Achievements
How a self-motivated class 11 student cracks olympiads & balances life
From acing Class 10 CBSE Boards to clearing national Olympiads, this student shares his philosophy of curiosity-led learning
From solving advanced Chemistry problems to jamming on the guitar and sinking basketball hoops, Class 11 student (now) Prakhar Anand Saxena from Apeejay School, Greater Noida, believes that learning shouldn’t be about marks – it should be about meaning. A passionate Olympiad aspirant and self-taught learner, Prakhar shares how he builds knowledge, manages time, and keeps his curiosity alive. Read edited excerpts:
Prakhar, what motivates you to study beyond your school curriculum – like preparing for Olympiads?
I’ve always believed that learning should go beyond the exam. I took part in the National Standard Examination in Chemistry (NSEC) because Chemistry excites me – it just clicks. It wasn’t easy, since it had Class 11–12 level questions, but I loved the challenge. The exam had both single and multiple correct answers with negative marking, so it pushed me to study smarter and go deeper.
That’s intense for a Class 10 student! What helped you manage such advanced prep?
A lot of it came from self-motivation. I bought senior secondary books and studied on my own, but I also got help from my school teachers. Whenever I had doubts, they explained things with clarity. I think the key is not to fear learning something difficult. If it excites you, you’ll stick with it – even when it gets tough.
How do you define your learning style?
I call it ‘goal-based introspective learning’. I break my goals into small, doable parts every day – like reading a chapter or practicing a concept. Then I reflect on whether I really understood it. I don’t believe in memorising. Instead, I write notes, revise, and think about how something works in real life. Learning should give you new experiences, not just new marks.
What about your life outside studies?
Oh, I make sure I enjoy my day. I play the guitar, drums, and flute – just the basics. Music helps me reset. I also play basketball almost every evening. It clears my mind. I believe in living a balanced life – you don’t have to choose between studies and fun. You can do both if you manage time well.
