Star Performer: ‘I Believed in Progress, Not Perfection’

The Making of a Topper: Inside Srija’s Journey to No. 1

Hard work, thoughtful planning, and the right academic guidance—these are what powered Srija Raghuvanshi to the top of her class at Apeejay International School (AIS), Greater Noida. Scoring 93.62% in mid-terms and 96.74% in the final class 6 exams, she achieved an impressive 94.27% overall, earning her the first rank. In this chat, Srija walks us through her study style, the subjects she loves, and how her school became her strongest support system.

In her own words:

You stood first in class—what were your scores across the year?
In my mid-term exams, I scored 93.62%, and in the final exams, I got 96.74%. My overall percentage for the year, including all internal assessments, was 94.27%. I’m really happy that I stood first in my class!

Which subjects did you love the most? Were there any you found tough?
My favourite subjects were Maths, Sanskrit, and Science. I enjoy solving problems and exploring how things work. But I’ll admit, Science and Computer sometimes felt a bit challenging—they needed extra time and attention.

How did you manage your study hours throughout the year?
On school days, I usually studied for about 2 to 5 hours, and on weekends, I’d study for around 3 to 7 hours, depending on how close the exams were. I didn’t have a rigid study plan, but I always made sure to revise regularly, complete my homework on time, and focus more on topics that I found tricky.

In what ways did your school support and motivate you?
My school supported me in so many ways! My teachers were always appreciative of my efforts, and that encouragement pushed me to do better. They helped me whenever I had doubts, and regular quizzes and practice tests kept me ready for exams. And the best part? My performance was appreciated during school assemblies—that really boosted my confidence.