By: Sophia Karron
Midterms are coming up as the winter season starts and will be here before we know it! Whether you’re a last minute crammer or study pro, I’m here to offer my insight into how you can get through midterms week with the grades you want –and your sanity– intact.
Start planning now
I know just from this first title you are probably thinking “oh no! I have to start studying for hours every night until the first midterm”. Do not fret because that is not the case. Adding manageable study blocks to your schedule is not very hard and if you don’t really use a calender you can add tasks to the towernet assignment center so you can see them. You can add 15-30 study sessions on days where you know you have free time and for upperclassmen, you might only have 2 or 3 midterms rather than a project which is totally manageable. Also, prioritizing subjects you struggle with or feel less confident with these study blocks is extremely helpful. I find that this is very helpful and makes me less stressed. You know you won’t study over Thanksgiving break or Winter break which only leaves limited time for studying within your busy schedule, so try this if you get stressed or don’t get the results you want when you cram!
As they say “work smarter, not harder”
Review your notes and don’t spend time rewriting them over and over again. Skim your notes from class and highlight key points. Do the same things with tests, too and don’t waste your time.
Try to make it fun
Study groups can actually make this process somewhat enjoyable. Go with your friends to grab food at starbucks, panera, or your spot of choice. You can quiz each other at cute tables or couches and get work done with holiday food and drinks. This can make the process go by quicker and it’s helpful to have someone there doing it with you. Explaining concepts to others can be super helpful and there is always someone to talk to. You can also reward yourself if you make and hit small milestones with your studying. You just reviewed all of your math material? You can get a special drink or sweet treat! My favorite drink right now is the iced sugar cookie almond milk latte at Starbucks with cold foam. You can also make study playlists with your favorite artists that fit your current vibe. If you get easily distracted by music with lyrics, I recommend listening to classical music or jazz music. There are studies that show that it actually helps with studying and I’ve been starting to enjoy jazz and classical music.
Take care of yourself
Pulling an all nighter before a midterm day might seem tempting (if you’re crazy), but sleeping is essential and so important for focus and memory retention. If you aren’t eating well, that can also cause decreased energy and focus. Having too much caffeine is also really bad for you on these nights and it can mess up your sleeping schedule and it makes me super restless and jittery if I have an excessive amount. You should also try to fit in time to go to the gym or stretch during this week in between midterms. This can help relieve some stress and honestly just get you outside instead of studying all day.
For procrastinators
If you start planning early and do the things I described earlier you shouldn’t be running out of time but I understand that some people put things off until the last minute and can’t help it. I procrastinate a lot, and if I have limited time I use it as motivation to get my work done before the due date. But if you end up running out of time, you should prioritize sleep over cramming, you are more likely to remember things with sleep than without.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to reach out to teachers in the classes you’re struggling with. If you are afraid to talk to your teachers, it’s better to deal with the awkwardness of the moment than not knowing material. I’m sure all of your teachers would be happy to help. Also make use of resources like the TLC. Dr. Hunter created a midterm schedule for studying last year and the TLC would also be happy to help. If you are really stressed and need someone to talk to, you can always go to the Wellness Center. I wish you all the best of luck in getting the results you want!
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