The Problem With College Midterms
Start writing a post
Student Life

The Problem With College Midterms

"My Whole Grade Rests on THIS Test?"

50
The Problem With College Midterms

So I may or may not be using this post to rant about college midterms. The best part of this situation though, is that I am currently working on a midterm essay even though it's not midterm yet. We have barely been back from winter break and all of a sudden these midterm exams and long papers are upon us. We are currently approaching the peak of midterms time so I decided to discuss why I feel that they truly do not matter.

For most people,this time of the semester is a stressful time as they attempt to bring up their grades from the beginning of the semester. On the other hand, it may be people trying to get a grade in the first place; lots of courses that do not provide regular exams or papers use the midterm as the grade calculator for the first part of the semester. Don't get me wrong, I understand that essays and exams are important and that they are how professors determine our grades, however I feel that the concept of midterms simply just instills fear into students without creating an opportunity for productive work.

The essay I am currently writing is more free-hand, meaning that I can roll with the assignment as I see fit so long as I incorporate textual evidence form the sources we discussed in class. I appreciate the fact that I can mold the essay to sound how I wish, but because I am being graded more on the grammar and the integration of textual evidence, it seems to draw me away from actually reflecting on the concepts at hand.

Students who tend to stress out about midterms believe that their entire grade rests upon this exam, and often it does. For students in classes without regular assignments that get graded, the midterm is a make it or break it situation. If they fail, there is a large chance that they won't end up passing the course. One exam can completely tank their ability to receive credit for the course as a whole. This is where I see the overall issue. Rather than testing students on the applicability of the topics they learned, students must cram into their brains 7 weeks worth of information and pray to Jesus that they remember it all.

If midterms assessments became more practical and gave way for students to converse or apply their knowledge in more productive ways, or even more regularly, the pressure that they feel when exams roll around would be lessened and exam scores would probably rise.

Test anxiety is very real and those who suffer from it are always just trying to keep up with the rest of the kids in their classes. Rather than being able to effectively process and then communicate what they learn in class, students must keep it memorized for an exam that weighs them down in grades and in life. Midterms could be crafted in other ways that give way to all different students, and those that learn differently than others. Rather than using large exams or essays to examine a student's progress in class, professors could adopt an open ended and easier method that would take away the negative stigma of midterms.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

51147
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32754
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955874
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180868
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments