Study tips

  1. Make sure that you have SILENCE, good LIGHTNING and enough AIR in your study place.
  2. Choose the right type of MUSIC (e.g. soft classical Barok) to help your brain to concentrate Do not listen to your favourite music when you study it will break your concentration.
  3. Set up a permanent STUDY PLACE; Your bed is NOT a good idea. The brain makes quick associations and if you have a permanent study station it will help to get you in the right mind set to study.
  4. ORGANISE your study place so that you know exactly where your textbook, workbook, notes, stationery and paper is when you need it.
  5. Put up your TEST/EXAMINATION/STUDY ROSTERS on the wall in your study place. Mark the relevant dates properly.
  6. Set yourself GOALS for each test. Use 5% intervals – e.g. I want to achieve between 50% and 55 % for this paper. Note that according to the academic goals of the school you have to    achieve at least 50% for a test or an exam. Put up your goals where you can see them   clearly when you study.
  7. Use PEN AND PAPER, preferably in different colours, when you study – this will enhance your concentration and association and make it easier to memorize facts.
  8. DEMARCATE the work that you plan to study for a test or examination.
  9. Get an OVERVIEW of the work you have to study before you start making MIND MAPS and/or summaries.
  10. Use COLOUR and ILLUSTRATIONS – the brain finds it easier to memorize than just text/words.
  11. Break up CHAPTERS in smaller parts which you can study bit by bit.
  12. REVISE each section when you are finished to enhance you memory.
  13. Study the work by using different TYPES of QUESTIONS – look at what questions were asked  about the topic. Your teacher can help you with this. Have a look at which parts are tested  by short questions, discussion/long questions or data response question.
  14. MARK the sections you have difficulties with and make sure that you work through them again before the test or examination. Talk to your teacher about the parts you do not understand before you write the test or examination.
  15. REPEAT the facts aloud – write down the difficult words more than once; make up rhymes;  use picture; use good and fitting examples to explain concepts.
  16. In the sciences and mathematics you have to know the THEORY and STATEMENTS and FORMULAS very well. Remember you learn mathematics and accounting by DOING it. Work through all your homework exercises.
  17. Use the correct TERMINOLOGY according to the textbook when you study a specific Work through the examples in the textbook as well.
  18. You have to start studying ON TIME (like this weekend already for next week’s tests) so that you have enough time to go through all your work and to memorize it.
  19. You should study a MINIMUM of SIX HOURS for each test. Plan your REVISION therefore, Repetition strengthens your memory.
  20. STUDY SESSIONS should last between 30 and 40 minutes. REST for 5 minutes and do something differently. Then start again. Rest for 10 minutes after every two sessions.
  21. Work through PREVIOUS EXAMINATION PAPERS and look closely at the WAY QUESTIONS are            FORMULATED, how MARKS are allocated and the TIME ALLOCATION.
  22. Make sure that you understand the INSTRUCTIONS on test and examination papers. Take a  close look at what the question choices are and which sections are compulsory.
  23. Teach yourself to keep CALM before you start writing a test or exam – that will help you to remember the work better.
  24. Drink enough WATER and eat fresh FOOD when you study – be careful of energy drinks and   snacks which contains too much sugar and stimulants, those could make you feel more anxious and even make you feel exhausted.
  25. Apply your OWN personal STYLE of learning when you study and make your own notes and summaries which you understand best.

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