2023 Achievers
You’ve done it!
You have completed the first leg of your great adventure and now it’s time for the next. Whatever the outcome of the first leg was, you needn’t think anything negative.
Here are some locals sharing aabout their lives post matric and how, even when their paths might have changed, they still stuck true to who they are.
What to consider before selecting Grade 10 subjects
Choosing Grade 10 subjects is a step towards shaping your professional future.
Choosing subjects for Grade 10 is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your academic journey and future career prospects.
It’s important to approach this choice with careful consideration.
Here are some key factors to keep in mind before making your selection:
- Future career aspirations. Consider the career path you are interested in and remember certain professions require specific subjects.
- Identify your strengths and interests and opt for subjects that align with what you enjoy and excel in. This will make studying more engaging and increase the likelihood of achieving good marks.
- Aim for a well-rounded curriculum, combining subjects from different disciplines such as science, arts and humanities can provide a broader perspective and open up diverse career opportunities.
- Consider the subjects required for your desired university or college programme and long-term goals. Some institutions have specific subject prerequisites for admission.
- Seek guidance from school counsellors or teachers as they can provide insights into your academic strengths and educators can offer informed recommendations.
- Evaluate the workload associated with each subject. Balance is key to avoid overwhelming yourself. Consider how much time you can realistically dedicate to each subject.
- Consider extracurricular activities you are involved in and ensure that your subject choices allow you to maintain a healthy balance between academics and other pursuits.
- Although it is important to consider advice from peers, remember that what works for one person may not be the best choice for you. Make decisions based on your own strengths and interests.
- Determine if there’s room for adjustments in your subject choices in case you change your mind or discover new interests along the way.
Choosing Grade 10 subjects requires consideration of your interests, strengths, and long-term goals.
CLICK ON THE SCHOOL EMBLEM TO VIEW THEIR ACHIEVERS’ OF 2023
Health hacks to achieve academic goals
During exam times it is crucial for parents to monitor and support their child’s behaviour, study routines and coping mechanisms. This can play a vital role in creating the right environment for them to achieve the best results.
The latest Unicef report states that 73% of children and youth have expressed the need for mental health support in the past year.
Surprisingly, only 38% actively sought help.
Studies have found that learners with higher levels of mental distress are more likely to experience significantly impaired cognitive functioning, and poor academic performance and be at a higher risk of substance abuse, depression and anxiety disorders.
The health hacks below can help your child achieve their academic goals and ‘ace’ exam season.
Structure is key
Humans are creatures of habit, and we often find comfort in routine.
Setting structured daily patterns of activity can provide stability and reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.
Getting regular, quality sleep, eating balanced meals, and taking dedicated study breaks all help to create a sense of normalcy and control, which significantly alleviates stress.
Feed your brain with nourishing food
Food is a fabulous thing. It can lift your mood, give you comfort and help boost your memory.
Depending on what you eat, it can also leave you feeling lethargic and cause energy spikes and crashes.
During exams, it’s important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoid too much junk food.
It’s also important to be careful with energy drinks. Having too many can make it more difficult to concentrate.
Consult a professional, virtually
Stress can impact our immune systems, which opens the door to common colds and illnesses.
If you need help supporting your child’s mental and physical well-being, telehealth apps such Eagle Intelligent Health are a wonderful tool to access skilled general practitioners, without having to block off a chunk of your day and wait in a doctor’s office for an appointment.
Get moving
As parents, it is common to fall into the trap of thinking that every moment not spent in front of a book is time wasted.
Not true. Regular physical activity releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.
It also helps boost the immune system. Studies have shown that learners who engage in regular physical activity tend to perform better academically.
Practice meditation
Teaching your child simple relaxation techniques like meditation or mindfulness exercises can go a long way toward reducing their stress levels.
They also effectively improve focus and help children develop a mental equilibrium. Fortunately, meditation and mindfulness apps are readily available at the touch of a button.
Study tips for high school learners
Experiment and adapt to suit your personal study style
When it comes to studying as a high school learner, finding what works best for you is crucial.
Experiment and adapt the below study tips to suit your personal study style:
- Organise your environment and study space. Ensure a clean, clutter-free study area with all necessary materials within reach.
- List your goals and define what you want to accomplish in each study session.
- Prioritise your subjects and focus on difficult subjects first while your mind is fresh.
- Use active learning techniques and engage with the material actively, like summarising, asking questions and making flashcards.
- Remember to take breaks. Short, regular breaks can help maintain focus and retention.
- Utilise different resources by combining textbooks, online resources and lectures for a well-rounded understanding.
- Test yourself on the material to reinforce memory.
- Stay consistent by implementing and following a routine. This will assist in making study time a routine.
CLICK ON THE SCHOOL EMBLEM TO VIEW THEIR ACHIEVERS’ OF 2023
Choose the right university for you
Conduct thorough research, visit campuses if possible, and seek advice from academic advisors or current students.
Selecting a university is a pivotal decision and in Gauteng, a diverse range of institutions offer various programmes, making the choice a crucial one.
Remember, the right choice will set the stage for a successful and fulfilling educational experience.
Consider the university’s location in relation to your residence and its accessibility. Gauteng has several renowned institutions in Pretoria and Johannesburg. Proximity can significantly impact daily commuting and living expenses. Evaluate the academic programmes offered and ensure they align with your academic interests and career aspirations. Research the reputation of specific faculties or departments in the industries they represent.
Verify that the university is accredited by the South African government and recognised internationally. Additionally, refer to reputable ranking systems for insights into the institution’s global standing.
Costs and financial aid
Understand the full cost of attending your preferred university, including tuition fees, accommodation and other expenses. Investigate available scholarships, bursaries and financial aid options offered by the university.
Examine the campus infrastructure, including libraries, laboratories, sports facilities and student support services. Adequate resources enhance the overall learning experience. Participation in clubs, societies and sports can enrich your university experience thus consider the availability of extracurricular activities that meet your interests.
Research the prevailing culture on campus and look for an environment that fosters inclusivity, diversity and a sense of community. Connect with current students or alumni for firsthand insights. Investigate the university’s track record in terms of graduate employability.
A strong alumni network can provide valuable connections and opportunities post-graduation. Explore on-campus and off-campus housing options and ensure to look at safety, affordability and proximity to campus.
Practical tips for parents and children during exam season
Implementing these tips will ensure the exam season is a partly stress-free experience for parents and matriculants.
Matriculants and parents are prone to feeling overwhelmed or burnt out during exam season.
One of the biggest causes of this is not managing the time given to studying effectively, but also not accommodating for time spent away from studying.
“During the exams, we commonly find learners and their parents only focus on studying and academic-related activities and this is quite normal,” says Nawaal Schroeder, an occupational therapist in Alberton.
“Something we do not take into consideration in terms of priority is consciously making time for the other activities we typically carry out within our daily lives but also making time specifically for ourselves.
“By creating a workable balance, we are better able to manage the stress that comes with exams and we are also able to fill our own energy reserves.
“Aside from simply managing our time and implementing effective study techniques, taking care of your mental and physical health during this stressful time is important not only for learners but their parents,” says Schroeder.
“The best way to achieve this is by implementing practical and realistic tools.”
Time management
Time management is a skill that not only helps us to accommodate for studies but also helps us to effectively manage the rest of our time during exam season.
It may be difficult to plan right down to the last minute of every day, but it is important to have a set time for things such as homework and studying to ensure that there are no other distractions or interruptions during this time.
Having time dedicated specifically to studies during the week and weekend, allows you to make time for yourself as well.
Manage your stress before the exam
This involves managing your stress on the day of the exam. This is important because high stress levels hurt your ability to concentrate, think logically and problem-solve during the exam. Some things you can do to manage your stress include paced, deep breathing; finding a quiet space to stay focused and calm; and listening to some calming and relaxing music.
Ensuring that you get enough rest the night before is also important, but challenging or pushing negative thoughts away is also vital.
Manage your energy and stress levels
The most important thing to ensure is that you are well-rested. This is not only vital for energy levels, but a well-rested mind enables us to deal with stress more effectively.
You need to ensure that you are not disrupting your sleep pattern too much, but also that you are getting enough sleep.
You also need to ensure that you are getting enough breaks in between studying. The best interval between studying and breaks is a 15-minute break for every hour you study. Longer breaks can include taking a nap, catching up on a book, spending some time with family or friends, or getting in some time for self-care.
Another important part of managing your energy levels is ensuring you are eating a healthy and balanced diet. You may be tempted to drink large amounts of coffee or energy drinks or to have a few sugary goods to snack on but this will have a negative effect on your energy levels.
You need to make sure you are getting enough hydration by drinking water and that you are getting enough nutrients to your body through a balanced diet. Overloading your body with sugar and caffeine will cause your energy levels to dip later in the day, which will make it more difficult to concentrate while studying.
Things may get difficult to manage, and when this happens, you need someone to support you. This can be a parent, sibling, teacher, or friend.
Limit distractions while studying
As mentioned above, time management forms an important part of limiting distractions while studying. Before sitting down to study, ensure that you have completed any homework due as this may be a distraction as well. Make sure that you prepare or collect anything that you may need while studying, this includes water, snacks, or any study materials. Make sure that you are in a private and quiet place, and that your phone is set to ‘do not disturb.’.
Manage your stress after exams
After the exam is over, one thing that you should avoid doing is criticising yourself. Instead, take some time to rest and then go through the paper and make note of things you have done correctly and the things on which you could improve. Take it as an opportunity to celebrate the good and improve on areas as needed.
Explore study tools that are effective for you
Study techniques may include visual aids, recordings, creating flashcards, or even creating a study group. The important aspect of this is finding something that is effective for you and not simply going on the say-so of others. You will need to try different techniques to see which one works for you.
CLICK ON THE SCHOOL EMBLEM TO VIEW THEIR ACHIEVERS’ OF 2023
Practical tools that may aid parents in dealing with their own stress and helping learners cope and perform effectively are:
Managing goals and expectations
Take time to discuss what mutual expectations around results look like and set realistic and workable goals.
When looking at what is expected in the home, if your children usually have chores that they manage, look at what can be negotiated until exam season is over. This is not an excuse for them not to take responsibility but lessens the load for them.
An important aspect that should be included in this discussion is the expectation of managing their mental and physical well-being. Although children are old enough to manage themselves, parents should still monitor this. This can include getting sleep and rest, getting enough study time in, and ensuring they make the best of that time.
Managing your own stress levels
Parents may not be aware of it, but kids are very perceptive to the emotions of their parents. Parents also need to ensure that they manage their own stress and frustration in a healthy way. This could include things such as self-care, taking time to relax, or spending time with your family, or other adults in your social circle.
It is important to ensure that you have some balance, and if you need support, reach out to someone you trust for advice or motivation.
Explore study tools that are effective for you
Study techniques may include visual aids, recordings, creating flashcards, or even creating a study group. The important aspect of this is finding something that is effective for you and not simply going on the say-so of others. You will need to try different techniques to see which one works for you.
Providing motivation and support before exams
During exam season we should focus on providing support and motivation for our kids. Listen to the difficulties they are facing and provide them with meaningful advice and motivation, instead of choosing to highlight and focus on the negatives. Take time to appreciate the progress and effort they put in.
Debriefing after exams
After an exam, take time to ask them about how it went and how they are feeling. Encourage evaluation of the exam and offer guidance and support. Hold a safe space for the conversation, without criticism or judgement.
Caption: Occupational therapist Nawaal Schroeder urged matric learners to create a balance between daily activities and academics to enable them to manage the stress that comes with exams.
Manage your stress after exams
After the exam is over, one thing that you should avoid doing is criticising yourself. Instead, take some time to rest and then go through the paper and make note of things you have done correctly and the things on which you could improve. Take it as an opportunity to celebrate the good and improve on areas as needed.
