Study Tips: How to Learn Like a Cambridge Graduate

This article features an interview with Elena Handtrack, a corporate lawyer and author who achieved academic excellence despite early struggles. Although she graduated with top marks from high school, earned a law degree from the University of Cambridge, and completed her master's at the University of Tübingen with highest honors, Handtrack reveals she was initially at the bottom of her class. Until seventh grade, she lacked motivation and effective study habits, receiving poor grades in subjects like geography and math. Her turnaround began when she learned how to learn, a skill not taught by her single mother who had no university experience. Handtrack now shares her methods for mastering education, emphasizing discipline and specific techniques such as using mandalas to aid focus. The piece serves as a guide for students seeking to improve their academic performance by adopting the strategies that allowed Handtrack to transition from a failing student to a high-achieving graduate from one of the world's most prestigious universities. It highlights the importance of self-directed learning strategies over innate talent.