Tips to study for maths and science

The matric year-end exams are coming up. This can be a time of immense stress and anxiety for teachers, learners and parents.

Cindy Glass, owner of Step Up Education Centres says: “The trouble with exams is that the task of preparing for it effectively seems an almost insurmountable one – most especially for learners who may have made some negative choices for themselves throughout the year, and, as a result, do not feel adequately prepared or confident to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.”

Further exasperating the challenges of writing exams is that so many learners simply do not know how to study.

“Most learners stick to a one-size-fits-all approach without understanding that different subjects require different approaches to studying.”

Cindy offers four easy steps to help you tackle your exams:

– Change your mindset

How badly do you want to achieve success? What are you willing to do to get where you want to go? If you are eager to put in what it will take to achieve your goals, you will reap the rewards.

– Believe that you are capable

No matter what your learning experience has been to date, you can turn it around. You are in control of your learning. You are responsible for your success. Believe that you can.

– Start now

Remember, you are doing this for yourself and there is no better time to get going than right now.

– Commit to healthy boundaries with others

It is up to you to ensure that your cell phone is switched off during study time and that your friends and family respect your boundaries. You can and must do this by being respectfully assertive.

Are you going to be studying for mathematics and sciences?

READ MORE: How to handle the stress of final matric exams

Cindy Glass gives us the following 6 helpful study tips for mathematics and science:

– Use a calendar to help you plan what needs to be covered and by when.

Break up the task into bite-sized manageable pieces. This will ensure that you cover everything and do not become overwhelmed by the enormity of it.

– Make sure that you have a designated study area.

Have a comfortable chair, a desk, good lighting and the stationery that you will need.

– You can’t study maths and science in a parrot-fashion.

You can’t study these two subjects by reading and trying to memorise the work. These subjects require a pencil to paper.

You will need to practice. Do not just do one example and feel that it is enough. Keep going until you know that you will not forget how to do it.

– Start with the easy-mark skills and questions first.

Make sure that you know these well. This will give you the confidence to keep going.

– Work through past exam papers.

This will familiarise you with the layout of the paper as well as the types of questions that are likely to be asked. Again, do not feel like you are ready after completing just one paper. Keep at it – you will feel your confidence increase as you practice.

– Ask for help if you need it.

Identify questions that you are not “getting” and ask for clarification from someone who can help – your teacher, a friend, your parents or a tutor.

“Remember that you are allowed to make mistakes, but you are not allowed to give up. Start preparing today,” concludes Cindy.

Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:

Rekord East
Rekord North
Rekord Centurion
Rekord Moot

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram