Let’s take a peek inside the minds of high achievers

Consistent effort, structured routines, and timely guidance emerged as key contributors to academic success, along with the importance of balance between studies and extracurricular interests. Meet three such students — Advika Upadhyay, Natalya Agarwal, and Sonampreet Kaur of Class VII-A (academic year 2024-25) from Apeejay School, Noida.

In a candid interview, they talk about their study strategy.

Advika, who scored 97%, excluding the third language, said that she was among the top three in her section in Class VI as well and was a scholar, but she worked harder when she came to Class VII. “I made sure to revise topics I missed due to extracurricular activities like annual practice. I love dancing and playing sports like basketball, kho-kho, and badminton. I studied an average of two hours a day, making sure not to exhaust myself. My study approach was consistent throughout the year, with more focus near exams. My teachers clarified all doubts patiently, and my parents supported me whenever I asked for help, ensuring I stayed on track,” she shared.

Natalya was thrilled with her score of 96% and said, “Attending school regularly helped me a lot. This is because the teachers shared key points not found in books. I studied throughout the year rather than cramming near exams. I focused on understanding concepts instead of rote learning, making notes for long chapters and revising regularly. My teachers were incredibly supportive, especially our Social Studies teacher, who broke down chapters and encouraged participation. This helped me grasp difficult concepts. I also believe revision and self-written notes are crucial for doing well in exams.”

Sonampreet, who scored 95%, excluding Sanskrit, said, “I worked very hard and maintained a structured routine. I woke up at 5 am to study, attended school, napped after returning, went for two hours of tennis practice, and studied again till 9 pm. I play tennis at the school level and participated in an Inter-school tournament. Although I found all subjects manageable, I asked teachers for help whenever I had doubts. Even if I felt shy, I would privately call the teacher to my seat for clarity. My father helped with my weak spelling, and my mother dictated paragraphs to improve my writing in Hindi and English.”