{"id":355091,"date":"2022-01-12T10:25:39","date_gmt":"2022-01-12T08:25:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/?p=355091"},"modified":"2022-06-21T12:03:54","modified_gmt":"2022-06-21T10:03:54","slug":"7-point-plan-to-ace-matric","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/education\/7-point-plan-to-ace-matric\/","title":{"rendered":"The ultimate 7-point plan for getting the most out of your Matric Year"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"s1\">A plan to get the most out of the year<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Class of 2022, your time has come to graft and shine. Think of this year as the culmination of 12 years of dedication and effort. If you are feeling a bit daunted, this just means that it\u2019s something important. Reframe it as the opportunity to seize the year: plan ahead, so you never look back.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Vision: Let your values be the fuel that drives you toward your goals<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">We effectively use our time when we have inspired goals that are most aligned to our highest values. If you aren\u2019t quite sure what they are <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/drdemartini.com\/content\/values\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">use this tool <\/a><\/strong>to figure yours out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span class=\"s1\">Write down your goals\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span class=\"s1\">Create a Vision Board<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Place them where you see them daily. An example being, \u201cObtain an 80 percent average in Mathematics by year end\u201d. What\u2019s important is that the goals energize and excite. Your \u201cWhy\u201d is fuel for your actions. Make goals that are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><u>S<\/u><\/strong>pecific,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><u>M<\/u><\/strong>easurable,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><u>A<\/u><\/strong>ligned to your values,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><u>R<\/u><\/strong>ealistic<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><u>T<\/u><\/strong>ime Bound.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Create a vision board to allow you to be able to see your vision clearly and take time to seed the feeling of what it will be like to achieve your goal. Look at this board and seed often.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Structure: Plan your life, live your plan<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Create an action plan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Start with the end in mind.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Work backward from there.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Deconstruct into smaller actions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">I recommend the weekly scheduling template taken from \u201cThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People\u201d. Use the Eisenhower Decision Matrix to identify priorities. Listen to Tim Ferriss\u2019s podcast on the art and science of learning anything faster. There are many <a href=\"https:\/\/www.topuniversities.com\/blog\/top-time-management-apps-students-2015\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">time management apps<\/a> too!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Include time for study, breaks, leisure, fun etc. with the knowledge that if your main goals are focussed on academics a large part of your time will be devoted to studying and exam preparation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">3.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><span class=\"s1\">Find your flow<\/span><span class=\"s1\">: Master your mental &amp; emotional state<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-355295\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/meditate-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/meditate-1.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/meditate-1-300x176.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Anxiety and stress can be stifling and crippling if we allow it to get the better of us. Integrate a mindfulness practice into your daily routine. Apps like <a href=\"https:\/\/insighttimer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Insight Timer<\/a> are a great start as they have plenty of guided meditations that help to reduce distress and anxiety as well aid with better sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\">Begin the day with a morning ritual that really energizes you<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Perform activities and rituals that get you into \u201cthe zone, a.k.a \u201cFlow state\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wellness: You will never outwork a bad diet and lethargy<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Dedicate at least 45 minutes daily to being physically active.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Integrate a mindfulness practice such as tai chi or yoga that cultivates focus.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Consume organic fruit and vegetables and avoid highly processed foods.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Ditch sugar, if nothing else.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Healthy eating and exercise energize the body and strengthen the mind, resulting in greater and faster learning and memory retention.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Focus: Eliminate distractions. Avoid multitasking<\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Once down to a task, remove distractions. Find solitude. Turn off technology. Work for at least 45 minutes at a time. Use the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rescuetime.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RescueTime<\/a> app if needed to cut out digital distractions.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">There is power in focus.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tribe: You are the average of\u00a0 5 people you spend most time with<\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Do not expect to be in the club of high performers if you spend most of your time surrounding yourself with mediocrity. You truly are the average of the 5 people that you spend most time with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Choose your company wisely. Hang out with high performers<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Stay away from the \u2018Chicken Littles\u2019 who on the day of exams are panic stricken because they haven\u2019t adequately prepared.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">7.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Practice under exam conditions<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-355308\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/try-fail-success-post-1030x689-2-1024x489.jpeg\" alt=\"plan\" width=\"800\" height=\"382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/try-fail-success-post-1030x689-2-1024x489.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/try-fail-success-post-1030x689-2-300x143.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/try-fail-success-post-1030x689-2-768x367.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/try-fail-success-post-1030x689-2.jpeg 1026w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Prepare yourself for exams and tests by finding all previous exam and test material and going through it under exam conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">This will give insight into how you manage your time and emotions and will allow you to then adjust or eliminate any patterns that do not serve you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The best way to perform better in exams is to do many more exams under exam conditions. <\/span><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Don&#8217;t practise until you get it right. Practise until you can&#8217;t get it wrong.<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Contact Easy As Pi Learning Services on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/listing\/easy-as-pi-learning\/\">Jozikids<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>Note: If you enjoyed this article, and would like to stay updated with more, you can:<\/em><\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Subscribe to our free weekly Jozikids\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/member-registration\/\"><em>newsletter<\/em><\/a><em>\u00a0 for parents in Gauteng<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Like us on <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/jozikids.co.za\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Facebook<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li><em>Follow us on\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/jozikids?igshid=1n8cwedrewul\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Instagram<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Acing matric means being prepared from the onset. Use these tips to plan ahead for the year so you never have to look back!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":287,"featured_media":355319,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[223,957],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-355091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-learning"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/355091","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/287"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=355091"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/355091\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":360060,"href":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/355091\/revisions\/360060"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/355319"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=355091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=355091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=355091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}