The secrets to excelling in high school
What does it take to be a high school top achiever in South Africa? I mean, nothing less than 7 distinctions, some of the top leadership positions in their school and opportunities to study some of the most prestigious degrees all around the world. I spoke to 15 high school top achievers from across South Africa – different provinces, different curriculums and different subjects. Some were on the news for receiving over 10 distinctions while others were ranked nationally in sporting or cultural activities. Their excellence extends beyond just the books. What are their secrets?
Buckle up, we have 30 secrets to share.
These are tips. See what works for you and don’t try do everything here. These are secrets from various individuals. Not all of them will work for you.
If you know you can, prioritize self-studying and work ahead of your classes. This proactive approach allows you to dive into subjects before they’re covered in class. When you hit a snag, you can approach your teacher during their office hours or send them an email. You’ll not only understand the material better, but you’ll also show your teacher you’re committed to your learning.
Use your holidays to tackle those hefty assignments. Starting early gives you the breathing room to focus on studying for tests and exams during the term. If you can, ask your teachers for their term planners to anticipate assessments, allowing you to jumpstart your work and alleviate stress later on.
The Pomodoro Technique can be your best friend when studying. Spend 25 minutes focused on your work, then reward yourself with a 5-minute break. I found listening to brown noise during study sessions helped me concentrate better. It’s like creating a mini sanctuary for your brain!
Before finals, create a correction flip file. After completing past papers, jot down each mistake on one side of a page and write the correct answer on the other. Review this just before finals to solidify your understanding and boost your confidence!
Teaching content to your friends can be a game-changer. Explaining concepts aloud not only reinforces your understanding but also highlights areas where you need further clarification. Friends often bring tough questions so this helps “weed out” the routine ones. Plus, it’s a great way to bond over shared struggles!
Establish a routine where you wake up early, have a nutritious breakfast, and take a 20-minute nap before finals. This simple habit can refresh your mind and keep you alert during important exams, giving you an edge over your competition.
Don’t wait until the last minute to seek help. Doing your homework and asking questions ahead of time can save you the anxiety of grappling with concepts right before a test. The earlier you understand something, the less pressure you’ll feel!
YouTube is an incredible resource for quick explanations and summaries. If your teacher didn’t clarify something, chances are there’s a video out there that can. This can deepen your understanding and save you time in your study sessions.
While everyone raves about past papers, it’s crucial to approach them strategically. Don’t just do them mindlessly; tackle them without checking your notes to assess what you know. Familiarize yourself with frequently asked questions and practice answering higher-order questions to maximize your exam performance.
Discipline is key! Create a daily schedule to structure your time. Hard work combined with consistency can help you achieve your goals. Don’t forget to take breaks and do things you enjoy – finding that balance is essential for long-term success.
Success isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you aspire to be a musician or an athlete, create your own definition of success. Focus on what makes you happy, and remember that hard work in any area can yield rewards, no matter how unconventional.
If your marks aren’t where you want them, remember that you can always rewrite matric. Many medical students have done it to achieve their desired results, so don’t hesitate to take that route if it means reaching your goals.
To give some perspective, some individuals with 5 distinctions have rewritten matric in order to get into their desired degree. This is a challenging yet rewarding decision for some. Talk to those you care for before making this decision.
For subjects that challenge you, read the curriculum daily. It’s often shorter and more focused than textbooks, helping you identify critical areas needing your attention without overwhelming you.
Set ambitious goals to push yourself beyond your limits. These lofty aspirations will motivate you, leading to smaller achievements along the way. Celebrate each success, no matter how small!
Don’t just focus on academics; participate in extracurricular activities to enjoy high school more and become well-rounded. Balancing academics with hobbies can enhance your overall experience and skills.
Strive for a balance between studies and other activities, such as sports or arts. This balance is vital for your mental well-being and ensures you don’t burn out before exams.
Having a strong support system makes a world of difference. Surround yourself with friends and family who are willing to help emotionally and academically, making it easier to focus and succeed.
Establishing a clear end goal will guide your efforts. Instead of drifting through your studies, work towards something specific; it’ll serve as your motivation to stay on track.
If you’re religious, nurture your spiritual relationship. Prayer can provide comfort and perspective during stressful times, helping you maintain a sense of peace and purpose.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help! No one conquers challenges alone. Building a support network – including teachers, peers, and family – can provide encouragement and guidance when you need it most.
Remember to take care of your physical health! Eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly can significantly impact your mental clarity and performance during exams.
Engage in active recall by doing practice questions. With AI tools available, you can generate tailored questions to test your knowledge and reinforce what you’ve learned.
Make your study breaks enjoyable! Instead of a quick breather, plan fun activities that will recharge you. A balanced approach to work and play can help maintain your motivation.
There is a prevailing myth in education that you can only choose two out of three from: school, social life and sports. This idea isn’t just incorrect; it’s harmful. A truly balanced approach to life is what enables academic success. Quality of study far outweighs the quantity of time spent studying, and quality comes from achieving a holistic balance – something often called the bio-psycho-social approach.
Let’s break down this concept in this context:
Biological: This refers to your physical health. Exercise, sleep, and nutrition all contribute to how well your body and brain function. Don’t neglect exercise or sleep because you’re studying; these elements are key to keeping your mind sharp and focused.
Psychological: Mental health is crucial to academic success. Stress, anxiety, and burnout can impede your ability to learn effectively. Take breaks when needed, and engage in activities that help clear your mind. Developing good study techniques that work for you and practising mindfulness are also important psychological supports.
Social: We are social beings, and human connection is essential to well-being. Spending time with friends, joining clubs, or participating in group activities helps reduce feelings of isolation. A strong social network provides both emotional support and encouragement.
Spiritual and Cultural: While not part of the traditional “bio-psycho-social” model, your spiritual and cultural well-being also contribute significantly. Whether it’s staying connected to your cultural roots, engaging in practices that resonate with your beliefs, or spending time in nature, these activities help provide purpose and grounding, which ultimately boost resilience and motivation.
Maintaining this balance across biological, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural aspects of your life supports not only your health but also your academic performance. Don’t give up on sports, cultural activities, or spending time with friends. They aren’t distractions; they’re what keep you strong and help you excel in your studies.
Test and exam technique is a crucial part of academic success. One effective strategy is to go through past paper memos – not to memorise answers, but to understand how questions should be answered. Exam papers often have a certain pattern in the way responses are structured and evaluated. By reviewing 3–5 answers (or more if possible), you’ll begin to pick up on trends in how best to formulate and structure your thoughts. This saves you time during exams and prevents unnecessary stress, allowing you to be more focused. Moreover, it helps to avoid “waffling” – or providing unnecessarily long, unclear answers – regardless of the number of marks a question carries.
The most important lesson of all: you are your only competition ~ Kayla C.
Strive to be better than you were yesterday, last week, or even last year. Set your own goals, standards, and measures of success. Comparing yourself to others can be a major source of stress, as it ignores the fact that everyone’s journey is unique. Focus on your own progress, and you’ll find that celebrating your friends’ successes becomes easier and more genuine. Don’t chase trophies and accolades for the sake of prestige. Instead, invest your time in learning deeply and preparing yourself for your plans after school. If awards or prizes come along, see them as a bonus, not the ultimate goal.
Time is limited, and there is truth to the old saying that “busy people get things done.” The more structure you bring to your day, the less time there is for procrastination. Unstructured time often leads to putting things off because there’s no clear plan. Visualising your day and setting out clear tasks helps maintain momentum and makes the best use of your time. Every moment of productivity adds up, and having a sense of purpose makes each hour count.
The ultimate aim of school is to apply what you’ve learned to new ideas and contexts. Understanding your subjects deeply is one of the best ways to retain information long-term. Whether it’s Maths, Accounting, or English, the goal should always be to see how topics relate to each other and their broader impact.
How Do You Achieve This?
Ask Questions: Even if they don’t directly relate to the current topic, curiosity is key. Questions that broaden your understanding help connect what you’re learning to real-life situations and deeper concepts.
Frame Corrections as Improvements: When you receive your test papers back, don’t simply correct the mistakes for the sake of it. Instead, use this as an opportunity to refine your understanding and thought process. Correcting the underlying logic behind an error is far more impactful than just noting down the right answer.
Stay Curious: Cultivate a sense of curiosity about what you’re learning. Curiosity naturally deepens your connection to the material, helping you internalise and remember it better. When you’re genuinely interested in a subject, it feels less like an obligation and more like an exploration.
Combat procrastination by studying with a friend, either in person or over video call. Having a study buddy helps establish accountability and motivation through body doubling, where their presence encourages you to stay focused.
Ensure your study buddy is someone focussed so that you feel bad for getting distracted while studying.
It may sound weird yet, “Study with me” videos are a great tool for overcoming procrastination by creating a virtual study environment. They offer a sense of accountability and shared focus, making it feel like you’re not studying alone. The structured sessions, often paired with timed breaks, help promote effective time management and foster productive study habits.
These are the secrets – take them or leave them.
In closing, remember that success is a personal journey and not everyone will achieve the same accolades. Even if you work hard each night, you may not achieve your goals and that is okay – many have been there. However, how you bounce back from those failures will determine where your life will go.
What truly unites those who excel in all spheres of life is their ability to embrace their unique strengths without comparing themselves to others. Once the “comparison game” begins, one can never be truly happy. As basic as it sounds, you should be your only competition. Others must merely be inspiration.
While these tips may not guarantee you more than seven distinctions, implementing them will certainly help you perform better in what you love.
Lastly, prioritising your mental health is essential, as true success cannot be achieved without a strong mind. So, enjoy life along the way and remember that discipline means being consistent – not perfect – while still enjoying your life. Just try your best, and cherish the journey ahead!
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the top achievers who generously shared their invaluable tips and insights for this blog. Your wisdom and experiences not only enrich our understanding of success but also inspire others to strive for their best. Your contributions play a vital role in keeping Spoon of Medicine alive and thriving. Together, we’re fostering a community dedicated to growth, learning, and support. Thank you for being a part of this journey!
Kayla C.
Tinaye M.
Hanno v.d. M
Juliana M.
Jacob C.
Helen L.
Nduduzo D.
Tawona M.
Radiyyah S.
Audreen M.
Pearl D.
Adib P.
(Certain students have chosen to remain anonymous)
