Study Smarter: How the right pens,highlighters & notes can improve exam results!🖊

Exam season in South Africa is super stressful. Everyone from high school seniors to varsity students feels the heat. Parents get it too, homes become study zones as everyone crams.

But here’s the truth: what you write matters just as much as what you write down. Your stationery choices can really affect your focus and how well you organize your thoughts, which impacts your confidence when you go into the exam room.

For more than 75 years, the BIC® Crystal Original pen has been a part of this. Now, we're going to look at how using the right pens, highlighters, and study methods can really improve your exam prep.

Why Writing Tools Matter for Exam Prep

You might think stationery is just stationery, but science disagrees. Research shows that writing by hand helps you understand and remember things better. It makes your brain slow down and really think about what you're learning.

Typing is fast, maybe too fast. When you write with a pen, you have to:

  • Think about each word you're writing
  • Explain things in your own words
  • Remember things through muscle memory

For students, this can be the difference between knowing an answer vaguely and being able to recall it under pressure.

The Power of the Pen: Why the BIC® Crystal Is Still Number One

Let’s be honest: almost every South African student has held a BIC® Crystal in their hand at some point. It’s affordable, reliable, smooth, and lasts longer than most pens on the shelf.

This year is the BIC® Crystal's 75th birthday. It's the pen that's been there for everything,seriously. It's been a go-to for students for years, from classrooms to exam rooms.

To celebrate, BIC® put out a special glitter version of the pen, to add a bit of sparkle to studying. Exams can be tough, so a little fun on your desk might cheer you up and keep you going.

Study Smarter with Colour Coding: The BIC® 4 Colours Pen

Getting organized is super important when you're getting ready for exams. If your notes are all over the place, it's hard for your brain to find the stuff you really need. That's when colour-coding can be a big help. 

Enter the BIC® 4 Colours Pen. Four inks in one barrel, with no need to carry a pencil case full of different pens.

Here’s how colour-coding can make studying easier:

  • Use blue for regular notes and explanations.
  • Use green for formulas or main words.
  • Use red for important definitions, quotes, or dates.
  • Use black for examples or practice questions.

When revising, your brain starts associating concepts with colours, making recall easier when you’re under time pressure.

Mind-mapping is another proven technique. Use the 4 Colours Pen to create visual study maps that connect ideas. For example, in Life Sciences, you can map out how photosynthesis links to energy cycles, or in History, how key events led to specific outcomes.

Highlight What Matters: Using Highlighters Effectively

Highlighters aren't just for making notes look good, they can really help you study. When you mark important elements, you're showing your brain what to pay attention to. As tempting as it might be, be cautious to not go and mark everything.

Tips for smarter highlighting:

  • Choose one colour per theme (yellow for theories, pink for names, green for examples).
  • Use highlighters when revising, not while first learning or you’ll overdo it.
  • Add notes in the margins when you highlight. This way, you're really thinking about what you're reading.

South African Study Hacks That Work

Studying is different for everyone. What helps one person might not help another. But here are some simple tricks that can help anyone get ready for exams:

  • When you write summaries, use your own words. Don't just copy straight from the book.
  • Use flashcards to quiz yourself on what things mean, formulas, or important ideas.
  • Instead of cramming the night before, space out your study times.
  • Take a break every 45–60 minutes so you can focus better when you come back.

Exams can be less stressful than you think. If you get ready the right way, have a good attitude, and have the right pens, you can go into the exam room ready to do your best.

When you have the right tools, you’re ready for anything, just like BIC.