Local advice on handling exam stress

As the year comes to an end, matric exams are in full swing throughout the country and the class of 2016 is just a few weeks away from enjoying their much awaited freedom.
There is no doubt that this time of the year can be stressful for both the parents and the learners. Studying for your exams can be hard and time consuming, but there are ways to manage the stress and keep calm during this time.
Mr Bongani Nkomo, the ward 32 councillor, encouraged the learners to study hard as this is the most important time in their lives.
“They need to sacrifice the things they want for the things they need to do because these exams are crucial for their future. Education is important and there are no short cuts in life. I wish them all the best for their exams.”
Mr Mlungisi Ntuli, a teacher, said the strategies below can help learners keep pace throughout the examination period.
*Set your goal.
* Identify your goal in concrete terms and put it in writing to strengthen your resolve.
* Manage your time
* Time management skills can help you take control of your study workload, achieve more, and stress less.
“There are many ways to make time work with you, instead of against you. Purchase an academic diary or study planner. Buy one which provides a week at a glance or a month at a glance view, so you can get a holistic view of the time you have available. Use your examination time table to check dates and mark them in your study planner in advance. This way you will be able to avoid social commitments during this period. Minimise distractions and keep your priorities straight. Focus on your goal of getting the highest marks possible,” said Mr Ntuli.
He also advised learners to schedule social activities around their study schedule and not vice-versa.
“Remember, this is not only an academic challenge; it’s your job in life right now. Make it a successful and enjoyable time,” he said.
“Identify your learning style. Take a learning style assessment test and find out if you are a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner. This self-knowledge can help you make more effective use of your time. Remember, your learning style may be quite different from that of family members and friends. Adapting your study method to suit your own natural style will enable you to produce powerful results in less time,”said Mr Ntuli.