Before entering Year 9, I was never considered a ‘top’ student. I used to consistently receive terrible marks for my exams, no matter how hard I tried. Trust me, I tried every studying technique that existed, from Pomodoro to installing ColdTurkey on my laptop. And so, every time we would get an assessment mark back, I was scared to turn over my paper, scared that there would be an unsatisfactory mark waiting for me, just to return home and disappoint my parents once again. Needless to say, my junior years in high school were pretty rough, and I was only barely getting by every semester, always trying to ‘wing it’ or cram the night before an exam block. When I received my Year 8 Yearly report, I was devastated, ranking about 80th in my cohort – an extremely mediocre and average result compared to the friends around me.

But that all changed in under one semester.

Come Year 9 Term 1, and we were all waiting patiently outside Dr. Jaggar’s office (our principal with whom we receive our reports).

“Daniel, come in!”

I trembled, my body shaking as I stood up with the anticipation of being disappointed once again.

What would I tell my mother once I got home this time? My heart was racing.

“Congratulations Daniel, you were the most improved student in your cohort this exam block. You jumped almost 80 ranks in one semester!”

I was speechless.

When I shared news of my report across my grade, everyone was shocked, to say the least.

“What, how is that possible? Daniel, that guy who messes around at the back of class got 1st in the year?”

Not only did I achieve 1st in the year, but I also attained HDs in all my subjects, maxing out the possible grade points in one single report.

So what changed?

After receiving my Year 8 Yearly Report, I knew something had to change. Over the summer holidays, I reflected deeply on my study habits – or rather, my lack thereof. I realised that simply working harder wasn’t enough. I needed to work smarter and approach my learning with a methodical and disciplined mindset.

1. Setting clear, realistic goals for each subject.

Instead of vaguely aiming to “do better”, I identified specific topics where I was struggling and focused on improving those weaknesses. For example, in Science, I broke down the syllabus into manageable chunks and created a weekly schedule that balanced revision with new content.

2. Actively engage with my learning.

Instead of passively rereading notes or copying out textbooks, I used active recall and spaced repetition to solidify my understanding. I would quiz myself relentlessly, create flashcards for sample questions, and write out exam-style answers under timed conditions. In simple terms, instead of mindlessly copying down the slides or presentations in class and regurgitating them out in the exam, I sought to understand the fundamentals of each topic I was learning in order to thoroughly apply it to different problems.

This turning point wasn’t just about academics; it was about changing my mindset. I started believing that with the right strategies, consistency, and a bit of patience, I could achieve anything I set my mind to.

The impact?

After implementing these changes to my learning, I saw a drastic improvement in my marks & ranks. In both Year 9 Semester 1 and 2, I was the DUX of our cohort. Then, in Year 10, I came 2nd for both semesters. In Year 11, I was able to reclaim my position as DUX in the preliminary course, and in Year 12, I placed 7th overall in the Trials HSC examinations. Instead of the kid in Year 8 who was unconfident, shy, and confused, I was now the one breaking down and explaining concepts to other people, particularly in 3U Mathematics and Chemistry.

Looking back, I realise that success isn’t about being naturally gifted or perfect from the start – it’s about persistence, adaptability, and believing in your ability to improve. I’ve been in your shoes, feeling lost and unsure of where to even begin, but I’ve also seen how much is possible when you approach learning with the right strategies and mindset.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s work together to make your learning journey one to be proud of – I can’t wait to help you succeed!