swot

(noun) an insignificant student who is ridiculed as being affected or boringly studious. Synonyms: grind, nerd, wonk, dweeb.

(verb) study intensively, as before an exam. Synonyms: cram, grind away, drum, bone up, get up, mug up, swot up, bone. Example: "I had to bone up on my latin verbs before the final exam."