I don't know about you guys, but midterms are hitting me hard this year. Midterms are the worst part of the year for me because, unlike during finals, I still have classes and homework in addition to all of the studying.
In order to survive my next two weeks of midterm mania, I have compiled a list of rules to follow.
1. Make sure to get 6 hours of sleep. We all know that it's impossible to get the mandatory 8 or 9 hours of sleep.
2. Increase your vitamin intake. They only thing worse than midterms is being sick during midterms. If you eat more fruits and vegetables at this time, your immune system will withstand anything.
3. Study whenever there's free time. Even if you only have a half hour in between classes, it's worth it to pull out some notes and go over them quickly. Repetition is key to remembering for me.
4. Wear comfy clothes. I have nicknamed midterms week "sweatpants week." This is the one week of the year that I allow myself to wear sweatpants in public and not care about the suit-wearing people staring at me like I'm a bum. I don't even do this during finals.
5. Keep a To-Do List nearby. My to-do list is a constant reminder of what I should be doing. By having it on me at all times, I can keep my priorities in order and check off what I've done as I go along, which always feels like a huge accomplishment to me. Nothing makes me happier than to see a completed to-do list during this stressful time.
6. Turn the phone off. Or at least put it on silent. When I leave my phone on, it usually interrupts me mid-thought and makes everything take longer. It's not worth it to have it on when I need to be concentrating.
7. Go to the library with friends. If you want to still have a social life during midterms, make it productive. Hang out with friends while studying. They might even be able to help you with the things you don't understand or are having trouble remembering.
8. Keep the caffeine coming. I know it's not the best thing to do, but I allow myself to overindulge in coffee, diet coke, and tea during midterms. It becomes necessary for my brain to function.
9. Take a break after finishing each task. After every chapter I read or page I type, I allow myself a fifteen minute break to eat a healthy snack (i.e. an apple or grapes), to check my e-mail, to check facebook, and to text back anyone who contacted me while I was working. It gives me a little extra boost to finish and it keeps me from going insane by concentrating for too long a period of time.
10. Remember it's only temporary. This stress will not last. After these two weeks are over, everything will quiet down and I will be able to get back to my normal schedule.
What do you do to survive testing time?
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Comments (20)
I don't understand the college equals no sleep business. I sleep like a baby. I haven't slept this well in years. I love jumping in bed early, keeping the heat off, and waking up slowly in my toasty blankets stretching and smiling all relaxed-like not even needing an alarm. Pure. Bliss.
People think they can be prepared for their exams by studying one or two nights before the exam but that's just poor work ethic. If you do things like look over last lecture's notes before the next lecture there's no reason why you'd have to devote ungodly amounts of time to studying. By studying and doing practice problems a little every day there's no pile up. It also gives you a chance to understand something you don't get now rather than hoping you'll just "get it" the night before an exam. I almost never have these ridiculous study sessions.
And, don't go thinking I'm a square. I go out and hang out just like everyone else does. I have extracurriculars, a research position, and I have a full course load every semester. I still have time to study, sleep, and cook everyday.
"1. Make sure to get 6 hours of sleep."
I get that or less even when it's not midterms... sometimes when there's no school.great advice!! :) can't believe midterms are here already!
@Ashley Nicole Anders@facebook - Agree on studying alone. Unless it's in a secluded corner of the library the extraneous chatter from others is even too much for me to properly concentrate. I need dead silence. If I'm doing a paper I can deal with noise and even enjoy some music while writing, but any heavy brain work must be done in dead silence for me.
Thanks for the tips!
THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
I keep my planner with me at all times. I have a to-do list on my phone. I have a dry erase board in my apartment for a to-do list in case my phone doesn't remind me. I write lists on my hand. I use post-it's for lists.
I have all of these things because with midterms for so many classes, plus homework and other random assignments, it's SUPER easy to lose track of something..!
At the library here, there's quiet studying areas. They are amazing for getting work done. If I just have my book, notes, and everything I need to study, there's very little distractions.
I am so glad I don't have to deal with midterms anymore!
great reminders
I am so glad I've graduated!
solid tips! i'm sure the "sweatpants week" suggestion violates some lovelyish code of conduct somewhere, but all and all, thankyouverymuch!
I've found the perfect solution to college. Seriously. I work sort of full time, and am at work all day MWF. I only take classes Tues. and Thurs. and take the minimum number of classes to be full time.
This is freaking awesome because:
1) I make enough money to pay rent for an apartment, that I live in sans annoying roommate!
2) I'm still making plenty of progress on my degree, especially with taking a summer or intercession class here and there, and
3) School is A LOT less stressful when you only take 3 classes at a time!
aaah, life is good lol
I don't really have a set couple of weeks for midterms, but I'd say studying a little every day is better than waiting until the last minute. That doesn't mean I necessarily do that though.
The week of finals though I do end up looking like a crazy bag lady.
@Ashley Nicole Anders@facebook - agreed with the last part
Remember that midterm time is also the highest time for suicide on college campuses in the fall semester. Keep an eye on yourself and your friends, offer an ear when you can, and if you suspect any red flags contact the suicide helplines (http://www.suicide.org/suicide-hotlines.html)
Good luck on your exams ladies
@Murphy_Rants@xanga - @Ashley Nicole Anders@facebook - I agree, if you keep up with your studies through the whole quarter/semester, then you wouldn't have to cram. Just like everything else in life, don't procrastinate until the situation is unmanageable.
@fire_drill_09@xanga - Here's a pat on the back for maintaining a balance between school and working, without having to stay at home or with a crazy roommate. Well done!
I have a midterm tomorrow actually and I can't believe I'm on xanga instead of studying.... crap.
Good luck to all of you who are starting mid-terms!
I recommend you study alone or with classmates rather than friends. You are more likely to get distracted by your friends who are studying (or not) for other classes, than if you study with people who have the same test as you at the same hour.
Also, I would advice you still keep an hour or so for exercise. Personally, swimming helps me release my stress in a safe, healthy way.
Lastly, if what you have to do is a project that requires sanding down something, building something or modeling something on Alias or whatever (like me), play your favorite music constantly... it is only for these types of projects that I can work while having my best friends around. We are working, but because we do not have to memorize anything, we don't really get distracted (because seriously, no one ever looks away while cutting something with a power machine).
Where I go to school here in Mexico, we have tests three times per semester, plus finals... It's a bit more stressful, because every three weeks we have these two "sweatpants weeks," but the material required is less, even though it is more in-depth.
Yay for studying Industrial Design, a major that requires only projects and (usually) no tests!! :D
I love this! I, personally, wouldn't go with friends because we get to talking about things OTHER than our midterms/ finals/ homework. But instead, maybe schedule a time to go out for dinner or coffee when you need a serious break... School work is bound to come up then.
#1. Print out what you need then get off the internet.
true but impossible