It's hard to believe fall is already here. The leaves are changing colors and the weather is starting to become a little more bearable.

Some mornings, it's even cool enough to wear a sweatshirt to class. But with the changing weather also means the midway point of the semester which can only mean one thing: midterms. Midterms for college students is the point where you are either "my grades look great, let's keep it up" or "woah, when did that number get so low?!"

Whatever end of the spectrum you are on, midterms are upon us and it's time to start buckling down.

1. Study with a friend.

This doesn't necessarily mean you have to talk to the person or be in the same class. You don't even have to be studying the same subject! Being in the presence of someone else studying can help you stay focused and driven. It also gives you someone to take study breaks with.

2. Study breaks!

Reward yourself. As you start preparing for all the tests and projects that come with midterms, remember to reward yourself. Your brain needs to take a break to absorb all the information you're feeding it. Take a 10-minute walk, go grab some food, watch an episode of your favorite show on Netflix (but only one!) or call home. Allow your brain to take a break as well as your body.

3. Eat well.

It can be difficult to eat well when you're in school because you are always on the go, and it's easier to grab something quick when you're rushing out the door. But if you make a diligent effort to eat better, your brain will thank you.

4. Get some sleep.

Studying at all hours of the night is not good. It's better to prioritize your studying and allow your body to rest. Getting enough sleep is crucial in allowing your brain to file away all that important information.

5. Prioritize.

We know midterms are coming, so go ahead and start preparing. Figure out which midterms are first and which ones you are going to need to spend more time on. A calendar or planner is your best friend during these times.

6. Prep work.

It's always amazed me how much time goes into prep work before you can actually begin studying. From making flashcards to outlining your reading and filling out a study guide, all that prep work takes time. The nice thing, however, is that most of this information you will retain if you do the prep work thoroughly.

7. Create a study plan.

Yes, it sounds stupid but it doesn't have to be. Once you take the time to prep for you midterm studying, you can figure out how much time you have between now and your test. If you have a week, figure out how much time you need to study each day. It can be an hour a day or two hours that slowly gets shorter as you learn the information.

8. Don't stress yourself out.

This is easier said than done. And telling someone not to stress out does not help anything, and if anything, it makes it worse. Midterms are stressful and there's no avoiding it. But if you prep and give yourself plenty of time to prepare, you will find your stress levels to be significantly lower.