Congratulations, you have made it to matric. Now that you’ve made it to your final year of school, you should breathe a sigh of relief. However, there’s still much to do before this school year ends—which can bring stress and anxiety.
As stressful as your matric year might be, there are ways to stay calm and get to the finish line victorious. In this blog, we share tips that help you stay calm during your matric year so you can succeed.
Avoid unnecessary stress
Many students become stressed and anxious during their matric year as they worry about passing and entering university. While this is important and should be a concern, having a concrete plan from the beginning of the academic year can lessen the stress and burden on students.
Have an overall idea of your curriculum and what will be covered throughout the year. A complete picture of what you must do and how to succeed will help you stay calm and plan your study time properly.
SPEAK to your teachers
Have a conversation with each of your teachers about your subjects. Your teachers already know your strengths based on your previous year’s results. Chat with them about how you can improve on subjects that you might be struggling with and how you can excel at the ones you are already good at. Your teachers can also help you create an effective study plan and close gaps if you have any.
Have a social life
Having a social life might sound like a bad idea considering the amount of work you must accomplish as a matric student; however, being social will help you distress and balance your school and personal life. Finding things to do that make you forget about schoolwork for a little while is an excellent way to help you stay calm. Find something that you enjoy doing, like a drama club, sports, or participation in a debate team are some of the fun activities that you can do to help you relax and stay calm.
Get your parents involved
While most are all on you to pass your grades and ensure you obtain your matric certificate, your parents also have a significant role in ensuring you succeed. Let your parents know what you need from them. Speaking to your parents will help set clear expectations regarding what they can expect from you.
For instance, when you have to study, your parents will know they need to give you space to study in peace and ensure that the home environment is conducive.
Have an open conversation with your parents about everything, from your study time, resources you need for studying, and areas you are struggling with and need their assistance, and speak openly about everything. Opening up to your parents will help them plan for resources, as some might require funds from their end.
Look after your mental health
Getting your matric certificate is essential, but so is your mental health. Set realistic expectations for yourself, and don’t overburden yourself. The minute you see that you are struggling, speak to an adult you trust; this could be your parent, teacher or school counsellor. Ensuring you look after your mental health will help you succeed, as you won’t constantly be overthinking everything. Eat healthily and keep your body moving. Good nutrition is linked to better performance at school. Lastly, ensure enough rest between studying and getting good sleep.
Celebrate the small wins
You’ve made it this far, which is a significant accomplishment, and you should be proud of yourself. While you focus on getting good grades, passing your exams and gaining entry into university, remember to celebrate yourself for all the hard work you’ve put in throughout your high school life.
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