Home ParentingEducation A student’s guide to making the grade in 2023

A student’s guide to making the grade in 2023

by Zahid Jadwat

With the excitement of the holidays fast fading, thousands of pupils return to school for the 2023 academic year. Some are new, many have been here before. Some will go to school with excitement, others will dread those long hours in a classroom (or on Zoom!). Whatever it is, it’s always great to come prepared.

We often consider education as an information-learning experience, but it’s just as much about cultivating discipline and other life skills as it is about knowledge. That’s according to Mariam Mia, an educational presenter at Salaamedia.

“[It’s] nothing about learning content, but guiding a child towards responsible adulthood so that they are equipped then to be able to face the challenges of adulthood; become the positive contributing members of society in whatever field they choose,” she said.

For Grade 12 pupil Erin Van As, from Mpumalanga, 2023 promises to be a busy year with much to look forward to. She says she expects it to be “a weird year”.

“It’ll be weird because there will be some parts of it that will feel like a normal school year (lessons and workload and students) but also not a normal school year because of things like ‘year of-‘ jerseys, goodbyes and matric exams,” she explains.

Another Grade 12 pupil, from Gauteng, who attends an online school, warns fellow learners about the importance of discipline.

“Online school will most likely make you do more work than a brick-and-mortar school, because it makes you solely responsible for your time management, focus and consistency, routine and social interaction,” said Lesego Phokela.

 


Time management

One of the most important things for students to remember is to set clear goals and prioritising your tasks. Start by creating a schedule that includes your classes, study sessions, and leisure activities.

When drawing up a plan for how you’d spend time – a routine – it is also important to take regular breaks and make time for self-care to avoid burnout.

“It’s a big adjustment and if not handled correctly, it could be extremely painful,” said Phokela.

 

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Balancing academics and rest in 2023

In order to thrive academically, it is vital that you take time to rest and restore healthy mental wellbeing. To achieve this, we must set boundaries and stick to them.

Linking with time management, this means setting aside specific times for studying, and making sure to take time to relax and recharge. Additionally, it is important to prioritise your health by getting enough sleep (no less than seven hours!), eating well, and exercising regularly.

Outside of the classroom, Mia encourages us to “allow opportunities to engage in as much educational experience for adulthood as possible”. More specifically, this could mean participating in local volunteer activities.


Develop a routine – and stick to it!

An important part of making the grade in 2023 is developing a routine that works for you and sticking to it. Two key aspects of this are consistency and persistence.

This means setting regular study times and sticking to them, as well as setting up a study environment that is conducive to learning. Furthermore, it is important to develop good study habits, such as taking notes, summarising information, and reviewing material regularly.

“Consistency is key,” agrees Grade 11 pupil Ismaeel Vahed from KwaZulu-Natal.

“Work hard from the first day. Create a daily routine and stick to it, manage your time and keep a balance between work and play. Set goals and keep them close to you, remind yourself of them and work towards them everyday,” he says.

An important reminder from Mia is that you should try your best, but avoid measuring your self-worth and potential against your grades.

“Your accolades at school are no determination of how you’re going to contribute positively to society and what type of person you’re going to be later in life. Those rewards systems for me are very fickle and narrow-minded,” she said.

By implementing these suggestions – along with whatever else works for you – and giving it all you’ve got, you stand a good chance of making the grade in 2023. Even if you don’t quite get it right, know that you’ve tried.


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