For some of us midterms have come and gone. However, for those of you who might still have midterms or a big test coming up in general; here are a few tips on how to be fully prepared. I present to you, your guide to midterm miracles.
Plan Ahead
Take it upon yourself to review your syllabus way in advance. By doing so, you are aware of when your midterms or tests will be and what material it will cover. This strategy gives you enough information and time to fully prepare for an exam. Also, make sure to ask the professor what will be on the exam. If they’re one of those who refuse to do so, try to focus more in class on key concepts that seem to be discussed in further detail. Pay attention to everything written on the board.Plan out to have specific study times and locations (if you’re that fancy). After all it has been found that by studying at different places, it helps one to retain information.
Study Methods…INDEX CARDS!
This might be a little old school for some of us collegiates but I swear by these. INDEX CARDS!!! If your professor gives you a study guide, make sure to copy all terms onto separate index cards. Index cards come in handy for riding the shuttle, walking across campus (hey we text while walking anyways…just watch out!), eating around campus.
Avoid All-Nighters
Do not cram! Studying the night before is never a good idea. By stressing your brain out to retain a boatload of information especially between the hours of let’s say 10pm-3am, you are only making things worse on yourself. Study weeks, or even days ahead but never the night before.
Questions? Ask them
Ask questions. If the professor goes over a concept you don’t quite comprehend, ask for clarification. What’s the worst that can happen? Most of our peers are wondering the same thing when it comes to confusion during a lecture. So be bold, raise that hand up and ask!
Nom nom…it’s Food Time!
Eat a balanced breakfast or at least some type of fruit. Try to avoid taking any test on an empty stomach. Your brain needs fuel to go, go, go!
Study Groups!
Form a study group with others from class. Try to avoid studying with friends if you all tend to get distracted quickly. By studying with others from class who you don’t know too well, you’ll avoid distractions. I know it’s not good to talk to strangers but in this case, just talk to strangers in your class.
Relax
Take breaks in between study time. Make sure not to sit at your desk staring down your biology or psychology book for hours on end. Take 10 minute breaks. Try to not to straggle onto social media though. We all know how that can go.
Quick Review
Skim through notes, index cards, and maybe even a few chapters the night before BUT do not stay up the entire night for this.
…SLEEP!!!Get a great night’s rest the night before your exam. A night of good sleep helps your body to be more alert and helps it to function better the next day.
Have a midterm coming up or an exam in general? Try these tips for some awesome results. Remember to go in there with confidence, and extra writing utensils (pens & pencils with erasers). Then go in there and show the test whose boss. You go collegiate!