10 Secrets for Freshers to Make Straight A’s in Higher Institution (Plus 2 Bonus Tips)

10 Secrets for Freshers to Make Straight A’s in Higher Institution: I want to be very honest with you – making straight A’s in school is not about magic. It is about mindset, habits, and the grace of God. I have seen people do it, and I will show you how. Whether you’re in a university, polytechnic, or college of education, these secrets can work for you if you are consistent.

Table of Contents

1. Change Your Mindset

The first step to academic success is mindset. If you don’t believe you can make A’s, you probably won’t. I want you to stop seeing school as just a place to pass exams and start seeing it as a place to acquire real knowledge.

For example, I once had a coursemate who always said, “I just want to escape with a pass.” That was exactly what he got – barely scraping through every semester. Meanwhile, another student in the same class said, “I will graduate with a first-class.” Even though he didn’t get straight A’s, he finished with a strong second-class upper.

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The point is simple: your mindset shapes your outcome. When you tell yourself, “I want to learn this course so well that I can defend it outside the classroom,” you naturally study better, and the grades follow.

2. Prior Study

I have tried this one, and I can boldly say it works. Study before lectures. Even if you just glance through your notes for 15–30 minutes before class, it prepares your mind.

Let’s say your lecturer is coming to teach “Microeconomics.” If you already looked at the first two pages of the textbook before class, you will understand better when he explains. It’s like watching a football highlight before the full match – you already know the flow.

In my 100 level days at UNN, I ignored this tip and kept saying, “I will understand it in class.” The result? My first semester CGPA was embarrassing. By the next semester, I changed my method and started reading before lectures. I noticed I could even answer questions in class, and it boosted my confidence.

3. Always Attend Lectures

Don’t joke with attending lectures. In some schools, attendance counts as part of continuous assessment (CA). For instance, I know a student at LASU who was denied entry into an exam hall because his attendance was too low. Imagine studying so hard, only to be disqualified because you missed classes.

Beyond that, attending lectures helps you build a relationship with your lecturers. If you always sit in the front, they notice you. When you ask or answer questions, they remember your face. Trust me, this can influence how they grade your scripts, especially in courses where essay writing is involved.

4. Self Assurance

I want you to believe in yourself. Lecturers can be intimidating. Some even say things like, “Nobody has ever gotten an A in this course.” But don’t let that enter your head.

For example, in my second year, one of my lecturers boldly told the class, “You can’t get more than 60 in my course.” Many students gave up from that moment. But a few of us refused to believe him. At the end of the semester, I got a 72 in that course. Others even had higher scores.

What does this tell you? Self-belief is stronger than fear. Even when you fail a test, don’t let it define you. See it as feedback, not failure.

5. Don’t Cheat Nature

Your body is not a machine. I once had a friend who read all night, barely ate, and hardly slept. He would say, “I’m fasting for success.” At first, I thought he was hardworking, but during exams he broke down and ended up in the hospital. His grades were poor because he couldn’t write some papers.

The lesson is this: balance is key. Sleep well (at least 5–6 hours), eat healthy, and take short breaks while studying. Even the Bible says, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.” If your body needs rest, give it rest.

6. Study in a Suitable Location

Not everyone reads well in the library. Some prefer quiet rooms, others read better with soft music in the background. I want you to test different locations until you find the one that works for you.

For example, I had a roommate who could never read in the hostel because of noise. He moved to a nearby church hall, and that became his perfect study spot. He eventually graduated with a first-class.

So don’t copy your friends. If they like the library but you concentrate better in your room, stay in your room. The goal is effectiveness, not appearance.

7. Have Smart Friends

Your friends can make or break you in school. If your friends are always partying, you will likely join them. But if your friends are serious students, you will also be motivated to do better.

For instance, when I was in 200 level, I joined a study group of four friends. Two of them were very intelligent, and they always challenged me to improve. Sometimes I would feel lazy, but because they were serious, I pushed myself. By the end of the semester, all of us had strong grades.

The Bible says, “Iron sharpens iron.” That’s exactly what smart friends do for you.

8. Take Assignments and Tests Seriously

Continuous assessment (CA) can save you. I know a student in UNILORIN who almost failed a course because of poor exam performance. But his assignments and tests were so good that they pulled his grade up to a B.

Let’s check it: if CA carries 30 marks and you already scored 25 before exams, you only need 45 in the exam to get an A. But if you neglect CA and score just 5, then you’ll need 65 in the exam to get the same A. Which one sounds easier? Obviously the first.

So don’t play with CA. Submit assignments on time and take tests seriously.

9. Manage Your Time Wisely

I want you to know that time is a student’s greatest currency. I have seen people waste time on gossip, movies, and unnecessary outings. When exams come, they start panicking.

Create a simple timetable. For example, you can decide: “I will read for two hours after dinner every day.” Consistency is better than cramming all night before exams.

Remember, it is not about studying 10 hours once a week. It is about steady daily effort.

10. Pray and Stay Focused on God

At the end of the day, it is God who crowns your effort with success. I have seen students who worked very hard but still faced challenges beyond their control. With prayer, things turned around.

For instance, a friend of mine almost missed his final exams because of health issues. He prayed and got strength to recover quickly, and today he is a graduate. Baba God remains the final plug.

Bonus Tips

Bonus 1: Avoid Procrastination

Procrastination is the thief of time. I used to tell myself, “I will read tomorrow,” until I discovered tomorrow never comes. If you get an assignment, start it immediately. If you have notes to revise, don’t postpone. Start small, but start early.

Bonus 2: Limit Distractions

Your phone, social media, and unnecessary outings can scatter your focus. I once kept my phone beside me while reading, and before I knew it, two hours had gone scrolling through WhatsApp.

The solution? Put your phone on airplane mode or keep it far away during study time. Remember, you came to school for a purpose.

Final Words

I want you to take these secrets seriously. They are not just theories; they are tested principles. Making straight A’s is possible if you combine the right mindset, smart habits, and God’s grace.

Don’t forget – success is not a one-day event. It is a collection of small, consistent efforts. Start applying these tips now, and you will thank yourself on your graduation day.

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