It’s that time of the semester again. With the spring flowers and showers (and snow for some) underway, it’s midterm season again. If you’re not in the midst of studying for three tests all in the same day, you may be working on group projects or that 10-15 page paper that’s due in a couple weeks. Regardless, it’s a busy time for most as we all prep for the last stretch before summer break (or summer classes, for others!). I gathered some tips from my own experience and from some friends on how to best prepare for the onslaught of midterms that’s currently causing you to contemplate hibernating until it’s all over.
1. Don’t be like me
You know those recent memes that went around on Facebook? Well, this is mine.
In other words, a) Don’t wait until the last minute. If nothing else, at least outline an idea you want to write about for that 10-15 page paper at the beginning of the semester.
And b) Don’t try doing two (or more) big projects at once if you can help it. You’re only making something quite manageable less feasible for yourself. Have you ever heard the saying "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail?"
2. Utilize a mini-schedule with time for breaks
If you don’t plan on scheduling time for breaks, one of two things will likely happen. You will either study, study, study and then get burnt out because you realize you haven’t eaten in six hours or you will take so many breaks without realizing you’re actually just getting super distracted, and not being productive. Doing things during your breaks, like a short walk is also effective in clearing your mind.
3. Use Apps to your advantage!
There are several apps out there that help you stay on track while studying! Examples include PocketPoints, which lets you redeem discounts, coupons and gifts for not being on your phone while studying. Another app is called SelfControl, which works specifically with Mac computers and blocks access to websites for a designated amount of time--even if you restart the computer or delete the app itself. The app SelfRestraint is pretty much the same, but for Windows computers.
4. Get some sleep
I know this seems to be the single most prevalent piece of advice when reading about study tips, but it's a necessary one. While we're up finishing that report or submitting that test on BlackBoard, our body is begging us to let it rest so it can do what it naturally does! Sometimes it's unavoidable to stay up, but when we're staying up an extra 30-60 minutes to just "relax" and watch some Netflix after all that studying, the best way to really relax is to get some sleep and let your mind do absolutely nothing. If you struggle with falling asleep (me!), listening to an sounds of rain (there are plenty of free mp3 files available) or reading may help distract your mind just enough to help.
5. Moderate your diet
Don't binge just because you think you "deserve it" after a whole night of studying. Granted, there are some days when a Coke is just what I need. Other times, the caffeine headache I'm enduring from abstaining from caffeine just doesn't go away even after I've had my "fix." If you're one of those people who absolutely have caffeine every day, I get it! Just keep it to a minimum and don't have any more than you normally would. It will disrupt your body and make it harder to fall back into the routine that's best for you.
6. Don't erase
Unless you're absolutely sure you've got the wrong answer. I had my Psychology teacher tell me this the first semester. If you erase, you're more than likely second-guessing yourself. Unless you're positive the answer you selected was wrong the first time, don't be switching your answers and trust in your first choice.
And lastly.
7. Take care of yourself
As I've mentioned before in another article, your mental health is always worth more than that exam. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't strive to ace it; just do it the right way and make sure when these weeks of midterms and projects are over that you're able to get back up and continue being the awesome person you are.
