Best Learning Methods for SHS Students in Ghana

Senior High School in Ghana demands more than passive reading. The best SHS students use methods that build understanding, retention, and exam readiness. This guide covers evidence-based learning methods that work for WASSCE and school exams, whether you are in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Cape Coast, Takoradi, or any part of Ghana.

Start with the Syllabus

Every WASSCE question is drawn from the official WAEC syllabus. Use the syllabus as your roadmap. Do not assume your textbook covers everything. Cross-check topics and prioritise what will be tested. Students in Kumasi, Accra, Tema, and across Ghana who syllabus-check avoid wasting time on out-of-scope material. For more on WAEC and the exam, see our WAEC Ghana guide.

Active Recall Beats Passive Reading

Reading and highlighting are passive. Active recall means testing yourself: close the book and try to explain a concept, answer a question, or solve a problem. The effort of retrieving information strengthens memory. Use past questions, flashcards, or practice problems. The more you actively retrieve what you have learned, the better you retain it. This applies to every SHS subject, from Mathematics to English to the sciences.

Spaced Repetition

Cramming leads to quick forgetting. Spaced repetition means reviewing material at intervals. If you study a topic on Monday, review it briefly on Thursday and again the following week. Build review slots into your study timetable. Students in Ahodwo, Nhyiaeso, Cantonments, and across Ghana who use spaced repetition hold on to knowledge longer and perform better in mocks and WASSCE.

Focus on Weak Areas

Do not study everything equally. Identify your weak subjects and topics and give them more time. Use mock results, past papers marked honestly, or a diagnostic tool. When you know exactly where you are weak, you can direct your effort there. Olearna's scoring engine identifies those areas so you do not have to guess. For more on improving performance, see how to improve school performance.

Past Questions Under Exam Conditions

Past questions are essential for WASSCE. Use them correctly: set a timer, attempt full papers, mark honestly, and analyse errors. Then revise the weak topics before the next practice. This builds speed and familiarity with exam pressure. For strategies, see our best WASSCE study tips.

Structured Study Blocks

Most SHS students concentrate best in blocks of 50 to 60 minutes. After each block, take a short break. Long unbroken sessions lead to fatigue and poor retention. Plan your study in blocks and stick to the plan. Whether you are in Tamale, Ho, Sunyani, or Obuasi, the same principle applies.

Teach to Learn

Explaining a concept to someone else forces you to organise your thinking and fill gaps. Study groups can use this: take turns teaching each other topics. If you cannot explain it clearly, you do not understand it well enough. Teaching is one of the most effective ways to deepen your own understanding.

Note-Taking That Works

Notes are useful when they are active. Do not just copy from the board or textbook. Summarise in your own words. Use bullet points, diagrams, and examples. Review and refine your notes when you do spaced repetition. Notes that you actively create and revisit are more useful than piles of passive copying.

Balance Subjects and Rest

Do not neglect weak subjects because they are hard. Do not sacrifice sleep for extra hours. A well-rested brain learns and recalls better. Balance study with rest, meals, and light exercise. SHS 3 is a marathon; consistency and health matter for the full year.

Using Feedback to Improve

The best learners use feedback. School tests, mocks, and diagnostic tools tell you where you stand. When you get that feedback, act on it. Revise the topics you got wrong. Adjust your timetable to give more time to weak areas. Tools that give a clear picture of readiness and focus areas (like Olearna) help you use your time where it will make the biggest difference.