LIFESTYLE NEWS - Grade 12 learners are facing their most important exams. They should channel the excitement this brings into reaching their potential, even at this late stage, says Roger Jacobs of the Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs) department at Eden and Central Karoo Education District.

Jacobs gave a few tips for matrics to ready themselves for the last big exam of their school careers. 

"Firstly, learners must look after themselves by drinking lots of water, eat healthily, and get enough sleep and physical exercise. They should be careful not to reward themselves with too many sugary or fatty snacks or study late into the night."

He says from time to time, learners should get outside and enjoy the sunshine - instead of hunching over their textbooks the whole day - without feeling guilty. "Remember, vitamin D is important for a healthy brain."

Another big tip, says Jacobs, is that one should find your personal best study time, whether early in the morning, in the afternoon or late at night. Learners should not push themselves to study too late because it can make them too tired to study effectively over a longer period. 

"While you may think it's best to study for as many hours as possible, this can actually be counterproductive. Furthermore, research has shown that for long-term retention of knowledge, taking regular breaks is good."

Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), says the department is committed to supporting the National Senior Certificate (NSC) candidates in every possible way to pass matric and to achieve excellent results. 

"To help candidates to pass their matric, we have created a special website to help candidates prepare for the examinations. Candidates can visit the website." 

The website offers information like advice from those who excelled in last year's exams, along with the exam timetable and information on bursaries and loans for studying after school. 

"The importance of practising exam questions cannot be emphasised enough. This is why the WCED has made past exam papers available to all learners." 

The department wishes all schools and all candidates every success as they enter the home straight before the start of the NSC examinations.

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