As October 30 draws near, thousands of Grade 12 pupils across South Africa are busy preparing to close the chapter on their secondary education by sitting for their final exams.

Last year, over 890 000 full-time and part-time candidates took the matric exams, achieving a commendable pass rate of 82.9%. To replicate or even surpass this success, effective exam preparation is crucial.

While making and memorising notes is important, a comprehensive strategy involves careful time management, understanding personal learning styles, and implementing lifestyle changes to ensure confidence when facing exam papers.

Effective time management is a critical factor in exam preparation. Creating a study schedule that allocates time for each subject ensures a balanced coverage of the material.

Effective time management is a critical factor in exam preparation. Picture: Oladimeji Ajegbile /Pexels

Start by identifying your strengths and weaknesses in each subject, and then allocate more time to areas that need improvement. Be realistic about how much you can achieve in a day and include regular breaks to prevent burnout.

Preparing for exams isn’t just about hitting the books; it also involves taking care of your physical and mental well-being. Implementing some lifestyle changes can improve focus, retention, and overall performance including a healthy diet, exercise, and enough sleep.

School work isn’t the only thing keeping matrics busy. They’re often juggling extracurricular activities, family obligations, and social engagements, as a result, adding more pressure to the life challenges they’re faced with.

A recent United Nations Children’s Fund survey found that more than two-thirds of young people and children in South Africa felt they needed mental health support over the past year.

According to Esther Venter, Dean of Teaching, Learning & Student Success at STADIO Higher Education, before opening any textbooks and picking up that highlighter, pupils should compile a time-based study plan outlining clear goals.

“Learners should start by getting an overview of their work, organising it into sections, setting a schedule, and assigning each section to their schedule,” explained Venter.

It helps to allocate more time to subjects that you’re finding tricky to grasp and don’t forget to slot in other activities and school commitments.

Learning styles

Once they are on top of their schedule and goals, pupils should organise and refine their notes and clarify their preferred learning style. Every student has a unique learning style, including visual, auditory, and social.

Understanding and utilising your learning style can significantly enhance your study efficiency. People learn in different ways, and identifying whether you are a visual, auditory, or kinaesthetic learner can help tailor your study methods accordingly:

Auditory learners

Retain information better through listening. Recording lessons or using podcasts and discussing topics with peers can be beneficial.

Visual learners

Benefit from diagrams, charts, and mind maps. Colour-coded notes and visual aids can help reinforce information.

Social learners

They might work best in group settings, quizzing each other on content and explaining their work in different ways. Prefer a hands-on approach. Incorporating physical activities like writing, drawing, or using flashcards can help.

Experimenting with different methods can help you discover what works best for you and make studying more effective and enjoyable to reach their full potential.

Effective exam prep: Balancing study with well-being

As Grade 12 students gear up for their final exams, it’s clear that effective studying involves more than just reviewing notes. “Studying goes beyond merely reading through the material,” says Venter.

“Using practice papers is a proven strategy for exam success. Make sure not to peek at the answers before tackling each question. Spend time working through each problem and understanding your mistakes.”

The pressure of preparing for matric exams can be intense, sometimes causing students to overlook their mental and physical health.

It’s essential to make time for rest, exercise, and social activities to rejuvenate your mind and improve focus. Good sleep is crucial, so aim for a consistent sleep routine to enhance concentration.

“Aim to go to bed at the same time each night, ideally before 10pm,” Venter advises. “Be realistic about your wake-up time—don’t set an early study plan if you’re just going to hit the snooze button repeatedly!”

Parents also play a key role during this critical time, according to Venter.

“Parents act as chefs, chauffeurs, cashiers, cheerleaders, coaches and counsellors. Support your matriculant with a balanced diet, consistent hydration, emotional support, and encouragement to help them succeed.”

Lastly, remember to reward yourself for achieving your study goals. The matric exams don’t have to be the most stressful part of your schooling.

“With proper preparation and self-care, students can approach their exams with confidence.

“A well-organised study timetable helps avoid last-minute cramming, reduces anxiety, and fosters a sense of control and progress, said Venter.

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