When getting ready for a well known stressful week of midterms, there are many effective study strategies that can make all the difference in getting that high grade you want. Always start by creating a study schedule that breaks down your subjects into manageable chunks so you aren’t jamming everything together. This will help prevent being overwhelmed and ensure you focus on one topic at a time to make sure you understand it the best. Aim to study for about 45 minutes per topic or, if you are in a time crunch, just 20 minutes works. This will ensure a strong understanding of the material to reference from memory when the test rolls around.
To maintain engagement in studying, plan scheduled ten minute breaks between study topics or subjects. Breathe, take a walk, and go get a snack so that your brain can calm down and internalize all the information you just went over. Next, use flashcards to strengthen your memory and recall skills. Rather than passively reading notes, close your textbook and try to recall the information from memory. This technique helps strengthen your understanding. Alongside this, incorporate spaced out “pop quizzes” to see how much of the material you actually gathered from reading/ taking notes over the next couple days of studying.
Practicing with past papers is another valuable strategy, as it familiarizes you with the format and types of questions you might face during the exams. Additionally, teaching or going over the material to someone else, whether it’s a friend or family member, can help deepen your understanding and highlight any gaps in your studying so you know what you need more time on.
Lastly, get lots of sleep. A well-rested brain functions better during exams, improving memory and focus. By combining these strategies of creating a study schedule, using flash cards/note taking, practicing your memory with “pop quizzes,” taking practice exams, teaching others, and getting enough sleep, you can approach midterms with confidence and perform at your best. Good luck to everyone!
