1. LIFE IN FORM 4 PREPARATION FOR KCSE 2013

2. IMPORTANT FACTS KCSE will begin on 22 nd October 2013 (www.knec.ac.ke) KCSE will begin on 22 nd October 2013 (www.knec.ac.ke) In three weeks candidates tested on 4 years of work In three weeks candidates tested on 4 years of work Success will depend on PREPARATION Success will depend on PREPARATION

3. What to consider when planning Short –term goals (for week- days and some weekends) Short –term goals (for week- days and some weekends) To attend classes and LISTEN To attend classes and LISTEN To do homework well To do homework well To prepare well for the pre-CATs and CATs To prepare well for the pre-CATs and CATs

4. Long–term goals (weekends) Long–term goals (weekends) Revisiting topics covered in earlier years if these are not included in the exams they are doing Revisiting topics covered in earlier years if these are not included in the exams they are doing Enhancing their weaker subjects Enhancing their weaker subjects Reading of Literature and Fasihi set books Reading of Literature and Fasihi set books Doing revision questions Doing revision questions

5. Long–term goals (April and August Holidays) Long–term goals (April and August Holidays) They have to do a thorough revision of the entire syllabus. They have to do a thorough revision of the entire syllabus.

6. They must work very closely with the teachers to determine the best way to revise the various subjects and how to order their topics. They must work very closely with the teachers to determine the best way to revise the various subjects and how to order their topics. Priority should be given to weak subjects Priority should be given to weak subjects

7. SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO PLAN Draw a timetable (must be written) Draw a timetable (must be written) Weekday timetable Weekday timetable Weekend timetable Weekend timetable Holiday time table Holiday time table

8. Divide the subjects into papers and papers into topics Divide the subjects into papers and papers into topics Prioritise the subjects in terms of difficulty and apportion time appropriately Prioritise the subjects in terms of difficulty and apportion time appropriately Review progress Review progress Think of supplementary material that they may need. Think of supplementary material that they may need.

9. WORK WITH A GOAL Set realistic targets and plan towards achieving them: Set realistic targets and plan towards achieving them: What grade am I working towards? What grade am I working towards? What subjects will boost me? What subjects will boost me?

10. which subjects may undermine me and why? which subjects may undermine me and why? What help do I need: books, tuition, alarm, desk? What help do I need: books, tuition, alarm, desk? What am I planning to give up this year? What am I planning to give up this year? How do I plan to balance between sports and academics? How do I plan to balance between sports and academics?

11. What should happen if this balance is not achieved? What should happen if this balance is not achieved? Are sports and other extracurricular activities crucial for the university I plan to apply to: foreign, local? Are sports and other extracurricular activities crucial for the university I plan to apply to: foreign, local? If the study methods I use are not working have I reviewed them with my tutor/ teacher? If the study methods I use are not working have I reviewed them with my tutor/ teacher?

12. Do I have all the resources that I need? Do I have all the resources that I need? Text books Text books Handouts (notes) Handouts (notes) Syllabus Syllabus Log tables etc. Log tables etc.

13. RELAXATION AND SOCIAL LIFE IN FORM 4 Form 4 tends to be very stressful and hence the need for ample rest: Form 4 tends to be very stressful and hence the need for ample rest: Enough sleep (not less than 6 hours) Enough sleep (not less than 6 hours) Physical activities Physical activities Vary activities Vary activities

14. Things to avoid TV and movies both during the week and Saturdays TV and movies both during the week and Saturdays Excessive use of the mobile phone Excessive use of the mobile phone Face book Face book Play stations Play stations Frequent outings Frequent outings

15. Company of older people in colleges or universities Company of older people in colleges or universities Business in or out school Business in or out school Excess cash Excess cash Suspicious neighbourhood study groups Suspicious neighbourhood study groups

16. Unmanaged Stress: Worrying signs Form 4 tends to be stressful (something to be expected) Form 4 tends to be stressful (something to be expected) Some students may find the stress insurmountable and begin to show signs of distress Some students may find the stress insurmountable and begin to show signs of distress

17. Distress may be caused by Distress may be caused by o Lack of proper planning leading to one feeling overwhelmed o Setting unrealistic goals o Excessive anxiety o Burn-out o Pressure from outside o Mental illness (depression)

18. Signs of unmanaged stress: Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood Withdrawal from friends and family Withdrawal from friends and family Lack of enthusiasm and motivation Lack of enthusiasm and motivation

19. Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, especially if they coincide with CATs or Pre- CATs Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, especially if they coincide with CATs or Pre- CATs Irrational arguments or thoughts of death or suicide Irrational arguments or thoughts of death or suicide

20. How parents can help to ease the stress Show genuine interest in his studies Show genuine interest in his studies Be quick to recognise and praise effort and improvement Be quick to recognise and praise effort and improvement Give positive criticism and offer hope Give positive criticism and offer hope

21. talk about exams in an encouraging manner talk about exams in an encouraging manner Avoid comparisons of siblings Avoid comparisons of siblings Correct using facts and not opinions Correct using facts and not opinions Occasionally arrange activities that will help him relax: lunch, visits he enjoys, Occasionally arrange activities that will help him relax: lunch, visits he enjoys,