It's that time of the semester again— midterm season. Even if your class has two or three "midterm" exams, the pressure to do well on these tests can be enormous, even for those of us who have already been through a few semesters. Studying for midterms, too, can be a challenge. Here are a few study tips from experience to help you get through all of your exams.
1. (Re)do the homework.
Maybe you've been like this dog the whole semester, literally or figuratively running away from your homework assignments. Or maybe you've done them with a little (or a lot of) help from Chegg. In any case, the best way to practice for an exam is to review the homework. If things were important enough to be done again outside of the classroom, they're likely to show up on the exam in some form. Plus, if you've already completed the homework, you can use what you've done as an answer key of sorts.
2. Review your notes.
Hopefully, you paid enough attention in class to jot down at least a few ideas and practice problems. If not, try to find a friend who's willing to let you have a copy of their notes to mark up and review. At the very least, read through the slides your professor used in lecture, if they're available online, and highlight or write down the important pieces.
3. Teach someone else the material.
If you know the material well enough to impart it on someone else, you should be prepared enough to take the exam. Work out a problem on a whiteboard and explain each step to a classmate or friend until they understand, too. Trade off roles with a peer and you'll both get practice.
4. Take a break.
Don't overwork yourself. Studying for too long can overwhelm you and make you forget everything you just read. Make sure to stay hydrated and take a break every now and then to stay alert and be more productive overall. Plus, if you get your social media usage out of the way during a break, you'll be less tempted to use your phone in the middle of studying.
5. Talk to your TAs and professors.
Trust me, your professors and TAs won't act like this. They're more than happy to help you with whatever you may be struggling with--most of the time, professors appreciate thoughtful students coming with questions about the material and won't judge students for taking extra time to seek help. TAs are also a great resource, as many of them have recently taken the course, and some may have even had the same professor. They can take the time to work through homework with you if you're struggling with concepts and can give you helpful pointers for memorizing certain topics.
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Happy studying!
