The final year of school can be intimidating for matric students. There is so much to learn and so much to study – it almost feels like trying to eating an elephant! Studying is essential for students to achieve top results in your matric finals. It can be quite difficult to get into the routine of revision and that’s why we’ve put together a list of study tips to help you study, succeed, rinse and repeat. Let’s achieve your 2017 study goals!
One of our favourite study tips is to learn out loud or to LOL, as we like to call it. Reading your notes to yourself and out loud can help improve memory when compared to silently scanning through your what you’ve written.
It may sound counterproductive, but a daytime power nap can boost learning and memory. The trick is to have your study session, and then take a nap of 45 to 60 minutes. It’s like a little study reward for learning, and it will actually benefit you! Also make sure you get a good night’s sleep every night.
We all love to doodle in some way when we have been listening to a teacher talk about the same thing for what seems like ages. This can actually be good for your studying strategy! Doodling can improve focus and memory by keeping the brain active instead of zoning out completely, like the doodler’s daydreaming counterpart.
Time is precious to any student preparing for exams. You don’t want to procrastinate until the night before to cram all the information in. By then, of course, it’s too late. The key to breaking the habit of cramming for tests is to think ahead and plan. Do this by creating an effective study plan. This method will help you get organised and make the most out of your limited time.
It’s difficult enough to hit the books, but to stay focused is a whole other challenge. Give yourself time to recover after concentrating for a set amount of time. Take a break by going for a walk, a trip to the gym or make yourself a nice cup of coffee or tea. Regular short breaks boost focus and they can improve your productivity too! Just stay away from getting caught in front of the TV…
Make space for your textbooks and notes to be able to spread out and be read easily. Make sure you have enough light and a comfortable chair. Think about what works best for you and take the time to get it right. You will be spending a lot of time here, after all, so you need to have a great environment to work in.
This is one of our greatest study tips. Use your parents and little brothers and sisters, grandparents or anyone else who will listen, to your advantage during exam time. Have them listen to you explain answers to important revision questions you need to remember. The answer will become clear in your head, and will also highlight any areas where you need to spend more time.
What you eat can really have an impact on your energy levels and on your concentration. Keep your body and brain fueled by choosing nutritious foods over junk. Fish, nuts and blueberries have all been proven to aid memory. Include healthy foods in your exam day preparation as well. Eat a good meal before, but stay away from sugar to avoid crashing halfway through your exam. Take a look at these study snack ideas and recipes for while you are studying.
Just twenty minutes of cardio can improve your information retention. So get up and get moving. Whether you’re dancing, going for a jog or taking part in your local spinning class, exercising and movement is sure to increase your energy and reduce your stress levels! This is incredibly important when it comes to studying.
The final of our study tips is to stay well hydrated! Hydration is essential for your brain to function at it’s best. So drink lots and lots of water throughout your revision and studying session, as well as on the day of your exam.
We wish you the best of luck for all of your exams ahead!