Happy November! You've made it to the third month of school, be proud of yourself. In a bit, we will all be on Thanksgiving break, and before you know it it will be 2019. Crazy how time flies. Anyways, I'm here to talk to you about midterm exams. I know, it is a sucky time of year for college students, but that's okay! It'll be over before you know it. I just finished my French exam as I am typing this, and honestly it was not that bad at all. I'm going to share with you some tips on how to feel prepared for your midterm exams.
1. Take notes in class and pay attention
This is pretty obvious and I assume that all if not most of you do this. Make sure you take a lot of notes in your class. If you hear something important, write it down. If your professor says that something is going to be on the exam, write it down. If you have trouble with something specifically in a lesson, write it down. Whatever you feel you need to write down, WRITE IT DOWN! Don't tell yourself "Oh I'll remember this" because 9 out of 10 you will absolutely forget it. Taking notes and paying attention in your class will help you set a foundation for yourself as exams approach.
2. Ask your professors to clarify
Students tend to feel embarrassed when they do not understand a concept in class because they assume that everyone else does. That is not true! The likelihood of someone else not understanding the same thing as you is very high. NEVER feel afraid to ask for help or for your professor to go over something again. We are here to learn! If you are having trouble with a certain lesson or aspect of the class, talk to your teacher. It will benefit you whether you ask them during or after class. If you don't ask for help, you will not receive it.
3. Find a comfortable place to study
Everyone has their place to study. Whether it be the library, the quiet lounge in your hall, the dining hall, or your dorm room, there are many places to get work done. Me personally, I tend to study alone in my dorm room. It's a place that I am familiar with, which helps me focus, and it tends to be quiet, which I love. Others usually go to the library to study since it is always quiet there. Choose a place that you know you won't get distracted easily in and that you'll be able to focus on your studying. There is no "right" choice as everyone is different with their studying habits.
4. Have a friend help you
I love when my friends help me with my studying. It shows me what I need to work on or look over more. For my French exam, my girlfriend tested me on vocabulary and it really helped! By doing that I was able to realize what I needed to study more of. Some people prefer to be alone, which is totally okay! Sometimes it is nice though to have a helping hand in order to prepare for an exam. Especially if they understand what you are studying for!
5. Study AT LEAST a week in advance
Cramming the night before = a no go. Don't study right before your exam. It is stressful and you will not remember anything. Sometimes it works and I respect that, but don't make a habit of it. It is not a great option of studying. If you start a week in advance, it will give you the opportunity to look over what you really need to focus on and ask your professor for last minute help on a topic. This will also make you feel more prepared in the long run. DON'T CRAM.
6. GET SLEEP
This is by far the most important tip in my opinion. Get good rest the night before your exam. Staying up late to study is not always the best move. If you are not well rested the day of the exam, chances are you will make mistakes and overthink things on the exam. When I studied for my French exam I began to feel exhausted at night, and I knew at that point that the only thing I could do from there is get the rest I needed. I did not want to overwork my brain because I knew I would need to have as much energy as I could to do well the next morning. So please, do yourself a favor and don't stay up past midnight studying for an exam unless you TRULY have to. Sleep is very important.
I really hope these tips will help you as exams approach. Remember that all you can do is study and do your best! Whatever happens on the exam once you finish is in the past. Reward yourself once you finish with a nice meal or a nap even. Worrying about how you did is not worth the stress. If you end up doing well that's great! If you happen to receive a grade that you are not happy with, look at what you need to work on for the future. Feeling down and beating yourself up over a bad grade is not healthy or productive. I know parents tend to be harsh if their kid does not get at least an A, and honestly screw that. Exams are a lot, and with our extracurriculars and other classes it does not make it any easier to study. So students, just remember that overall the best you can do is study what you can and do your best. One grade does not define who you are.
