To Every Student,
It’s time we let you in on a little-known secret about school success.
Many people believe that academic success is all about natural intelligence. But here’s the truth—students who appear to be the smartest don’t always earn the highest grades.
Yes, you read that right.
If you believe you’re not one of the “smart ones,” you may never reach your full potential. But after working with hundreds of students, we know with complete certainty that all students can learn. The key is unlocking the secrets to effective studying.
And why are we sharing this secret with you? Because we want you to know that you can be successful too. Success isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build. You are not powerless to change your academic future.
Everyone can learn. EVERY. ONE.
Sure, some students make learning look easy. But the truth is, you don’t see what happens when the final bell rings. Don’t assume “the smart kids” just absorb information without effort.
Think of the duck analogy—you’ve probably heard it before. On the surface, a duck glides effortlessly across the water. But beneath the surface, where no one sees, that graceful duck is paddling furiously to stay afloat.
The same goes for successful students. They are putting in the work and paddling beneath the surface.
Want to know their secrets?
We asked five top-tier students to share their best study strategies. These students have all excelled in school—earning straight A’s throughout high school, ranking at the top of their class, and continuing to thrive in college in rigorous subjects like pre-med, math, and engineering.
Here’s the one study habit each of them swears by:
- Sophia – Get a head start and begin studying well in advance of exams.
- Halee – Rewrite notes in your own words and rearrange them into charts, tables, or other formats.
- Rebecca – Use the “word vomit” technique. Before starting an exam, jot down everything you remember in the margins or on the back of the test. This helps trigger memories without the pressure.
- Ayden – Handwrite everything. Draw diagrams and create your own study guide in addition to the teacher’s.
- Ryan – Be consistent. Study unit by unit or chapter by chapter. Breaking material into smaller chunks makes it less overwhelming and reduces last-minute cramming.
- Becca – Find ways to make studying fun—turn it into a game.
Did you notice a common theme? Most of these students recommended studying early and often, in manageable fragments. No one said, “Cram the night before a test.”
We know this idea might seem overwhelming. But the truth is, it takes less effort than you think—and it is THE secret to school success.
Don’t just take our word for it—try it yourself. Choose one subject and challenge yourself to study for that class every night for the duration of one study unit. If your grade improves, you’ll have all the proof you need to keep going.
Set a daily study time, set an alarm, and commit to reviewing something—anything—each night when that alarm chimes. This strategy is more about habit than discipline, so stick to maintaining your routine every day.
Many of our students create a short quiz for themselves each evening. It could be as simple as:
- “Name three things I learned about carbon dating.”
- “What are five new Spanish words I learned today?”
- “Can I state the objectives of today’s class?”
- “What do I know now that I didn’t know yesterday?”
Comparison is a killer of confidence. But observation can offer you a blueprint for success. Instead of focusing on where you’re falling short, notice what successful students are doing and make those habits your own.
We know you want to go home after school, drop the books, and chill. But the easy path rarely leads to the greatest rewards. Take a little time each day to invest in yourself – you are worth it. You can celebrate by chilling after you study.
