South Otago High School
Term 4 is always a busy one and as senior students prepare for the end of year exams you might be wondering how you can help them.
The NCEA Exam Timetable is attached and making a study timetable is a good place to start. You could help your child with this by printing a calendar which takes them through till the end of the exam period (November 28th).
How to make a study timetable and begin studying:
1. Begin by marking in the dates and times of each subject's exam.
2. Make a list of the papers/standards you are sitting, for example if you take English you will have 2 papers to complete in the English exam time slot. You should know by now, but if you can't remember, check your course outlines or ask your teacher.
3. Make a list of skills or tasks you will have to complete for each standard. For example in English you will be writing an essay - you will need to practise identifying the key words of the question, remembering quotes or film techniques, remembering themes and the author/director's purpose and practise essay writing. These lists are the things you will use to actually "do the study". If you make a list of things to do, when you sit down to study you can get straight to it instead of procrastinating or figuring out what to do.
4. Work backwards from each exam and allocate time to study specific subjects on your calendar. If you have made a plan of what to do when it helps reduce procrastination and the overwhelm of deciding.
5. Create a work space free from distractions if possible so you have a space you will learn to associate with study which will hopefully help you concentrate.
6. Start studying :)
Another thing you could do is help your child check their devices:
If your child is sitting a digital exam (on their computer) they have been shown this website and a video showing them how to navigate the NZQA exam platform. It is also important they check their device is compatible - there is a link on this page they can use to do so. Students should know if they are sitting a digital or paper exam, but should check with their teachers if they're unsure.