First week has passed. Second week has passed. Third week has passed. Now you’re looking at your calendar wondering how on earth you have four midterms next week. We’ve all been there. Midterms can be daunting, especially if it’s your first year at university. Even if you have dealt with midterms before, you’re probably in need of a few new study tips and techniques. Learning looks different for everyone, but hopefully after this article you’ll be able to add some new tactics into your study routine!
Take Care of Yourself
Okay, so everyone’s heard this before but that’s because it’s so important. In order retain a mass amount of information, your brain has to be happy and healthy – that means getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, and moving your body. I try to aim for eight hours a night (a feat that seems impossible by the time midterms approach), but the more the better. An app like SleepBot (free!) is great for setting alarms as well as tracking your movements, sounds, and REM cycles throughout the night. Exercising is essential when you’re studying; it keeps your blood flowing and your brain energized. You can follow workout videos on your computer or phone, or you can visit CARSA or McKinnon gym (free!) to get your sweat on!
Of course there’s a lot of pressure to do well academically, but if you feel that your mental state is interfering with your success, you can make an appointment or drop-in at Counselling Services to speak with a counsellor.
Start Early
Another cliché, but stick with me here. Use the first few weeks to set yourself up for success and you’ll be glad you did. Write every important date down, read the assigned pages, and attend class. This is the time frame where you can make either good or bad habits, so try to get into a good routine that will help you as the semester goes on. Personally, I create a reading schedule chart each semester outlining what chapters I have to read week by week and hang it on the wall in front of my desk as a visual reminder. This is by far one of the most motivating methods I’ve found to keep up to date on the assigned readings.
When you have questions from either the readings or the lectures, it’s best to bring it up with a TA (if your class has them) before you contact a professor. The teacher’s assistants are there for the sole purpose of helping you understand the material, and they’re students themselves, so introduce yourself and ask for clarification when you need it.
Before the Midterm
Gearing up for midterms is a bit overwhelming when you don’t know where to start, so it’s best to gauge where you’re lacking. Don’t waste your time reviewing everything you know by heart – instead, spend your time reviewing concepts that are unclear. The golden rule: if you can’t explain it to a friend, you don’t know it well enough. Some methods of studying work well for select departments. For example, flashcards are great for any term- or date-heavy courses such as language, science or history courses, while practice problems work well for more number-heavy courses like math. And of course, adjust your techniques to the format of the midterm (i.e. practice writing out concepts and themes if your midterm includes an essay). Lastly, research has proven that writing out your notes increases your retention of the information, so when in doubt, write it out.
After the Midterm
Congrats! You did it. Once you get your results back, assess for yourself what worked and what didn’t – and make adjustments as necessary. Afterwards, don’t be afraid to speak with your TA or professor to go over any areas you didn’t do well. Find the sections that need work, and be sure to conquer them for the final exam. Good luck!