As psychologists and education experts have identified, there are five factors in a student’s learning process wherein the vital skills need to be developed in order for them to be able to study at their optimum.

1. Study Time

This specifically refers to how much time you spend on studying – excluding your times in class and when you do your homework – and just how effectively you use it. Research studies have confirmed that students who know how to manage their college schedules and squeeze in 30 minutes to 1 hour of study time in between breaks and in the evening after finishing homework are able to perform better in examinations. While it is originally believed that longer study sessions will give a student an edge, this has now been disproved. Studies have shown that the longer a student spends studying, his or her concentration starts to wane that information retention is no longer at its peak. There are techniques by which one can improve his or her concentration. This would include reading faster so that the mind is again focused on the subject matter.

2. Study Place

Whereas before, educators firmly advise students to study in quiet places like the library, research has revealed that cognition works better if one studies in alternate locations. The choice of a study place becomes more effective if it is somehow related to the subject that is being studied. As an example, if you are studying Biology, you can concentrate better by reading your books sitting on the grass in the campus park. Studies have also shown that students perform remarkably well in exams if they had been reviewing their notes in lecture rooms that are similar to the places where the tests will be held. Mood can also be affected by the study location. If you are troubled by family problems or you had a spat with your boyfriend or girlfriend, try moving to a different location where your mood will improve, such as the roof of your school building or the empty bleachers of the football stands.

3. Input Information in your Short-Term Memory

When you cram, you are actually utilizing your short-term memory. However, take note that short-term memory will only allow you to remember 5 to 9 items at a time, and if you don’t practice reading them aloud or memorizing them, they will only stay inside your mind for 15 to 20 seconds. For those who can’t help themselves from cramming, techniques like “chunking” will help you to remember important facts in your short-term memory by chunking them together in clusters that are easy to memorize.

4. Transfer Information from your Short-Term Memory into your Long-Term Memory

This particular skill is very important, especially for end of term and Final exams. It is vital that you use strategies that will allow information to be stored in your long-term memory in a way that they can be easily retrieved during exams. Some great examples of strategies for encoding knowledge in long-term memory include overlearning, elaboration, Mnemonics, and methods like the Peg Word and Loci.

5. Retrieve Knowledge stored in your Long-Term Memory

In reality, the technique for effective retrieval can be found in the exams that you are taking. Tests and exams will always have for its main bulk sections like Multiple Choice and Matching Type that will give you “cues” which will enable you to retrieve the answer from your memory. It is these same sections that will prepare your mind for the harder parts like the Essay section which will encourage your mind to dig deeper for the answer because of the absence of cues.

Written by Jacaranda Flagg (Article source.) 

One of the biggest challenges is access to work opportunities, which the partnership between the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) and the Motheo TVET College in Bloemfontein is addressing with its training of process controllers in water and wastewater treatment and reticulation services.  

Today, 16 March 2015, marks the turning point in addressing the non-availability of skilled registered process controllers and maintenance staff of water and wastewater facilities within municipalities in South Africa. This is a key obstacle constraining the capacity of municipalities to render effective delivery of adequate quality water and wastewater treatment services to South African citizens.  

“On behalf of the Department of Higher Education and Training I applaud the successful implementation of this project thus far and commit our support to the successful completion which will ultimately lead to these young learners potentially being absorbed by the participating municipalities to fill vacant positions,” says Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana, who attended the official launch.  

“Even more exciting than this is that learners who wish to continue with their studies can proceed to the Central University of Technology and, on successful completion of their courses, can enrol for a Master’s and Doctor’s degree in water and wastewater management.”  

The project conceptualised a poverty relief and job creation pilot programme, taking into cognisance the existing institutional frameworks and skills training initiatives in the Free State province. The Motheo TVET College and EWSETA partnered with Aurecon SA and Khula Nonke Training and Development to deliver the programme. The project also sought to secure funding for the implementation of the programme and project management over three years.  

“Projects such as these are being implemented successfully, particularly in areas of our country where the lack of adequately skilled technical cluster professionals remains a source of concern,” explains Errol Gradwell, CEO of EWSETA.  

“The College is looking forward to playing a major role in raising the awareness of the importance of water as a scarce resource in communities. It is the responsibility of all South African citizens to be educated about the importance of water and the dangers posed by lack of water. It is my hope that this project will be the first of many such innovative and vibrant projects that we will implement together with EWSETA, the Free State government and its citizens,” adds MDM Phutsisi, Director of Motheo TVET College.  

Motheo TVET College, with its three campuses in Hillside View, Bloemfontein CBD and Thaba ‘Nchu and various satellites in the Motheo and Xhariep area, is well-known for its successful implementation of skills programmes and learnerships in scarce and critical skills, as reflected in the strategic plans of the different SETAs. These programmes involve training in practical and theoretical components that last for weeks, months or years.  

The NQF Levels 2 to 4, Water and Wastewater Process Control and Water and Waste Water Reticulation Services on NQF Levels 3 – 4 qualification, will enhance productivity within the water sector and contribute to the ecological sustainability and improvement of the water environment.  

“The project commenced in July 2013 and will conclude in July 2016. Most of the learners recruited in year 1 for NQF Levels 2-3 were selected to continue to obtain the next levels in their respective qualifications obtained,” continues Phutsisi.  

“The qualifications provide flexibility to pursue different careers in fields related to the water sector in a range of water or wastewater operations, including careers in other related sectors, such as pollution control, wet industries, electricity generation and a variety of environmental sectors.”

  “It is the vision of Motheo TVET College to educate and capacitate municipalities, so that they are able to take water plants in the Free State to blue drop status. Thus we are extremely excited about the success already achieved in year 1 of this project and look forward to the completion of year 2 and year 3, in 2016.”  

The initial intake of unemployed youth has seen academic performance of all learners in year one at an average of 80% per unit standard completed, with some receiving 100 % for most of the modules. The intake included matriculants with Maths and Science, or unemployed youth with a BSc or National Diploma in Water Care or postgraduates. Candidates with physical disabilities and women were encouraged to apply in numbers for more representation in the water and wastewater sector.  

Memoranda of Understanding were signed with participating district and local municipalities to host the learners for the practical component at the water and wastewater treatment facilities. The learners are trained in five district municipalities and over 12 local municipalities.

• Year 1 total number of learners:  240 – July 2013 – July 2014
• Year 2 total number of learners:  165 – July 2014 – July 2015
• Year 3 total number of learners:  148 – July 2015 – July 2016  

“There is no doubt that learners who successfully complete the training programme will contribute significantly towards improving the Blue and Green Drop performance of Water Services Authorities in the Free State province. It is also hoped that graduates will create new enterprises to be owned or managed by the graduates,” concludes Gradwell.  

The mandate of EWSETA is to anticipate, build and manage the skills development and training needs of the energy and water services sector, through strategic skills planning within the context of the NSDS III. It operates in the Electricity, Oil and Gas, Nuclear, Renewable energy and Water, Waste & Sanitation sectors.  

To fulfil its goals, it has implemented a new structure that increases its capacity to service its stakeholders in a significantly improved manner. It has also formulated strategic partnerships with FET institutions, universities, government departments, business and international leaders within the energy and water sector.  

Article sourced from Press Portal.

In today’s competitive world, education is a necessity. Students who have completed their tertiary education more likely to have more opportunities and better quality of life. Mostly, employers prefer to hire job-seekers who have degrees. In general, it is much easier for a person who finished a tertiary education to find a job, maintain a job, and get promoted while on the job.

Tertiary education is one of the best investments of time and money. That is why there are many pre-need companies offering educational plans; for parents to plan the future of their kids before the need arises. It is a practical way of saving money for kids.

Going back to the necessity of tertiary education, people with qualifications are more self-disciplined and cooperative compared to those who are not. People who lack educational degrees have limited opportunities in life especially in terms of employment. Graduates most often have better benefits specifically in terms of entering higher-level careers with greater salaries. They are also the ones who receive promotions, salary raises and often given opportunities for professional growth and development.

As a matter of fact, parents who are graduates are more likely to raise children who will also have college degrees. The more education the child gets, the more choices and opportunities he/she will have. An educated person has more options, which often lead to greater success and happiness in life. Growth and development will occur in many areas, including decision-making, analytical awareness, reasoning, creative expression and more.

Moreover, earning a  degree will greatly enhance your marketability as a professional. It makes you more marketable to a much greater range of lucrative career options. By earning a degree provides access to professional networking opportunities that are inaccessible to those who do not have college degrees.

Furthermore, college graduates are typically more satisfied with their careers than individuals with a high school diploma because they are able to find higher paying careers, get into positions with job advancement opportunities, get hired by employers that provide generous benefits and able to work in fields and industries that interest them. It also leads to job stability because the unemployment rate among college graduates is considerably lower compared to the unemployment rate among employees with only a high school diploma.

Thus, earning a degree enables people to make better choices of their lives not only in having better job opportunities but also in launching new businesses.

ICB Courses are some of the most reliable in qualifications you can obtain in your journey to further your career. They’re recognised in many business nationally and internationally as they give you some of the best working knowledge to prepare you for your next opportunity. TWP Academy offers the following courses:

• Financial Accounting Courses – ICB
• Office Administration Courses – ICB
• Business Management Courses – ICB
• Public Sector Accounting – ICB
• Entrepreneurship Courses – ICB

Written by Rosemarie Sumalinog (Article source).

When you are choosing the right college, you need to look for schools that have what you are looking for in a college experience. This does not mean that you only consider schools that some of your friends are applying to or ones that are rated high in the college rankings. It means putting together a good list of schools to which you want to apply. It means looking at schools where you will fit in and have a successful college experience.

What do you need to consider when you are choosing a college that is right for you?

1. LIST THE CRITERIA THAT YOU THINK IS IMPORTANT.
* Do you want to go away or stay closer to home?
* Do you prefer a school with thousands of students or would you be more comfortable in a smaller environment?
* Do you want a college that will challenge you academically or be more laid back?
* Have you decided on a major? If so, what kind of programs does the school offer?

2. CHECK OUT YOUR RESOURCES FOR INFORMATION ON SCHOOLS
* Visit each school’s website and request information for prospective students
* Talk to your counselor, teachers or a private college counselor who can discuss these schools with you and tell you what they know about them
* Do a virtual tour and get a feel for what each school offers

3. FIND OUT ABOUT CAMPUS LIFE
* What percentage of students lives in the dorms?
* What extracurricular activities are available that appeal to you?
* What does the surrounding community offer that sounds interesting?
* Is there a Greek system and what part does it play in the social life?

4. DETERMINE THE FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY
* Use a net price calculator to get an idea of what the school will cost
* Contact someone in the financial aid office to discuss how to pay for college
* What scholarships does the school offer?

5. WHAT ARE THE RETENTION AND GRADUATION RATES
* How many students graduate in 4 years? How many in 5 o 6?
* Is the school committed to seeing their students graduate in 4 years?
* How many students return after their freshman year?

Taking the time to research schools is not an easy task, but it is well worth the effort when you are choosing a college that is right for you.

-Susie Watts (Article here)

Last Updated: January 10th 2018