A Nigerian undergraduate has revealed how he improved his cumulative grade point average (CGPA) from 3.0 to 4.67 by overhauling his study approach. In a viral TikTok video, the student, known as @becomingisaac, detailed the strategies that transformed his academic performance.
From Passive Reading to Active Recall
The student explained that his earlier struggles were not due to a lack of intelligence but an ineffective routine. He abandoned passive reading—spending hours highlighting and rereading—which he described as creating an illusion of learning. Instead, after studying each topic, he closed his book and forced himself to recall the material without notes. He acknowledged that this process was uncomfortable but emphasized that discomfort builds memory.
Structured Focus Sessions
He also addressed the pitfall of relying on motivation. To combat inconsistency, he implemented a fixed study structure: 30 to 40 minutes of deep focus with no phone or distractions. Over time, his brain adapted to this discipline, leading to consistent progress.
In his words: "From 3.0 to 4.67 CGPA. What worked. I went from a 3.0 to a 4.67 CGPA and let me be honest with you nothing changed until I accepted that the problem was my system, not my intelligence. Because a lot of you think you’re not smart enough. No you’re just studying in a way that makes you feel busy instead of making you better. The first thing I did was completely kill passive reading. I stopped sitting for hours reading and highlighting like it meant something. Because it doesn’t. It only gives you the illusion that you’re learning. What actually changed everything for me was this after every topic, I would close my book and force myself to recall everything I just read. No notes. No checking. Just me and my brain struggling. And yes, it was uncomfortable. But that discomfort is where memory is built. If it feels easy, you’re wasting your time. Second, I stopped studying based on how I felt. Because let’s be real if you wait for motivation, you’ll fail consistently. So I built a structure. 30 to 40 minutes of deep focus. No phone. No distractions. No ‘just checking something quickly.’ Just work and overtime my brain adapted."
Reactions from Netizens
The video sparked widespread reactions. User @Toba shared a similar experience: "My school use over 4 cuz it’s a college. I went from 3.1 to distinction. I literally applied all the techniques you have mentioned above, btw I am pharmacy tech student. At some point I realised the more you read to understand (and not to pass exam) the more you will find your existence interesting."
@Pēãce Sêlēnëlüzë asked for more guidance: "Pls can you teach me more on it I really need to improve my cgpa is really bad and I just started."
@Roffie Kaie added: "Thank youuuu this totally answered my questions hopes on this for transformation in my life. I got the answer. No reading for craving but for understanding. I agree with you phone is totally a distraction."
Broader Context of Academic Turnarounds
This story echoes similar success tales, such as a Covenant University graduate who improved from six Fs and a 1.44 GPA to graduate with Second Class Upper, scoring five As and one B in her final semester. Such accounts underscore the power of effective study strategies over innate ability.
