Durban North educator shares study advice ahead of final exams

AS the final term looms, matrics and other learners across South Africa prepare to pen their final exams, Durban North educator, Louisa Bezuidenhout shares a few tips on how to cope with exam stress and anxiety.

Bezuidenhout was a full-time educator for 26 years and taught physical sciences and mathematics for Grade 8 to Grade 12. She is now an educational specialist for Comprehend Africa.

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“The worldwide pandemic has placed immense pressure on our children as the school environment changed dramatically in 2020. This has sent the anxiety and stress levels of children through the roof,” she said.

“Parents have also come under stress, but I want to give them, and learners, a sense of hope. Instead of expecting high marks and overall excellence in performance, let us give the youth time to adjust and to find their feet. They need our support. Communicate your expectations lovingly. Don’t put too much pressure on your child,” added Bezuidenhout.

She said that while it was natural to feel some degree of anxiety before an exam, there are also some measures that can be followed to help alleviate nerves.

“Each person is unique. Often, we want to take hold of the one-size-fits-all approach. What works for one learner, will not necessarily work for another,” she said.

Some practical tips for learners and their parents:

Diet
A human being cannot perform at their best without proper nutrition. This is not the time for crash diets and litres of fizzy drinks. Healthy snacks and supplements are essential. Speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or health specialist for more help.

Consistency is key
Planning is critical. Work a few hours a day, instead of trying to cram in as much as possible the night before an exam. Each subject is divided into sections. Make a list of all of the sections that need to be studied and draw up a plan.

Workspace at home
Create a space at home where to study. A table with adequate lighting is important. Your bed is not an ideal study location.

Remove all distractions
Put away cellphones during your study time. Rather give these to your parents or guardians. Try to study mathematics first, while fresh, as it requires dedicated and consecrated focus.

Revision is key
Never throw away notes. Keep these in a file and take them out to study a particular section again for the exams. Too many students make fresh notes for each test and exam. This wastes valuable time.

The night before the exam
Try not to study a new section of work the night before the exam. Use this time to revise the work. Study a new section can add unnecessary stress.

The day of the exam
Keep a normal routine. Don’t skip breakfast or suddenly eat a huge plate of bacon and eggs when you are used to a bowl of cereal. Once you arrive at school talk about other things, rather than the upcoming test or exam.

A final word
Tests and exams are tools to show students what they understand, and it points out areas that need improvement. “Remember that we are all unique. It is far better to learn from mistakes and to try harder next time,” said Bezuidenhout.