It's that time in the semester where classes start to get harder, the material gets more in depth and conveniently, we are all tested on it around the same time. It is a great and wonderful thing to be able to show your knowledge on an exam, and getting back an awesome grade after long nights of studying can feel like the best thing that could happen to you. The time leading up to them all however is all very different than that cathartic release of seeing a big "A" on that paper. This is my foolproof method to getting a 100% on any exam! Be warned though, only the toughest of the tough can use it to its maximum potential.
Step 1:
The calm before the storm. I sit in class, take notes, go home and do homework but I never really put extra time into studying because it lulls me into a false sense of security.
Step 2:
The week before. When I open up my planner and see that exam looming in the near future I start to panic a little bit. A natural and healthy amount. I start to make a plan, "study this on that day at that time at that place with these people"
Step 3:
A couple days before. I complain to everyone that will listen that "I have an exam" because complaining about it and studying are basically the same thing right? Yah no, but complaining is a great procrastination tool.
Step 4:
Two days before. I start to complain a LOT about it, this time around near open books and while having powerpoint slides up on my laptop showing the most complex things that are in the class to make it look like my life is so hard.
Step 5:
The day before. This is when I actually start to freak out. I hit the books and the lecture slides and the everything that I can for as much as I can. Then I usually have a freak-out and fall asleep with my face in a book.
Step 6:
The day of. I start to study if I have time before the exam, I cram as much as possible and then when I'm sick of it I tell myself "If I haven't learned it yet, I'm, not going to anytime soon" then I quit and then go take the exam and go to bed.
Step 7:
The day after. I look at my planner and see when my next exam is and I plan out everything again, promising it won't be like the previous time. Spoiler alert, it always is.
Step 8:
I get my test back and try to reason with myself about the terrible grade that I got because I didn't study enough.
And these are my tactics for preparing for midterms! If you like this format please feel free to use it! Just kidding, do not follow this format, I repeat DO NOT FOLLOW THIS FORMAT YOU WILL FAIL. Study in advance and look over your notes at least a couple times a week. Stay in school and go to class. You will thank yourself in the future when you get that cool looking piece of paper you can hang on your wall.
