10 Steps to Taking Midterms

The semester is almost halfway through. You feel accomplished knowing you've made it this far, but something is eating at you. What is it? Have you forgotten an assignment? Have you not sent an email? Missed a test? Wait, a test. "Oh no," you realize, "It's time for midterms."

Just like you, dear reader, many students are coming to this realization and are starting to feel the pressure. But before you let the fear of midterms consume you, take a moment to stop, breathe, and read:

1. Realize midterms are upon you.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F02%2F28%2F6359229377974352651069967392_realization-o.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=823&h=6a526f39a55285c0609667d5be53a3eb97ce23ea2f14c0175034734cf603626b&size=980x&c=2803138905 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F02%252F28%252F6359229377974352651069967392_realization-o.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D823%26h%3D6a526f39a55285c0609667d5be53a3eb97ce23ea2f14c0175034734cf603626b%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2803138905%22%7D" expand=1]

You're looking through your planner, trying to schedule when to go to Pilates next week when you realize, midterms are coming up!

2. Don't panic!

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F02%2F28%2F635922939574253409-10474592_colbert-panic.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=57&h=aeffa35be7ba270bcea73964d42ae8754c15a9c7935d7f2a38cfaf475a2406fb&size=980x&c=2093760961 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F02%252F28%252F635922939574253409-10474592_colbert-panic.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D57%26h%3Daeffa35be7ba270bcea73964d42ae8754c15a9c7935d7f2a38cfaf475a2406fb%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2093760961%22%7D" expand=1]

3. Start studying.

OK, you've lived through midterms before. You can do this. You got this. You're not going to let these tests scare you.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F02%2F28%2F6359229407604654941028649893_tumblr_inline_n3llrviMOn1sq9wsr.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=843&h=619c71c5aded7e3907a88d48dc1f72cea12d031551d512a815eeced39b629798&size=980x&c=2715182404 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F02%252F28%252F6359229407604654941028649893_tumblr_inline_n3llrviMOn1sq9wsr.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D843%26h%3D619c71c5aded7e3907a88d48dc1f72cea12d031551d512a815eeced39b629798%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2715182404%22%7D" expand=1]

Wait, when did you learn this? You don't remember taking these notes. What day did you take these notes? Wait, you didn't date these notes?! When did you take these notes?

4. Get a study group together.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F02%2F28%2F635922949323812740-244625417_tumblr_msanv0Bi8x1swws3so1_500.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=312&h=38aa97f68e7c5a43a7dac8144228013c6ba16030d3151a6f89adfb75fe912779&size=980x&c=4149767760 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F02%252F28%252F635922949323812740-244625417_tumblr_msanv0Bi8x1swws3so1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D312%26h%3D38aa97f68e7c5a43a7dac8144228013c6ba16030d3151a6f89adfb75fe912779%26size%3D980x%26c%3D4149767760%22%7D" expand=1]

"So, does anyone else remember what chapter 14 is about?"
"Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell?"
"This is calculus, Steve. Can someone get Steve a coffee?"

5. Take a break from studying.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F02%2F28%2F635922950760495618295350693_9bd522c1gw1ehkllrx6i2g20b4068hdu.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=278&h=cb66dfd1d27d3b6cdc266b73beab38d16d4e3248e9accc932170d121cd79ecbe&size=980x&c=12694255 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F02%252F28%252F635922950760495618295350693_9bd522c1gw1ehkllrx6i2g20b4068hdu.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D278%26h%3Dcb66dfd1d27d3b6cdc266b73beab38d16d4e3248e9accc932170d121cd79ecbe%26size%3D980x%26c%3D12694255%22%7D" expand=1]

You try to look at those YouTube videos talking about Freudian slips, but there's a cat video on the homepage, and how terrible would it be to take 30 seconds to watch this adorable cat.

6. Start crunching the numbers:

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F02%2F28%2F635922952617478420-1933601613_madea-with-calculator-o.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=630&h=d719c7bdfeb691d71ed012ba64d11286feda2760517dd0441cbbb7c2877d0cad&size=980x&c=1403677069 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F02%252F28%252F635922952617478420-1933601613_madea-with-calculator-o.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D630%26h%3Dd719c7bdfeb691d71ed012ba64d11286feda2760517dd0441cbbb7c2877d0cad%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1403677069%22%7D" expand=1]

OK, so if my grade is a 92 percent, based on homework and quizzes and previous tests, then I need to get at least an 85 percent on the midterm to give me some wiggle room for that paper due in a month, and then if I can get at least 80 percent on all the quizzes from here on out...

7. Start seriously entertaining the extra credit options.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F02%2F28%2F6359229540722839732097084193_typing-gif.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=365&h=225700a169f7e816a046efe1438264a13d538e56e3e3e662a9f2f3269df52bd0&size=980x&c=1863690343 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F02%252F28%252F6359229540722839732097084193_typing-gif.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D365%26h%3D225700a169f7e816a046efe1438264a13d538e56e3e3e662a9f2f3269df52bd0%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1863690343%22%7D" expand=1]

OK, so the extra credit is a five-page paper discussing the importance of the "PowerPoint" to office spaces, but it could raise my grade three percent, overall!

8. Get some help from past students.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F02%2F28%2F635922955522089503-1635583584_No-Parrot-Head-Shake-Reaction-Gif.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=412&h=a2647abc68b79b13741bd706ef03bf15ffcb31c2123e42f9983e56999d6608a5&size=980x&c=4007075321 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F02%252F28%252F635922955522089503-1635583584_No-Parrot-Head-Shake-Reaction-Gif.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D412%26h%3Da2647abc68b79b13741bd706ef03bf15ffcb31c2123e42f9983e56999d6608a5%26size%3D980x%26c%3D4007075321%22%7D" expand=1]

"Hey roomie... You had Mrs. Ludkisk last semester, right?"
"Oh, dude. I'm so sorry. There is no help. No help at all."
"Great..."

9. Eat all the junk food as you cram for your tests.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F02%2F28%2F635922957574534416-1729582982_tumblr_inline_n4wgqcZE7f1qc47wu.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=419&h=b34a3456fcf1ec9e332bcfc3c6b69a5e38e8fc37e44cc0e895dcb3c65f728de6&size=980x&c=1310613541 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F02%252F28%252F635922957574534416-1729582982_tumblr_inline_n4wgqcZE7f1qc47wu.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D419%26h%3Db34a3456fcf1ec9e332bcfc3c6b69a5e38e8fc37e44cc0e895dcb3c65f728de6%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1310613541%22%7D" expand=1]

Because everyone knows that potato chips and ice cream make your brain more adept to remembering information. It's practically proven.

10. Walk into that test knowing you got this.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F02%2F28%2F635922960603046020612149944_i-got-this.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=623&h=d6c7e8f29eb6e6a22a733f1ed77eac96093224f0a2fb3b74db1fd0ed63890114&size=980x&c=3267977372 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F02%252F28%252F635922960603046020612149944_i-got-this.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D623%26h%3Dd6c7e8f29eb6e6a22a733f1ed77eac96093224f0a2fb3b74db1fd0ed63890114%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3267977372%22%7D" expand=1]

OK, so maybe you won't know all the answers, but you got this. You studied, you cried, and maybe even prayed a little. This is what your public school career has prepared you for, and all the midterms you've taken before today. You're ready.

Now go and slay those exams!

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F02%2F28%2F6359229641235809041428611334_Jeff-Winger-Community-GIF.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=434&h=a8e481833828d48425cc0273cc2e9da3731d48a501fad1d3ab63ad72d652fd04&size=980x&c=2907696665 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F02%252F28%252F6359229641235809041428611334_Jeff-Winger-Community-GIF.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D434%26h%3Da8e481833828d48425cc0273cc2e9da3731d48a501fad1d3ab63ad72d652fd04%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2907696665%22%7D" expand=1]