This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at St. John's chapter.
We have all been stressed out because we forgot about a test, or just lacked timely judgment of how long it would take to study. Well, I’m here to help you ace those tests and midterms regardless of how discombobulated you may feel.
- My first tip to ace your midterms is to create a top 3. A top 3 is a list of the 3 most important things you need to accomplish that are placed in order of significance. This method will help you visualize what you need to do without the pressure of looking at a million assignments at once.
- After creating a top 3 list, I advise that you check out your syllabus for every class. Your syllabus usually acts as a guide for the expectations and curriculum covered in a course. The syllabus will give you the inside scoop on what your professor is expecting. After looking over a syllabus, it is best to look at all uploaded lectures, notes, and study help guides.
- After you have completed these steps, it is time to prepare yourself for studying. I suggest studying outside of your room because it can be a temptation to procrastinate or jump back in bed. My favorite study spot is a room in the D’Angelo Center or going to the library. Wherever you decide to study, make sure it’s a space that motivates you to put forth your best effort. After selecting a study area, I always enjoy placing my phone on DND (Do not Disturb), and deleting my social media apps. This way, I am not tempted to text a friend back or go through Instagram stories. Once the distractions are out of the way, I can effectively study.
- I enjoy color, so using colored markers and highlighters helps me to match concepts to their terms by color coordinating. Seeing black and white-colored font for the entirety of studying can be incredibly dull and not motivating. This may sound elementary for many at a collegiate level, but yes, I still make flashcards. They help me to quiz myself and remember information. If you do not enjoy the traditional flashcards, I suggest using study apps like Quizlet or Khan Academy to practice your skills. Another method to study could be the map method. This map consists of writing out essential concepts and using lines to identify the smaller concepts associated with the keys through memory. After doing this, go back to your notes and check if your grasp of the information was accurate.
- My last study tip would be to pretend you are teaching the information to someone else. Sometimes the best way to know if you understand something is to try and explain it to someone else. After trying out all these methods, I am optimistic that you will understand the information and ace your exams. Always remember your grades are never a reflection of your competency or intelligence. But, putting forth your best effort and studying can make you feel more confident and successful that you will see the fruit of your labor. My best wishes to all during this hectic midterm season, and happy studying!