The time has arrived to take out your revision hat. Your entire future rides on the outcome of your final exams, so make it count. Find some tips and tools right here to help with Revising for Your Matric Exams. Your future starts today!
Revision Study Tips
Your matric exams have officially started and we’re sure you must be feeling stressed. But, your finals are simply testing you on the work you’ve done throughout the year. This is where revision comes in!
Be Visual
Most students can benefit greatly from visual aids like graphs, tables and vision boards. Make learning fun for yourself and try a creative approach when revising. Place sticky notes in your room with important formulas and theory.
Create a Schedule
Planning well in advance is half the battle won. Create a study timetable that outlines when you’re going to study and which subjects. This makes your learning more focused and makes it harder to get distracted.
Form a Revision Group
Studying in groups is always a great idea to revise. There may be some areas that you haven’t mastered yet. Your friends could assist with this. Remember to keep these groups small and adhere to social distancing protocol.
No Revising in Bed
This is a tough one! We know your bed is the most comfy spot in the house, but you don’t want to be too relaxed when revising. Find a study spot in your home that is dedicated to revision. Make sure it is neat,clean and practical.
Practice Makes Perfect
The only way to know for sure if you’ve gotten the handle on a section of work is to test yourself. Go through past matric papers to see which areas you need to improve on. Go through a few of these before the big day.
What is Revising for Exams?
When preparing for your finals, revising plays a big role. Revision is not the same as studying for an exam. When you study something for the first time, you haven’t touched on that piece of work yet. You’re still becoming familiar with the topic. With revision, you have already learned the concepts. Now, you’re simply refreshing your knowledge.
Can you Revise for Exams in a day?
We would not advise leaving revision for the day before your exam. But, if you’ve got a case of the procrastination bug or you didn’t manage your time well, there are some things you can do to save the situation:
- Wake up early: You only have a day, so make the most out of it! Start early.
- Find the Right Place to Work: Choose a study spot that is quiet and practical.
- Use Memory Tricks: Make little rhymes and songs to remember your work.
- Don’t Panic: Try and remain calm. We know time is running out, but you got this.
How Many Hours Should a Matric Student be Studying?
As a matric student, you should be studying 6-8 hours a day. You should divide this time well and allocate small breaks and a few big breaks in between when planning your study schedule. Don’t try and cram your work into a day.
Revision Techniques That Work
We know most students rely on a good highlighter and notes to revise. But those methods are actually not the most effective way of revising. Listed below are some revision techniques that we know WORKS!
Quizzing: A good old fashioned quiz is always guaranteed to work. Test your knowledge in a fun and interactive way.
Flashcards: When using flashcards write keywords or keyphrases to help memorise important work.
Graphs: This allows you to be active in your revision. Use graphs to make connections between your coursework.
Topic Ranking: You know your studies best. So give yourself a ranking on each topic to identify weak points.
“Just a Minute”: In this method, you’ll have just a minute to explain a specific piece of work. By talking through your work, you’ll understand it better.
For more techniques on Revising for Your Matric Exams, have a look on the Department of Education Website.
Grade 12 Study Timetable
Now that you’ve got the tools to start Revising for Your Matric Exams, the next step is to plan your studies. Listed below are some practical tips to help you set up your study timetable.
Choose and Dedicate a Daily Time Frame for Studying
Make studying a routine. So, wake up early and dedicate your morning and afternoon to revising. Starting at 8am and ending at 16:00 is a good timeframe.
Allow a Study Time for Each Specific Exam
Have a look at your Matric 2020 Timetable and jot down all your exam dates. This should give you an idea of which subjects you should start on first.
Use Your Calendar
Once you’ve had a look at your timetable, use your calendar to set up your study schedule. Be practical with this and don’t cram in any work.
Allocate Time for Breaks
You should be taking about 10-15 minute breaks after every study session and at least one big break of an hour each day. Regular breaks makes it easier to concentrate.
Your entire high school career has been leading up to this moment. You have all the skills and all the knowledge at your fingertips. Make sure to use it wisely. You got this!
