Study Tips that truly SAVED my life
Apologies on this late entry of Day 2 of the personal 30 day content creation challenge. Previously went to MTX today, then rotted, then battling coursera again. I mean it still counts as the 2nd day as I have yet to slumber right?
Considering the fact that I am indeed not your typical mugger. Just need to lock in when you truly need to. I manage to get the university offer of my dream course, Pharmacy 💊 , and I hope this helps you to achieve yours too.
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Onto the more juicy part! Study Tips that truly saved my life. Theoretically and realistically.
Context: Whoops that nearly single digit WA1 rp! Personally at the start of the year I tend to panic and sign myself for loads of commitments that unfortunately puts studying at the backseat. I am really grateful for the money my parents spent on tuition since I am an audio learner 😅. The additional yapping helps since reading notes does not enter my head easily. But tuition is not a panacea, it will not solve everything. You yourself must also play a part for your grades.
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1️⃣ Replace and not Remove.
I know this sounds concerning. Why replace instead of completely eradicating them? Welp that sudden change will happen and won't last. (Unless you have amazing sheer willpower that is). A levels is legit a marathon, be it 2 years or 8 months. (Yes I'm indeed guilty for not mugging earlier). You have to slowly tune down your habits that are subconsciously eating away the time meant for preparation for this lengthy race.
Preparation for me means proper rest, exquisite revision done and an unwavering heart.
Here are some examples of their possible pathways! Explore and utilise the ones that best suit your liking.
From: Doomscrolling Instagram & Tik Tok
→ Reddit (study tips / SGExams)
→ Lemon8 (fellow A level takers / study / motivation)
→ News (Straits Times / New York Times)
From: Hopelessly Mugging with Negligible Improvement.
→ Consult teachers (that imo they generally suit your learning style)
→ Bombard classmates & seniors (who perform consistently well, ask them: How do they mug effectively? What do they do during breaks? etc)
→ Blue Pen, Yellow Highlighter (psychologically tested to improve memory retention. Which is like a rough 70% of A levels. Trust them to trust yourself more.)
From: Feeling Anxious & Stressed
→ Summon seniors (they understand your plight 😀)
→ Study with videos (Puts you in their calm and focused environment. Before mugging and during breaks, as you would not have any sounds or sights other than paper and pen in the examination hall)
→ Seek out counselours (if they are not sus and pass your vibe check!)
You are what you do.
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2️⃣ Psychological Want.
“Get that bread” mentality. Similar to how horses have blinkers that prevent them from seeing sideways. This limits their peripheral vision, forcing them to focus directly ahead on the path or race ahead. With that mentality, I personally feel that it gets me into the zone. Life has more to it than studying. Yet studying helps you to get that life.
→ Emulate the THAT Guy / Girl Moment.
Envision what people would do with 70rp. Do they read the overview of each chapter? Do they complete tutorials in time? I want to specifically emphasise
→ Motivation with a tinge of Gaslight. ❤️🔥
I got this idea from my close friend then tested it on myself too. Placing a “Do not regret!” post-it in my study area at home. Placed it near my eye level when I look up so it sort of terrifies me to look back down.
Fake it till you make it.
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3️⃣ Health is your Wealth.
Kekekekeke. Throwback to my election speech. 😼 We cleared the misconception and the mindgame. Last but not least, the physical game. Good health is the foundation for enjoying life, and achieving long-term happiness.
→ Sleep at the Prime Time.
No negotiations. Get that pleasant 7-8 hours of sleep necessary for your brain to cleanse itself. Please practice sleeping by 11 to wake by 7 ish. Do not be guilty to take that afternoon nap (please don't let it affect your sleep schedule)
→ Eat Healthier.
Another friend of mine tickled my brain with this. Eating clean makes your mind clear. I still remember we ate steamed dumplings together before our afternoon paper. 💖
What I also implemented nearing exam season was drinking my beloved water, with a single blueberry and a slice of lemon. (hydrate yourselves well gurlies)
→ Massages, Stretch, Work Out.
As a more couch potato person, exercising is indeed a tall order. So I resorted to doing arm and back stretches, coupled with face massages religiously. Doing so boosts oxygen delivery via improved blood flow. In fact the brain consumes roughly 20% of the body’s total oxygen supply. Yes, oxygen is essential for the brain as well as your muscles.
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Excellento for making it through the walls of dry text. I wanted to make an informative and direct impact. I think some parts have overlaps because overall everything sort of links or am I just sleep deprived. I did not know that pouring my essence would have me sleeping at 3am. This took me 3 hours to lay my thoughts coherently. AHHHH.
When I reflect on my journey tackling A levels, one thing I truly realized was that study success isn’t about cramming endlessly but about smart preparation and mindset shifts. Replacing unproductive habits, rather than abruptly cutting them out, was key. For example, substituting mindless scrolling on Instagram and Tik Tok with browsing focused study communities on Reddit or Lemon8 gave me inspiration and practical techniques without overwhelming distraction. This gradual shift made it easier to sustain over the long haul. I also found immense value in seeking advice from teachers and high-performing peers. Instead of studying blindly, asking classmates and seniors how they organize breaks or tackle challenging topics opened my eyes to effective methods I hadn’t considered. This peer support made studying more dynamic and less isolating. Another surprisingly powerful tool was the use of color-coded notes—blue pens and yellow highlighters helped reinforce memory. This simple visual aid is backed by cognitive studies showing that color can enhance information retention, which was crucial for huge A level syllabuses. When anxiety struck, I turned to study videos and counsel from seniors who understood exam stress firsthand. Creating a calm environment with focused videos simulated exam conditions and reduced overwhelm, which helped me maintain focus. On the psychological side, adopting a "get that bread" mentality kept me laser-focused on goals. I even used a “Do not regret!” sticky note at eye level to keep motivation sharp. It sounds simple but having that constant motivational cue created an internal pressure to perform well that really helped during low-energy moments. Finally, I can’t stress enough how much prioritizing health made a difference. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, eating clean, drinking hydrating infused water, and incorporating daily stretches and face massages boosted both mental clarity and physical endurance. The brain’s oxygen needs are high, and those small health habits played a big role in keeping my mind sharp for long study hours. Together, these tips created a balanced, sustainable study routine that not only helped me achieve nearly top ranking points but also kept me sane throughout the process. If you’re preparing for A levels or any tough exams, tailoring these strategies to suit your learning style can truly save your academic journey.
Comment down below which tip stoked you! Or what do you want me to dive deeper into? Or any spelling or grammatical errors…