Midterm Exams: Schedule & Studying Tips

By Emma Mueller

It’s that time of year again! Students are starting to compile all of the information they’ve learned throughout the first semester, and are getting ready to study for midterm exams. The schedule for this year’s exams can be found here.

The most important thing when studying is to find what works for you! Maybe it’s compiling a study guide, maybe it’s re-reading all of your notes, or maybe it’s talking through the information.

Saving your studying for the night before the test may seem like the easiest thing to do in the long run, but it’s more harmful than helpful. Studying five months worth of material in two different subjects in one night is not doable, especially if you do it three nights in a row. Give yourself a leg up and start studying at least a week beforehand. Of course, studying among other assignments, extracurriculars, and everything else going on can be a hassle, but it’ll be worth it. Here are some tips that have helped me throughout the years.

1. Start compiling your notes early (maybe even two weeks beforehand- you don’t actually have to start studying that early). Procrastination may work for you normally, but with midterms, it will be your worst nightmare.

2. Teachers often give you a list of topics to review or even a study guide; use it! They know what’s on the test, so they’re giving you all the information that you will need to know.

3. Create some kind of schedule of when you’re studying which subjects. You don’t have to plan it down to the last minute, but it’s a great way to make sure you cover everything.

4. If group studying is your style, go for it! Try to explain concepts to someone else - the way to know if you really know something is if you can teach it.

5. Watch YouTube videos dedicated to a specific concept if you’re having trouble. Here are some channels that have saved me over the years:

   1. Crash Course: John & Hank Green. All kinds of subjects. Entertaining and extremely helpful.

   2. Bozeman Biology: He does biology, chemistry, and physics. Really good at explaining.

   3. Richard Thornley: Primarily IB Chemistry, but freshmen can use the videos that pertain to their curriculum too. 

   4. PatrickJMT: Everything math. I’ve never not found something I needed. There's also a physics channel here. 

   5. Thug Notes: Good if you want a refresher on a book you read in English. Crash Course is also helpful with books.

6. Give yourself rewards as you go. Ever heard of the gummy bear reward system? Whenever you finish reading one page of the textbook, eat a gummy bear. I like to do this with goldfish.

7. Chewing gum is good for both focus and your memory. It keeps you active and moving, and some studies have even found that chewing the same flavor of gum while studying and taking the test can help evoke your memory.

Finally, once the exams are over, you can breathe a huge sigh of relief - that is until finals come around! Good luck everyone!