6 Study Strategies to Go from Failing Grades to Straight A’s

I used to fail—or nearly fail—every exam I sat for, until I discovered the cheat-codes to acing my exams. These "cheat-codes" are the strategies that helped me go from failing to completely turning my life around by acing my exams. The secret? Consistently implementing them, step by step.

My name is Ashiq, founder of FailtoA, and in this post, I’ll introduce you to my top strategies for success. For each strategy, I'll provide a quick overview, but stay tuned - future posts will explore these methods in detail, with examples and even science-backed insights.

Ready? Here are my top strategies that took me from the bottom to achieving the world's highest scores.

Overview of my top Strategies:

1. Not motivated to Study? No Problem - Make it fun!

2. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE (Active Recall)

3. Spaced Repetition

4. Solving Exam-style Questions (Past papers)

5. Consistency over intensity

6. Get a tutor (from FailtoA or elsewhere)

   
   

Strategy #1: Studying is boring? Then make it fun!

There’s one primary reason most students lack motivation to study: studying is rarely fun. After all, you don’t need motivation to play games, watch movies, or hang out with friends. Why? Because those activities are fun!

But who says studying can’t be fun too? It’s all about shifting your mindset and approach. Here’s how you can turn studying from a grueling chore into something you might actually want to do after school:

1. Music has the ability to COMPLETELY CHANGE the game.

   
   

Yes, you heard me right. For those of you who love music, this is a game-changer. Listen to your favorite soundtracks while studying.

• Will it be distracting? Absolutely.

• Does that mean you won’t be able to study effectively? The opposite!

Here’s why: If you can’t make yourself study even for a few minutes, adding music—even as a "distraction"—can make the process bearable. With music, you might end up studying for hours instead of avoiding it entirely. Start with your favorite playlist, then slowly transition to instrumental or lo-fi beats by adding a few of them into your playlist. The goal with this is that you will slowly but surely be ok with not-so-stimulating music. In other words, even the 'distraction' factor of music would go away.

2. Hang out with THAT crowd (The Nerds)

   
   

   Studying with friends makes the process so much more bearable—if you’re with the right crowd. Surround yourself with people who are just as committed as you are.

   • Back in high school, I had a friend who shared my drive to succeed. We spent nearly all our time solving past papers and learning together.

   • The competition factor between us pushed us both to move forward and improve faster than we could alone.

   Tip: Choose your study buddies wisely. If they’re not serious, they’ll pull you down instead of helping you rise.

   
   

   These are just a few ideas to make studying fun. I’ll cover more creative strategies—and the science behind them—in a future post, so keep an eye out!

   
   

Strategy #2: Active Recall

You know how we read books, only to forget almost everything we’ve read afterward? That’s because reading, by itself, is purely passive. It feels productive, but the truth is, it doesn’t actually help much when it comes to long-term retention.

The only form of learning that truly sticks is active learning. And here’s the singular method that changed the game for me.

What Most Students Do (and Why It Doesn’t Work):

During the learning stage, most students just read the textbook over and over, thinking they’re absorbing the material. I used to do the same, which resulted in months of wasted time.

Reading without any form of active engagement is almost completely pointless.

What Does Work: Active Recall

Here’s the method that saved me:

1. Read one paragraph of the textbook.

2. Write down, without looking back, what you understood from that paragraph.

3. Cross-check what you wrote with the textbook. Any mismatched or missing information highlights the parts you didn’t fully understand.

4. Rinse and repeat as you go through the book.

   
   

It’s deceptively simple, but incredibly effective. Yes, it makes going through the book slower—what might take two weeks could now take a month. But trust me, this saves so much more time in the long run compared to rushing through the material without truly understanding it.

Why Active Recall Works

Here’s a real example: When I prepared for my Unit 1 AS-Level Exams, the learning stage dragged on for months because I only thought I understood the material by re-reading the textbook.

But when I used active recall for my Unit 2 and 3 Exams, the same learning stage took just three weeks.

Why? Because only active recall ensures the material truly sticks. By actively engaging with what you’re learning, you’re training your brain to remember and apply the information, rather than just passively recognizing it.

Strategy #3: Spaced Repetition

We’ve all been there: waiting until the night before the exam to cram everything in a few hours. Only to realize the next morning...you’ve forgotten almost all of it.

Why does this happen? Simple: cramming doesn’t work.

The brain just doesn’t operate that way. You can’t expect to rush through everything and magically retain it all. Instead, your brain retains information by two methods:

1. Actively learning (see Strategy #2).

2. Reviewing at strategic intervals to lock the knowledge in for the long term.

Why Spaced Repetition is a Game-Changer

If you want to retain large amounts of information, especially when pure memorization is required, you need to review it at intervals that grow over time. This method ensures you remember what matters while spending less time reviewing material unnecessarily.

That’s where the life-saving app Anki comes in. It helps you:

• Space out your reviews intelligently, so you don’t waste time reviewing too often.

• Reinforce your knowledge each time you revisit the material.

  
  

Spaced repetition isn’t just efficient—it’s revolutionary.

How It Works (An Overview)

Imagine this: instead of re-reading your notes every week and still forgetting everything, spaced repetition:

• Shows you content just before you’re about to forget it.

• Strengthens your memory every time you review it, embedding the knowledge deeper.

  
  

This means fewer reviews, more retention, and less frustration.

Active Learning + Spaced Repetition = Unstoppable Learning

Active learning ensures you understand the material. Spaced repetition ensures you don’t forget it.

Together, they create a powerful system that minimizes wasted effort and maximizes long-term success.

P.S. Spaced repetition and apps like Anki deserve a detailed post of their own, where I’ll show you exactly how to use them effectively. Stay tuned!

Strategy #4: Exam-Style Practice

This is hands down one of the most critical things you need to do—and it’s the one thing I focused on the most during the first two years of turning my academics around.

Why? Because solving past papers isn’t just about doing practice questions. It’s about taking active recall to the next level while gaining key insights into what you’ll face on exam day.

My Experience with Exam-Style Practice

When I first started solving past papers, I didn’t jump straight into self-testing under timed conditions. Instead, I took time to:

1. Get a feel for the types of questions.

2. Understand how the mark schemes worked.

3. Spot patterns in the kinds of answers examiners expected.

   
   

Once I’d solved several papers and built up a bit of familiarity, I began self-testing under strict timed conditions. The first few tests? Awful. My marks were either average or straight-up terrible.

But here’s what made the difference:

• I analyzed every single mistake in-depth afterward.

• I went through each point I missed and cross-referenced it with the textbook.

• I studied examiner reports to understand common mistakes and what the examiners looked for.

  
  

This process of rinse and repeat is what led to steady improvement. Over time, my marks increased after every test. Eventually, I was nearly acing past papers well before the actual exam day.

How to Get Started with Exam-Style Practice:

1. Ease into It:

   • Begin with untimed practice to familiarize yourself with question types and mark schemes.

   • Use this stage to build confidence without the pressure of a ticking clock.

2. Transition to Timed Self-Tests:

   • Once you’ve done a few papers, start mimicking real exam conditions: set a timer, clear your desk, and avoid distractions.

3. Analyze and Improve:

   • Don’t just move on to the next paper. Dive deep into your mistakes:

     • Why did you get a question wrong?

     • Did you misunderstand a keyword?

     • Could you improve your time management?

4. Leverage Resources:

   • If available, use examiner reports to understand what they’re looking for and avoid common pitfalls.

   
   

Why This Matters:

Solving past papers under self-imposed exam conditions doesn’t just prepare you for the content—it trains you for the pressure and mindset of exam day. The more papers you solve, the better you’ll understand how to tackle even the toughest questions.

Strategy #5: Consistency over Intensity (unless your 'why' is unshakable)

Studying 10 hours a day might sound impressive, but for most people... it’s just not sustainable. However, there's a catch: if your “why” is strong enough, it’s absolutely possible.

I know because I did it. For over two years, I studied relentlessly, every single day, putting in marathon sessions. My motivation was unshakable because I had a clear goal— to prove that I could achieve what most people would call impossible. I wanted to show that even the "worst" students can rise to the top.

Why Consistency is the Better Path for Most People

For most students, marathon sessions lead to exhaustion and burnout. If your motivation isn’t rock-solid (and let’s be honest, that’s normal!), consistency is a far more effective and realistic approach.

Here’s why:

1. It’s Easier to Maintain: Consistent, smaller sessions help you build a sustainable habit, while marathon sessions can feel overwhelming and deplete your energy.

2. Your Brain Retains More: Daily, focused practice reinforces learning over time, creating stronger neural connections without the mental fatigue of cramming.

3. It’s Flexible: Life happens, and consistency gives you the flexibility to adapt without falling behind.

   
   

My Approach: Balancing Consistency and Intensity

While I relied on intensity, I also built consistency into my routine. Every day wasn’t about studying 10 hours straight—it was about showing up every single day without fail. The consistency of my effort was what made the intensity possible.

Your Takeaway:

If you’re ready to commit to intense effort, start with consistency first. Make studying a daily habit, even if it’s just 30 minutes a day. Once that becomes second-nature, you can build intensity as needed.

Why This Worked for Me:

My marathon sessions were fueled by purpose. I wasn’t just studying—I was working toward a vision of who I wanted to become. If you find your “why” and stay consistent, you can unlock that same potential.

Consistency builds the foundation, and intensity helps you soar. 

Want to know how to find and strengthen your “why”? Stay tuned for my upcoming post where I’ll share exactly how to do that.

Strategy #6: Get yourself a Tutor

We all know how much time and stress investing on a tutor can save. Looking back, I wish I had hired one when I started my academic comeback. Why? Because without a tutor, I wasted months on ineffective preparation. I had no guidance, no clear roadmap, and no one to point me in the right direction.

If I’d had a tutor, I could have saved so much time and energy, which I could have spent on things beyond academics—like learning new skills, taking on more initiatives, or simply enjoying life without the constant pressure of falling behind.

That’s exactly why I now dedicate my energy to helping students like you go from struggling to succeeding. My goal is to help you achieve straight A*s without sacrificing everything else in your life. With the right guidance, you can free up time for extracurriculars, family and friends, building life skills, and preparing for university.

If you’re ready to transform not just your academic life but your entire future, let’s take the first step together. Book a free trial session at FailtoA.com and see how it can change everything.

Having implemented a mix of these Study strategies consistently over the years, I was able to transform my academic journey from failure to success. I know the path you’re walking because I’ve walked it too—and if I can do it, so can you.

But this is just the beginning! Each of these strategies has even more depth, and I’ll be diving deeper into them in future posts. From detailed guides on active recall to step-by-step advice on building consistency, you’ll find even more actionable tips to help you succeed.

If you’re still struggling or unsure where to start, don’t worry—I’ve got your back. Book a free trial session with me at FailtoA.com to take your first step toward long-term success. Whether you’re aiming for straight A*s or simply looking to gain confidence in your studies, I’m here to help you reach the top—no matter where your starting point is.

Have questions or comments? Feel free to drop them below—I’d love to hear from you! And remember, the key is to keep moving forward, one step at a time.