You will not believe how one student can go from failing every test in school to being the Valedictorian at Singapore’s top university, and now CEO of a leading education-technology startup. Meet Emil Lim; his journey from being a struggling student to founding First Principles Education is a testament to the power of effective study habits. His mission: helping students achieve confident grades that will make their parents proud by changing their habits and adopting the top 1% study skills.
As a bright young student, Emil aced his Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and entered the prestigious Hwa Chong Institution. However, he faced a shocking reality check in his first term, failing every subject. This setback was a turning point. Emil noticed how his peers, some of the most brilliant students in the country, thrived academically without additional tuition, mastering independent learning and maintaining a healthy study-life balance. Emulating these methods led to a remarkable turnaround in his performance, and he soon found himself coaching these skills professionally in elite international schools.
At the National University of Singapore (NUS), Emil continued to excel, consistently topping his cohort and making the Dean’s List every semester. He eventually graduated as the top performing student and as Valedictorian of his cohort. His deep understanding of effective study skills was further cemented during a year-long entrepreneurship program in Stockholm, a pivotal experience that gave him the resolve to give up a high-paying scholar’s career and pursue entrepreneurship instead
Together with co-founder Gary Teo, Emil embarked on a mission to share the study skills they wished they had known earlier with the next generations of Singapore students. In-depth interviews and surveys with over a thousand local students revealed six critical study skill groups that separate top-performing students from low-performing students. These findings led to the creation of the “Diamond Study Skills” framework, characterised by its unbreakable nature and eternal value.
The “Singapore Scholars Self-Starter Suite,” developed by First Principles Education, integrates neuroscience-supported study techniques with AI-powered tools, tailored for Singapore students. This innovative system has been embraced by Ministry of Education (MOE) schools, helping thousands develop strong study habits.
However, it was not always smooth-sailing for Emil. Many parents were skeptical of the benefits of study habits, comparing it to the traditional tuition classes most Singaporeans are already familiar with. The premium investment and long-term commitment were also hurdles as many families took a long time to weigh their options before finally deciding to enrol their child with First Principles Education.
“In some cases, parents went for alternative solutions and it worked out well for their child and I am happy for them. But in many cases, they eventually still chose us because we are the only team who can provide what their child really needs and we are the best at it” Emil shared. Among the hundreds of success stories, one mother who was initially skeptical left a glowing Google Review and video testimonial, explaining how she took months to compare against other alternatives but there was none like what First Principles Education offered. Within the first month, she noticed her boy could independently prioritise his work, regained confidence for his tasks and his quality of work improved.
Today, First Principles Education’s premium online 1-to-1 mentoring program has been a game-changer for hundreds of parents and students, boasting a 98% success rate. Parents describe the program as “transformational,” a significant investment in their children’s future habits and character.
In less than a year, First Principles Education has evolved from a two-person startup to Singapore’s fastest-growing ed-tech company, now boasting a team of 50 and achieving seven-figure profits. For Emil, the confidence and support from clients validated his decision to choose entrepreneurship over an accelerated scholar’s career path. However, his vision extends beyond financial success.
“Having graduated from the high-stress and tuition-obsessed education landscape, I am glad that I belong to the top 1% of academic successes. But I know millions of other students may not be as lucky. I believe in changing the face of education in Asia. Our neighbours in Asia look up to our education system and of course they would – but they should know the cost that came with it. We believe in fostering a community that values habit and character development over reliance on tuition. That way, the next generation of kids all over Asia will not have to go through the tuition-obsessed culture my generation experienced” Emil elaborated on his grand vision for First Principles Education
Emil’s advice to parents seeking effective, long-term educational solutions is straightforward: acknowledge and define the problem. In addition to valuable resources on study skills, First Principles Education also conducts their proprietary ‘Diamond Discovery Diagnostics’ assessment. Although it is priced at hundreds of dollars, this diagnosis is based on the research done with over a thousand students and each assessment is conducted by experienced consultants. The report is customised for each student and offers a thorough analysis of a child’s study habits, pinpointing areas for improvement. Because of the large amount of attention spent on each assessment, Emil encourages parents to speak with a consultant first to find out if there is any availability left to avoid disappointment.
