Matric Mastery – A Guide for Students and Parents

It’s that time of year when hundreds of thousands of South African matric students face their final school exams. Devising a study plan and schedule and setting the scene to optimise exam preparation in the weeks ahead will 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.

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. The student needs to take charge of their study plan and its implementation, but there’s so much that an informed parent can do to help. 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. 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.

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.

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.

When it comes to 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.

Working from rest

Educational Psychologist, Dr Genevieve Da Silva will be joining the SACAP Mastering Matric webinar panel to share her expertise in taking a holistic, self-care approach for both parents and matric learners during this high-stress exam period.

It’s inevitable that some days, the learner won’t be able to achieve everything, and that’s when it becomes important to choose what you prioritize. An exhausted brain and body cannot study well and retain information, so working from rest is foundational. We have a few daily priorities starting with sufficient sleep and then including good nutrition, drinking lots of plain water, some exercise, getting a bit of sunshine, and socialising. 

There are smart ways to tick these off in one go.  For example, taking a daily walk outside with a family member or a friend can tick many of these boxes, especially if you take a water bottle and a peach with you. It sounds simple, but when most of us ‘take a break’, it’s almost second nature now to first grab our phone. It is important to recognise this and make an effort to avoid digital distractions.

Parents of matric students must also focus on their self-care during the matric exam period. Even though our children are a reflection of us, they are not us. A big part of exam season is to be able to separate ourselves from our children.  While we are supporting them and seeing them through this final push of matric, we cannot pick it up and carry the weight for them. We need to ask ourselves – what do I need as a parent to function well in supporting my child and family in this high-stress season?

A helpful strategy is to remind yourself that matric exams are not the centre of your life; they are centre of your child’s life, not yours. The whole family has needs and parents need to keep in balance and take on an executive role that best meets everyone’s needs because life can’t go off the rails for everyone.

So, parents need to be thinking about how the person needing the most support gets that, but everyone else remains in balance. Focusing on open and constructive communication is important. Under stress, it is all too easy to negatively offload each other, creating an adverse environment.

While you want a situation where your matric child expresses their challenges, fears, and anxieties to you, you need to have your discreet support system in place when you need to unpack yours. An important aspect of providing effective support to your child in matric is having a clear plan for your self-care and managing your stress.

Join the panel for robust conversations at the SACAP Matric Mastery – A Guide for Students and

Parents Webinar:

Date: 14th September 2024

Time: 10:00 – 11:30

Register for free here