As spring break draws closer, there is only one thing between college students and their precious week off: midterms. Though the halfway point exams may not be as villainized in pop culture as finals, midterms are still a stressful point in the semester.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your upcoming tests, fear not! There are some tips to help you prepare for your midterms.
- Use your resources!
Your professors are there to help you. If you’re having a difficult time with a particular concept, reach out to your professor or TA for help, or better yet, attend their office hours. Check your syllabus for times your professor is available, and reach out to them if there are not any listed.
Before you go to office hours, write down any questions you have! It is easy to forget what you are going to ask when you are “under pressure.” If you have a list prepared, you will be able to ask your questions quickly and be on your way out in no time.
Beyond your professors, many schools offer tutoring services free of charge (view Arizona State University’s tutoring resource here). There is no shame in asking for help and working with tutors can be less intimidating than working with a professor (though, again, your professors are there to help you!)
- Make a study schedule
Now that you’ve had some help with concepts you may have been struggling with, create a study schedule for yourself. Set aside specific time for each test you need to study for and stick to it! Write it down, or put it in your Google or Apple calendar. If cute planners motivate you, check out these templates on Canva to write out a study schedule.
- Get your friends involved
Studying on your own can be tedious. Putting a study group together can make it more enjoyable, and help you get over the initial hump of starting your study time. You and your friends can meet somewhere interesting to change the scenery, or treat yourselves to a snack or drink while studying.
Another way to study in a group is a PowerPoint night. Have everyone create a slideshow about something they need to study and present it. That way, not only will you learn from putting the information together and presenting it, but your friends will also have the opportunity to learn!
- Take a breath and take a break
Once you get into a studying mindset, it can be easy to overload your brain with information. Remember to take breaks in your studying to let the information process in your mind. Try not to get on your phone during breaks; take a walk, get a drink or a snack. Let your eyes have a break from staring at a screen or page.
Make sure you are getting enough sleep, especially the night before your test. Before you go into your exam, have something to eat so you aren’t distracted by hunger pangs in your stomach. Finally, take a deep breath, and remember that you’ve prepared for this! You’ve put in the work, and you are capable of passing your midterm.
- Chew gum
Pick a specific flavor of gum while you’re studying, and bring the same kind of gum to your exam. Studies have shown that your brain may recall what you’ve studied easier if you chew the same kind of gum as when you studied.
Chewing gum won’t replace the hard work you have to do to pass an exam, but it can help give you the extra boost to remember everything you’ve learned.