Exam time is around the corner and if you haven’t already started, it is time to start preparing for the next few weeks of studying and hard work. As always, we are striving to make this experience as easy as possible for you. As such, we have created an official Get Smart Tutors study timetable together with a UCT graduate. Follow the steps below to ensure that you are fully prepared to begin studying!
- Creating your study timetable
Step 1: Print out the Get Smart Tutors template below and lay it out in front of you.
Step 2: Fill in the dates and times of all your exams.
Step 3: On a separate piece of paper, write out each subject as a title and underneath the title, write out all the sections you are required to learn.
Step 4: Have a look through all the sections and put a star next to the ones you struggle with and might need to spend some more time working on.
Step 5: Start to fill up your days with ‘study sessions’ consisting of the sections that you will complete on that day. A study session should be no longer than approximately 45 minutes before you take a short break to refresh your mind and body (this time period varies depending on the age of the learner). Remember that on school days, you will likely be tired so be careful not to overdo it. However, your weekends should consist of at least four or five study sessions per day. If you are a bit younger (or if your child is younger), feel free to ask an adult for help with structuring this – it can be tricky!
Step 6: Once you have completed your study timetable, stick it up on top of your desk or in your study file and as each day goes by, cross it off and cross each section off on your separate sheet of paper. This will certainly provide you with a sense of progress and confidence in anticipation of upcoming exams.
Side note: If you don’t manage to stick to the timetable exactly, don’t let this stress you out. The timetable is just a guide to help you stay on track. You can change it around as you need.
Some other useful tips:
- Create a study file
I have found that a study file made everything so much easier whilst I was studying. I bought file dividers and each divider represented a different subject and every time I made notes in that subject or had notes I needed to study, I would file it under the subject. It helped to keep everything in order and I never lost my notes.
- Stationery
Stationery is a vital part of the studying process. Possessing the necessary stationery helped me to feel motivated as well as encouraged me to make notes. I was always so proud of my notes. Make sure you have the following to ensure your notes are ideal to study from:
- An exam pad (to make your notes on). Depending on how old you are, some people prefer to have a notebook per subject.
- A range of highlighters.
- Colourful pens for headings and underlining.
- Enough pens for studying and for when you are writing exams.
Lastly, GOOD LUCK! Another post will be coming soon on things to do to keep the stress levels down and to ensure you are studying in a productive way.
This guide was created by a qualified business science graduate of the University of Cape Town.
