As everyone probably knows, midterms can be a stressful time. We have 7 different ways to alleviate your stress! For freshmen especially, managing the time on your assignments can really help you stay calm and relaxed! Here are some good ways to prepare:
- I know everyone tells you this, but go to bed at a reasonable time the night before! Sure, an extra hour of studying may seem like a good idea late at night but the added hours of sleep will help you more in the long run. Don’t wait until the night before to cram.
- Timing and spacing out all of your work can really make it seem like less than it is. Write down all of your assignments and plan out when the best time to get them done is. If you do certain assignments little by little, they won’t seem as overwhelming.
- The morning of your midterm, make sure to eat breakfast. Brain-boosting meals like yogurt mixed with granola, blueberries, bananas, scrambled eggs and a glass of orange juice will give you energy; you won’t be distracted during your test by a hungry stomach. Be careful not to eat a heavy, unhealthy meal. It could make you groggy and ruin your focus.
- While reviewing for midterms, try to disconnect from social media. They can be unnecessary distractions. Turn your phone off for an hour or so and review for your exams. You may be surprised of how much you can get done when technology doesn't get in the way.
- Make sure to take breaks from studying in order to clear your head. A 8 hour study marathon will do very little for you if you do not take time to take a breather. Make sure to leave your study area and take a short break every hour or so.
- Meet with your teachers before the tests. Set up a time to talk to them one-on-one. They will be more than happy to help you and answer any questions you may have regarding the midterm. The may even give you some helpful hints and advice on what to study!
- Relax and stay confident! You have a better chance of doing well if you do not worry about the exam. Work through the test slowly but pace yourself so you won’t fall behind and rush through it.