Matrics: don’t lose focus

JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – With the matric exams in full swing, the class of 2015 is likely to start glimpsing the freedom which lies just a few weeks away.

“Unfortunately, this enticing vision may lead to a more relaxed approach to remaining papers, and impact negatively on results,” said an education expert.

Dr Felicity Coughlan, director of The Independent Institute of Education, said matriculants should continue with their studies the same way as they started, even when feeling pressurised to relax as the final papers creep closer.

“Of course it is a welcome feeling, but it should only be welcomed if you are absolutely certain that you are putting in your very best, for every subject, right until the end,” she said.

“The reality is that the hard work of the past decade and a bit could be negatively impacted by a relaxing of focus during these last four weeks of your school career. This is especially so since matriculants are experiencing a period of relative freedom, with the loss of routine which came with going to school and having to do homework every day.”

Coughlan said matriculants can take the following steps to ensure they continue delivering their very best throughout the exams:

Do not be thrown off track if one of your papers did not go well

Stop stressing about the subjects you’ve already written as there is nothing more you can do about those results. Throw yourself into each subject as its time comes, and especially for the so-called ‘easier’ subjects which are often scheduled towards the end of the exam timetable. Every paper counts.

Review your study roster

Pupils should now be well into the groove of studying, and should consider whether they can up the ante a little bit, by putting in an hour or two extra to complete a mock paper, for example.

Every little bit of effort will pay off, and make you more confident when you enter the exam room.

Develop a daily routine and eat the frog

It is very important to decide on a daily routine and stick to it. By having a set routine you don’t have to decide from moment to moment and hour to hour what you are going to do next, which allows your full attention to be on your preparations. Importantly, you have to eat the proverbial frog.

Don’t ease into the day by fiddling with this and that and then only tackling your studies by mid-day. If you take the biggest task for the day and dispose of it first thing in the morning, you would have built momentum that will energise you throughout the day. Everything else will seem easier after you start the day with a major accomplishment.

After each paper, get right back in the saddle

Pupils will, understandably, be tempted to take it easy on the afternoon and evening after writing a major paper.

Instead of spending too much time relaxing, aim to take a short breather only, and then immediately shift your focus to the next paper. Review a chapter or two to get your mindset instantly on the right track.

Tune out all noise and distractions

Switch off your mobile phone and any other devices while you are studying, and do not study in front of the television.

You can check your messages or social media in your scheduled breaks, but these kinds of distractions should take a back seat for the next month. You won’t remember your friends’ status updates even a week from now, but if you allow them to distract you, you may have to live with a less than satisfactory result for the rest of your career.

Practise saying no

As the exams near completion, you will be faced with more and more invites and events that seem much more exciting than yet another study session.

There will be time enough for fun when you’re done. While it is good to socialise a little bit during this time, just to stay in touch with the real world, the limited time you have available for studies should be jealously guarded.

Stay balanced

As always, the best counter to stress and anxiety is living a balanced, healthy life. Make time for exercise, get enough sleep, and try to keep your diet healthy and balanced.