Learning to Study - a crucial skill

One of the most overlooked areas in school is teaching children how to study. Yes, there might be a quick lesson or two in Life Orientation, but beyond that, learners are mostly left to figure it out on their own. They’re expected to juggle multiple subjects, plan their time, stay on schedule, and resist procrastination, all while mastering content across topics they may or may not find interesting. For some learners, this comes naturally. They can read something once, memorise it and recall it without breaking a sweat. But let’s be honest, those learners are rare. The rest? They need tools, structure and a bit of guidance.

What if we taught study skills like we teach times tables?

Imagine if learners started building proper study habits from Grade 3. If they were shown simple ways to take in information—whether they read it, heard it, or watched it—and then given strategies to remember it? Not only would it boost their confidence, but it could also spark a lifelong curiosity for learning. The internet is full of advice on study methods. You’ve probably come across reels and videos that promise to be the only way to study smarter. Add to that the many learner types—visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic—and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you even begin. So instead of guessing what works, let’s look at what science says actually helps.

1. Distraction is the enemy of learning

Phones and other devices may be useful in small doses, but they’re also incredibly distracting. That one notification ping is enough to derail your child’s focus. Switching between schoolwork and scrolling turns a focused brain into a multitasking mess, and productivity takes a hit. Try setting up a distraction-free space during study time. Devices off, notifications silenced, minds switched on.

2. Breaks are your brain’s best friend

Not many learners can focus well for more than an hour—and that’s being generous. Younger children especially tend to lose concentration after about 20 minutes. So short, focused bursts of study time with regular breaks are far more effective than marathon cramming sessions. Breaks aren’t a sign of laziness. They help the brain lock in what’s just been learned.

3. Make your own study resources

When learners create their own notes, mind maps, flashcards or diagrams, they actively engage with the content. That process helps cement the information in memory. Whether they’re making study aids from scratch or using high-quality summaries like the ones from StudyChamp, the key is to avoid copying word for word. Instead, they should read with attention, then try to explain the concept in their own words. Better notes lead to better understanding, which leads to better marks.

4. Teach what you’ve learned

This one’s a classic, and it works. If your child can explain what they’ve learned to someone else, they’ve truly understood it. Ask them to teach you something they covered in class that day, or better yet, let them explain a tricky exam concept they’re wrestling with. This is especially helpful for subjects like Maths, English and Afrikaans. Learners studying in pairs or small groups can quiz and teach one another—it turns revision into active learning.

5. Test early, test often

Some learners shy away from testing themselves, thinking they’re not “ready” yet. But research shows that testing improves memory. Even if they get it wrong, that mistake is part of the learning. The catch? They must use the memo to check their answers. That’s where real progress happens. The earlier they test themselves, the better they’ll remember when it counts.

Final thoughts: Keep it simple

Studying doesn’t need to be complicated. Learners don’t have to try every method on the internet or worry about what type of learner they are. They just need to:

Minimise distractions
Use or create their own study tools
Teach someone else when they can
And test themselves often

It’s not about working harder, it’s about learning smarter. And that’s something every child can master—with the right support and a few smart habits.
Sources: https://www.edutopia.org/article/study-habits-to-teach-kids-this-school-year?utm_content=linkpos1&utm_campaign=weekly-2025-07-23&utm_medium=email&utm_source=edu-newsletter https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/57644/13-effective-study-strategies-to-help-students-learn

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Woman writing math equations on a chalkboard, holding a notebook, with a thought bubble of the pi symbol.

Preparing for Maths Assessments

By Estelle Barnard • October 22, 2025

Mathematics rewards practice with purpose: spaced revision, plenty of self-testing, making notes, checking with feedback, and calm, consistent routines. Below you’ll find exactly how to do this at different stages of school. The Big Three for All Learners Space it out Short, regular sessions beat last-minute marathons. Plan 20–40 minute slots across the week and revisit topics before you forget them. This is known as the spacing effect (Cepeda et al., 2008). Retrieve, don’t just reread Close the book and try to solve or recall from memory. Use past questions, quick quizzes, and “write-from-memory” summaries. Retrieval practice strengthens long-term learning, especially when you check your answers (Roediger & Butler, 2011). Think about your thinking Teach learners to plan, monitor, and evaluate how they study. Simple questions like, “What will I practise today? How will I know I’ve improved?” turn revision from passive to purposeful (EEF, 2018). Primary School (Grades 4–7) Goals Build number sense and fluency (times tables, fractions, decimals). Understand why methods work, not just how to perform them. Study Rhythm Mon/Wed/Fri: 20 min mixed practice (across old and new topics). Tue/Thu: 20 min facts fluency (typically something like time tables or fractions) Weekend: 25–30 min “Teach-Back” session: learner explains one concept aloud (e.g. “How do we find a common denominator?”). High School (Grades 8–12) Goals Strengthen algebraic fluency, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and calculus. Build exam stamina and the ability to select appropriate methods. Exam Preparation Plan Weeks –4 to –3: Cover all topics and create a spaced schedule. Weeks –3 to –2: Attempt past-paper sections; very important to check with detailed memos. Prepare an error log of frequent mistakes. Weeks –2 to –1: Interleave topics and focus more on challenging topics (e.g., trig, functions, geometry). Final Week: Short, focused recall sessions from your “error log.” The Value of Writing Your Own Notes and Step-by-Step Summaries One of the most effective yet overlooked study habits is summarising key procedures in your own words . Mathematics is full of repeatable processes: simplifying fractions, expanding algebraic expressions, finding derivatives using first principles, or completing the square in a quadratic equation. Writing out the steps helps learners form mental blueprints they can rely on in tests. Why this works Research shows that encoding information through writing and explaining strengthens understanding and recall (Dunlosky et al., 2013; MIT Teaching + Learning Lab, 2020). When learners create their own step-by-step summaries: They engage in sense-making, not just copying. They uncover misconceptions early. They connect formulas with reasoning (“why does this step come next?”). They create a quick reference guide for revision. Examples: Simplifying fractions: Find common factors → Divide numerator and denominator → Check if it can simplify further. Completing the square: Divide so that x squared stands on its own →Take the constant term to the right-hand side →Add half of the coefficient of x squared to both sides → Factorise the left-hand side to form a perfect square → Simplify and solve for x. Visualisation and Trigonometry Trigonometry can be tricky until you visualise how angles behave on the Cartesian plane . Remember: in trigonometry, angles are measured from the positive x-axis , moving anticlockwise for positive angles and clockwise for negative ones. (See the labelled diagram above, showing where each trigonometric ratio is positive or negative, including the reduction formulae.) Using StudyChamp Resources Effectively StudyChamp’s detailed memos and step-by-step worked examples make maths study easier: Compare your solution to the memo. Highlight key reasoning steps. Add the process to your “Maths Procedures Notebook”. By exam time, that notebook becomes your own personalised study guide: practical, and written in your own words. References Cepeda, N. J., et al. (2008). Spacing effects in learning: A temporal ridgeline of optimal retention. Psychological Science, 19(11). Dunlosky, J., et al. (2013). Improving Students’ Learning With Effective Learning Techniques. Psychological Science in the Public Interest. Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning Guidance Report. Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1). MIT Teaching + Learning Lab. (2020). Note-Taking and Sense-Making Strategies. Massachusetts Institute of Technology.