- Preparing for final exams include building a strong foundation and intensive reviews of your work.
- Parents can support their kids by keeping their expectations on their child realistic.
- Identify your peaks, commit to a timetable and remember your wellbeing while studying.
Matric exams are a six-week event that doesn't just test what your kids have learnt and mastered over the past years, it also puts their courage and resilience to the test.
Across the country, thousands of matric students are preparing to write their final exams when November rolls around and this time, your child may be one of them.
Instead of putting added pressures and expectations on your child as the months tick by ahead of final exams, parents can play a supporting role in a matriculant's journey, especially in making sure they're in the best possible frame of mind, says counselling psychologist Raydene Naidoo.
"Keep your expectations about this particular child's matric process and outcomes realistic and make adjustments if they are not. Each child is different and your child currently going through matric won't be going through it like older siblings might have," Raydene explains.
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With just over four months to go before arguably one of the most important chapters of your teen's school years, here's a month-by-month guide to help your kids prepare for their final exams.
July: Build a strong foundation
After organising and planning a study schedule, you should focus on active learning techniques such as writing down key concepts and points in your own words to reinforce learning.
You can also consider study groups since studying with peers can provide new insights and make learning more enjoyable.
Peter Kriel, general manager at The Independent Institute of Education, says, "Regularity, consistency and sticking to your plan are key.
"It is also now a good time to complete past papers or sample questions to get familiar with the exam format and timing and to help you focus on aspects that you have not yet mastered."
Top 10 study tips from the Department of Basic Education
- Have all your materials ready before you begin studying - pencils, pens, highlighters, paper, etc.
- Be positive. Make sure your brain holds onto the information you are learning by reminding yourself how important it is to remember the work and get the marks.
- Take a walk outside. A change of scenery will stimulate your learning. You'll be surprised at how much more you take in after being outside in the fresh air.
- Break up your learning sections into manageable parts. Trying to learn too much at one time will only result in a tired, unfocused and anxious brain.
- Keep your study sessions short but effective and reward yourself with short, constructive breaks.
- Teach your concepts to anyone who will listen. It might feel strange at first, but it is definitely worth reading your revision notes aloud.
- Your brain learns well with colours and pictures. Try to use them whenever you can.
- Be confident with the learning areas you know well and focus your brain energy on the sections that you find more difficult to take in.
- Repetition is the key to retaining information you have to learn. Keep going - don't give up!
- Sleeping at least 8 hours every night, eating properly and drinking plenty of water are all important things you need to do for your brain. Studying for exams is like strenuous exercise, so you must be physically prepared.
August: Deepen your understanding
With three months to go, and if you met your deliverables in the previous month, you would now have a good idea as to where the gaps are, notes Kriel.
"The time is now to focus on weak areas to regularly assess your progress and keep identifying areas where you struggle. Spend extra time on these weak areas and use a variety of study methods like flashcards, mind maps and educational videos to keep things interesting and deepen your understanding," Peter explains.
September: Intensive review
The preparation pace must now increase and become laser-focused on the exams which are two months away.
Peter says, "It would be a good idea to practice and review by taking full-length practice exams under timed conditions, as this builds exam stamina and time management skills. Critically go through your answers to understand what you did well and where you can improve, and focus on these areas now."
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October: Final preparations
It is the big month and time for final revisions. This month you must focus on reviewing the most critical concepts and information in each of your subjects. However, avoid overloading yourself. In short, focused review sessions are more effective at this stage.
Committing to your well-being is important and Raydene explains that you should, "know yourself, identify your peaks, commit to a timetable and remember your well-being".
"Get a good idea of your exam schedule and plan your exam days to avoid last-minute stress. Ensure that you have all necessary supplies such as pens, pencils, calculators and your ID," Peter explains.
"If you put in the work over the past five months as outlined above, you can be confident that you have prepared to the best of your ability, so aim to keep a positive mindset and belief in yourself."
