The fall semester is in full swing now, and the time for midterms is quickly approaching. Tests in general can be stressful, especially if you feel unprepared and don’t know where to start with your studying. There’s no need to stress if you’re prepared, and with some good study tips and methods, you’re sure to ace all your tests this semester and in the future. Take a deep breath and get ready to study!
- Get a study guide from your professor, or make your own
Many professors will provide study guides for midterms and finals, so take advantage of that and use it! If they don’t provide one, there’s no need to stress because you can easily make your own. Using different colors for various classes can help you remain organized and keep track of each study guide. Be sure to make your study guide clear and organized to avoid any confusion or uncertainty. Use pens, highlighters, and pencils to differentiate between topics or questions and answers. The best practice for your study guide is to make it thorough and cover each topic, especially the concepts that you struggle with!
- Create a study group
Get together with some friends or classmates and combine your knowledge and study methods! The more you study, the better off you’ll be. Friends/classmates can also help clear up confusion or give you new ways to remember information from the class; they have a different perspective that can give you new insights! Having a study group can also be helpful for moral support through these stressful times. Chances are, they will completely understand your stress and anxiety. Studying with friends is also much more fun, and they can ensure that you remain focused and keep your mind on getting that A on your midterm!
- Test yourself and/or each other
Doing mock tests can help you pull stored information from your brain during the actual test by using your muscle memory. It also ensures that you have the information and answers stored in your brain, ready to use on the midterm. Get one of your study buddies to help you out; you guys can take turns testing each other. For questions that you don’t know the answer to, mark them down and be sure to study those some more.
- Meet with the professor or tutors to clear up any confusion
The best way to begin studying is to make sure you have all the information you need first. Your professor is an expert and has all the knowledge about the class and its contents, so don’t be afraid to use their help! Schedule a time to meet with them or go see them during their office hours and ask them to clarify anything you’re confused about or don’t understand. They want to see you succeed, and chances are that they will be more than happy to help you.
- Get good sleep, especially the night before
The key to doing well on your exam is getting plenty of sleep, especially the night before. Don’t save all your studying for the night before, and then stay up all night trying to cram things in. You need to be well rested and alert for your midterm. Spend at least the week before gradually studying; you could spend an hour or two each night, and that will yield much better results than trying to cram everything in the night before.
Brooklynn Jolley can be reached at [email protected]