10 Studying Tips for Midterms
I often joke that there is no such thing at Tufts as "Midterms Week" but rather "Midterm Month." Students' midterms can take place anywhere between late September and November and the number of midterms you have and when exactly you'll have to them will depend largely on the subject matter as well as your teacher. Some semesters I've had my midterms spaced out nicely, while others, I've had to practically read an entire book, write 2 papers, and take an exam all in the matter of days.
On this rainy weekend, I woke up and wrote down all the things I hope to get done as my midterms week is coming, dividing my tasks by subject, while also jotting down non-academic tasks.
However, despite knowing that I have a lot of work ahead of me, I feel strangely calm and kind of excited (I know, there's no exact explanation) to take time to focus, reminding myself not to let the stress of one exam or one paper get to me.
Here are my 10 Tips for Midterm Studying:
- Find a study spot that works for you- I like to switch things up by either spending time writing at a coffee shop near campus, find a comfy place in the library, or working in the campus center. I'm all about having some warm lighting and enough room for my computer and notebooks.
- Get some headphones and put on your favorite playlist- depending on the work I'm doing, I'll either put on some Lauren Daigle (if you haven't heard her yet, check out her music, it's wonderful) or some instrumental music to get in the studying groove.
- Use colorful notes and graphs- I am a visual learner so adding doodles next to my notes and using colorful pens definitely helps me remember things better and makes my notes easier to read.
- Tea and coffee- On colder days, taking a break to get some coffee or tea is so pleasant. Plus it keeps you awake and energized!
- Take breaks- this one is huge. While studying is necessary, it is also so important to take breaks! Nothing wrong with taking a a snack break to make some oatmeal, answer your texts, and watch a funny video to give your brain some rest.
- Exercise- Going for a quick run or spending some time at the gym definitely helps ease off stress. While it may be hard to get yourself motivated to move initially, it will definitely feel great to get your muscles working before sitting for a long time, especially on beautiful days like this:
- Treat yourself- Whether that means getting your favorite sandwich at Dave's, buying a cozy sweater to study in, or getting brunch with friends before heading to the library, this is a nice way to make your day a little better!
- Take care of your body- From warm showers, putting on sweats before starting your readings, or making a DIY facial, be sure to listen to your body and take care of it.
- Study with friends- Although it can be distracting as you'll probably end up taking more breaks, it is always great to feel a sense of camaraderie as you work on your tasks.
- Sleep- This is key. Going to bed at a reasonable hour definitely makes getting up to study the next day a little easier.
Ultimately, I will say that midterms are certainly easier when you are taking classes you are especially interested in, as no one wants to take the time to study for a class they really dislike/are only taking to get a credit they need.
And of course, above all, it is so so important to keep in mind that at the end of the day, this is just one exam/one test/one assignment: your grades do not define you.