SMARTNOTE METHOD
Step 1 · Preview & plan (Monday)
Start every week with a 15-minute preview session. List the topics coming up in class, identify assessments, and highlight which past-paper questions match those topics. Use a double-column page in your notebook with “What’s coming” on the left and “Actions” on the right.
- Scan the CAPS planner or school portal for the week.
- Choose one “anchor” subject you’ll prioritise if things get hectic.
- Break the anchor subject into three 30-minute focus blocks.
This preview reduces anxiety because you’ve already decided what “good work” looks like before the chaos starts.
Step 2 · Active learning sprint (Tuesday to Thursday)
Each sprint follows a short-frequent pattern: 25 minutes of deep focus + 5 minutes of movement. During the focus block, alternate between input and output:
- Input: Read targeted notes or watch a QR-linked lesson from your SmartNote bundle.
- Output: Close the notes and answer one exam-style question, voice-recording yourself if needed.
Keep a running “friction log” where you jot down formulas, definitions, or diagrams that slowed you down. These become your micro-goals for the next day.
Step 3 · Checkpoint & reflect (Friday or Saturday)
Instead of rewriting everything, run a 30-minute checkpoint. Attempt five mixed questions without looking at notes. Use a coloured pen to mark immediately, then:
- Circle careless mistakes in orange.
- Box conceptual misunderstandings in blue.
- Star any question you want to ask a teacher or tutor.
End with a micro-celebration: log your score, share it with a friend, or tick it off on your wall calendar. The brain loves closure.
How to protect the routine
Use alarms named after the step you’re about to run (“Preview time”, “Sprint block 2”). Share the plan with your parent/guardian so they know when to support or when not to interrupt. If you miss a block, don’t double up—simply move the next anchor block forward; consistency beats perfection.
Pair it with SmartNote resources
The Maths and Physics bundles inside the SmartNote store already organise content according to this loop. Each topic has:
- One-page preview summaries for Step 1.
- QR video explanations perfect for Step 2 input.
- Mixed “checkpoint” questions with memos for Step 3.
Use the digital tracker included in the bundle to keep your loops visible and celebrate every completed sprint.