Tips for learners

MBOMBELA – Some learned fellow always says it’s better to work like a slave
today and live like a King tomorrow when giving motivation speeches to matric
learners to study harder for their final examinations in order to attain a
bright future.
Some add by saying the decisions that one makes during this
time of the year determines his or her success. They also liken examination time
to the making of a bed “On which one will sleep on in the future,” They always
say it’s up to one to decide whether they want to sleep on an uncomfortable
rocky bed or a soft comfortable one.
The following tips by Dr Felicity
Coughlan the Director of the Independent Institute of education aimed to help
matric learners prepare “Comfortable beds for their future ,” and attain better
results from this year’s exams.
1) Breathe, accept
your situation, and resolve to do all you can to rectify
it:
Coughlan urged learners to resolve to it throw all into making
these last few weeks count. “That means being ruthless about distractions, and
studying like you have never studied before,” he said.
2)
Assess the damage
Look at all your subjects and at
all the materials you need to study. Make sure that you have not forgotten
anything. Once you know what you have to work with and what you need to catch up
on, move on to step 3 (and don’t feel overwhelmed).
3)
Take time to draw up a study roster
He urged
learners to forget about rest time, party time, Tv shows and social medias
including facebook and dedicate their time on reading their books.
“Allow
yourself to draw up a detailed study roster which includes time for a second
round of revision, if possible. But don’t spend all your time planning either!
It’s time to get to work,” he said.
4) Now stick to
it
“Your roster is your lifeline now, and you should cling to it and
make it work for you,” he said.
5) For best results,
study using the PROVE method
· Practise by writing past papers or
example questions rather than just reading
· Refresh by making sure you are
eating, sleeping and exercising enough.
· Organise yourself, your time and
your work.
· Visualise by using colour and mind maps and other strategies
rather than just words, so that you can use more of your brain,
· Explain by
answering questions or telling friends or relatives about your work. It is not
until you have tried to explain what you know that you can assess if you know
enough to answer the questions.
He added that every effort a learner will
make now will ensure chances of improvement in their matric results and thus
enabling them to furthering their dream careers and even other career options if
their Plan A failed.