Midterms are never easy to get through especially when you have them all in the same week. Unfortunately, that's how my midterms come around every year. I used to panic my first few semesters here on campus but now, I feel like I have a routine that helps me to make time for each test without being overwhelmed. So these are five steps I take to make sure I succeed during midterms.
Schedule Each Test:
I tend to find that when I have a lot of projects and tests that are all due around the same time the best thing to do is right it all down so I can see how much time I have between each assignment/test. I recommend doing this about a week before any midterms start to help out with the next step.
Get Additional Homework Done the Week Before Testing:
If I try to complete every individual assignment and study at the same time I don’t do as well as I could have. I never have more than a day between tests so I barely have enough time to prepare, let alone complete homework. When you get ahead on as much work as you can it frees up more space for studying.
Prioritize Time:
This step could look differently for others but I find it helpful to figure out which tests will need the most amount of studying for so I can make sure I spend my time wisely. For example, I am most nervous about my legal environment exam so I have spent an hour or two each day on the material.
Get Enough Sleep:
This step seems silly but it has been a game changer for me. I used to stay up super late or even all night just to study for a test. What I didn’t realize was that it actually caused me to perform worse and remember less. So now I schedule my time so I get a good 8 hours of sleep every night, even during midterms. Now I remember double the content and perform better.
Don’t Stress:
I have noticed that the more I stress, the more I overthink. So, I try not to stress about my exams. At this point, I have done all I can do and I can’t change or control the outcome any more than I already have. No matter the results, it’s just a test. It does not determine how successful you will be or your self worth.
I hope this helps someone else to conquer their midterms and to not stress out. It’s a hard week but we will all get through it!
Luice, thank you for your incredibly helpful post! I’ve never been the best at taking tests, no matter how hard I study or practice. Midterms always fill me with dread, but I’m determined to pass all of mine this semester. I’ve changed my approach by setting a schedule, establishing a routine, and prioritizing my time. I’ll definitely utilize some of the methods you’ve found effective for your midterms as well!
ReplyDeleteThis is so great, Lucie! I always get wrapped up in making sure all my work is done and that I am doing enough to do well on my midterms that I forget to do simple things like get enough sleep. These were very insightful and I think these are also very important to prioritize!
ReplyDeleteOMG, I need to try this strategy. I always stress myself out so much when midterms come around because I almost forget about them until its the week of. My midterms are different than most because I'm a theatre major, so I'll have to see which of your strategies also work for me. I know for sure getting enough sleep helps me be able to sing and dance better. It's so interesting that sleep helps no matter your major.
ReplyDeleteI feel like yout routine for tackling midterms is solid and shows a lot of maturity in managing stress and priorities. Scheduling each test and getting ahead on homework are great ways to stay organized and reduce last-minute panic. I love it, will certainly try it out.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list of items to help yourself excel midterms! I try to even out my studying by the level of difficulty, but sometimes I then don't study enough for one and too much for another. I am also in legal environment right now and have been trying to study at least an hour every day for the past week, but there is so much information! Lastly, I feel that sometimes I may stay up to continue studying, when instead I should be asleep so my brain has time to process all the information I have been looking over. These are such great tips and I will definitely be using them this week and in the future!
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