Smart work, practice and consistency: Karnataka SSLC toppers reveal secret sauce for academic success

At the time of the result announcement, Roopa was visiting her grandmother in Kabanur village in Shiggaon taluk, Haveri district, where celebrations broke out, complemented by sweets and joyous smiles.”I studied 8 hours daily outside school hours, focusing on understanding concepts rather than just memorising. My parents gave me complete freedom to pursue my studies. I aspire to become a doctor,” Roopa said.

Roopa’s academic excellence has echoes in her family, as her elder sister, Vaishnavi, secured 90 per cent in the second-year of Pre-University Course (Science). Meanwhile, Belagavi district’s rank in academic performance rose from 29th to 25th in the state this year.

Pride of school

Shagufta Anjum, a native of Bihar, moved to Karnataka for her education. A student of Government Composite Urdu High School in Sirsi, Uttara Kannada district, her perfect score has brought pride to her school and her family, who are set to travel from Bihar to Bengaluru to celebrate her success. Shagufta’s father, Manjarul Islam, a maulana (Islamic scholar), and her mother Manjarul Islam, a homemaker, have been her pillars of support.

Shagufta’s preparation was a blend of hard work and smart work. Starting her studies in December, she dedicated 2-3 hours daily to revision, ramping it up to more than three hours from January. Her approach was methodical: she participated in essay quizzes, revised extensively, and focused on understanding concepts rather than rote memorisation. “Science and maths were tough, but if you understand the concepts and practice, you can excel,” she said. Quoting her love for mathematics, she added: “Maths is a loved treasure, and practice is the key to unlock it.” Her science preparation was equally strategic. Shagufta used tricks to simplify complex topics.

Her father’s dream of seeing her pursue an MBBS degree to serve in the health sector aligns with Shagufta’s aspirations to become a doctor.

Self-study but team effort

Jahnavi SB, a student of Vijaya Bharathi Vidyalaya High School in Girinagar, Bengaluru, was overjoyed yet astonished by her perfect score. “I expected above 620, but never 625,” she said. Her journey to the top was marked by consistent self-study up to two hours daily, rising to five hours during exams.

Jahnavi’s success was a team effort, with her teachers and parents playing a crucial role in clearing doubts and encouraging extra practice. She revised thoroughly, ensured no panic during exams, and found the question papers manageable. “The three months of preparation were easy because I stayed consistent and appeared for back-to-back preparatory exams,” she said. Her teachers’ efforts in addressing doubts and her parents’ support kept her motivated. Jahnavi, who has opted for PCMB (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology) in her further studies, aspires to become a scientist. Beyond academics, she is also an accomplished veena player.