Writing
exams
It’s exam time again. If you have teens at home, you’ll find that this
time of the year they’re moody, grumpy, non-communicable and emptying the
fridge contents into their stomachs. Teens get angry when you remind them they
should be studying (instead of watching TV), spend the night cram-studying and
then can’t understand why they can’t think straight the next morning!
Why is it that pre-schoolers are ultra-curious about the world they’re
living in, yet by the time they get to matric, most of them hate learning? I
think there is something seriously wrong with the school education system. Teens
should leave school wanting to learn, because after all, learning is what life
is all about.
How parents can help their
teenagers:
ü
Encourage
and motivate them without being pushy
ü
Don’t make
your teenager feel like a failure even before they’ve started writing exams
ü
Remind
them to make the most of the work they’ve done during the year, and not to abandon
the notes they’ve already made
ü
Remind
them that they have youth on their side – it’s easier for teenagers to learn
than it is for adults
ü
Let them
make the most of studying opportunities provided by the school / study notes /
revision programmes on TV
ü
Persuade
them (if possible) to switch off their cell phones while they’re studying.
Friends can be distracting
ü
To boost
their energy levels, make sure they’re eating properly. A short course of multi-vitamins
can help
ü
Secure a
quiet space for them to study and give them a break from regular chores around
the house
ü
Offer them
a reward/treat (irrespective of the results) when exams are over!
How teenagers can help
themselves:
ü
Learn to
manage your time according to the exam time-table. Prioritise which subjects
need the most attention
ü
Get into
the rhythm of a daily routine
ü
Mind-map
revision notes – these are easier to memorise
ü
Study
guides give you practical advice on how to answer papers. They also provide practice-questions
with answers at the back. If your answer was wrong, work out why it was so that
you don’t make the same mistake in the exam!
ü
Practice,
practice, practice
ü
Read
questions carefully – understand what’s being asked before launching into an
answer
ü
Take
regular breaks while you are studying – work for two hours with a fifteen-minute
break in between, and a half-hour break after studying for two hours
ü
During
your break do things you enjoy without sitting around – dance, play sport, listening
to music, take a walk around your neighbourhood
ü
Leave your
study notes on the morning of your exam! Nerves and anxiety will only stress
you more and confuse your brain
ü
When you
get to school, don’t discuss the exam with the other kids in your class – they
will only make you nervous. It’s better to spend this time quietly and on your
own.
Good Luck!
