Midterms are upon us, and while each student studies in a different way, everyone could still benefit from learning how to study more effectively. Here are some of the best techniques and tips to ace your midterms.
Start Studying Well in Advance
Although it can be easy to procrastinate, since midterms are among the biggest tests of the year, you should start studying far in advance. Junior Olivia Lindemann emphasized the importance of proactivity, even if it is difficult. “Just stay on top of everything and make sure to meet with your teachers so you don’t fall behind,” she said.
If you study for your tests well before you take them, not only will you have more time to make sure you know everything, but you also won’t have to worry about staying up late to cram for an exam. Senior Roland Criswell pointed out how easy it is to fall behind while also highlighting the importance of staying on top of your work. “Make sure you don’t study everything in one night,” he said.
The Pomodoro Technique
One way that students can make the most of their time studying is by using the Pomodoro Technique. The Pomodoro Technique is a system in which students study for 25 minutes, followed by a five-minute break. After completing four of these cycles, the student then takes a 30-minute break.
Master Memorization
Although not every class requires memorization, memorizing subject material is a good way to prepare for a test. Senior Avani Shah writes formulas and phrases five times in a row as a way of memorizing. Some other methods that can help are using flashcards, creating mnemonic devices, and organizing notes.
Avani also highlighted an interesting way to remember material. She said, “I chew gum while I’m studying, and then when I take the test I chew the same flavor gum.”
Utilize Teacher Feedback
One often overlooked aspect of studying for tests is reviewing teacher feedback. Since some midterms cover topics that teachers have already tested, why not look at old tests to get a good idea of what the questions will be? Mr. Joyce emphasized the effort he puts into feedback from a teacher’s perspective.
“Returned feedback is something that I did not appreciate as a high schooler, but as a teacher, I feel that it’s the best thing I have to offer people,” he said.
Manage Your Time Effectively
Since many students have multiple midterms to study for at the same time, learning how to spend your time can be a very useful tool. Taking advantage of your free blocks might be one of the most important things in terms of studying for midterms. During midterm week, most students will have time between classes for last-minute studying. Olivia highlighted the importance of these spaces in the schedule.
“During [midterms], take advantage of all the time you have,” she said. “For example, if you have a big gap between classes, you should study if you still need to.”
Get Good Sleep
The final part of doing well on your midterms is getting a lot of sleep the night before. The last thing that you want is to lose focus because you doze off mid-test.
Senior Holden Dougherty said, “If you want to do well on your midterms, make sure you get a good night’s sleep beforehand.”
Take Your Time On the Test
While taking the actual test, some students may be inclined to finish it as fast as possible to be done sooner. However, reviewing answers is a very effective way to avoid careless errors. Avani pointed out how leaving early just puts students at a disadvantage, as they could be improving their work or checking their answers instead.
