SKILLS for LEARNINGSKILLS for STUDY

STUDY SKILLS Pay attention in class Take good notes

Keep an organised notebook Ask questions in class

Plan a definite study time Don’t cram for hours the

and place for each day night before a test or exam

INDEPENDENT LEARNERS

The following are characteristics of a successful student.

Develop these in yourself• Ask questions

• Discuss topics with your peers

• If you don’t understand something, speak up

You are responsible for your own learning

‘Ideas are funny things, they don’t work unless you do’

STUDY TIMETABLEStudy sessions just don’t happen when you feel like doing them.They need to be scheduled on an organised timetable.

SOME TIPS• Don’t study after 11.00pm

• Divide time equally between subjects

• Put a copy of your exam timetable somewhere to keep parents informed

• Revise your study timetable – things change

• Stick to it ! “Well done is better than well said”

ENGLISH (FOR ESSAYS)

Afrikaans and Zulu• Translation and remembering rules are key

factors in passing these extensive subjects.

LIFE SCIENCES (MIND MAP)

GEOGRAPHY (USING

DIAGRAMS)

HISTORY (TIMELINES)

MATHS, ACCOUNTING and PHYSICS• Are all abstract subjects. • Learn to read all content and analyse before

applying what you have learnt. • They are pure science subjects that are intense

and require plenty, plenty and plenty of practise!

STUDY SESSIONS• How do you study?• What are you supposed to do?

Study has 3 parts (O; A; R)• Organising subject matter efficiently

• Getting work and assignments in advance

• Researching and revising work for exams

• Don’t make study sessions too long

• Drink some water before you start

• Break tasks down into smaller manageable ones

• Do daily summaries of work covered in class in your own words under Main Points

You can also use travel time to and from school for • Planning• Listening to recorded summaries or points on an

MP3 player

Then when you arrive home, it is much easier to get down to study

• You are psyched up• Your purpose and task are set• You can apply yourself immediately

COUNTDOWN to the EXAMS

In the run up to your exams, you must adopt a more disciplined attitudeYour performance in the exam is vital to your successLook at them positively as an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding

Social Life :• Put this on hold• Give up parties, nights out etc.• Plan your rewards you will give yourself after the

exams

Exercise :• Walk or jog daily to reduce the pressure• It clears the mind and encourages positive

thoughts

Distractions :

• Eliminate noise

• Organise for friends to call at an agreed time

Remembering

-Listen to study tapes- Read over notes- Plan and revise

The key is to study actively :

• Test yourself

• Take notes

• Don’t just read

‘ Many drops fill the bucket ‘

EXAM PREPARATION

The secrets to success:• Have genuine faith in your preparation• Don’t leave anything to chanceKnow exactly what is required for each exam• Understand each subject• Quiz your teachers• Know your exam format

Multiple choiceShort answerEssays

EXAM PREPARATION

Around the house put up lists of• Key facts• Formulae• Quotes• ExamplesRecite them aloud when you see themDo past papers under exam conditions• Identify areas of weakness and address them• Become comfortable with the vocabulary used• Perfect the pace you must work at• Your timing is critical

EXAM PREPARATION

Test your knowledge and understanding• Discuss it, explain it• Justify it with friends• Question each otherList any improvements needed• Work through them systematically• Retest your knowledgeBe thorough and focused – have a Study Timetable

in your study area

‘ When only the best will do ‘

EXAM TECHNIQUEUnderstanding InstructionsOn the front cover of the exam paper are

instructions• Read them• Understand them• Know what questions to do• Where to put your answers

EXAM TECHNIQUE

Reading Time

• Read the paper through• Plan your approach• Identify questions you can do immediately• Put the questions in the order you wish to do

them• Don’t work out answers• Your confidence will build with more difficult

questions

EXAM TECHNIQUE

The Exam itself• Start on straight forward questions• Don’t dwell on those you can’t do• Move on

On multiple choice questions• Eliminate those answers you think are incorrect• Beware of careless mistakes• Plan your answers• Draw big, clear and accurate diagrams

EXAM TECHNIQUE

The magic word in exams is

• Not fast

• Not slow

• But consistently and persistently

‘ You make your own luck’

EXAM TIME

• Put a copy of your Exam Timetable in a place where your family can double check times and dates

• Take a bottle of water to the exam• Arrive in plenty time before the exam• Don’t listen to music beforehand – the songs will

play on your mind• Have a watch and the necessary equipment• Be relaxed and focused – your preparation has

you ready for your exam

• Use reading time effectively• Underline / highlight key words and phrases• Do plans - do they address the questions?• Make sure that you have filled in all the details• Stay alert – don’t daydream• Don’t panic if short on time – note the main

points• If you finish early, check your work thoroughly• Never leave early• Write neatly and legibly

‘ Achievement is a habit – work on it ‘

EXAM STRESS …and how to beat it

Revision Notes Exam Timetable

Remember

• Remember it is important to eat and sleep well• Put yourself first – it is an important time for

you – try to talk to family about how they can make studying a little easier for you, e.g. by agreeing times when you can have your own space, when they will try to be a bit quieter around the house and when you would rather not be disturbed

DON’T REVISE ALL THE TIME – TAKE BREAKS AND DO THINGS YOU ENJOY AND HELP YOU RELAX

Brain Foods Wholegrain Oily fish Blueberries

More Brain Foods Baby tomatoes Blackcurrants Pumpkin seeds

And more…

Vitamins Broccoli Nuts

PREPARE for the BIG DAY

CHECK …• Have a good breakfast• Give yourself plenty of time to get to the exam

room• Make sure you know where the exam is being

held• Take everything you need – pens, pencils, water,

anything else?• Go to the toilet before the exam starts

Show us what you’re capable of Wendywood ,this

June! ALL THE BEST

&GOOD LUCK !