Ah, it is that time of year again. The fall of leaves and the chill breeze usher in Halloween, but the season brings an even more spooky experience for college students: midterms. For many students, particularly first-years, this may be the first time they’re encountering an exam this semester. Midterm exams can be stressful and anxiety-inducing, but I’ve found some ways to soothe these daunting emotions. Here are six tips and tricks to remain balanced and organized during midterms!
- The midnight rule
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This is a valuable lesson I learned from my parents about college: if you don’t know it by midnight, just go to bed. I know studying into the early hours of the morning may seem like a good idea, but it will more likely hinder than help your performance. Personally, I would rather trade an hour of cramming for an hour of sleep.
However, if you find yourself cramming through the night before every exam, then that might mean your study methods need some improvement, and that’s okay! Some of these next steps might help you become an even stronger student (and get you a good night’s rest)!
- form study groups and plans
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Studying in groups may help build your understanding of the material by bouncing ideas off of other students. However, study groups are prone to becoming unproductive the larger they become. I suggest finding 2-3 people to form a group with and limiting it to that.
If studying alone is your preferred method, I suggest making a study plan with these three steps:
- Find out what material will be covered on the exam. Many instructors take concepts from previous quizzes. If your instructor has a pre-made study guide, take a look at that, too. This will help guide your study plan.
- Make some practice questions or fill out the pre-made study guide. These tools will help you gauge your understanding of the material. Doing so will also help you cut down on study time by finding your strengths and areas for improvement. Throw force at your improvement concepts, and briefly review your strong ones.
- Determine how you’re going to study the concepts. For some subjects, flashcards may be appropriate. For others, you may want to retake those practice questions or the study guide. Repetition is key to studying.
For a more in-depth list of study methods to try, check out this list of 10 Effective Study Techniques to Try This Year!
- Organize your workspace
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I am a firm believer in the “cluttered space denotes a cluttered mind” trope. That’s why I always take the time to declutter and organize my desk space at least once a week, and I recommend you do so, too! In a clean space, I feel like I can focus on my studies rather than the clutter around me. If you try this out and find yourself cleaning daily (or multiple times a day), I would recommend getting a small desk-side trash can to throw away wrappers, papers, and annoying pencil shavings! (Just make sure you remember to empty this trash can, too!)
- Utilize planners and apps (notion)
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Now that you have a clean workspace, it’s time to organize your study habits!
Getting on top of a study schedule is crucial during midterm season, and I absolutely love using my planner to keep my assignments, exams, and extracurriculars organized. The great part about planners is there are so many styles and layouts to meet your needs. If you are the type to look to the future or plan ahead, a monthly or weekly spread may work for you. If you like to plan by the day, time-blocking in a Google Calendar may be a great option.
There are also planner apps that make organization fun and aesthetically pleasing. My favorite app is Notion. Though the midterm season is probably not the best time to build an entire Notion page, there are some simple, cute, and free templates that may help expedite the process!
- Fuel your body and soul
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I always have trouble concentrating on an empty stomach, and that’s why I recommend bringing your favorite snacks and drinks to study sessions. Not only does this satisfy the stomach, but it also associates studying with something fun and yummy! My favorite study snacks are trail mix and dried fruit!
- keep your passions and people in sight
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Midterms can be very stressful, and it is more important than ever in the semester to care for yourself! Take a moment to breathe, watch an episode of your favorite TV show, meditate, exercise, or hang out with friends and family. Taking some time away from the computer and the library has helped me stay calm and focused during midterms.
Remember, it is never too late to start building these habits! Even if you are done with your midterms, these skills may help you on your final exams!