It is the dream of every average student to rank in class and become a topper. However, ambition alone cannot help you reach your goal. If you want to know how to become topper in class you need a properly structured roadmap and determination. Close your eyes for a few seconds and imagine everyone praising and appreciating you as a top performer. But the question here is ‘how to become topper’. Be active, and keep a pen and paper ready to note down the points that you will read further in this article.
This blog article will walk you through practically proven strategies that will guide you to become a topper because these strategies transform students into toppers.
Who is a Topper? How does a Topper Study?
The common conception about a topper is the one who scores the highest in the class. But that’s not the complete truth. Along with scoring highest in class, toppers are active and consistent learners who have a deep understanding of any topic they learn, lead a disciplined life, effectively manage time, learn from mistakes, focus on holistic development and well-being, are goal-oriented, and balance academic and personal life beautifully. Thus, the definition of topper is not only confined to marks and grades.
Average Students Vs Toppers
An average student differs from toppers in several parameters. Let’s discuss them in detail:
Average Students
- They are reactive learners which means they study only when homework is due and before exams.
- Their main focus is grades. They study to get good marks and achieve higher grades.
- They usually don’t like to explore beyond the syllabus. They are comfort seekers and tend to stick to it.
- When they come across challenges they react in a frustrated manner and give up easily.
- They nurture a fixed mindset that blocks their success like they say “I’m weak in math” or “I’m bad in English” and do not work on their weak points.
- They possess cramming issues due to which they can’t remember during their exams what they have read.
- They are rote learners and give little attention while studying.
- They have inconsistent study schedules and lead an indisciplined life.
- They hesitate to ask questions and clear their doubts.
- They are very much distraction-prone (often drawn towards the phone and TV) which leads to poor focus.
Toppers
- They are proactive learners. Learning for them is a constant process, not a daily chore.
- They focus on understanding, not on grades. Toppers believes that understanding a concept deeply and clearly automatically leads to good grades.
- They are always curious to explore things beyond the syllabus which makes them lifelong learners.
- They are always eager to ask questions and clarify their doubts.
- They seek challenges as growth opportunities and persistently find solutions to complex problems. This determination and positive attitude prepare their foundation for success.
- Toppers have a dynamic growth mindset. They believe that they can improve their weak points through consistent practice, effort, and dedication. This fuels their persistence.
- They are self-motivators. Their internal desire to learn, excel and master is their greatest source of motivation. They don’t need external motivational sources.
- They follow a structured study plan that pushes them towards their goal.
- They actively participate in the classroom, engage in co-curricular activities, and use active learning methods (we will discuss this further) to ensure better performance and deep understanding.
- They handle distractions wisely and motivate themselves in various ways to improve their concentration.
- They always assess themselves in various ways life self-quiz, solving past test papers, and explaining a topic to someone else. They constantly find out their mistakes and work on them for improvement.
Apart from academics, there is also a big difference in the lifestyle of an average student and a topper. Toppers lead a disciplined life; they focus on their health (adequate sleep, healthy food), constantly learn new skills and explore something new, engage in co-curricular activities, and exercise/meditate regularly. On the other hand, average students lead an indisciplined life; they have a cramming and procrastinating attitude, they don’t like to move out of their comfort zone, they don’t focus on their health and well-being, they are lazy and distraction-prone. How to become topper also depends on the mindset of a student.
How To Become a Topper
I have had conversations with toppers from different reputed schools who scored above 90% in their board exams to understand their strategy. In the conversation, I understood that toppers use some simple yet mostly overlooked.
Before revealing the secret strategies I would like to mention some common steps that both average students and toppers follow:
- Follow lectures
- Makes notes – Learn how to make notes like toppers
- Solve questions
- Revision
Now the question is if these are common between toppers and average students, then why is the topper always a topper and an average student remains average?
To answer this question, let’s come to the ultimate point: the topper’s study strategy. First, we will discuss some known strategies but from a different perspective that will give us value and make us more productive. Then we will discuss the ultimate success-hitting strategies that toppers never reveal.
Known Strategies From Another Perspective
1. Set Clear Goals
The first thing a topper does is goal setting. To become a topper you need to set your goals clearly. Write the goals on paper in bold letters and stick them in your study room. This gives you clarity about your vision. If you set your goals mentally, there is a 99% chance of getting distorted leaving you confused. Written goals work 10 times better than unwritten ones. Every time you see your goal, you are more focused and motivated to work consistently to achieve your goal.
2. Become A Master Of Active Learning (Active Classroom Participation and Engagement)
Let’s first understand what is active learning. Active learning is a learning process where the learner is completely engaged and actively participates in the process rather than passively listening. Active learners discuss problems, ask questions, and try to explain something that they have learned.
To become a topper you also have to be an active listener. When you are in class, try to focus completely keeping aside all distractions.
3. Understand the Syllabus Structured Study Plan
Before opening a book you must open and understand the syllabus thoroughly to create a well-structured study plan. A study plan is mandatory to become a topper. Prepare a separate plan for each subject and include a time frame for each topic. Break down the study plan into small units which makes it easier to complete the syllabus fast. Incorporate short breaks into your plan to keep you charged and fresh all day. Your study plan must include:
- Lesson Plan
- Proper Time Division
- Short Breaks
- Clear Goals and Achievable Targets
- Studying Plan
- Deadlines
4. Strategic Time Management
This is where the maximum number of students get stuck. To become a topper one must value time. If you can manage your time and channel it properly to achieve your goals, ‘You Have Hit The Jackpot’. Use time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, Time Blocking, Eisenhower Matrix, etc.
5. Goal-Oriented Actions
Your actions should be in a parallel line with your goal. This alignment is important because goal-oriented actions push you towards success. You must always perform the actions that are required to fulfill your goal. For example, your goal is to excel in mathematics so your actions should be learning the formulas, practicing maths daily for at least 2 hours, taking self-tests, working consistently on the weak parts, etc.
6. Take Help
Never hesitate to take the help of your teachers and parents whenever required. Their guidance proves to be valuable in times of crisis. You can also make a study group with friends where you can discuss and solve each other’s problems.
7. Favorable Study Environment
A favorable study environment is crucial to becoming a topper. First, understand what is meant by ‘optimal study environment’. An optimal study environment is an effective study space that enhances your ability to concentrate, grasp, and retain information faster. How will you make your study place optimal? Well, this totally depends on your preferences like a de-cluttered and organized study, preferred lighting, room temperature, accessibility, or study materials, etc. What remains the same for each student is the elimination of sounds and noise.
8. Handle Distractions Smartly
Distraction is a common problem for every student from average to topper. Yes! You read it right, toppers also face distractions. They are no exception in this case. But there is a difference between a topper and an average student on this parameter, i.e., mindset. When an average student encounters a distraction, he/she becomes frustrated, stressed, and confused but a topper reacts completely in a different way to distractions. Firstly, they intentionally eliminate all distracting sources while studying, still, if they encounter a distraction they take a short break, drink water to stay calm and composed, take deep breaths, etc., and then resume their study.
9. Practice Self-Assessment
Self-assessment fosters meta-cognition (awareness or analysis of one’s own learning or thinking processes, according to Merriam-Webster) is a crucial step to becoming a topper. Through self-assessment, you take ownership of your own learning by finding out your strengths and weaknesses and developing your own strategies for improvement. Always examine yourself through written tests, quizzes, active recall, rubrics (a scoring guide), checklists, writing down summaries of what you have read, and explaining the entire topic to yourself (self-explanation).
10. Seek Feedback
Always seek feedback from relevant persons such as teachers, parents, tutors, and experts. Feedback from other people is a great way to recognize your strengths and identify your flaws. You can also ask them for suggestions for improvement. This cross-checking is a great way to evaluate your progress and work on the necessary things.
11. Holistic Well-Being: Nurture Your Mind And Body
Finally, health is wealth. A topper always takes care of their mind and body. They engage in activities they enjoy like running, cycling, dancing, singing, exercising, going for a walk with friends and family, and so on. A topper doesn’t study all day, they know how to balance between academics and self-growth. To become a topper you must pay attention to your physical well-being and mental growth.
These are the basic things a topper does or follows to excel. If you want to upgrade yourself and become a topper you have to implement the above strategies and make them your habit.
Topper’s Ultimate Success Hitting Strategies
Apart from the known strategies toppers follow these success-hitting strategies which we will discuss in detail:
1. Solve NCERT Questions
Never skip solving NCERT questions. Following lectures and reading alone will not suffice. NCERT books cover the majority of the questions that come in the exam.
2. Solve PYQs
Don’t neglect PYQs (previous year questions). Try to solve the last 10 years question papers of every subject. When you come across these PYQs you will have a clear idea of the:
- Question pattern
- Most repeated questions
- Important topics
3. Solve Competency-Based Questions
Competency-based questions are the type of questions that test a student’s ability to apply skills like critical thinking, logical reasoning, decision-making, and analytical ability in practical situations. Here rote memorization is of no use. Toppers solve these questions to sharpen their practical skills and become more competent.
4. Solve Toughest Questions
Always attempt the most challenging questions in each chapter to gain a deep understanding of the material. This prepares you to solve any difficult question and builds your confidence.
5. Do Pattern Analysis
Different subjects need different learning strategies. Analyze the pattern of each subject, see the PYQs, talk to your seniors to know the strategies they used to learn different subjects, do some research on your own to select the correct strategy, and ask your teachers to guide you.
6. Make Flowcharts, Mind Maps, Diagrams & Summaries
Our brain is likely to remember flowcharts, mind maps, and diagrams. After you read each chapter make flowcharts, draw diagrams of each subtopic, and make mind maps of the entire chapter. Also, write a summary of each chapter after reading. These resources serve as excellent tools for quick revision and are effective resources for memorization.
7. Do Bookmarking (Sentence Marking, Word Marking)
Bookmarking is another efficient technique to mark the important portions of a chapter like sentence marking, and word marking using highlighters.
8. Research On The Toughest Subject
The subject that seems tough to you, start researching it from now onward. Research is one of the most efficient techniques that makes a tough subject easy and an unknown subject known to you. Read journals, listen to educational podcasts, and follow the blogs of subject matter experts. When you dig deeper, it piques an interest in you which makes the subject familiar and known to you.
9. Reading Habit = Food Habit
Make reading a habit like your food habit. When you feel hungry you eat your food and along with this, you have a specific timetable for meals like breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner. Just like this make reading your timely habit. Gradually you will feel an urge to read.
10. Find Your ‘WHY’
Find the reason behind your intent to achieve your goal. Once the intent is clear you will never run out of motivation. Recall your ‘WHY’ every day.
11. Visualize
Visualize your goals daily at least once. The more you visualize the more it gets absorbed into your subconscious mind which will motivate you to achieve your goal faster and provide positive results.
12. Answer Song
Record your answer in your own voice in a specific tune that you like. This makes it easy to remember and recall. Audio is a great medium that triggers our brain and is easy to remember. This is the reason why we remember songs easily, even after hearing them once.
13. Attend Seminars, Workshops & Webinars
Attend seminars, workshops, and webinars that are related to your subject. This will make you a more knowledgeable and efficient learner.
14. Follow Eminent Leaders Like Swami Vivekananda
“Education is the expression of that inherent perfection which is already present in man.” – Swami Vivekananda.
Verses of leaders like Swami Vivekananda have a powerful significance on a student’s life because they shape their personality building a positive growth mindset. Personality building and a positive growth mindset are two significant factors that can transform an average student into a topper.
15. Daily Checks
Check your progress daily. Set daily targets. Targets should be small and achievable. Gradually you can raise the level of difficulty. Maintain a diary where you will write the tasks you have completed daily by the end of the day.
How To Eliminate Distraction?
To eliminate distractions first you must know about it. There are mainly 3 types of distractions students face:
1. Digital – Smartphone notifications, social media, internet browsing, online gaming.
2. Environmental (External) – Noise (loud conversation & chatter, TV, traffic, loud music/miking), visual (untidy and unclean space, bad lighting, presence of unpleasant objects), and odor (bad or unpleasant smell).
3. Internal – Anxiety, stress, daydreaming, overwhelmed, overthinking, lack of motivation, fatigue, procrastination.
Now let’s see how to handle these.
1. Digital Detox – Put your smartphone in silent mode/flight mode and keep it out of your sight.
2. Environment Optimization – Close the doors and windows (make sure there is another source of ventilation) or choose a space where the reach of environmental sound is negligible. You can also use noise-cancellation headphones to deal with this. Ask your family members to watch TV or listen to music at the lowest possible volume and also stick a DND board outside your door. Use a room freshener to avoid any bad or unpleasant smell.
3. Internal Optimization – Include short breaks in your study plan, practice meditation daily, sleep adequately and stay hydrated, this keeps you calm and energized. Have a conversation yourself whenever necessary, this keeps your mind engaged preventing distracting thoughts.
Follow these distraction-reducer methods and share your results with us.
Conclusion
Don’t just sit and relax after reading this article. This is not a story you have just read, you have to apply these strategies to become a topper. Scrolling and reading hundreds of blog articles without actively applying the methods will not give you the answer to how to become topper. Set a target from today that you will take all the actions to become a topper.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How to get 100% in your exam?
A: Start the preparation from day 1, follow the techniques discussed in this blog, and stay consistent. It is a gradual process that cannot be achieved in a single day.
Q: How to get 1st rank in class?
A: Create a structured study plan understand the syllabus, set clear goals, stay consistent and disciplined, and manage time efficiently. But always remember, understanding a topic deeply is more important than ranking 1st in class.
Q: How do toppers memorize?
A: Toppers use different memorization techniques like mnemonic devices (active recall, spaced repetition, acronyms, visualization, etc.) based on the complexity of the topic.
I hope this article was helpful.
If you have any queries, contact us or comment below.
Thank you,
Simran Mondal.
