Term 2 Study Tips (You Haven’t Heard Before) – With Apex Academic Centre

• Apex Academic Centre
• 09 Apr, 2025
• 0 Comments
• 4 Mins Read

Term 2 Study Tips (You Haven’t Heard Before) – With Apex Academic Centre

Term 2 is here — and it’s not about working harder, it’s about working smarter.

At Apex Academic Centre, we know South African learners and parents are under pressure to produce results. Whether your child is trying to bounce back from a shaky Term 1 or aiming to keep up the momentum, now is the time to shift gears and approach learning differently.

These study tips are not just about sitting at a desk longer — they’re about learning with purpose. Designed by experienced tutors who work daily with learners in CAPS, IEB, Cambridge, and Pearson Edexcel, these strategies are proven to help learners excel.

1. The “Power Hour” Method

Rather than overwhelming learners with long study sessions, we recommend the “Power Hour” approach — a focused 60-minute session that includes structured learning and mental breaks.

How to use it:

• 10 minutes: Review past work. Quickly revisit what was covered in the previous session to reinforce memory and identify any confusion.
• 30 minutes: Deep focus on new content. Tackle one concept or section of the syllabus in depth. This is the “core” of the Power Hour — uninterrupted, focused learning time.
• 15 minutes: Active recall. Use questions, flashcards, summary writing, or verbal explanation to test understanding and reinforce memory.

Apex Advantage: Our tutors help learners break down their weekly school workload into digestible Power Hour blocks, making study time less stressful and more effective.

2. Don’t Just Copy Notes — Engage With Them

Many learners fall into the trap of rewriting textbook information, thinking it will help them retain it. But real understanding comes when learners interact with the material in ways that challenge the brain.

Smarter alternatives to note-taking:

• Summarising in their own words helps learners process and internalise the information.
• Creating mind maps or diagrams encourages visual learning and helps to show connections between concepts.
• Using voice notes or “teaching aloud” strengthens memory through verbal reinforcement and is especially helpful for auditory learners.

Apex Advantage: We guide learners in how to study actively—not just passively absorb information—by providing structured resources and revision techniques that align with their learning style.

3. Identify Gaps Before It’s Too Late

Term 2 often builds on concepts from Term 1. If those foundational ideas aren’t solid, learners will struggle. Rather than waiting for mid-year exam panic to set in, now is the time to get ahead of potential issues.

Steps to address academic gaps:

• Review Term 1 school reports and feedback from teachers to identify which subjects or sections need attention.
• Set weekly micro-goals—small, manageable targets like improving fractions, mastering a science process, or completing one past paper per week.
• Prioritise weaker subjects first, so that learners can rebuild their confidence gradually.

Apex Advantage: Our diagnostic assessments quickly reveal areas of weakness. We then create targeted study plans that allow learners to make rapid improvements without feeling overwhelmed.

4. Use Technology to Study Smarter

Technology doesn’t have to be a distraction. When used properly, digital tools can boost learning, save time, and make studying more engaging.

How learners can use tech to their advantage:

• Quizlet: Great for creating digital flashcards for key definitions and formulas.
• Notion or Google Keep: Helps learners stay organised, track tasks, and set up weekly revision plans.
• YouTube or learning apps: Platforms like Khan Academy or Science Simplified offer short, digestible videos for tough concepts.

Apex Advantage: We introduce learners to high-quality online resources and apps that complement our tutoring sessions, making it easier for them to continue learning even after the session ends.

5. Focus on Understanding, Not Just Memorising

With Term 2 comes more complex content, and in subjects like Mathematics, Science, Accounting, and Economics, learners can no longer rely on short-term memorisation. They need to understand how things work and why answers are what they are.

Tips for deep understanding:

• Encourage your child to ask “why” and “how” questions—not just “what is the answer.”
• Use real-world examples to explain academic concepts. For example, link budgeting in EMS to managing pocket money, or chemical reactions to everyday cooking.
• Practice past paper questions, as they show how knowledge is tested and help learners apply what they’ve learned in exam-style scenarios.

Apex Advantage: Our subject-expert tutors teach in a way that’s interactive, conversational, and practical—helping learners grasp even the most abstract topics.

6. Academic Success Starts with Mental Wellbeing

One of the biggest factors affecting performance in Term 2 is emotional and mental wellbeing. Learners often juggle school demands with extracurriculars, social pressures, and sometimes even self-doubt.

How to support your child emotionally:

• Ensure they get enough rest. A tired brain cannot learn or retain information effectively.
• Build breaks into their day. Short walks, family chats, or even 20 minutes outside can help them recharge.
• Create a safe space to talk about stress. Regular check-ins with your child can go a long way in relieving pressure.

Apex Advantage: Our tutors go beyond academics. We create a supportive learning environment where learners are encouraged, celebrated, and reminded that progress—not perfection—is the goal.

Let Apex Academic Centre Guide Your Child This Term

With Apex Academic Centre, your child doesn’t just get a tutor—they get a mentor, a study coach, and a partner in their academic success.

Whether your child is aiming to improve marks, prepare for mid-year exams, or simply find a better rhythm in Term 2, we’re here to help.

Here’s what you can do next:

• Book a free consultation to discuss your child’s needs
• Explore our one-on-one or small group tutoring packages
• Join our online Term 2 classes for Maths, Sciences, English, and more
• Follow us on social media for weekly study tips, live Q&As, and free revision tools

Let’s make Term 2 your child’s best term yet — with clarity, confidence, and the Apex Advantage.