If your schedule is anything like mine (or if you’re taking any classes at Duke this semester) you’ve probably taken some midterms already. Or maybe, like me, you are currently studying for your upcoming midterm (Friday, eek!). Either way, your nights are becoming less about socializing and more about hitting the books to prepare for that upcoming test.
Here are some important aspects to consider during the middle of the week (humpday hey) when it’s time to decide whether you should put on your tight skirt and head to Shooters, or throw on a pair of sweats and cozy up at Perkins:
How Much you Already Know Makes a Difference
Are you taking a class where you feel like all you have to do is read the book and you’ll be fine for the test? The unfortunate truth is, you probably won’t be. And unless you have been keeping up with the material each day when you’ve been skipping class/not paying attention in lecture, it’s probably not a smart decision to skip a night of reading to grind on the Shooters’ floor.
If your test is in the next two days, the best thing to do at this point is to start reading and catch up on the chapters you’ve missed. Take some handwritten notes as you go along, or do some practice problems; rewriting the information can only help you! If your test is a little further out, you can risk taking a night to party, but just be aware that this will mean you have a lot more pages to read in the (not so distant) future.
Make it Work
Keep in mind that even if you are behind in class, you can still go out if you plan ahead! Getting a big chunk of work done on Monday and Tuesday can open up your Wednesday night, but make sure you feel confident about how much you know before you put down the books until Thursday. Also, don’t go too crazy, because if you’re hungover the day before your test it’s going to be a lot harder to pick up studying where you left off, and all your “pre-planned” work will go to waste!
On the other hand, if you’ve been paying attention in lecture, taking notes, and keeping up with the reading, then “studying” is going to consist mostly of reviewing your notes. It’s time to find five bucks and get your ID because you’re going to Shooters!
The important thing to remember is to make sure that you aren’t letting one side of Duke take over your week. If you feel like you are constantly sacrificing your studies to take a mid-week break and ride the bull, you should probably think about slowing down. On the same note, if you’re always saying no to your friends because you’re preparing for that Chem midterm two weeks down the road, think about taking a breather and having some fun!