STUDY METHODS

Compiled by: Mrs. Liezl Avenant

2. GOALS 3. TIME MANAGEMENT

A goal is something that gives you direction  Time management can help you use your time more
What are we going to discuss? and focus to help you in reaching your final effectively.
1. Motivation destination.  How do I use my time? See the diagram underneath and
2. Setting of goals How do we set goals? By using the SMART think about how YOU use your time:
method:
3. Time manage- Number of hours
ment
4. Techniques Sleep (8)
School (7)
5. How do I study Languages? Homework (3)
Relax (2)
6. How do I study Mathematics and Sci- Sport (2)
ences? Eat (1)
Transport (1)
7. What must I do before and after a test?
8. Examples of a study timetable
 Now complete your own diagram and write your activities
next to the diagram.
1. MOTIVATION
Motivation plays a big

part in the studying pro-

cess. Goals must be SPECIFIC. They must be MEAS-
URABLE, ACHIEVABLE, REALISTIC and must be
Get motivated by:
linked to TIME.
1.1 Controlling your thoughts —think positively
E.g. I want to achieve 55% for my English es-
1.2 Setting goals say that I have to submit on 5 September.
4.1 KEYWORD TECHNIQUE

4. TECHNIQUE
4.4 MIND MAPS
 Mind maps help you to summarise
4.1.1 Identify the your work in a creative manner.
keywords and use only these in your How do I make a mind map?
4.3 VISUALISING TECHNIQUE
summaries.
This is a technique through which you use some- 1. Write the title of the subject you
4.1.2 Using keywords only will lessen your are busy with, in the centre of the
thing familiar to which information is
work and make it easier to remember. linked and then placed in your famil- page and encircle it.
EXAMPLE iar environment. 2. Draw more large circles on your
Plants need sunlight to grow and they will Steps: page, one for each main topic.
even grow in the direction of the sunlight. This 1. Identifiy the keywords you have to remem- 3. Now write all the facts under the
is called phototropism. ber. E.g. Phototropism. correct main topic.
Summary with keywords: 2. Now form an image in your 4. Remember to use single, strong
head of the keyword. E.g.
Plants grow towards sunlight = phototropism. words or images.
3. Put this image in your familiar
5. Use lots of colour and use pictures
environment. Do this with all your key-
to help you remember.
4.2 THE PRINCETON METHOD
words.

This method is used to summarise your work and makes 4. Close your eyes and “walk” through your
revision during exams easy. environment, put down the keywords as
you walk and try to remember.
Steps:

1. Read through the piece of work in your book.

2. Divide a page into three columns.

Phototropism Plant grows Phototropism,

Write all the Make your The last column
towards sun photosynthesis and
main headings summaries in is for notes when
photoperiodism
in this column this column you do revision
everything relating
to sunlight
LANGUAGE 5. HOW DO I STUDY LITERATURE STUDY (Grade 10—Grade 12)
Start by writing down everything you have to study. E.g. Literature work includes stories, dramas and poems.
Verbs p. 35-38 Summarised already
LANGUAGES? Steps to follow in the studying of literature:

Nouns p. 66-68 Still struggling with class nouns 1. Read the text a couple of times and make sure
you know the content very well.
 Use your language homework book when you study and
make sure that it is always up to date. 2. Stay up to date with your class notes and study
 Create practise examples of the different language con- them when preparing for a test.
cepts.
3. Make summaries of every chapter/character/
 In language work it is best to write down your work while story/poem.
you study.
4. Know the technical aspects of the text and
 Practise old exam papers and exercises from your summarise them for yourself.
language textbook.

COMPREHENSION TEST
CREATIVE WRITING How should I complete a comprehension test?
Make sure that you have an example of every type of writing that could be expected of you. Steps:
e.g. Narrative writing, descriptive writing, discursive writing, etc. 1. Read through the text twice, circle/highlight the
Follow the following steps to write an essay: keywords while reading through each paragraph.
1. Plan—What do you have to write about? Whom do you have to write about? What do you have to 2. Read the questions carefully and encircle the key-
write? What happened and how? Gather all these information.
words in the questions.
2. Next you plan what your introduction will be, what your content will be and how your story will end.
Use all the information you gathered in step 1 to outline your essay. 3. Read through every question twice before
attempting an answer.
3. First write the rough draft of your essay and revise your spelling. Then rewrite it neatly.

4. It is always easier to get higher marks for a narrative essay than for a discursive essay. 4. Remember always to answer in full sentences.

5. Use descriptive language, idioms and imagery in your creative writing.

6. HOW DO I STUDY MATHEMATICS? 8. Study timetables (See Annexure A)
Mathematics is a subject requiring a lot of practice and repetition. Mathematics has a lot Monthly Calendar:
of technical aspects and sometimes you have to use extra help to aid you in this area.  Write down all important dates that cannot be
Mathematics gets easier the more you practise. Do old exam papers and exercises. This is moved, such as tests and assignments that must be
handed in.
the secret to success. Even if your answer is wrong, it is worth your while to try.
 Put up the calendar where you see it regularly.
Never give up!
Weekly Calendar:
 Write down all activities you will do during the week
and link them to times.

 Make sure you don’t just plan time for homework.

You must also study all work done in class every day.

 The secret to studying work done in class easily, is to

concentrate 100% in class.

7. WHAT DO I DO BEFORE AND AFTER A TEST OR EXAM?

Before the test or exam: In the exam room:

 Make sure you know what subject you are writing,  Make sure you put all the
what you have to study and when you are writing. things you will need on your
desk.
 You will find exams much easier if you study the work
you have done in class every day during the term.  Read through the question paper
and make sure you know how
 Practise old exam papers and exercises in your text-
much time you have to answer.
book (in this way you become accustomed to the way
the questions.
in which questions are asked).
 Do not worry if you cannot do
 Make sure that you go through all your work.
something, go on and return to
 The evening before the test, pack everything you will the question at the end.
need.
 Stay calm.
 Sleep well the night before the exam and eat breakfast.
ANNEXURE A

EXAMPLE: MONTHLY CALENDAR

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 3 SS Assign- 4 5 6

7 8 Music Festival 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 Mom’s 17 18 Maths Test 19 20

birthday

21 22 23 24 Exams begin 25 Afr Exam 26 NS exam 27

28 29 SS exam 30 Block

EXAMPLE: WEEKLY PLANNING

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

07:00—14:00 School School School School School Gala Visit Grandma

14:00—15:00 Rugby Study Rugby Study Study

15:00—16:00 Homework Homework Homework Athletics Go home early

16:00—17:00 Study Study Study Study

17:00—18:00 Relax Relax Relax Relax

18:00—19:00 Eat and bath Eat and bath Eat and bath Eat and bath

19:00—20:00 Revision Summaries Revision Summaries

20:00—21:00 Go to bed Go to bed Go to bed Go to bed