How to rock your midterms and all other exams
Midterms: the dreaded word that nearly every student is subjected to during their time at college. They do mark a happy time, as the semester is roughly halfway complete, but it comes with stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, and many more issues that nobody would wish upon their worst enemy. Students are essentially forced to stay up late while they cram for their exams, but many will forget the information when questions are presented that next morning. Thankfully, there are a handful of tips that can help even the worst procrastinators prepare for their major exams.
The first and most important tip starts long before the exam date. Even though attendance may not be graded, it is important not to skip class. There are times when missing class is necessary, and that is perfectly acceptable; illness, family emergencies, etc. are all valid reasons to not be in your seat. However, in those cases, it is important to communicate with your professor and classmates. Oftentimes, a professor will be very understanding and even provide information that you may have missed. In addition, reaching out to classmates for notes and clarification can make up for what was missed in the classroom.
Studying can be a frightening experience, as a whole night is often spent attempting to take in every word from a textbook. In reality, that studying should be spaced out. A midterm is rarely sprung on students the day, or even the week, before. Typically, multiple weeks can be used for studying instead of that one sleepless night. Spreading out study sessions allows the brain to further understand the material and remember it long-term. Sessions as short as 30 minutes for a few days ahead of the exam have been found to increase test scores, which is everyone’s goal, anyway.
Tied to the previous tip comes the next one: make a plan. Setting up a schedule and sticking to it will almost certainly prevent cramming. Making a plan and putting it into a Google Calendar is not all it takes, as discipline is pivotal; holding oneself accountable is necessary, or the schedule will fall apart and lower the test score. Having the discipline to occasionally turn down leisure activities is important, no matter how hard it may be.
Studying is more than re-reading materials a dozen times over: it requires focus and a lack of outside distractions. Setting up a designated study space can be of help, as it eliminates clutter and external stimuli that will lead to ending a study session early. Granted, everybody studies differently and requires different environments; some prefer total silence, but others may like to have some quiet music playing as they practice biology questions. There is no right or wrong way to set up your space, but eliminating distractions such as a phone, a television, and maybe even friends will allow for a more immersive experience.
Lastly, don’t do it alone. This tip is extremely subjective, as nobody is the same. Many prefer to fly solo, but having a study group or even one other person has its benefits. Friends can be a distraction from studying, but if everyone is working together and bouncing ideas off one another, they can prove to be beneficial. The only true downside to study groups is that they can easily fly off the rails. Changing the topic and casually chatting for hours is a very steep slope and one that has ruined many exams. Staying on topic and getting work done requires discipline, but pays off when the exam grade hits Brightspace.
Ultimately, there is no cookie-cutter way to study. Nobody is the same, and different tips and tricks work for each individual. Finding what works best for you is the key, and it takes some trial and error. Starting early allows time for this process, and begins the path to success.