Midterm season is upon us again; it’s truly crazy how time flies here. For me, college midterms are different from my high school ones: they’re more frequent, they come in various formats, and depending on the teacher, there are many different expectations. With my second round of college midterms now under my belt, I thought I would share some tips and tricks that I’ve learned to help me be successful during these potentially stressful times.
Time management is key
I know I sound like a broken record, but truly time management helps prioritize your studying, homework, and extracurricular activities. I always make sure to write down the day, time, and place of my exams in my planner far in advance so I don’t forget. This also helps me figure out how to allocate my studying time to avoid burnout. Having a written record of my responsibilities makes me feel more organized and helps me to be as successful as possible.
Don’t overdo it
Studying for hours on end can make prepping for exams feel like you’re taking one step forward and three steps back. What I mean by that is sometimes after studying for a certain amount of time, there’s a point where it isn’t helpful anymore, and it just results in confusion and frustration. Be sure to prioritize studying based on classes that are challenging for you, or maybe by the next exam you have, but it’s important that once you recognize you’ve hit your limit, you step away and return to it later or work on something else.
Sleep is your friend
When faced with 3 or 4 exams or papers, it’s easy to want to pull an all-nighter to cram. However, this is not the most efficient use of time. Getting a proper night of sleep ensures that you are well-rested, prepared, and sharp for your exams.
Make time for yourself
This may sound impossible, and maybe like a waste of time, but it’s so important that you take time for yourself to give your mind a rest. Going for a walk, getting coffee with a friend, or going to the Rec are great ways to ease tension and increase productivity in the long run. It’s all about one of my favorite sayings: “work smarter, not harder!”
Balancing all of these during a time that is inherently already stressful can be difficult at first, but with enough practice and experience, it will soon be natural. Self-care is always a number one priority, and soon enough, you’ll look back and thank yourself when you see those stellar scores in your grade book!
As always, go hawks!!
