It’s the eve of October and most tests and papers are right around the corner. While it may not be the middle of the semester, midterms will soon be out in full force and paper prompts are flying into students’ inboxes. Here are a few tips to stay ahead of the curve and ace those first exams.
1. Be proactive
The worst thing you can do before a midterm is get behind the eight ball. If you have an exam coming up in a week, take the time to study now, even if it’s for short periods of time just to get familiar with the material. Cramming is never ideal, especially if you want to start the year on the right foot. Careful planning and incremental scheduling can be the difference between an 85 and 95.
2. Make efficient use of your resources
Whether it be a professor’s office hours or the Writing Center, there are plenty of places that will help you. Office hours are a great way to get to know your professor and ask them questions. In larger classes, professors might also hold review sessions in the lecture hall before the test date. These could review the most important concepts on the exam. The Writing Center is one of the best resources on this campus. Sending a paper in and getting it reviewed can bring your assignment grade up an entire letter.
3. Don’t get burnt out
Studying early and often is important, but so is not overdoing it before test day. Take frequent breaks and if you’re feeling weary, head to bed early instead of pulling a late-nighter. At some point, your brain will stop absorbing the information and you’ll be wasting your time. Don’t get caught up in the amount of time you study; be more concerned with the quality of studying you do.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for an extension
Teachers understand that their class is most likely not the only one you’re enrolled in. If you have a big paper due the day of back-to-back exams, don’t be scared to shoot your professor an email and ask for an extension. They will probably understand your situation and give you a few days to get caught up. Don’t let the fear of failure prevent you from receiving a couple more days to improve your assignment.
5. Get a good night of sleep
The night before the exam, it’s crucial to get at least eight hours of shuteye. Adequate sleep allows your brain to rest and soak in the remaining material. Being well rested will help you do better on grueling tests and long papers.
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