Matric students, with your finals just around the corner, you might be feeling overwhelmed, stressed and panicked. That’s totally understandable and we’re here to help you calm down and prepare well. Today we’re laying out some oh-so-simple and practical things you can do to make sure you’re as prepared as you can be for your Matric Finals. We’ve even created a nighttime routine for the night before each exam, to make sure you get a full night’s sleep and wake up feeling rested and ready to ace your exams! 

These tips are used by our top qualified Teach Me 2 Tutors when they coach students for exams! So, if you’d like to go from feeling under pressure and underprepared to feeling totally in charge, on top of your study load and ready to conquer your Matric Finals, then keep on reading.

1. Make a study timetable

Time management is absolutely crucial to nailing your Matric finals. If you get into a good habit of using your time well, you will set yourself up for success in the future! Use a digital or printed calendar to keep track of the exams you’re writing and when you’re writing them. Visual learners, colour coding your timetable will make it visually appealing and easier to read. You could use a colour for each subject or a colour coded way of knowing which subjects and study sessions require more time. Once you’ve got your timetable, set aside time to study for each exam. This will help you to see how far along you are and how much time you’ve got to work with.

2. Give yourself lots of time

We can’t stress this enough! For the sake of your mental health and your Matric Finals results, don’t wait until the last minute to start preparing and studying. Set the right tone for your study sessions and overall studying experience by getting started promptly. Procrastination will not help you, so start studying as far in advance as you can. Giving yourself plenty of time will prevent you from feeling like you need to cram all your studying into a short space of time. 

If you struggle with procrastination, consider the Pomodoro Method. It goes like this:

Step 1: Pick a task

Step 2: Set a 25 minute timer

Step 3: Work on your task until the time is up

Step 4: Take a 5 minute break

Step 5: Every 4 pomodoros, take a longer 15-30 minute break

3. Revise the content

Revisit everything you’ve learnt throughout the year. To do this, go through all the handwritten notes you’ve been taking in class, as well as textbooks and material your teachers have given to you. Re-read all the notes and take stock of anything you feel you have missed, for example, lessons you were absent for or notes you have misplaced. If needed, speak with your teacher and ask to chat through anything you’ve missed. 

Go through your textbook and notes to familiarise yourself with terminology, theories and concepts. You’d kick yourself if you realised the answer to a question was straight from the textbook!

4. Take practice tests

Did you know that the more you are exposed to information, the more you will absorb it? Involve your senses while studying and try testing yourself in different ways. This could be with songs and rhyming, flashcards or good old fashioned practice tests! Practice tests are a brilliant way to help you identify areas that you still need to focus on. This will help you improve effectiveness and give you an opportunity to interact with the material. 

Follow this link to view official past Matric papers that you can download. 

5. Create a good study space

To optimise your studying, we recommend finding a quiet area that’s comfortable and organised. Set up a desk area, eliminate distractions and personalise the space. Some find that being near a window is helpful, while others prefer a desk space that is clear, open and minimal. Whatever your preference, make sure your space is organised and inspiring. 

Expert tip: Don’t study in bed! You want to associate your bed with good sleep (more on this later) and not with studying. Sitting at a desk will help you to study with the correct posture and this signals to your brain that you’re in study mode! 

6. Prepare study snacks

Snacking will help keep you alert which will do wonders for your study sessions. We know that some coffee is helpful, but try your best not to have too much caffeine or sugar. Instead, opt for more nutritious snacks to keep you feeling physically and mentally at your peak. Nutrient dense foods will also keep you full for longer, give you more energy and higher stamina levels, so you won’t be walking to the fridge every 20 minutes. Some suggestions include: nuts and seeds, berries, dark chocolate, eggs, cheese, greek yoghurt, olives, and of course, lots and lots of water!

7. Take breaks

Study breaks are great for your brain, your ability to retain information and your mental health. The key is to use your breaks strategically. So instead of spending an hour scrolling through social media, allow yourself to read or watch an episode of your favourite TV show, go for a walk, exercise, eat something nutritious or spend time with your family. Find a rhythm that works for you, but make sure your breaks are consistent. You could do 25 minutes of studying, then take a 5 minute break, or 50 minutes of studying, followed by a 10 minute break. 

8. Prioritise sleep

Pulling an all-nighter won’t help you retain the information as much as having a good night’s sleep will! Do you want to walk into the exam room looking and feeling like a zombie or would you prefer to be alert, awake and able to recall the information you’ve studied? We bet it’s the latter! Make sure sleep is a priority throughout your preparation for Matric Finals and aim for 8 hours each night, even the night before an exam. 

9. Have a good “night before” routine

What you do the night before each Matric Final exam can make or break your performance. You could spend the night cramming or you could follow our advice and create a routine that will set you up for success. 

Do these things the night before each exam:

• Read over your summary notes
• Eat dinner and don’t skip your meals
• Pack your things, lay out your clothes, water bottle, extra pencils, calculator etc
• Set your alarm clock, giving yourself plenty of time to read over your notes again, eat breakfast and get ready in the morning
• Sleep - a full 8 hours! Unwind before you go to bed, don’t just roll from the desk to the bed. 

10. Get a Tutor

One of the most effective ways to study, revise and recall information is to enlist the help of somebody who understands the content better than you do! Teach Me 2 online Tutors will create a study timetable, help you develop a study routine, create mock tests to confirm what information you’ve absorbed and what you need to revise, and they will customise everything to suit your study needs. This will allow you to get ahead and have a good heads up on your studying, not only so you can cover content for your Matric Finals, but you’ll be learning study skills and tricks to equip you for the rest of your university career as well! Teach Me 2 Tutors are experts who have experience with this exact thing, having been through it before! 

We have online tutors available as well as tutors in Johannesburg, tutors in Pretoria, tutors in Durban and tutors in Cape Town