We all know this, but midterms suck, especially at Cal Poly. It feels like you just got back to school, and you’re already hit with test after test after test…you get the point. Midterms suck really bad, and many people find themselves in a sort of slump during midterms, especially during fall quarter! Here are some tips to avoid that crappy midterm slump and kick a** on your midterms.
1. Caffeinate… A lot
As college students, we all know the importance of caffeine in your daily life. It helps keep you awake, it helps keep you alert, and it helps you study longer. These are all definite benefits of caffeine consumption, and it is a must for a busy girl during college. Just make sure you listen to your body and don’t overdo it. If its two AM, you’ve been up for 22 hours, and you’re hearing colors, it’s probably time to switch to decaf and go to sleep.
2. Make sure you get a decent amount of sleep
Contrary to popular belief, sleep is not for the weak, especially during midterm season. You need to get a decent amount of rest to help your brain restart and get back into a learning mode. Your brain cannot function properly on minimal sleep, and it really cuts into your study capabilities as well as your ability to recall things for exams. Seriously, it’s important. If you find yourself getting less than six hours of sleep a night, you need to find a way to make adjustments and get that extra shut-eye. It will do you good in the long run.
3. Study efficiently
It would be amazing if you could realistically memorize every single fact from every single one of your textbooks, but you just can’t. People spend way too much time trying to focus on every aspect of their classes and don’t spend enough time looking at the most important details. Usually, if you understand a concept, you can explain other problems relating to that concept. If you memorize the select formulas you need for your exam, you should be able to manipulate them and figure out other problems, especially if you’ve practiced. But spending time trying to memorize every single fact about history, or learning every last variation of a formula is going to fry your brain, and you likely won’t remember it anyway. Study more efficiently by focusing on the main points and a few subpoints, and try to relate the concepts you’re learning about to other situations. Don’t fry your brain trying to learn everything.
4. Take a f**king break
We see you falling asleep. The whole library sees you falling asleep. Seriously, quit trying to be Superwoman by staying up for over 24 hours at a time, working, doing schoolwork and projects, volunteering and everything else you have on your plate. We know you’re busy, and midterms aren’t making that easier, but studying too much on top of everything else is just going to kill your brain and make you exhausted. Take a d*mn break! You’ll be fine!
5. Find something that relaxes you and take advantage of it
It doesn’t matter if it’s a five minute power nap to get your brain back into focus or a two hour snooze fest. If it relaxes you, do it. When you are stressed out during midterm season, you need to give your brain and body a break. Do yoga, listen to music, read a book for fun, but DO NOT spend the entire midterm season trying to cram as much information into your skull as possible. You will regret it, your mind will regret it, and your body will regret it. Relax, de-stress, and kick a** on your tests.
Midterm season sucks. But if you take care of yourself and avoid falling into a slump, you will succeed. Good luck, Mustangs!