Academic Tips for Midterm Season

It’s that time of the year again: midterm season! This time can cause a lot of unwarranted stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights for many students. However, there are several things students can do to ensure a successful midterm season by incorporating responsible study patterns and practicing healthy methods of self-care. If you find yourself feeling stressed, exhausted, and unsure about how to go about studying for your midterm exams, be sure to continue reading below!

How to Ace Your Midterms:

1. Organize your study materials, readings, and notes at least one week before the day of the exam.

• To prepare for midterms, make sure you gather all your notes that you will need to study. Go over your class readings, lecture notes, and make sure you write out all the tasks you need to complete. Write down all the readings, notes, and assignments you plan on reviewing to make sure you don’t forget anything.

​2. Form study groups.

• Study groups are an incredible way to study the material for your classes, as it allows you to talk about it with other students and teach each other the material. There are many studies that show that learning by teaching is a very effective way to study, as it allows for individuals to fully grasp the material in a deeper way. It’s also a great way to clarify any confusions on the class materials and share resources!

​3. Create a study guide including all the important information that will be on the test.

• Creating a study guide of the possible concepts and questions will allow for you to study in a much more organized way. If you are unsure about the material that will be included in the exam, be sure to ask your professor or your teaching assistants. They are there to help you, and even if their responses might not be extremely specific about the material, asking what will be covered on the exam will allow you to grasp a better idea about the test itself and the kinds of questions that will be asked.

​4. Maintain a healthy sleep schedule to ensure academic success.

• While staying up all night to study might seem like a good idea in the moment, it is essential to prioritize sleep! To ensure maximum cognitive performance, do your best to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night, and especially during midterm season! Getting enough sleep will allow you to feel more focused, energized, and will allow you to absorb the material you are reviewing.

5. Create a study calendar.

• By creating a study plan, you will be able to designate an appropriate amount of time to each of your classes that have midterms. By gathering all your important dates, and recording them in your planner or calendar, you’ll be able to plan accordingly in terms of how much time to devote to each of your classes. Organization is key!

6. Take care of your body!

• Make sure you are eating enough, drinking enough water, and also allowing yourself time to relax and decompress. When you spend long hours studying, it is essential for you to have enough fuel to make sure you actually retain the information and can focus throughout the day. Do not push your body to extremes and be sure to listen to your body’s needs.