It’s crazy to think that the semester has been flying by, but it’s true: midterms are already here. Midterms are an entirely different beast than finals. There are no reading days, no set exam schedule, just a random week that professors are encouraged to give exams (but don’t always do – a fact made even more apparent by the fact that some of us have already started, or even finished, our exams). Being the smart and savvy collegiette™ you are, though, you know there has to be some way to get midterms under control, and Her Campus Fordham is here to help!
Start Now
Your first test may not be until a week from now, but starting now doesn’t hurt — it actually helps. You know as well as we do that cramming is never rarely the solution. Don’t overwhelm yourself, and start with baby steps. Make flash cards to help you review key vocab, important concepts, or even those hundreds of paintings from art history. Carry them with you, and review them on the Ram Van or on the train. Your iPod will still be there after midterms.
Stay Organized
Planning ahead is crucial if you’re going to study ahead of the curve, but it’s also nearly impossible if you’re unorganized. Get it together by writing in all your upcoming exams and papers in a planner, or updating your iCal or Google Calendar. This way you’ll know what you need to work on and when, and a paper won’t creep up on you. Win-win, right?
Use Breaks Wisely
During the day, your schedule may be all over the place: class, lunch, class, break, meeting, and so on. A lot of times, you may be inclined to go back to your room or hang out in the Student Lounge during your break, mindlessly staring at Facebook. During midterms though, use these breaks to your advantage! Instead of wasting time walking from McGinley to your dorm and then back to McGinley in an hour for a meeting or whatever, find a quiet spot on the second floor and review your class notes from that day, or start your reading for your next class. It may not seem like much, but it makes a difference on the busiest of days.
Find a Study Spot
Let’s just say that sometimes, your dorm room or apartment isn’t the most productive place. A quiet change of scenery can help you settle down and focus – you just need to find the spot for you. If Walsh Library is too quiet and tense for you, you can try your dorm’s study lounge or the basement in Keating Hall during the day. Personally, I like the kitchenettes in my hall, O’Hare – not too quiet, but relaxing and distraction-free so I can focus. (Another hint: hit the hallway. Seriously, there are no distractions, just boring beige walls you don’t want to stare at.)
Enlist Help
Study groups are a great resource: when you practically live with half your classmates, there’s really no reason not to be part of one. Split up the work on review guides and then meet up with your group to go over them. Not only will you reinforce what you studied by teaching it to someone else, but your group members will also break down the material in a way that’s more understandable than your professor’s lectures. There’s a serious caveat here though – make sure you choose study partners wisely. You don’t want to get too distracted by that hot guy in your chem class.
What are your favorite study tips? Share in the comments!