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Ms Zuzeka Mkra

Student Retention Unit

Date: 25 September 2019

TOPIC: Exam preparation

Who are we and what are we currently doing?

The First-Year Experience @ Unisa

The Student Retention Unit (SRU) is situated within the portfolio of the Department of Tuition Support

and Facilitation of Learning (DTSFL). The SRU is responsible for the implementation and coordination

of the First Year Experience (FYE) programme at the institution.

Student Retention Unit (SRU)

TO RETAIN AND FORGE A

GENERATION OF SUCCESSFUL

UNISA STUDENTS

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FYE projects

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FYE weekly emails

• Emails were sent to each cohort: those registered in January

2019 (returning first-time entering) and those registered in

June/July 2019 (first-time entering students).

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FYE Live broadcasts…

• This is our 6th live broadcast this semester and thank you for joining

us.

• FYE live broadcast:

Crucial tool as it bridges the gap between students and the

institution.

Live interaction with the students.

Immediate response to student queries.

If missed, recording can be watched later from FYE website www.unisa.ac.za/FYE.

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FYE mailbox

• The SRU has created an FYE mailbox for students to send FYE

related queries: fye@unisa.ac.za

• The SRU team attends to all queries on a daily basis.

• FYE mailbox uniqueness:

No automated response.

Students receive feedback within 48 hours.

Non first-time entering students also utilise the mailbox.

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FYE website

• FYE website was created to bridge the gap between

students and administrative/academic staff by providing

information related to:

Support services available to all Unisa students

Including all FYE related information on all the various

services provided to first-time entering.

• The website is updated on a regular basis. Visit

www.unisa.ac.za/FYE.

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FYE MOOC

• FYE MOOC piloted in the following

regions:

Gauteng, Mpumalanga,

Rustenburg and Cape Town.

• Changes made based on the

comments received during the

piloting.

• The SRU launched FYE MOOC on

31 May 2019.

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Ms Leza Deyzel

E-counsellor

Directorate: Counselling and Career

Development

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Exam

revision and

preparation

Prepare for exams

• Make a study plan

• Read and understand content of study material

• Prepare and submit assignments

• Make notes when studying

• Highlight sections that you experience as challenging and seek support in terms of these

• Understand exam guidelines and format

When do you start exam prep?

Immediately after receiving your study material by:

• Studying

• Making notes

• Preparing and submitting assignments

• Contact lectures or fellow students when experiencing challenges

Resources for exam preparation

• Which resources do you have and use to

prepare for the examination?

Resources for exam preparation

• Your notes

• Tutorial letters

• Study guides (study objectives) and prescribed books

• Assignments and previous question papers

• Fellow students and lectures

• Studies @ Unisa book (study skills)

Effective exam revision

• Avoid procrastinating

• Avoid distractions

• Stick to your study time table

• Prepare mock exams and write them

• Exercise, eat enough and get sufficient rest

• Identify demotivators and

• Reward yourself

What do you still need to pay attention to?

Which of the following do you still need to pay attention to?

• Set up a timetable and make a commitment to stick to it.

• Exercise, eat enough and get sufficient rest.

• A positive attitude will help you to cope with exam

anxiety.

• Stick to your timetable and also have time for other

commitments.

What do you still need to pay attention to?

• If working, arrange for study leave.

• Contact your lecturers/e-tutors if you are unsure about

aspects of the work.

• What else is important?

Exam revision: Timetable

• Count all the pages in your study guide and textbook and divide them into the days left before you write your paper.

• See how much you will need to study each day in order to be ready for the examinations.

• Do not cram the night before.

Exam revision: Problem-solving

• Subjects such as Accounting, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science involve a lot of problem solving exercises.

• Solve at least one of each of the types of problems found in every section, especially the ones you find difficult.

Exam revision: Mock exams

• Set time limits when practising to answer questions.

• Make sure that you know which format(s) of questions you need to deal with, for example multiple-choice, essay type or short questions.

Exam revision: Assignments and notes

• Revise your assignment answers and pay special attention to

comments from lecturers.

• Use keywords to make a concept list which covers all the

major concepts (and where applicable, formulas) that you

have covered.

• Use notemaking techniques such as mindmapping,

textmapping and the question and answer system. The

question and answer system is particularly useful when you

have turned learning outcomes/ study objectives into

questions.

Exam revision: Look after yourself

• Make sure you get enough sleep.

• On a physiological level, drink enough water; stand up and stretch; run on the spot before you sit down and continue with your studies.

Final thoughts…

• Worrying about what you haven’t done is wasted energy.

• Worrying about what might happen if you don’t do well is wasted energy.

• Worrying unnecessarily adds to your stress level and that is not useful.

Final thoughts…

• The exam is only an exam - it is not a reflection of your self worth nor does it predict your future success. If the worst happened and you failed an exam you are still a worthwhile person who will live to enjoy another day.

• You have had previous successes in exams - you have survived exams and received good results for them - otherwise you would not have gained entry to University.

Contact Counselling and Career Development:

counselling@unisa.ac.za

Visit our website:

www.unisa.ac.za/counselling

THANK YOU

For more information about the SRU and the

FYE Programme

Live broadcast feedback:

https://forms.gle/SfJTCphWveLmADL28

Contact us:

fye@unisa.ac.za

FYE MOOC:

mooc.unisa.ac.za

Visit our website:

www.unisa.ac.za/FYE

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