I didn't read textbooks back then - it was mainly osmosis due to assignments that had to be done and compulsory labs/tutes I think that got me through. I do have a very good memory for important things, and a terrible memory for unimportant things - perhaps it's a filtering mechanism. Years later I learned about memory techniques that I tend to do naturally (e.g memory palaces et al).

I fondly remember purposefully going into an exam completely blind, not a minute of prep and acing it. The year following was exceptionally lazy :(

Regardless I look back and wonder what could have been if only I had actually studied those topics and found things I enjoyed. Since I skipped so much of it (spent a lot of time in the sun at university and went clubbing most nights) I never knew what I was missing. I've since gone back and revisited the materials and really enjoyed it.

My lesson is that the goal isn't an exam result, it's finding things you find interesting enough to work hard at. Grades are beside the point entirely. If I had of gone to lectures and perhaps picked up some research assistant jobs back then I would have found my calling much earlier.