Matric is an important time, as a lot of decisions about the future weigh on your exam results. These exam results can be used for admission into university and college as well as learnerships, internships and other work-based learning opportunities.
This is why it’s important to find the right study method for you.
Although it can take a while to finally find the right study method, exploring unconventional study methods is a good way to have fun in the process of studying.
Understanding your learning style
There are four types of learning styles which can be used to describe how you learn best.
- Visual
- Auditory
- Read/Write
- Kinaesthetic
A visual learning style means you learn best by seeing and observing things. Diagrams, mind maps and pictures are among some of the techniques used in this learning style.
On the other hand, the auditory learning style better describes learners who prefer listening and other sound-related study techniques.
The third learning style refers to those who prefer learning by reading/writing. While this might seem similar to the visual learning style, this learning style best describes those who prefer to write on what they’ve learned and read up on further research.
The kinaesthetic learning style is all about movement, so doing activities such as dancing or exercising while studying can help you grasp certain concepts better..
Unconventional study methods
With that in mind, here are a few study methods that you can use:
1. Study on the move
Take a stroll and try to memorise some key study points while you’re on the move. Make sure to do this in an area that is not too crowded and stay on alert for cars and any other moving vehicles.
2. Singing/rhyming
Make a rhyming tune to help you remember some key points from your study notes. If it’s catchy enough, you’ll be likely to remember it.
3. Study everyday
It’s important to pace yourself and study a bit of content every day in small sections. This can go a long way in reinforcing some concepts that you’d struggle with in bulk learning.
4. Teach inanimate objects
If you don’t have a study partner, you can grab any item close to you and recite any concepts you’ve learned. Being able to learn something well enough to teach it to someone/something else is a good sign of how well you’re grasping concepts.
5. Study before bed
Taking a look at your study notes before sleeping can help you remember the information. This is a good way to remember concepts that you’re struggling to grasp when your brain is at its most active.
You don’t have to stick to one study method, you can play around and use more than one, if not all methods. Some methods might be more appropriate for certain subjects than others.
