Everyone wants to do well in school, but not everyone knows how to study the right way. You might be working hard, but still not getting the top rank. That’s because studying smart is more important than just studying hard.
In this blog, we are going to reveal the 3 secret study tips to become topper that most students don’t know about. These tips are not difficult, but they are powerful. Even average students can become toppers by following them. If you’re tired of long hours and still getting average marks, these tips will change the way you study. Read till the end, follow these tips honestly, and you’ll see real improvement in your marks and confidence.
Why Smart Studying is Better Than Just Hard Work
Before we jump into the 3 secret study tips to become topper, it’s important to understand one thing—working smart beats working hard. Many students study all day, skip sleep, and even stop playing or relaxing. But still, they don’t come first in class. Why?
Because they are doing more, not better.
Toppers do things differently. They don’t just study more—they study with focus, with planning, and with the right methods. That’s why they get more marks in less time. The good news? You can do this too.
Now, let’s talk about the three powerful secrets that can help you reach the top.
Also read: What Was Responsible for the Development of the Indigenous Model of Studying?
3 Secret Study Tips to Become Topper
1. Use the Power of Active Recall
What is Active Recall?
Active recall is one of the most powerful learning techniques used by toppers and successful students. It means trying to remember something from your memory without looking at the book.
Most students just keep reading their books again and again. But the brain doesn’t remember things just by looking. It remembers by thinking and recalling.
How to Use Active Recall
- After reading a topic, close the book and try to write down what you remember.
- Say it aloud in your own words without looking.
- Ask yourself questions like a teacher would and try to answer them.
- Use flashcards and quiz yourself often.
Why It Works
When you force your brain to remember, it becomes stronger. It’s like exercise for your mind. The more you do it, the better you get at remembering things during exams.
This one technique can save hours of revision time and help you remember more in less time.
2. Study Like a Teacher (Feynman Technique)
What Is the Feynman Technique?
This method is named after Richard Feynman, a great scientist and teacher. He believed that if you can’t explain something simply, you don’t understand it well enough.
So the idea is: learn a topic, then teach it like a teacher would.
Steps to Use This Technique
- Choose a topic you want to learn.
- Pretend to teach it to someone else, like your friend, younger sibling, or even a toy.
- Use very simple words, like you are explaining to a 10-year-old.
- If you get stuck, go back to the book, understand again, and repeat.
Why It Works
This trick helps you find out what you don’t know clearly. When you try to teach, you’ll find gaps in your understanding. This helps you fix your weak points. Also, explaining in simple words makes your brain remember better. Toppers often do this quietly by talking to themselves while studying.
It’s fun, easy, and works like magic.
3. Use Time Blocking Instead of Random Studying
What is Time Blocking?
Time blocking means making a daily schedule where each hour is planned in advance. You decide what you will study and when, instead of studying randomly whenever you feel like it.
Most students just open books when they “feel like studying,” and that wastes a lot of time. Toppers plan their time.
How to Time Block Your Day
- Make a simple timetable the night before.
- Divide your day into blocks of 1–2 hours.
- Each block should have one subject or one topic to study.
- Add short breaks between blocks.
- Don’t forget to include time for sleep, meals, and fun.
Sample Time Block Schedule
| Time | Task |
|---|---|
| 6:30 – 7:00 | Morning routine |
| 7:00 – 8:00 | Revise yesterday’s notes |
| 8:00 – 9:00 | School/homework |
| 9:00 – 9:15 | Short break |
| 9:15 – 10:30 | Study Science (new topic) |
| 10:30–11:30 | Practice Maths problems |
Why It Works
When your day is planned, you don’t waste time thinking “what should I do now?” You stay focused, and everything gets done on time. Even 4–5 well-planned hours of study each day is more powerful than 10 hours of random study.
That’s why toppers always follow a routine.
Extra Tips to Boost Your Studying
Now that we’ve covered the 3 secret study tips to become topper, here are some bonus tips to help even more:
Sleep Well
Toppers don’t sacrifice sleep. Your brain needs rest to remember things. Always sleep 7–8 hours.
Eat Healthy
A good diet gives your brain energy. Avoid junk food, drink water, and eat fruits.
Take Breaks
Don’t study for long hours without breaks. A 5–10 minute break every hour keeps your mind fresh.
Limit Distractions
Keep your phone away when studying. Use apps to block social media or turn off notifications.
Make Neat Notes
Clear, short notes help you revise fast. Use colors, highlighters, or mind maps to make learning easy.
Common Mistakes That Keep Students from Becoming Toppers
Even after knowing the right tips, many students make some mistakes. Watch out for these:
- Waiting for motivation to start studying.
- Studying only favorite subjects, ignoring the weak ones.
- Cramming the night before exams instead of daily revision.
- Copying toppers’ notes without understanding.
- Not asking doubts, thinking it’s a silly question.
Avoid these mistakes, and your study habits will become much better.
How to Stay Motivated Every Day
Staying motivated is hard, especially when results take time. Here’s what you can do:
- Set small goals: Like completing one chapter today.
- Reward yourself: Watch your favorite show after study.
- Think of your dreams: Why are you studying? Remind yourself.
- Track your progress: Tick tasks off a list. It feels great.
- Talk to positive people: Stay around friends who support your goals.
Remember, small steps every day will lead you to big results.
Real Story: How One Student Became a Topper
Let me share a quick real story.
A student named Anjali used to get average marks. She studied all day but wasn’t improving. One day, her teacher told her about active recall and time blocking. She tried it for one month—studied for fewer hours but more smartly.
She made her own timetable, taught her lessons to her younger brother, and revised using flashcards. Slowly, her marks improved. In the final exams, she scored the highest in her class for the first time.
Her secret? Not more study time—but smarter study methods.
If she can do it, so can you.
Also read: How Does Paying Off the Balance Monthly Help a Credit Card User Avoid Finance Charges?
Conclusion
Becoming a topper is not about being the “smartest” or studying for 12 hours a day. It’s about studying the right way. In this blog, we shared the 3 secret study tips to become topper: active recall, the Feynman technique, and time blocking. These simple but powerful methods help you remember better, understand deeper, and use your time wisely.
If you follow them daily, you’ll not only see better marks but also feel more confident and less stressed. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your progress grow. You don’t have to be born a topper—you can become one with the right habits. Start today. Your success is in your hands.