If you’re a typical college student, you look forward to the middle of each term with dread. It’s not surprising — back-to-back midterm exams give even the most prepared college students the jitters, but a few useful strategies can help. Discover tips and tricks for acing every test.
Create a Study Calendar
For optimal midterm success, use a dry erase board or a day calendar to create a master schedule with study time plotted out for each class. This method ensures that the work is getting done and each subject is receiving proper attention. Make sure to plot out a little extra time for more difficult courses.
Be Organized
When it comes to studying for college exams, it helps to be organized. Make sure you’ve gathered any handouts, worksheets, previous quizzes, or reading material you need for each subject, and store them in different colored binders or folders. To make study time even more effective, stock up on handy aids like ear plugs, flash cards, colored sticky notes, and fluorescent highlighters.
Try the Pomodoro Technique
As the middle of your college semester approaches, you may engage in a few extra-long study sessions. To stay fresh and focused, try the Pomodoro Technique, a time-management strategy developed in the late 1980s by author and entrepreneur, Francesco Cirillo.
For every 25 minutes of studying, take five minutes for activities that have nothing to do with school work. To get your body moving and blood pumping, a walk makes an ideal option. After four study intervals, take a longer break, from 15 minutes to one hour, depending on your preference.
Join a Study Group
A study group makes a great option for gaining and retaining knowledge, especially for classes that require a good amount of reading. With each participant outlining a chapter, study time becomes more efficient. In addition to dividing the work involved for a class, members of a study group can help boost motivation and offer a new perspective on class material.
Get Help if Needed
If you’re having problems with a particular class, make an appointment with your professor as soon as possible. Ask about suggestions he or she may have for exam prep, possible review sessions, opportunities for extra credit, and options for a tutor if necessary. The sooner you get the help you need, the better your chances for midterm success.
Stay Healthy
Cramming for midterms can take a toll on your physical and mental health. To maintain focus and energy during exam week, make sure to eat healthy foods and get plenty of sleep. Each day, take a break from studying to enjoy a brisk bike ride, a vigorous run, or a spirited game of basketball. Studies show that college students who exercise regularly get better grades.
As a wise person once said, “Proper preparation prevents poor performance.” While the way you prepare for college exams is important, where you study also plays a key role in your success. For a comfortable study space, turn to CORT Furniture Rental for the perfect desk, reading chair, and table lamp.
