Star Performers: ‘The study habits behind our outcomes’

Academic growth often reflects what happens in the quiet, everyday moments of study. Consistency, clarity of thought, and a steady approach to exams tend to matter more than intensity alone. Over time, this rhythm builds both confidence and lasting understanding. The reflections of four students offer a grounded view of this idea, where everyday study habits shape long-term confidence.

Meet Pakhi Shrivastava, Kaarthik Sudeep, Suhanya Johari, and Onish Shrivastava from Apeejay School, Noida (academic year 2025-26), who, in a candid interview, reflect how steady approaches often matter more than intensity alone.

Pakhi realised that her preparation was going well when she could revise and remember concepts without checking notes or books. “It made me feel confident that I was not just memorising answers but truly understanding them. My teachers and friends were always ready to clear my doubts, no matter how small. The revision tests helped me refresh my learning and stay organised,” this now Class IX student shared.

She focused more on understanding concepts and regularly solved worksheets given by her teachers, which strengthened her clarity. “On days when I felt low, I avoided trying to study everything at once. Instead, I focused on small topics and took short breaks to calm my mind. What helped me the most was staying consistent. Along with studies, I listened to music, went for walks, played basketball, and read books. These small breaks helped me stay relaxed and focused and improved my learning overall,” she shared.

Kaarthik believes that his daily habits made a strong difference to his results. “I made it a point to study all topics covered in school regularly. I tried to complete everything as planned. During exams, there was pressure to score well, but I focused more on preparation instead of thinking about expectations,” he shared.

He divided his syllabus into smaller goals so that it did not feel overwhelming. “Taking short breaks helped me stay calm. During exams, I experienced both confidence and uncertainty. When unsure, I avoided panic and attempted the questions I knew first. This gave me enough time to return to difficult ones. I also never left any question unanswered,” this now Class IX student stated.

When starting a new chapter, he would read it carefully, make short notes, and practise regularly. “My teachers were supportive, and regular tests helped me improve. My mother also guided me throughout,” he added.

Suhanya didn’t believe in studying for long hours. Instead, focus on one to two hours of concentrated study with breaks whenever needed. “Mathematics was challenging for me because of calculation mistakes, and I lost marks in earlier exams. To improve, I started practising questions daily and asked my parents to review my answers and point out mistakes. My teacher also suggested reference books, which I completed before exams, and that helped me score full marks in finals,” she said.

She would often finish her homework at school so she had more time at home for revision and relaxation. “I began each chapter with NCERT, noted my doubts, and clarified them with teachers. I also practised from reference books and attempted revision tests. Sometimes I tried online quizzes, which made learning more enjoyable,” this now Class IX student added.

For Onish studying was always a priority, but he also made sure to take some time every day to go outside for a walk and calm himself. “This helped me stay consistent and achieve good marks. During exams, I managed stress by reading books and going out for walks. There were moments when I felt unsure, especially during my Social Studies exam, as I worried about completing my syllabus and scoring well. At that time, my mother, father, and sister encouraged me to keep going,” he said.

When he approached a new chapter, he asked his sister to explain it and give him a summary, which helped him. “My teachers were very supportive; they motivated and guided me throughout. The revision tests conducted by teachers helped me understand how much more effort I needed and kept me on track,” this now Class IX student said in conclusion.