✦HONORARY BOARD✦ 

"Throughout my IGCSE year, active learning helped me the most. I made sure I really understood each topic by practicing questions, rewriting concepts in my own words, and actually engaging with the material instead of just rereading notes. But honestly, the thing that kept me going more than anything was taking proper breaks. I gave myself one full day off every week, and it helped me reset so I never reached that burnout point. Getting enough sleep was also a big priority for me because I realized I learned and focused so much better when I wasn’t tired. For anyone preparing now, don’t feel pressured to study nonstop. Build habits that work for you, take care of your energy, and give yourself time to rest. Working consistently while staying balanced makes the whole experience so much easier and more manageable."

I've never believed in sharing study ‘techniques’. I think everyone should find their own way of studying that accommodates their personal preferences. The harsh truth is that there is no specific technique, trick, or habit that will solve the underlying problem. I think it's best to stop looking for 'the secret' and just do it. Keep it simple. Just study. It's hard, that's undeniable. But it's only going to get harder, so stop thinking of the challenges you'll face as barriers and start viewing them as stepping stones. Each step makes the next easier. Slowly, you'll make your way. You'll find yourself at the end of the path and think, "That wasn't hard." And next year, when you're in IB, you'll be grateful you already did the hard parts. 

The study habit that made the biggest difference for me was consistently practicing past papers until I became familiar with the question formats. This helped me focus more on understanding the actual content rather than worrying about how questions were structured. Another useful technique was keeping the syllabus in front of me while studying. It ensured that I covered every required topic and didn’t waste time on unnecessary material. That said, not every subject benefits from the same approach. For example, memorization and mastering content work particularly well for subjects like Biology, on the other hand, practising through solving past papers is far more effective for subjects like Mathematics and Physics.

My biggest piece of advice is to do your best and stay consistent. It might feel overwhelming at first, but it truly does get easier as you go along. Keep practicing, stay organized, and follow your teachers’ guidance, as they genuinely know how to help you improve. Try not to stress too much about grades or mistakes; what matters most is learning from them and growing. Most importantly, remember to enjoy the journey. Studying is important, but so is living your life, so make time for the people and activities you love, even when it feels difficult. In the end, good grades mean much more when you can also look back and feel proud of the way you achieved them, and one day you will look back on these days and wonder why they felt so hard when they were in fact so simple.

One study habit that made the biggest difference for me was consistently making detailed notes from the beginning of the year. Having clear notes for every lesson made it much easier to review when exams and actuals came around. I also watched Youtube videos to help explain difficult concepts, which gave me a better understanding of the material. When exam season approached, I created a study schedule to stay organized and to make sure I covered everything on time. Additionally, I reviewed my old exams to see where I needed to improve. After studying each unit, I practiced topic-based past papers and after studying all the content, I completed full past papers under timed conditions to work on time management and get used to the real exam pace.

My advice to the current IGCSE students would be to stay consistent and organized in your studies. Focus on understanding the content and use the syllabus guide to make sure you cover everything you need to know. Practicing past papers is also really important as it will help you get used to exam conditions and boost your confidence. At the same time, remember to take breaks, balance is key to staying motivated and healthy. Most importantly, believe in yourself and make steady effort each day, overtime, it leads to real improvements and great results!

During my IGCSE journey, the study habits that benefited me the most were consistency and focusing on understanding information rather than memorising it. I set up a study schedule that allowed me to review subjects regularly, which helped me stay organised throughout the year and reduced the pressure closer to exams. Additionally, practicing past papers was a major part of my preparation, as they gave me a clear idea of the exam format and the types of questions I needed to be ready for. I timed myself while doing these papers, which helped me manage my pace and feel more confident in real exam conditions. Whenever I struggled with a particular topic, I often used explanation videos to clarify my doubts; seeing concepts presented visually made them much easier to grasp and saved a lot of time. After watching a video, I would usually attempt a few related questions to make sure I had understood the concept. 

My advice to current IGCSE students is to maintain a consistent study routine throughout the year. Take the time to understand each topic properly, instead of rushing through chapters closer to your exams. Use a combination of resources that work best for you, whether that’s textbooks, past papers, or videos. Different subjects may require different approaches, so adjust your methods based on what helps you learn most efficiently. It is also important to identify your weaknesses, and use them as opportunities to strengthen your skills. 

Planning your revision is also crucial. Creating a realistic study schedule helps you manage your time, stay organised, and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Breaking your workload into smaller, manageable parts can help ensure you cover all subjects consistently and effectively.

Lastly, staying patient and determined can make a huge difference in your preparation. You won’t always see immediate results, but continuous effort will result in improvements over time. You should use challenges as opportunities to learn, and remain committed even when progress feels slow. With persistence and focus, you will start to see the incredible progress you've made and achieve the results you deserve.

Looking back at my IGCSE journey, the thing that helped me most was keeping myself organized before things piled up. I made it a habit to write my notes on time, even on days when I didn’t feel like it, because having everything clear and ready made revision so much easier later on. I also kept a separate notebook for each subject just for past papers, where I wrote the questions, the correct answers, and the mistakes I kept repeating. It became like a personal guide of what I needed to work on. Studying in small, manageable chunks and reviewing tricky topics often kept me from feeling overwhelmed. If I had to give advice to current IGCSE students, it would be to stay consistent even on the days that feel unproductive. And that It might feel stressful at times, but trust me all those small efforts add up, and you’ll be proud of yourself in the end.

During my journey as an IGCSE student, the study habits that made the biggest difference for me were consistency, continuous practice, and regularly solving past papers. I don’t think there is a single study technique that works for everyone, because each student learns differently and has their own strengths and preferences. What truly matters is finding a study routine that suits you personally and committing to it over time, rather than constantly searching for the “perfect” method or comparing yourself to others. Consistent effort, even on days that feel unproductive, plays a much bigger role than short bursts of intense studying.

My advice to the current IGCSE students would be to work hard while also taking care of yourself. Avoid burning yourself out and remember that studying nonstop does not always lead to better results. As you progress through your IGCSE journey, you’ll notice that many topics begin to feel more familiar, which naturally makes the workload feel more manageable. Try to enjoy the learning process instead of focusing only on grades, and don’t let stress take over your experience. With time, discipline, and balance, the challenges you face now will feel far less overwhelming later on.