Ultimate Guide: Best Study Strategies That Help Students Score A’s Every Term (With Examples & Tools)
Outline
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Best study strategies for students
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How to study effectively for SS3 exams
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study techniques for WAEC and NECO
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How to score A’s in exams
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Effective study methods for secondary school students
Why Traditional Studying Fails Most Students
Every term, thousands of students promise themselves:
“This term, I will read harder and do better.”
Yet the results remain the same.
❌ Long hours of reading with little understanding
❌ Last-minute cramming before exams
❌ Forgetting everything weeks after studying
❌ Poor performance despite “reading hard.”
The truth is simple:
Most students don’t fail because they are lazy. They fail because they use the wrong study strategies.
Reading textbooks from cover to cover, memorizing notes without understanding, or studying only when exams are close are outdated and ineffective methods.
Modern research in learning science shows that how you study matters more than how long you study.
In this ultimate guide, you’ll discover:
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Proven, evidence-based study strategies
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Practical examples for SS1–SS3 subjects
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Best tools, apps, and planners
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A step-by-step study plan you can follow immediately
If you’re a student who wants consistent A’s—or a parent who wants better results—this guide is for you.
Evidence-Based Study Strategies That Actually Work
These strategies are backed by cognitive science and used by top-performing students worldwide.
1. The Pomodoro Technique (Study Without Burnout)
What it is:
Studying in short, focused sessions with breaks.
How it works:
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Study for 25 minutes
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Take a 5-minute break
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After 4 rounds, take a 15–30 minute break
Why it works:
The brain loses focus after long hours. Pomodoro keeps attention sharp and prevents fatigue.
Example (SS3 student):
Instead of reading Biology for 3 hours straight:
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25 mins: Cell division
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5 mins break
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25 mins: Diagram practice
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5 mins break
Result: More understanding, less stress
2. Spaced Repetition (Never Forget What You Study)
What it is:
Reviewing topics at increasing intervals instead of cramming.
Why it works:
The brain remembers information better when it’s reviewed over time.
Simple schedule:
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Day 1: Learn the topic
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Day 3: Review
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Day 7: Review
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Day 14: Review
Perfect for:
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Biology definitions
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Chemistry formulas
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Mathematics formulas
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Government & Economics concepts
3. Active Recall (The #1 Secret of A-Students)
What it is:
Testing yourself instead of rereading notes.
Wrong method:
Reading notes again and again
Right method:
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Close your book
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Write everything you remember
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Answer past questions without checking answers
Why it works:
Your brain learns better when forced to retrieve information.
👉 This is why past questions are powerful
(Internally link here to your WAEC/NECO past questions page on mrojajuni.com)
4. Interleaving (Study Smarter, Not Harder)
What it is:
Mixing related topics instead of studying one topic for too long.
Example (Mathematics):
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25 mins: Algebra
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25 mins: Trigonometry
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25 mins: Geometry
This improves problem-solving skills and exam performance.
Real Study Examples for SS1–SS3 Subjects
Let’s break it down practically.
📘 Biology (SS2–SS3)
Wrong approach:
Memorizing definitions only
Right approach:
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Use active recall for definitions
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Draw and label diagrams repeatedly
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Use spaced repetition for topics like:
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Reproduction
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Ecology
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Genetics
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👉 Link internally to your Biology lesson notes
🧪 Chemistry (SS1–SS3)
Best strategies:
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Pomodoro for calculations
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Flashcards for chemical equations
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Practice WAEC/NECO past questions weekly
Golden tip:
Understanding beats memorization in Chemistry.
➗ Mathematics
Study rule:
You don’t learn Mathematics by reading—you learn by solving.
Best method:
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20% theory
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80% practice questions
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Immediate correction of mistakes
👉 Link internally to your Mathematics lesson plans
📖 English Language
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Daily reading improves comprehension
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Practice essay writing weekly
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Learn new words using flashcards
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Best Study Tools, Apps & Planners for Students
Using the right tools can double productivity.
📱 Best Study Apps
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Google Calendar – study timetable
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Anki – spaced repetition flashcards
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Forest App – stay focused while studying
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Notion – digital study planner
📄 Printable Study Tools (Highly Recommended)
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Weekly study timetable
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Subject revision tracker
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Past questions checklist
👉 Offer these as downloadable PDFs on mrojajuni.com to increase time-on-page and SEO
🧠 Flashcards (Digital or Paper)
Use for:
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Definitions
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Formulas
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Key concepts
Step-by-Step Weekly Study Plan (Sample)
Weekday Plan:
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1 hour after school
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2 Pomodoro sessions per subject
Weekend Plan:
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Saturday: Revision + past questions
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Sunday: Light review + rest
Consistency beats marathon reading.
How Long Should a Student Study Daily?
JSS Students:
👉 1–2 hours daily
SS1–SS2:
👉 2–3 hours daily
SS3 (WAEC/NECO):
👉 3–4 focused hours daily
Remember:
Quality > Quantity
Common Study Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Studying without a timetable
❌ Waiting till exams are closed
❌ Reading without solving questions
❌ Studying with phone distractions
A’s Are Earned, Not Wished For
Scoring A’s is not about being the smartest student in class.
It’s about:
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Using the right strategies
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Practicing consistently
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Reviewing intelligently
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Testing yourself regularly
If students apply just 50% of what they’ve learned in this guide, results will change dramatically.
👉 Next Step for You
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Download our free study timetable
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Join our WhatsApp on 08102326329 FOR MORE GUIDE
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Explore our lesson notes & past questions
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