Mastering matric – SACAP’s guide for parents & teens
It’s that time of year when hundreds of thousands of South African matric students are facing down their final school exams. Devising a study plan and schedule and setting the scene to optimise exam preparation in weeks ahead is going to be foundational for matric success. For these digital natives though, there’s a tsunami of study tips and hacks flooding their digital platforms, and it’s important to rather turn to evidence-based advice from qualified experts. While their parents will no doubt instinctively draw on their own experience of writing matric exams, the reality is that the rapid digital transformation since then means that their teens will be navigating matric in a very different time. Both parents and students today need to tap into relevant evidence-based study advice because this is no time for experimenting with fads or trying to drag old solutions into the knowledge era. Debunking study myths, comparing study approaches based on statistics and understanding digital and AI study tools are some of the topics of conversation at the upcoming SACAP (South African College of Applied Psychology) webinar – Matric Mastery – A Guide for Students and Parents. The hour and a half session features three top SACAP experts who are leading the conversations of how parents and teens can go beyond surviving matric exam season to thrive. The SACAP webinar takes place from 10:00 – 11:30 on 14th September 2024, and registration is free to all South African parents and matric students. Jogini Packery, a qualified counselling psychologist and the Head of SACAP’s Johannesburg campus says, “A frequent misconception among parents is that more study time automatically equals better performance. While it’s natural to want your child to put in the effort, overemphasizing long hours of study without sufficient breaks can harm their performance. It’s important for parents and their matric students to be on the same page when it comes to planning matric exam time and navigating it as a team. This year’s webinar gives parents and matric students a unique opportunity to be on the same call with the experts, hearing the same advice and participating together in the Q&A. It sets the stage for mutual understanding and collaboration during the exam period which can help to define roles and expectations, to open up communications and avoid unnecessary tension and anxiety during an already stressful time.” The critical role of the parent of a Matric is one of support. It’s important for the student to take charge of their study plan and its implementation, but there’s so much that an informed parent can do to help. Jogini says, “Encourage your child to take regular breaks, get enough sleep, and maintain a healthy balance with activities they enjoy. Supporting their well-being holistically is key to their success during this critical time, and no one can play this role as well as a parent can.” Debunking study myths – has your child burned out before? Study practices like cramming and marathon study sessions often backfire, leading to fatigue, poor retention and the risk of anxiety in the exam room. On the other hand, a consistent, well-structured study routine promotes confidence, and is far more beneficial than last-minute panic. Jogini says, “In my experience, the most effective strategies for exam preparation involve a balanced approach that combines active learning techniques like practice tests, study groups and teaching others with adequate breaks, individual revision sessions and time for rest. Techniques such as the Pomodoro method can help students maintain focus and prevent burnout. It is also a way to stay goal-driven and externally motivated. “One common study myth that I often encounter is the belief that re-reading notes multiple times is the best way to absorb information. While re-reading can be helpful, it’s far more effective to engage in active recall which means testing yourself on the material or teaching it to someone else as this engages your senses to bring the work to life. This approach forces the brain to retrieve information, strengthening memory and understanding in a way that passive reading simply can’t match.” Do digital and AI study tools help or hinder? With so many different approaches to studying, it can be challenging for learners to know which methods are most effective. Educational Psychologist and SACAP lecturer, Juan-Pierre Moller will be taking the lead in the Mastering Matric webinar conversation on the topics of approaches to studying and using AI tutors to facilitate matric studies. He says, “Each unique individual should find the learning style that is connected to the most appealing domain of the multiple intelligences, to discover what is the most effective for them. There is no one-size-fits-all. However, studies recommend using a multimodal learning style to activate numerous brain regions at the same time. This will allow students to remember the most information over the long-term most effectively. Make it fun for you, make the work understandable for you and imagine how you can apply this in a real-life situation. Cognitive Learning Theory suggests that when learners are actively involved in their own learning, they retain more, so multimodal assignments are likely to create better results. Personally, I think that social media usage predisposes current adolescents to be comfortable using devices not just to socialise, but also to study. So, parents must make space for their kids learning differently from how they once approached their matric exams.” When it comes digital and AI study tools, Juan-Pierre will share a comprehensive list of what is currently available at the SACAP Matric Mastery webinar. He highlights the importance of using these tools as learning aids, not to do the work that needs to be done by the student. He says, “It’s important to learn from AI, rather than depending on it to apply the skill for you. We know that parents are concerned about AI’s impact on children and teens, but few of them have a detailed understanding of AI. So, parents need to get a grasp on the way their children use these
