Ten things a Home School matric student can do to get their learning on track

March 26, 2024

Part 1

As the year progresses, the pressure grows on matric students studying at home to complete the work in time for the exam. It is essential that they pause and spend time planning and creating a structure to manage the rest of the year to avoid a time crunch at exam time. Homeschooling gives students the unique advantage of working at their own pace and the best time of the day. Here are some ideas that you can use to get your learning on track.

1. Review the syllabus:

Take some time to review the matric syllabus and get a clear understanding of the topics you will be tested on in your final exams. It would be best to look at the deadlines for portfolio work during the year. Some subjects allow you to choose the work you want to include in the portfolio. For example, you may write four tests but only must submit two.

2. Close your gaps:

If you can improve or redo work after it has been marked the first time, make sure you use that opportunity. Even if your mark does not change, you will close gaps in your learning and improve your chances of passing the exam.

3. Make a study plan:

Create a study plan that outlines how you will use your time to prepare for your exams. Be sure to include specific portfolio deadlines goals and deadlines. You can use a simple spreadsheet as below.

4. Attend extra classes:

Consider attending additional courses or workshops educational institutions offer. There are television channels and free resources on the DBE website. This can help you better understand complex topics and receive guidance from experienced teachers.

You can download the DBE guides here:
https://www.education.gov.za/Curriculum/LearningandTeachingSupportMaterials(LTSM)/MindtheGapStudyGuides.aspx

5. Join a study group:

Form or join a study group with other matric students to discuss complex concepts, share study materials and support each other. If you cannot find anyone to work with, you can use the Feynman technique to simulate the effect of being in a study group.

Learn more here: https://youtu.be/B8V5EfJLX9U?feature=shared

6. Use past papers:

Practice using past papers to familiarise yourself with the format of exam questions and develop strategies for answering them. Start by focusing on a specific section of the paper and build up to writing the whole thing. If you are in a study group, swap and mark each other’s papers and then discuss the marks you gave each other.

DBE papers are available here: https://www.education.gov.za/Curriculum/NationalSeniorCertificate(NSC)Examinations/tabid/338/Default.aspx

IEB papers can be found at this site: https://www.sapapers.co.za/ieb

7. Work on weak areas:

Identify your weak areas and spend extra time studying and practising them. This will help you improve your overall performance in the exam. It would be best if you were strategic about this. You can waste time working on something that will only count a few marks while ignoring something that may be more difficult but is worth a lot more marks.

8. Take breaks:

Remember to take regular intervals to avoid burnout and maintain your concentration. Use breathing techniques and mindfulness exercises. This is a great YouTube channel to follow: https://youtube.com/@yogawithadriene?feature=shared

Sleep and diet are the two things that will give you the stamina to succeed. Avoid energy drinks and eat low-GI meals. You can read this article to find out more: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/brain-food-for-studying

9. Use AI as a tutor:

Use educational apps and online resources to supplement your studies and make learning more engaging. Do not use AI to write your essays or do your homework. If you can get away with it, you will gain in the short term but fail the exam. Here is an excellent example of how you can prompt the AI to be a tutor instead:

10. Stay motivated:

Set realistic goals, track your progress, and stay motivated. Remember that consistent effort is critical to success in the final exams. A cognitive concept called ‘Spacing’ is proven to positively affect memory retention and use what you know to solve problems. Spacing is the opposite of Cramming and requires that you create and execute a study plan that is regulated and repetitive.

You can find out more here: https://youtu.be/cVf38y07cfk?feature=shared

Evolve Online has produced a series of podcasts to support our matrics. You can find us on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@evolveonlineschool7450) or find our podcasts on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2ftE2D89vLoAKkE5ASOWXL?si=92eafff5f680480f)

Colin Northmore

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