Academic Achievement: What are the A's all about? 

The common perception we have of A students is that they are nerds. All they know is school work, grades and .... that's it!  I am writing this article to share my story of how to be an A student and have a life, too. This may change your perception of what some excellent students are like.

Doing exceptionally well in school was a priority for me. In high school, I was ranked the 3rd top student in the science section, nation-wide. I got a GPA of 3.99/ 4.00 in my undergraduate studies and graduated with distinction from the master program. Besides this, I used to read many extra-curricular books, practise several hobbies, participate in community initiatives and spend a good amount of time with my beloved family.

Now, here is the full story. 

1. Not Everyone Needs the A's

Academic degrees are important, however, not everyone needs to do exceptionally well in school. The A's are not important for us all. 

So, ask yourself: Do I want high grades? and Why?

This decision may depend on the career one wants or the parents sense that their kids are leaning toward. For instance, a young man who is eager to continue his higher education in top schools may need high grades. Getting academic scholarships is a key reason, too. However, if a young lady is interested in an entrepreneurial career in business, for instance, then her focus should be on piloting small businesses more than getting A's.

Today, and after years of getting my high grades, I look at my classmates and see how many of those who did just fine or probably poorly in school are happy and successful individuals. I also look at the ones who were too stressed and over-critical of their grades, and realize that none of it was worth it. 

2. What are The A's Good For?

The A's are good for:

1. who can get them relatively easily: without pressure, chronic stress and an unbalanced lifestyle. 

2. who needs to compete for academic scholarships or other opportunities that require high grades.

3. who desires to learn persistence, commitment and ambition. 

If you decide that you need or want to get A's... or maybe just improve your grades... read on, please.

3. How to Get Straight A's?

Now, the tips I am going to share here are the result of more than 13 years of being an A student. They are a treasure. 

1. Please, Leave the Grades Alone =)

You may find this contradictory, but let me explain. 
Study, analyze, read, ask and memorize for the sake of being very competent in your subjects. The grades are only a result of your competence. They should never be your focus. Rather, effective learning should. 
It's the golden mindset. 
Master it. 

2. Repeated, Daily Study
Don't skip daily study whatsoever. It's quick, smart and extremely effective. I used to repeat studying the materials taken daily throughout the week and in the weekend. So, for instance, I would study 7 times a topic we covered in an Arabic class on Sunday, from Sunday till the next Saturday. This helps imprint the knowledge in your head and thus need less time to study for exams. 

3. Plan Ahead for Exams
The best time to study for exams is way ahead of exam days. Put a plan, and study an extra hour or so after your daily study routine. 
In the exams season, study again. However, this time, the process will be faster and easier. You will feel more relaxed and competent, too. 

4. Sleep Well
I never stayed up late to study because I never needed to, and I always planned to sleep early. I used to sleep at 9:00 pm sharp. SHARP. So, about 8:45 pm I would start preparing myself for bed. Regular sleep gave me comfort, a sense of control and happiness =) 

5. Take Time Off 
The tips shared above can leave you plenty of free time. I used to study for less than 2 hours on most school days. This gave me about 4-5 hours before sleep time to enjoy. 
I used to read, go out for extra-curricular activities, spend time with my family, and so forth. Also, during the holidays before the final exams, I used to dedicate full days (up to 10 sometimes) for rest and having fun. Always plan for the joy as much as you plan for the hard work. 

"Very simple tips" you may be thinking, right?

They are; however, they were the skeleton of my success habits. I love to read, write, analyze, research and think. The A's were a natural result of all of that. Secondly, I wanted the A's because I wanted to get scholarships to continue my education. From high school to the master program, my education was funded by the institutes where I studied. 

Know what you want, and get it. 

Bonus Tip: You must lead a balanced life for your own happiness. But note that even the top schools look for that. They want students who're very good in academia and have other interests and projects they work on. The A's alone are not enough.