With midterms fast approaching, students may feel overwhelmed as they begin studying. Since such an important test is bound to spark feelings of worry and distress, it is important to keep calm and prepare to dominate this year’s midterms.

• Organize Notes

Organization of content can greatly impact the effectiveness of studying. Utilize color coding strategies and sectioning to get the most out of study sessions and improve efficiency. Organize by unit, topic, or what makes sense to group together. Color code by highlighting key ideas and definitions that will be important to know for the midterm. 

• Find your Productive Hours

Productivity can vary from person to person, so it’s important to find the time of day that bests suits your unique study habits. According to PSB Academy, the best hours to study are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m or 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Finding the best time to study includes finding when you feel most alert and your brain is at its sharpest. Schedule studying sessions accordingly to boost efficiency. Everyone is different, so it is important to find what works best for you.

• The Earlier, the Better

Do not wait until the last minute to study for midterms. A well-known and effective study method called distributed practice or spaced practice can be your best friend leading up to the midterm exams. According to the APA Dictionary of Psychology, “Distributed practice is a learning procedure in which practice periods for a particular task are separated by lengthy rest periods or lengthy periods of practicing different activities or studying other material, rather than occurring close together in time.” This particular method is proven to be more effective than other methods, because it does not require long hours of studying all at once.

• Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Be sure to get a good night’s sleep before the midterm exams. Sleep is known to improve memory and will help you feel more alert during the day. According to the Perelman School of Medicine, stages 2 and 3 of sleep play a critical role in our ability to learn and recall, and less sleep correlates with worse test scores. At least 8 hours of sleep is usually recommended, but some people may need more or less.

Summary

Midterms can be a stressful part of the school year, but there are many science-backed tips to improve test performance and reduce the stress. Incorporate some of these tips into your exam preparation, and you may just ace your midterms. Good luck!

Sources

https://dictionary.apa.org/distributed-practice

https://www.med.upenn.edu/csi/the-impact-of-sleep-on-learning-and-memory.html#:~:text=In%20the%20last%2020%20years,contribute%20to%20better%20test%20scores.

https://www.psb-academy.edu.sg/blog/best-time-to-study