It’s hard to believe that it’s already time for many college students to start preparing to take their midterm exams and unfortunately, all the stress that goes along with them. However, fear not, for we have the perfect study attack plan to make sure you nail midterms just in time to relax and enjoy spring break!
Develop a Strategy
- First, try to keep up on things in your classes. Write things down in a planner or notebook, plan out assignments, and don’t start tasks the morning before it’s due. If you had a challenging couple of days, missed a few classes, and now are behind; Don’t panic – there’s still hope! If you find yourself falling behind in classes, then it’s time to get chatty. Talk to your fellow classmates, ask what you’ve been missing, and set up times to study with your classmates. Take it one step farther by visiting your professor’s office hours, ask what you can do to get caught up, and then do it. That part is essential.
- Now that you’re caught up, you’re going to want to stay that way! Try to keep organized and create a to-do list of your upcoming assignments and study sections. Stay on top of readings and other smaller assignments that can get away from you; Every point counts. It helps to put due dates from the syllabi into your phone calendar or planner.
- Finally, don’t save studying until the very last minute and think you can write your essay the night before. While cramming information is a better alternative to doing nothing at all, it’s even better to get a head start and work on it for a week or two in advance. Taking it in small increments helps reduce stress about the event itself. It also has a habit of making you feel refreshed and on top of other things in your life with less strain on your mental health.
Use Tools or Techniques
If you have trouble remembering terms or concepts, try to find a tool or system that will aid your study efforts. Try an online platform, such as Quizlet, also available as an app that allows you to create flashcards of terms or information from your classes and review them on the go. You can even utilize other study sets and flashcards from other people in your class or similar courses at other schools.
Relax
Breathe! Yes, midterms can be stressful, but a lot of it is from the pressure to do well, the organization, and staying on top of things. After all, you have spend the last few months learning this information so you should be off to a good start. Preparation is half the battle, and you’ll feel much more confident walking into your first exam knowing that you’ve spent the last few weeks studying. You’ve got this in hand, believe in yourself, and ace your tests!