It’s that time of year again! The dreaded midterm exams are coming up and everyone is freaking out about them. Sound about right? Are you one of the many college students who feel utterly unprepared to pass your exams? Let me help! Here are some unconventional study tips that work for me, and hopefully work for you, too!
Don’t spend too long staring at your notes and books!
This may sound counterproductive to some of you, but just staring at words on a page will only get you so far. I’ll look over notes and textbooks for about 20 minutes (per class!) before I call it quits. It all runs together after that long, and all I’m doing is wasting my time. Anything I read goes in one side and right out the other. It’s literally useless for me (and probably for you, too.) Instead, try rewriting your notes using color-coded sections. Add in some doodles that relate to the topics while you’re at it! You’re going to find that this is more engaging than just reading, which helps you remember the information better and easier. Trust me on this one, it works. Go buy some new funky pens and get going!
Listen to music while you study!
I honestly don’t know how people do anything without music playing. If I’m reading, there’s music. If I’m writing, there’s music. If I’m studying, there’s music. There is always music playing when I’m around. I always tell people to choose a relaxing playlist to listen to; something that won’t distract you from what you’re doing, but enough to keep the noise of the room down. It’s a balance, and I find that this coffee house Spotify playlist works wonders for me, especially when in a busy campus building with too much chatter to get anything done. It’s also been scientifically proven that listening to music while studying helps you memorize the information. I’m not a scientist, but I believe this 100 percent.
Have something to snack on handy at all times.
I literally bring a lunch box with me when I go somewhere to study. I don’t mess around, you guys. I’m one of those people who is always hungry, though, so if that’s not you, skip this part and go to the next one. Having something to munch on while studying helps keep me energized and awake enough to focus for longer periods of time. My go to study snack is frozen mango (I know, I can see the eye roll but trust me, it’s delicious), some kind of chip, cookies, cuties, and string cheese. I also throw in a chocolate almond milk for good measure.
DO NOT STRESS OUT ABOUT YOUR EXAMS!!!!
This is the easiest advice to give and the hardest to follow. I also think it’s the key to doing well. Stressing yourself out about a test pretty much guarantees a lower grade than going into the room relaxed and confident. You know your stuff, you studied your little college brain out, now it’s time to cross the (middle) finish line. I like to come up with mantras for myself before I take a test. Usually it’s something along the lines of this: You are the smartest person in this room. You will pass. There is no other option here. And if that sounds cocky… good. It’s supposed to. It’s supposed to hype you up about your own ability. Think of something that works for you, and repeat it over and over in your head. You’d be surprised with how much some personal pep-talking does to your test taking mojo.