Believe it or not, midterm season is already upon us. Here are my best tips on how to tackle your upcoming test, paper, or project.
1. If the idea of studying for your midterm feels scary, try this perspective shift. The word “studying” reminds me of late nights spent cramming in the library, desperately trying to memorize things. The mere thought of that feels exhausting, and so I’m likely to procrastinate. Framing my exam prep as “reviewing” instead reminds me to make meaningful connections with the material. Not just between brain cells, but between different lectures and even different courses. I’ve found that if I can make it matter to me, every piece of information that I review — no matter how small — is something I’m more likely to remember.
2. Spice up your review session with some creativity! A little bit of outside-the-box thinking can turn study dread into excitement. My personal favorite method is to fill a whiteboard with what I’m reviewing and record a video of myself talking through it. Even if it feels a little silly, I’ll thank myself later, when I can re-watch the video during finals week. Using a whiteboard is also a great strategy for planning out a paper or for brainstorming what you’ll need to do to complete a project.
3. Write down questions that come up as you review and bring them to your professor’s office hours. No questions? No problem! Office hours are also a great time to practice talking through a concept or to ask your professor for their best review tips.
4. Use your campus resources! If your course offers them, attend your Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions. Your SI leader is a student who’s taken the class already. They’ve seen a thing or two, and you’re guaranteed to feel extra prepared if you attend their special exam review session, which usually happens just before test day. There, you’ll have a chance to ask questions and review with your peers, often through fun games. If your midterm is a paper, make a visit to the Writing Desk for advice and strategies for developing your piece from a writing tutor!
5. In the days leading up to your exam or due date, the importance of self-care becomes magnified. I’ll never forget this piece of advice given to me during my freshman fall by an SI leader: the best thing you can do before an exam is to get a good night of sleep and eat a good meal. Though it might be tempting, skip the late-night last-minute review. As you sleep, your brain will synthesize what you’ve already learned, and that knowledge will count for a lot. Plus, you’ll feel so much better about your upcoming exam or project when you wake up refreshed rather than groggy. Put in a little extra effort toward pampering yourself, too. This looks different for everyone — maybe it’s treating yourself to a face mask, wearing an outfit that makes you feel confident, or painting your nails a cheerful color. You do you. And please don’t forget to drink water.
6. A positive mindset before and during an exam can go a long way. When you’re nervous, it’s easy to dwell on what you don’t know or what you didn’t do to prepare. But you don’t have to. On test day, remind yourself of one thing you know well or feel confident about. Make a list of five of them on a sticky note. Tell a couple to a friend at lunch. It doesn’t matter how big or small these things might be — hold onto them. You know them.
7. Bring a set of colorful highlighters to your exam. Not only will your test packet look gorgeous, but by highlighting, you’ll be able to catch every part of each question.
8. Last but not least, don’t forget to celebrate after your midterm! Regardless of how the test, paper, or project might’ve gone, you have a lot to be proud of just for showing up. Go treat yourself to something yummy, pop on your favorite song and dance away any remaining midterm angst, or just cozy up in bed for a long nap. You did it.