Lecture Notes: How to Become a Topper in Competitive Exams
Overview
Focus on competitive exams like IIT-JEE and NEET.
Guest: Anoj, doctor, content creator, entrepreneur, and topper in NUGI 2018 with two gold medals and nine distinctions. Currently preparing for NPG 2024.
Goal: Help students score 5 to 10 more marks in their next exam.
Study Duration and Habits
Long study sessions: Anoj studied for 20-21 hours straight before exams.
Recommended study hours: 5 AM to 1 AM (the day before an exam is not advisable to cram).
Strategy for productivity:
Turn off the internet.
Keep mobile phones in another room.
Take short breaks (30 minutes) with no screens during meals.
Memory Techniques for Exam Preparation
Using the NCERT Chemistry Textbook:
Start with the index to identify topics.
Focus on weak areas first.
Note-taking:
Write down important topics and concepts.
Formulate questions from topics for active recall.
Practice Questions:
Attempt questions even if the topic is not fully understood.
Read explanations to understand errors and write down notes.
Study Resources
If you don’t understand a topic, prioritize solving related questions.
Effective notes can replace revisiting entire textbooks.
Distance from Distractions
Avoid too much social media, which detracts from focus.
Maintain physical health; neglecting it can be detrimental.
Academic Relationships
Getting into a relationship while studying depends on the accountability of both partners.
A healthy relationship can help maintain productivity, while a distracting one should be reconsidered.
Study Efficiency vs. Quantity
Importance of quality over quantity in study hours:
Effective study sessions lead to actual retention and understanding.
Identify weak areas and focus on improving those.
Even below-average students can improve drastically with sufficient effort.
Final Thoughts
Strategies only work when combined with hard work and action.
Use these tips to aim for 5 to 10 extra marks in upcoming exams.