Exam Prep Tips from PNA: Ace Your Exams with the Right Tools!

As we head into the last stretch of the school year, exam season is looming, and that can mean late-night study sessions, the occasional caffeine overdose, and, if you’re not well-prepared, a dash of panic. But don’t stress—PNA’s got you covered with the ultimate stationery-powered exam prep guide! From primary school learners to varsity students, we’ve rounded up some savvy tips to help everyone tackle their exams with confidence. Grab your pens, highlighters, and notebooks, and let’s dive into some exam hacks that will get you through with flying colours. 

1. Organise Your Study Space Like a Pro

A clear space equals a clear mind! When it’s time to hit the books, make sure you’ve got a clutter-free zone. You’ll need some essentials to help keep things neat: a desk organiser to store your pens, sticky notes, and highlighters, and maybe even a few desk trays from PNA to keep your textbooks and notebooks in order. This way, everything has a spot, and you can avoid that infamous “I can’t find my ruler!” panic just when you need it. 

PNA Tip: Invest in a sturdy PNA planner or a calendar to map out your study schedule. Setting a specific time to tackle each subject will make studying feel less overwhelming. 

2. Colour-Coding Power: Highlight & Conquer!

Sometimes, just reading through a textbook isn’t enough to make the info stick. That’s where colour-coding comes in! Using highlighters or coloured pens for different subjects or topics can really help with memory retention. For example, use pink for key concepts, blue for formulae, and green for definitions. 

PNA Hack: Use PNA’s range of multi-coloured sticky notes to tag important pages or make small notes in your textbooks. The more visually organised your notes are, the easier it’ll be to recall the information. 

3. Mind Mapping for Complex Concepts

Ever feel like your brain’s tangled up trying to understand something complicated? Say hello to mind maps! Start with a large sheet of PNA sketch paper and some fine-tip markers. Write down the main concept in the middle of the page, then branch out with related ideas and details. It’s a great way to break down complex info into manageable bits, making revision way easier. 

PNA Insider Tip: Mind maps are perfect for subjects with lots of interconnecting topics like Life Sciences or History. Plus, drawing them out gives you an active learning edge! 

4. Flashcards: Quickfire Revision

Flashcards are a classic revision hack for a reason! They’re perfect for those last-minute “must-know” facts. Pick up a pack of index cards from PNA and jot down questions on one side and answers on the other. Quiz yourself or rope in a study buddy for double the fun! 

Pro Tip from PNA: Make your flashcards more engaging by adding doodles or using coloured pens. This little trick can make recall easier because your brain associates the info with specific colours or images. 

5. The Magic of Timed Study Sessions: Pomodoro Technique

This technique is perfect if you struggle with keeping your focus. The Pomodoro Technique breaks down your study time into 25-minute “bursts” followed by a 5-minute break. All you need is a timer (or your phone). Try using a PNA notebook to jot down what you’ll cover in each session. 

PNA Hack: During your breaks, grab your favourite PNA colouring pencils and doodle a bit. It’s a creative, stress-relieving way to let your brain rest! 

6. Make Lists and Tick Boxes: It’s All About Momentum

There’s something super satisfying about ticking things off a list, right? Grab a PNA to-do list pad or use a bullet journal to jot down all the tasks you need to tackle. Breaking down your study goals into small, manageable tasks can make the workload feel way more doable. 

PNA Extra: Use small sticky flags on your to-do list to prioritise tasks. Colour-coded flags can help you spot what needs to be tackled ASAP! 

7. Practise, Practise, Practise with Past Papers

Getting your hands on some past papers can be one of the best ways to prepare. Treat yourself to a stack of A4 lined paper from PNA and practise writing out answers or doing mock tests. This will help you get a feel for the format, timing, and style of questions you’ll face. 

PNA Pro Tip: After completing a practise paper, use your highlighters to review answers and identify areas where you struggled. Focusing on these weak points during your study sessions will help you feel more confident come exam day. 

8. Stationery for Stress Relief: Fidget and Focus

Studying can sometimes feel like a marathon, and all that focus can lead to some serious stress. Keep a stress ball or even a few coloured pencils for some adult colouring close by. Studies have shown that colouring or squeezing a stress ball can help release some study tension and improve focus. 

PNA Top Pick: Try using gel pens for a bit of “study therapy” on the side. Doodle, sketch, or add a bit of pizzazz to your notes. 

9. Don’t Forget the Basics: Stock Up on Exam Essentials

When exam day finally rolls around, make sure you’ve got the basics packed and ready to go. Nothing’s worse than sitting down at your desk only to realise you forgot a pen! Swing by PNA to stock up on black pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, and clear pencil cases (some exam centres require see-through cases). Don’t forget a calculator if you’re writing Maths or Science exams. 

PNA Exam Pack Hack: Pop all your exam essentials into a pouch the night before and place it by the door. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re running out the door stress-free. 

10. Good Old Notebook Notes: Write It, Remember It

In this digital age, the old-fashioned way of writing notes by hand still works wonders! Writing things out can help your brain retain information better. Grab a PNA notebook that feels right for you—whether it’s dotted, lined, or plain—and start jotting down your study notes. Stick to one subject per notebook for easy reference. 

Bonus Hack: When making notes, use the “question, evidence, and conclusion” method. Start with a question, jot down the answer with supporting points, and wrap it up with a conclusion to tie the info together. 

Ready to Ace Your Exams? 

With these tips, your exams will be a breeze. Just remember, studying is all about finding what works best for you, and the right stationery can make a world of difference! Head over to your nearest PNA store and stock up on everything you need to conquer this exam season. Find your nearest PNA suing our handy store locator.  

Good luck, South African scholars! You’ve got this—one pen stroke at a time!