Whenever midterms or finals come around, life transitions from busy to chaotic. When tasks get this crazy, I find it helpful to go over a list to help with the pandemonium of school, work, and finals. I have never been a very organized person, but I find that staying true to this list of tips helps me get through the end of the semester:

Having a planner to keep you organized is a must in many situations. But particularly for events such as midterms, create a schedule. Write down exactly when you will study for your midterm. If you need to write a paper, don't write it all at once. Commit to doing a certain amount everyday. If having a schedule isn't your style, then at least for one or two weeks until your midterms are done, make it your style. Stick to your schedule. Cross off each task you’ve completed and feel the success!
 

2. Study Appropriately For Each Test

Sometimes, school has little to do with learning and more to do with working with a system that’s a bit of a joke. I've noticed that depending on the test that you will be taking, you must study in different ways. If your test is multiple choice, it is very important to remember key words. Don't remember information in your own way, stick to what the textbook or teacher says. Often, multiple choice tests will quote the teacher or textbook.
 
If the test is a short essay test and you know the topics ahead of time, make a very brief outline for each topic. Write down the main points in bullet points. Write down the list of bullet points a few times. Do this briefly a few days before the test. By the time you take the test you should remember the main bullet points and be able to add a few more sentences around the main points to make a cohesive essay.

3. Schedule A Break

Taking a break now and again is very important. It helps you stay focus on what you’re studying. It’s a release for stress when you just can’t keep reading the same thing over and over again. Take a break, but make sure you stick to your schedule and get back to studying or else, as many of us know, the break will simply turn into procrastination.
 

4. Sleep

Sleep helps us memorize. It has to do with REM cycles, a phase in sleep that helps us retain the information we’ve collected during the day. At times, you’ve studied about all you can. What you need is sleep. Study a little everyday, and between each night, your memory of the information will continue to get better.
 
I’ve also noticed that if I study in different rooms it helps me. I don’t know the science behind this trick. But if you have more than one quiet place to study, it can help to switch it up.
 

 

5. Don’t Stress

Worrying about grades can take all of the fun out of school. Remember why you’re here. If you’re one of the people who’s in school to learn, then remember the enjoyment of learning is the most important thing. All of these tips are just tips. Remember that you’re learning about something that you really care about. Enjoy that. If you’re writing an essay, try to write a well written essay, not for the grade, but because this is something that you care about. If you’re studying, remember that you’re studying about what interests you. If you can, try not to stress too much about grades, and just enjoy what you came to school to learn.