities, family gatherings, extra classes. On your calendar, highlight the blocks of time you’ll have for schoolwork.
This planning process might sound time-consuming, but it’ll typically take just 15 minutes every week. This is a wise investment of time, because the rest of your week will become far more productive.
Rule #2: Be organized.
Ever had trouble finding your notes or assignments when you needed them? You probably ended up wasting precious time looking for them, before you finally asked to borrow them from your friend.
Many students tell me that they keep all their notes and assignments in one big pile, and only sort it out before their exams!
Being organized – it’s easier said than done, I know.
So here are just two key areas to focus on:
1. Filing
(a) Get an accordion folder that looks like this:
Bring this folder to school every day.
(b) Assign one section in the folder to each of your subjects. In addition, reserve the section at the front of the folder for your incomplete homework across all subjects. Label each section, e.g. Math, Physics, English, Incomplete Homework (All Subjects).
(c) Every day, place your “incoming” notes and assignments in the correct section, as you receive them. There’s no need to create sub-categories for each subject.
(d) Keep one large binder for each subject. The binder would look something like this:
Leave these binders at home.
This is a simple system that takes 15 minutes a week to implement, but it’ll save you many hours in the long run.
2. Homework
(Thanks to Cal Newport for this one. I started using the system described below years ago; it’s roughly based on his system.)
(a) Keep a homework list. Whenever your teacher assigns a new homework set, add it to your list. You can use a notebook for this purpose, or you can use an app on your phone. (I recommend the Google Keep app, but any note-taking app will do.)
Next to each item on your homework list, write the due date in parentheses.
(b) Every day when you get home from school, refer to your homework list. At the same time, open your calendar. Look for blocks of time in your calendar where you’ll be able to complete each item on your homework list. Prioritize the items that have the most urgent deadline.
(c) At the end of each day, look at your calendar to see if there are any assignments (which have already been converted into appointments) that you’d planned to finish, but weren’t able to. Add those appointments to another day that’s well before the due date.
And that’s how the system works. I know it seems complicated, but it really isn’t. Try it out for a couple of weeks and you’ll get the hang of it.
Rule #3: Take care of your physical health.
Most of the students I work with complain that they’re constantly tired and sleep deprived.
They can’t focus in class. They daydream. They lack energy and enthusiasm. They frequently fall sick.
Is it possible to be a straight-A student when you’re in this kind of physical state?
Yes… but it’s unlikely.
Physical health is the foundation of academic excellence. To be a straight-A student, you don’t need to have the physique of an Olympic-level athlete. But you do need to take excellent care of your body.
Work on these three areas, and you’ll become a better learner:
1. Sleep
Eight hours of sleep a night is ideal; some people need nine.
If you’re sleeping four, five or six hours a night, you won’t be able to suddenly increase it to eight or more. The jump is too big, and you probably feel like you have too much to do during the day as it is.
So I recommend that you gradually bring forward your bedtime. 10 minutes earlier this week, 20 minutes earlier next week, 30 minutes earlier the week after, and so on, until you get to your target bedtime.
To remind yourself to go to bed on time, set an alarm. When the alarm goes off, start your bedtime routine.
But it’s not just about how much you sleep. How well you sleep matters too.
To improve your sleep quality, get the Twilight app for your Android phone. For your computer and jailbroken iPhone, install f.lux. (Unfortunately, if you have a non-jailbroken iPhone, there doesn’t seem to be a substitute app at the moment.) My own sleep quality has improved dramatically since I started using these two apps.
Next, make your bedroom as dark as possible at night. Put up blackout curtains, and remove all light sources.
Turn off all electronic devices in your bedroom before you go to sleep. If, for whatever reason, you need to leave your phone on, turn it to airplane mode. This way, you’ll minimize the cell phone radiation you’re exposed to, and you’ll sleep better.
2. Food
It’s the usual advice:
- Eat regular meals.
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.
- Don’t overeat more than once a week.
- Restrict your intake of processed foods.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Don’t drink sugary drinks.
Do these things and you’ll feel more alert throughout the day. It’s hard to become a straight-A student if you’re always feeling lethargic!
3. Exercise
You’ve heard it before: Exercise at least three times a week, for at least 30 to 45 minutes each time.
Exercise enhances your memory and thinking skills, as proven by research. So make exercise a priority, and you’ll get better grades.
Rule #4: Don’t cram. Instead, use a periodic review system.
People are usually surprised to hear that I’ve never pulled an all-nighter before. As the research shows, cramming is a bad idea.
The more effective approach?
Periodic review.
If you periodically review the new information you learn, you’ll move that information from your short-term to your long-term memory. This way, you won’t forget important facts or equations come exam time.
The end result: Less stress and anxiety, and more A’s.
After much experimentation, I’ve found that the optimal review intervals for most students are as follows:
- 1 day after learning the new information
- 3 days after the first review
- 7 days after the second review
- 21 days after the third review
- 30 days after the fourth review
- 45 days after the fifth review
- 60 days after the sixth review
By the end of this cycle, the information is almost permanently stored in your long-term memory.
Note that each review is just a review of the key facts and equations, not a full review of the topic. As such, each review only takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
This system will save you dozens of hours by maximizing your studying efficiency.
Rule #5: Form a homework group.
Here’s why I recommend this.
You’ll run into difficulties while doing your homework, so it’s good to have friends around whom you can turn to for help. Even if they can’t solve the problem, you can bounce ideas off them. This process can be motivating and fun.
But if you do your homework alone, you’ll become discouraged more easily when you can’t solve a problem.
Your homework group should consist of three to four people, including you. More people than that and it’ll be distracting.
When it comes to studying, however, you may or may not be better off doing it in a group. Some students enjoy studying with friends, because there’s a healthy pressure to stay focused. But other students concentrate better when they study alone.
So run your own experiment and decide what works best for you.
Rule #6: Set up a distraction-free study area.
Here are some practical things you can do to make your study session as fruitful as possible:
- Install and activate the Freedom app on your computer.
- Turn off your phone, and put it at least 10 feet away from your study area.
- Keep a clutter-free study area.
- Work in 30- to 45-minute blocks. Time your study sessions to help you stay focused.
- Give yourself a small reward every time you complete a study session, e.g. eat a fruit, watch a YouTube video, go for a short walk.
On a related note, don’t multitask. You might think that you’re able to watch TV, write an essay, check your Twitter feed, and solve a Math problem – at the same time.
But research shows that multitasking isn’t productive, and may even damage your brain. So focus on one thing at a time, and you’ll be that much closer to becoming a straight-A student.
Rule #7: Clarify your doubts immediately.
Many students wait until a week before the exam to clarify their doubts. This leads to panic and anxiety, a combination that doesn’t result in optimal exam performance.
The alternative is simple: Ask questions. Lots of them.
If you don’t understand a concept, ask your teacher to explain it again. If you feel shy about raising your hand during class, then approach your teacher after class.
Yes, if you do this consistently, your classmates might label you a “teacher’s pet” or a “brown noser.” There’s always a price to pay when you pursue excellence. Accept this fact and move on.
On a related note, go to class every single day.
Yes, your teachers might be boring. Yes, they might tell lame jokes. Yes, they might speak in a monotone.
But nonetheless, they’ll highlight the important areas to focus on, which will save you time and effort down the line. Furthermore, you’ll probably find it easier to make sense of your teachers’ explanation, than to figure things out on your own.
That’s why borrowing your classmate’s notes isn’t a substitute for attending class.
I’m proud to say that throughout my 17 years of formal education, I only ever skipped one class. 🙂 (That class was a review session on a topic that I’d already studied several times.)
The bottom line
Right now, you might be feeling overwhelmed. I can almost read your mind:
“These rules all sound good, Daniel. But there are just so many habits I need to change. I don’t think I can do it.”
Rest assured that I’m not asking you to put everything into practice all at once. That would be impossible.
I’m asking you to start with just one tiny change.
If you want to start exercising regularly, don’t set some huge, ambitious goal. Instead, start with a 10-minute walk, once a week. After a month, increase it to 15 minutes. The following month, increase it to 20 minutes, and so on. Eventually, you’ll be exercising three times a week, for 30 minutes each time.
The same principle applies to all seven rules. Focus on one rule at a time, and stick with it until it becomes a habit.
It took me more than 10 years to learn the rules, so don’t rush the process.
One other thing…
I mentioned it earlier, but I think it’s worth repeating: Straight A’s on their own don’t mean much. The process of becoming a straight-A student is what counts.
As you implement the seven rules, you’ll become more disciplined, organized, responsible, and self-motivated. These traits are vital for long-term success.
So start building the foundations of success, one day at a time, one habit at a time, and one rule at a time.
Please “like” and share this article with your friends.
Thank you very much
You’re welcome!
It was a very lloonngg passage but I find it extremely useful! Thanks for taking your effort to write this out!
You’re welcome!
I just want to say thank you!
This lifted me quite a bit from my exams I did quite badly (PSLE) I got 244, parents expected 250-260 but stress got to me.
Thanks for introducing some good habits to me, but stress still gets to me somehow but I handle it a bit better, any tips?
You’re welcome. Stress management is a huge topic on its own, so I apologize that it’s hard for me to give you advice in just a few sentences — I’m planning to write an article on this in the future though!
so did you get straight A1s???
Excellent stuff
Thank you. I’m glad you found it useful.
Awesome post. I posted it on my blog for my mummy friends to read. Such practical tips for us to use for our kids. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Ruth. I hope your mummy friends enjoy the tips!
Your points are very useful! Buy how do we make time if we had alot of time in extra lessons and will be coming home late especially when you leave very far from school. I always had to jiggle time as i had to travel back and fro from school. Also, i had cca’s going on and i will be coming home later. Not only that, i had even plans sometimes durimg the weekend so weelends will definitely come in my way for atudying. So how would i make time to study?
Thank you so much for typing this out! These skills will be implemented into my study regime for my GCE O’Levels that I’m sitting for at the end of this year. God bless!
You’re welcome, Karyn. It took me about 15 hours to write the article, so I’m glad that you found it useful 🙂 All the best as you prepare for your O-Levels, and God bless you too!
Thank you. I am sharing this with my students!
I hope your students find the tips beneficial 🙂
Thanks for sharing
It’s my joy to be of help, Layhong!
Thank you so much Daniel! This is a really comprehensive blog post. Better phrased than the many study skills books I’ve read! Will be implementing them in my study regime as I prepare for my J1 promos and so on! I really loved your “The Happy Student” book too, that I have both the first and second edition copies! Hope you will write more books pertaining to academic excellence as I am looking forward to savour them =) God Bless!
Thanks a ton for your kind words and encouragement, Shannon! I appreciate your support. I’m always delighted to be of service 🙂
Thanks for sharing Daniel, i will definitely share it with my son. 🙂
You’re welcome, Lizah. I hope your son finds the tips useful 🙂
So glad you emphasized on the process, not the pursuit of straight A’s, as the main goal!
I learned well from the lessons my parents taught me! 🙂
Thank you very much! These guidelines are really effective to my studying plan
You’re very welcome, Ace!
Haiz…is it too late? Discipline is the root problem for my son. We have given so much guidance and support but still did mediocre for O levels
I don’t think it’s ever too late, Catherine. The goal of education is to prepare students for long-term success, so I’m always happy to help students no matter what stage they’re in. Please feel free to send me an email if you’re interested in having me work with your son?
This is wonderous.
Thanks!
Do you happen to learn some of these tips from cal Newport? Check out his books and blog on amazing study hacks.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Hello again. Wanted to clarify some things. Regarding the periodic review system you had recommended, how I should I apply it for my arts based subjects like history and literature since no formulas are involved? Can you please enlighten me on good note-taking habits as well? I am not sure if mind maps are really that suitable for me as I take far too long to do my notes (~3hrs per topic per subject ><) that I lack time for practice and revision.
Thank you very much for sharing the tips. Always looking forward to your articles and sharing. 🙂
Thanks, Christine 🙂
Thank you very much for the article Daniel. Very well put. The 7 rules are so do-able but my unmotivated students don’t even have the energy to start. They have too many distractions.
Thank you, Helen. Yes, distractions are a huge problem nowadays. My experience has been that the emphasis needs to be on purpose first, before there’s any emphasis on performance.
Hi Mason, thank you for sharing your story. It’s fantastic to hear that you’ve been doing well, and that you’re way more motivated too! Keep up the good work 🙂
I’ve been following all these points for years, but am still stuck in the high B / low A range! How do I secure that final bit? 🙁 Going off to University next year!
It sounds like you’re very close to getting there! If you’re serious about securing that final bit, feel free to send me an email and I’ll see how I can help.
I find your article delightful, easy to comprehend and highly useful. Kudos to you for sharing!! I’ll be sharing your post with my students to help them prepare better for their major exams. Please do share more
Thank you, Roselind. It’s my joy to be of assistance!
There’s an app on iPhone to track the quality of our sleep. It’s called Sleep Cycle if I’m not wrong! And thanks for this awesome article! It’s really helpful!
Thanks, that’s indeed a helpful app!
Love your ideas! I really hope I will get straight As. It’s gonna be really hard because I take triple Sci and double Maths but I am gonna do my best! Thank you! 🙂
You’re welcome. Wishing you all the best – I’m sure you’ll do great!
Fantastic guide! Any tips to improve English?
To do better in English, I don’t think there’s a shortcut — you’ll need to do lots of reading and writing.
thanks for sharing!
You’re more than welcome 🙂
Thanks daniel, this surely will help a lot for my new coming semester.
A very good information indeed.
Peace yo 🙂
All the best for your new semester!
This is great. Thanks for remind me, Daniel!
You’re welcome, Rio!
You must have had a lot of discipline.
Well, I did 204 for PSLE, 28 points for O levels, GPA 2.33 for Poly, took a private degree at SIM (1 year 10 months), currently pursuing my Masters at NTU.
So for the normal person to get a local degree, it’s 4 years on average. I’ve got my Bachelor’s degree and soon, my Masters, in a total time of 2 years 10 months.
I’m 28 this year. My way of studying? Didn’t study much really. I just listened in class. Did my homework and whatnot. Wrote a few pages of notes 2 days before any exam and that’s it.
That’s a cool story, Jeremy. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for al these tips! Even though I think it will take some time to implement! Heading to JC this year! Anyway, do you have tips to improve language based subjects such as Chinese ? I’m very bad at it 🙁
You’re welcome. For languages, you can still apply the techniques I mentioned for learning vocabulary. But to improve in the other areas, you’ll still need to do plenty of reading and writing, unfortunately.
Hii daniel.
Im a student of olevels from pakistan. I’ve a big problem in managing my time..please give me some tips of how shall i study chemistry. My base is really weak in chemistry!
Thanks for the great article Daniel, you have listed very good advice.
I believe you will agree with me that the journey of exploring and finding one’s own way to learn and perform effectively is also important. While the process of becoming a Straight-A student is what counts, the process of finding that process for oneself counts, too.
I read these rules with some worry because I think there may be students who will take these advice at face value and go away believing that it is a one-size fit all winning formula. It may work for O levels, A levels, but one day when they hit that brick wall that cannot be overcome using this strategy, they do not know how to overcome it as they have never gone through the process of figuring it out for themselves. My own younger sibling is an example of this. Self-awareness, which I think you are abundantly equipped with but probably missed out in your process of writing the rules, would more likely provide for long-term sustainable success.
In addition, I feel that such a set of rules may lead some to believe that their achievements can be solely attributed to their efforts. When these students practise this set of rules and succeed and meet someone who doesn’t, they arrive at the conclusion that it is because the latter is “not organised, has no plan, and probably doesn’t have good studying habits”. They tell themselves, “I am successful because I practise rules that lead to success, and these people fail because they don’t”. They forget that a lot of their success is due to good, for a lack of a better word, luck. Good genes that enable them to process knowledge better, being born in a stable family that enables them to focus on academic pursuits, meeting good teachers that inspired, being born at a right time in the right country – and so many more.
I think the recognition of these two points above will enable students to grow up to be more gracious, humble, creative, and more importantly, unafraid to fail.
I must confess I have never practised any of your rules – I’ve probably flouted all of them, thankfully, I believe I figured my way out fine. The truth remains that you have provided us with a handy set of advice that will benefit the lives of all who read and follow it. But I think it’s good to remind people to be the “yet” man/woman you have mentioned in your other article – That in times when they’ve followed your advice to the dot but still fall short, a small voice at the back of their head will remind them, “I just haven’t found the right way for myself, yet”.
Just my two cents, and thank you once again for the great work.
I appreciate your well thought-through feedback. Wishing you all the best, Al!
how did you manage to figure this out when you were still in school? amazing stuff 🙂 the system and thought process are more impressive than your already impressive grades!
You’re too kind!
I am a straight A student too and this site totally summed up my study techniques. good job.
Thanks!
Your study tips are great, Daniel! Do wish me luck, I’m doing my O levels this year and I think I’ll start implementing these tips 🙂
Glad I could help. All the best for your O-Levels Levels this year!
Thank u so much for these wonderful tips! I really hope to score well for next year’s O lvls.
You’re welcome! 🙂
Hello! Thanks for the tips! I’m currently doing okay in my studies. I get As for most of my subjects but I believe I still have lots of room for improvement. Truth is I’m bad at managing my time. And I’m facing O levels this year and I really want to get good grades for many reasons. I don’t really have the time to sleep as I have tuition till 9pm on most days. Can you suggest a few tips for me? Thank you for sharing your tips! Your kindness is very much appreciated!
Glad you found the tips helpful! I’d say that you don’t have the time NOT to sleep. If you’re not sleeping enough, then your studying and learning will be less efficient, so it’s counter-productive. It’s tough for me to give you suggestions without knowing your actual schedule, so if you’d like more in-depth help, feel free to send me an email?
Wow this is really going to be useful..I’m starting my Uni life in a few months..I’m so glad I found this..=D
Hope the tips come in handy, Julius!
Having read through your advice, allow me to provide a validation, an observation, and some advice for those that also read it. From a validation standpoint, I easily translated your comments into good management practices for success in the workplace and career advancement. Only changes in terminology were required to alter the perspective. Your concepts work. At 70, I am long past the job entry stage, but I have a unique stage from which to comment. Through increasingly responsible management positions, career advancement with accompanying increases in income, retiring as head of human resources for a significant company, I used your techniques for my own success. I hired many, many people, always looking for such an organized thought process
Thank you for sharing your insights, Douglas!
Hi,
More useful tips.My son who takes PSLE hopes to follow your tips.He does well in the class test and when it comes to final exams,he is not doing well.When asked,he mentioned anxiety and hurry to finish his work.How to tackle this.Pls suggest
Hi Ryan, there are probably a number of issues at the root of that. It would help to focus on the process instead of performance, and even to take his mind off the result completely (if possible). I do work with students 1-to-1 on this, so please send me an email if you’re interested in more help?
Just started college and I already have doubts in myself, but I feel so much better after reading this! Thank you for sharing your tips, Mr Daniel!
You’re welcome, E-Lyn!
Hello! Your tips were extremely useful and I’m wondering if you can send me a blank soft copy of the template at jessicaliew312@gmail.com? I think it would help me plan my time better according to my needs. Thank you!
Hi Daniel, I tried your method, but it did not seem to work. I made sure I followed every single step. Do you know what went wrong? Please help me. I want my As too.
Hi Cynthia, I would encourage you to keep using the tips. It took me more than 10 years to start using all of the rules, and it will probably take you 6 months to a year of using the rules every day to see a total transformation. I’m sorry that it’s not possible for the changes to take place overnight.
Thank you Daniel!
They were great tips! They were very thorough and good than compared to some general guides that are online. Wishing you all the best in your life’s journey ahead.
You’re very welcome, Cleo. Wishing you all the best too!
Thank you, you are an inspiration!
Thank you, Yj!
TQVM Daniel for sharing and blessing many. I believe the methods help in all areas be studies, works, at home (housewives) .. to be organised and achieving any goals set. GBU.
You’re welcome, Corrine!
Hello Daniel. So what’s next after straight A’s? Or without straight A’s? Just curious. =)
Hello Audrey, those are great questions 🙂 Like I mentioned in the post, I don’t think that getting straight A’s is all that important. With or without straight A’s, the thing that I believe we should all be doing is loving, serving and adding value to others.
Hi Daniel, Thanks for your helpful tips. Just wanted to clarify, regarding the periodic review system, its 3 days/7days/12days ..etc AFTER the first encounter with the information or after the previous review?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Gillian, it’s 3/7/21/etc. days after the previous review 🙂
Plz help me I am starting my o level and can’t set the time table. If I set the time table I sometimes sleep or use mobile on that time
Hello Mr.Daniel,
In this article I have A few Queries which I would Like you to clear.
1. What are the Use of Binders if we are keeping Subject Notes in the Accordation Folder ?
2. In Periodic Review, you state that we have to have a cycle of about 60 days in which we revise our learning material.
I would like to ask that Does this apply to every new material we learn everyday ?
If so then do we have to allot a time on the Planner/Calender to revise the material on Periodic basis.
eg: I learned ABC Today, I must then allot a time tommorow to revise it on my planner, then later on after 3 days, 7 days and so on.
And Iearned DEF Tommorow so then will I allot a 60 day cycle to this information on my Planner , and similarly to every other information or not?
I would appreciate if you take the time to clear my confusion
I am in my second semester of junior year. I currently have a 4.0 and I’m reading for more study tips. Even though I already have all A’s, I found some interesting organization strategy that I can use to improve. I’m interested in more study techniques because one can always do better! I’m impressed that your exam scores are so high. I’ve gotten low B’s on exams but still managed an A for the course. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for this invaluable tips! I’m taking my PSLE in 1 month time so I really appreciate your advice and hope to apply it throughout my school years!
i got 9 a* in my o level thanks