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group of people reading and studying together at a table
group of people reading and studying together at a table
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Life > Academics

Study Tips to Survive and Thrive this Midterm Season

Colleen Minnaugh
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at LUM chapter.

With midterms already upon us, the season for endless hours of studying and revising has arrived. But, how exactly should you be studying? Here are five tips and tricks to ace your exams and get ready for the rest of the year ahead. 

1. Go to class

I know it sounds cheesy to say, but half the battle is going to your classes. By simply sitting in on a lecture or lesson, your brain is able to hear at least some of the material. And hey, some is better than none! I know it can be hard to drag yourself out of bed, especially if you don’t understand or like the class, but in the long run, you’ll be glad you did! 

Overhead view of Students In Class
Photo by Mikael Kristenson from Unsplash

2. Make a study schedule

It’s important to make sure you have allocated enough time for all your classes, but it is also important to have breaks and not overwhelm yourself. Try making a schedule that involves both times for studying, as well as timed breaks, such as for being on your phone or getting something to eat. Allowing for five minutes of break time every hour will cause better focus during the time when you aren’t on your break because you have already checked your phone or eaten. 

3. Join a study group

Everything is more fun with friends, even studying! Study groups are useful for a variety of reasons. You are able to talk to other students about things you might not understand and hear others’ tips for studying. Oftentimes, other students are able to give a better perspective about a topic because they are in the same shoes as you, as opposed to a teacher who hasn’t been in college in fifty years. 

People sitting at table with laptops and laughing
Photo by Brooke Cagle from Unsplash

4. Eliminate distractions

I know it might be tempting to hop on your phone, scroll on TikTok for a few minutes (or hours if you’re anything like me), and do anything possible to avoid work. One of my best ways of making sure I stay off my phone is by making sure it’s out of my direct line of sight. Usually, I stuff it under my mattress or into a drawer. If I can’t see it, it doesn’t occur to me to check it as often. Make sure it’s muted as well, nothing is worse than when you are getting in the groove, writing a paper, and your phone buzzes so hard it falls off the table. 

5. Professors are your best friends! 

You know that one best friend who you have known since kindergarten, who is the only person you want to hang out with? Well, you have a new, built-in one now! Go to your professors’ office hours, even if it’s just to stop in and say hi and talk briefly about the class. It makes all the difference to get to know them, you get all the extra insights about the class and they are more likely to help you out in the future. Demonstrated interest is one of the key factors that professors look for in their students. They want students who take the initiative and go out of their way to understand the material!

Two women sit at a table and talk
Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com from Unsplash

There are dozens more study tips floating around the internet but these five basics will help you rock exam season!

Colleen Minnaugh is a sophomore at Loyola University Maryland. She is originally from Atlanta GA, and is a writing major with an English minor. Writing and reading have been a huge part of her life since middle school; from AP Literature, to dramatic writing class, she has always known that writing would be a huge part of her life. Colleen has been working at her local, all female owned and operated bookstore since she was fifteen years old, leading her to be exposed to many different kinds of writing styles and genres, but she quickly discovered that classic literature holds a very special place in her heart. From the stories told by the likes of Charlotte Bronte, Franz Kafka, to even the occasional contemporary author such as Sylvia Plath, Colleen is absolutely captivated by the beloved classics. Colleen will mainly aim to write opinion based pieces on current events, pop culture, politics, book reviews, movie recommendations, and so much more! She will publish an article about every two weeks, and she hopes that you enjoy them each time!