As scary Halloween parties begin to approach, there is something else coming that might just be the scariest of all: midterm season. As a senior at the university, I have sadly experienced more midterm seasons than I would like to remember. As terrifying as some midterms may seem, they are survivable, and with some hard work and quick Pace Pointers, acing them is achievable. Below are some tips that have helped me ace my hardest midterms at the university.
If there’s a will, there’s a way, and if there’s a Quizlet, there’s an A.
Making study guides on Quizlet has been the best thing I have ever done for myself. The process of transferring everything from my notes seemed so tedious at first, but once I started adding a couple of things, I genuinely started to enjoy it. Quizlet can organize your notes, help you study faster and offer games to help you practice. Plus, creating the Quizlet is a form of studying in itself. Once you add everything to the set, the material will feel fresher in your mind, making studying much more effortless.
Don’t wait until the last minute!
As a former procrastinator myself, I strongly advise against waiting to study. Midterms are already stressful without waiting days to open your notebook. Switching from frantic all-nighters the day before an exam to studying in smaller sessions with time to relax has been the blessing I didn’t know I needed. If you have the time to study before the last minute, I highly recommend it. It can make the midterm go from absolutely terrifying to not scary at all. Take that, midterm!
Reach out to professors–they want to help.
Believe it or not, most professors enjoy teaching. They are proud of what they do and want to help, so if you ever have any questions about midterms or the course in general, don’t be afraid to utilize their office hours. There have been multiple times when I would have had trouble passing an assignment or exam if I hadn’t gone to office hours for help. Most students don’t take advantage of them, so by showing up, you might make your professor’s day.
Whether you’re a humanities or STEM major, it is customary to stress before midterms. Hopefully, these tips can help ease the process and earn you that well-deserved A. Remember, test grades are important, but they are not everything. So, as long as you study, show up and try your best, nothing else matters. Happy studying, and good luck!
