Tips on learning

Motivate yourself to learn!

The greater the success you have at learning, the more motivated you will feel to keep on learning.

• Use all your senses when learning. This will boost your learning success.

• Learn whenever you want
  Learn when you are at your most productive.
  Learn when you have the time.

• Deliberately create space for learning.
  Learn wherever you are.
  Learn where you feel comfortable (e.g. at home, at the library).
  Learn when you're sitting on the train, in breaks, anytime you're waiting for something or someone.

• Set you own short-term, manageable targets.

• Awaken your interest in the subject matter.

• Think positively and enjoy the subject you're working on.

• Reward yourself for the work you've done.

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Set yourself deadlines!

Set yourself priorities, and think about:

a) What tasks need to be done? 
b) In what order should these tasks be tackled? 
c) What level of perfection do I need to achieve?

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Exam preparation

When revising for an exam, break down the learning into separate phases.

1. In the level acquisition phase, work on the basics.
2. In the consolidation phase, systematically learn the details to go with the basics.

Don't forget: go to your exams feeling rested and relaxed, and make sure you schedule a break from learning after an exam.

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Exam training

An integral component of preparing for an exam is exam training. Like an athlete, you will be trained for the all-important 'contest' so that when you line up at the starting post, you will be confident and proficient. Because proficiency only comes through practise, internal exams and qualification procedures take place on a regular basis.

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Viva voce exams

In a viva voce exam, it's not just your knowledge that counts, but also your appearance and how you conduct yourself. So make sure you follow the key basic rules:

• Arrive on time for your exam.
• Maintain eye contact with the examiners.
• Observe good manners and conventions of etiquette.
• Pay close attention to the questions.
• Answer questions in a structured manner.
• Have a conversation with the examiner.
• With open questions, begin in as general a manner as possible.
• Don't wait too long to answer a question; instead, try to find a place to start.
• If you are unable to answer a question, say so to the examiners.
• Make sure you leave a good final impression, e.g. by thanking the examiners for the discussion and addressing them by name as you say goodbye.

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