Preparing for Midterms: 5 Tips

 

Preparing for Midterms

1. Start early

• Check what type of midterm (if there is one) that your classes have (test, project, paper) and put those due dates on your calendar or planner.
• It can be helpful to get into a regular practice of reviewing your notes the evening or next day after a lecture. Through this habit, you'll be regularly studying for exams throughout the semester, so you can be better prepared.
• Check your syllabus for information about the format and weight of the midterm(s).

2. Take notes

• Taking good notes each class period is a key part of studying for midterms. Instead of wasting time searching for information, you can focus on reviewing the notes you've already created. 
• Consider turning your notes into flashcards and studying with a peer. Explaining definitions and concepts to someone else can help you better retain and understand information.

3. Ask questions

• If you don't know the exam format and/or need to clarify the expectations of a midterm project or paper, feel free to ask your professor. It's best to gather as much information as possible, so you fully understand the expectations. 
• Visit your professor's office hours and ask questions about material that you don't fully understand yet.

4. Create a study schedule

• Aim to start studying at least 1-2 weeks before the midterm and set aside times to work on your different classes. For some people, it works better to be super specific about their schedule and durations of time to work on each class. however, other people need more flexibility in their schedule. Try stuff out and see what works best for you.
• Remember to space out your study sessions rather than pulling an all-nighter right before an exam. Breaking up your studying into multiple sessions (i.e. 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, etc.) spread out over the course of 1-2 weeks can help you retain more information.

5.  Make use of academic resources and peer support

• Visit the Writing Center for a midterm paper or project.
• Make an appointment with a tutor or executive function coach. 
• Form a study group with people who can help hold each other accountable.

Setting Goals for the New Semester

Do you run into a pattern of feeling stuck at some point in the semester? Maybe you start to forget why you even chose to take your classes in the first place. In these circumstances, it can be really hard to stay focused and motivated when everything is so overwhelming. In this article, I'll discuss the benefits of goal setting at the start and throughout the semester to help you stay motivated. 

Academic

Learning Goals:

Setting learning goals for each class you're taking at the start of a new semester can give you specific things to focus on and revisit if you're ever losing motivation or feeling stuck. Sometimes, it's helpful to remind ourselves why we're in school and what we hope to learn and gain from our experiences. When writing or simply thinking about your learning goals, try to consider these questions:

• Why is this learning goal personally relevant to you?
• How will achieving this goal help you reach your ultimate academic, career, or personal goals?
• What specific steps do you plan to take to accomplish this goal? 
• What challenges might you face throughout the semester as you work toward this goal?
• What actions could you take to help overcome these challenges?
• What skills/abilities do you already possess that could help you reach this goal?
• What skills/abilities will you gain from accomplishing this goal?

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Mini Goals:

Consider getting into a routine of setting mini goals each week, each day, or even each study session. Don't feel like you have to plan out a specific schedule down to the last minute, but it can be helpful for some people to manage their time and stay on track with coursework by creating goals for what they aim to accomplish by a certain date or time. 

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Personal Goals

Since coursework takes up so much of our time as college students, we often forget how important free time is to work on our personal interests, hobbies, and passions. If you're someone who often gets overwhelmed and over focused on school work alone, it can be helpful to set some goals for your personal growth outside of school. 

Example: I aim to spend more time on my hobby of playing guitar by learning at least five new songs by the end of the semester. 

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Overall, remember to always do what works best for you in terms of goal setting, and if you don't know yet, that's okay too. Some people are very driven toward accomplishing certain things while other people find their motivation and goals along the way. This article is simply a starting point with suggestions and ideas to work on goal setting. Best of luck to everyone starting the new semester!

Preparing for Finals

 

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1. Check on your final projects/papers' due dates and exam times

You can find the Fall 2023 final exam schedule at this link. Remember that if you're scheduled for more than two exams in one day, you can get that changed if you want. Reach out to the instructor of the course with the highest course number you're taking this semester, and they will move the exam to a mutually convenient time.

2. Make a study schedule and pace yourself

Start studying and working on your finals as early as possible, so you don't end up cramming the night before an exam or due date. Consider making a schedule with times blocked off to work on certain assignments or classes to help avoid procrastination. When creating your schedule, avoid devoting an entire day to one class; breaking up your schedule into multiple shorter study sessions can improve retention of the material. 

3. Choose the best location for you

Consider if you work better in silence or with some background noise. Ask yourself what has worked in the past. Staying in your room? Going to the library or to a cafe? If you're not sure, feel free to try different places and move around if you start to get distracted in one location. 

4. Reach out for support

Consider utilizing the many different academic resources available right here on campus such as tutoring, supplemental instruction, and the writing center. It can also be helpful to get support from your peers by forming study groups with people that'll help hold you accountable rather than distract you. And remember to reach out to your professor if you're struggling with course concepts or you want to ask more questions.You can always stop by their office hours. 

5. Try to get enough sleep and schedule breaks for yourself!

Missing too much sleep can negatively impact your memory and reasoning skills. Rather than pulling an all-nighter right before an exam, try to schedule enough time for sleep. Also, don't forget to give yourself breaks throughout finals. When you're feeling frustrated, tired, overwhelmed, and/or can't seem to focus, it's okay to take a step back from your work. Go for a walk, take a nap, play a game, or do something that helps you relax. 

Understanding, Managing, and Overcoming Procrastination

 1. Awareness and Self-Reflection

Consider the potential reasons why you procrastinate and what function it serves for you. How does procrastination make you feel? When did you start to fall into these habits or has it always been a struggle? Are there certain things that you procrastinate on more than others? Getting insight into the root of the problem through self-awareness can help you come up with an effective solution later on. 

2. Time Management

Figuring out which time management and organization techniques work for you can be a long process, but they are worth it in the long run.

Here are some ideas (they may not work for everyone!):

• Start on assignments as early as possible. Even if you just work on something for a little bit, you’ll be closer to getting it done later on. 

• Put due dates on your calendar and schedule time to work on those assignments before those dates.

• Minimize distractions and find an environment that is best for you to focus.

• Set reasonable goals by breaking big tasks down into smaller parts and creating manageable lists of things to do.

• Have people hold you accountable by asking someone to check in on your progress. You could do this by studying with a group of people.

• Allot time for things you enjoy as rewards for getting work done.

3. Motivation

Work on finding productive reasons for engaging in tasks. This may include setting and focusing on attainable goals then monitoring your progress. Try to re-frame your to-do lists from obligations to things that will help you achieve your future plans. Also, consider your personal reasons for enrolling in a specific course or pursuing your major(s) or minor(s). Knowing these reasons may help you find more motivation to complete a task.

4. Engagement

Stay actively engaged in your courses Try to:

•  Seek out what’s interesting and personally relevant in your course material. 

• Set your own purpose for projects and assignments. How can they help you right now and/or in the future? 

• Ask yourself: what are you learning from the class and the assigned tasks? 

Resources:

https://mcgraw.princeton.edu/undergraduates/resources/resource-library/understanding-and-overcoming-procrastination

https://www.gcu.edu/blog/gcu-experience/how-stop-procrastinating-college-student

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/better-than-perfect/201703/11-ways-to-overcome-procrastination

Advising Season Tips

It's this time of the semester already where you get to take a break from the present semester and consider the possibilities for your future. Stay tuned for tips on getting the most out of this advising season.

Before meeting with your advisor(s)…

Make a list of at least six classes you might want to take next semester. While you'll only register for about four credits, having a longer list will help you have a good discussion with your advisor during your meeting and have backups in case your top choice(s) fill up. Furthermore, it's helpful to create a schedule of the times you're available to take classes while thinking about your work schedule and/or any other obligations that would conflict with your classes. Finally, consider if there are any other issues you'd like to discuss with your advisor such as graduation timelines, study abroad, internship opportunities, and research opportunities. Have some specific questions ready to go for your advising meeting.

When making course selections…

Here are some questions to consider:

1) Does this course sound engaging? Will I enjoy studying this material? 

2) How often is this course offered? Do I need to take it next semester or will it be offered again next year?

3) Will this course help me improve skills I need to develop (like writing, reading, quantitative, or artistic skills)? 

4) Does this course help me fulfill a major or minor requirement? A general education requirement? An elective requirement? 

5) Does my schedule look balanced, or are all the classes on the same day?

If you don't know your major(s)…

That's okay! Focus on general education requirements during registration while you’re still reflecting on what your major(s) could be. While you're reflecting, think about what you may want to do after college by considering factors such as interests/passions, abilities/talents, career prospects, grad school requirements, potential earning power, etc. If you want more insight into possible majors and/or careers that could be a good fit for you, take the TyepFocus7. This is an interest, values, personality, and talents assessment tool that is free for Coe students. It provides insight into your personality type, work values, and interests. Follow this link to start your assessment!

 

Learning Commons Spotlight: Aigelica Ellis

The Learning Commons gives a monthly award that features students we work with who have shown greatness in academic excellence, social leadership, peer development, and/or community engagement. These students are nominated and selected by the Learning Commons team. They are interviewed and receive a gift card to the Kohawk Shop! Stay tuned to learn more about this month's recipient: Aigelica Ellis!

Written by Kathryn Kidd

Meet Aigelica

Aigelica (she/her/hers) is a sophomore at Coe majoring in Sociology & Political Science. She is involved in the Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Collaboration (JDEI), Black Self-Educated Organization (BSEO), Crimson Fellowship Honors Program, and Student Activities Committee (SAC). She is a peer minister, Coehort member, CAP leader, tutor, and KCOE co-host. Aigelica believes that being involved with campus activities is what makes a great Coe student, which she embodies through the collection of organizations she contributes to.

From the moment she stepped on campus, Aigelica felt like Coe could be her home. Aigelicia’s favorite place on campus has become the Intercultural Center because of that same feeling of home. Through BSEO, Aigelica met Trinity Bias and Cassie Villarreal. Aigelica said “getting to see women who look like me on campus do what they can to make a difference really motivated me to want to become more of a leader.”

Aigelica grew up in St. Louis and knew she wanted to become a lawyer to help her community grow stronger and overcome adversity. She wants to be “somebody that stands in front and makes change from the ground up.” After graduating, Aigelica hopes to stay in Cedar Rapids and run for office to make a difference for students in the community, which is why she also wants to start a non-profit organization that supports marginalized groups in Cedar Rapids.

Academic Success Story

Aigelica started at Coe with stellar grades and high involvement in extracurricular activities. Then she decided she wanted to learn Japanese for a semester abroad. This class was a challenge for her; she felt uncomfortable talking in class and was often confused. She started falling behind, which created a domino effect of being behind in other classes as well. 

Aigelica reached out to the Learning Commons for tutoring in Japanese. She works regularly with Kathy Welsh, who nominated Aigelica for this award. Kathy wrote, “Through her diligence and willingness to get help when she needed it, she got a B+ in the class and her confidence in herself soared.” Aigelica has since raised her grade to an A and is excited to participate in what is now her favorite class. 

Advice for Peers

Aigelica says that her advice for other students is to reach out for help because sometimes you can’t do it on your own. If you can’t find the type of help you need at first, keep looking! She also says that we should take more risks. Reaching out for help is scary sometimes, but it can be worth it in the end. 

Furthermore, Aigelica says that her support system has helped her to become a “better student, better person, better leader, a better human walking this earth.” The best advice that she has gotten was from her grandfather, who had obstacles in his life that some may see as roadblocks–but he didn’t let that hold him back. He told her, “Just because you need help, doesn’t mean that you’re helpless.” This is the message Aigelica spreads every day through her activism and academic work.

Choosing Your Major

Choosing a major is a big decision. We asked students to fill out a survey on why they chose their major along with any advice they have for other students. Stay tuned for the results and some extra information to help you on your path to deciding on your major.

Survey Results and Statistics

• Why did you choose your major(s)?
• Out of all respondents, the top three reasons were interests/passion, abilities/talents, and career prospects. Other reasons include things such as grad school requirements, potential earning power, scholarships offered, etc.
• What do you like about your major(s)?
• The most common answers were interesting content, faculty, transferable skills (i.e. teamwork, communication, etc.), and research/internship opportunities.
• What do you want to do after college?
• The top three answers were apply for jobs, go to graduate school, and volunteer or work abroad. Consider how your future plans align with your potential major(s).
• Reflecting on all of these questions with yourself or with others can help you decide if your potential major(s) is/are a good fit for you!

Wondering how many Coe students haven't officially declared their major yet?

- 4% of seniors

- 17.6% of juniors

- 40.7% of sophomores

- 72.9% of freshman

Additionally, 30.8% of the undeclared seniors and 37.2% of undeclared juniors don't have an advisor in their predicted major. Keep reading for more advice and resources to help you declare!

Advice

Psychology:

• "Talk to faculty, ask for help, make those connections." - Lirio Romero, senior
• "Paying attention in class goes a very long way."- Kelli Nelson, sophomore
• "Do your readings! I promise they're not too bad." - Emily Alyssa Velasquez, sophomore 
• "Don't do it for the money, don't burn yourself out. Look at all your options because there are many occupations and don't feel pressured to know right now!" - Janessa Marshall, sophomore

African American Studies:

• "Be ready to have a great [time] in class and do great things. Also, a lot of late nights." - Daion Epps, Junior

Creative Writing:

• "Pace your major requirements if you like writing like I do. Otherwise you end up with 4 reading intensive gen eds." - Jay Denning, sophomore

Music:

• "Use help from your peers!" - Kathryn Kidd, freshman

Biology and Business Administration: 

• "After some time in Cedar Rapids, I realized there were more opportunities than I originally thought. I was originally a pre-med student" and "For any area, ask for help when you need it. All the professors are willing to help when they can." - Danielle Rowe, sophomore

Accounting and International Business:

• "Accounting will always be hard, but if you choose it because you like it, it will feel better and easier." - Maggie Nansamba, sophomore

Communication Studies:

• "Stay curious and don't be afraid to take up extracurricular activities that are related to your major! I write for The Cosmos and it has been invaluable in honing my writing and communication skills. Also, take advantage of the wonderful professors in the department! they are more than willing to help students." - Jeana Quinlan, junior

Elementary Education:

• "Be goofy" - Cassi Vroman, sophomore

Nursing:

• "Study a lot and reach out to faculty." - Myah Carmona, freshman
• "Volunteer in your freshman year before you choose if this is the right major for you." - Katie Washington, sophomore

Social & Criminal Justice and Creative Writing:

• "Focus on you and school, make sure you have good intentions behind your career you want to pursue. Hatefulness isn't needed here. There's too much of it. Make a change to make the world a better place." - Mal Day, freshman

Chemistry and Biochemistry:

• "Be ambitious and dedicated" - Gavin Baugh, sophomore

Biology and Psychology:

• "Stick with it, it can be difficult at times but it will be worth it in the end." - Alayna Noel, sophomore

Resources

- Want more insight into possible majors and/or careers that could be a good fit for you? TyepFocus7 is an interest, values, personality, and talents assessment tool that is free for Coe students. It provides insight into your personality type, work values, and interests. Follow this link for starting your assessment!

- Remember you can always talk to your advisor(s), Learning Commons staff, and/or C3 about potential major(s). If you're still exploring, that's okay! But once you do know, declaring your major and changing your advisor to someone in your department can provide access to networking opportunities, insider knowledge about the industry, C3 guidance for appropriate internships, and a clear pathway for practicum requirements. 

If you're decided, follow the directions on this document to declare your major(s) on myCoe!

 

 Learning Commons Spotlight: Bridgette Abernathy

The Learning Commons gives a monthly award that features students we work with who have shown greatness in academic excellence, social leadership, peer development, and/or community engagement. These students are nominated and selected by the Learning Commons team. They are interviewed and receive a gift card to the Kohawk Shop! Stay tuned to learn more about this month's recipient: Bridgette Abernathy!

Success Story

In her small Nebraska town, elementary school grades were given letters like E for exceeding expectations and M for meets standards, so Bridgette never thought much of grades until she got to middle school and earned almost straight A's. That led her to entertaining thoughts like, “I’m pretty smart, maybe I should hold myself to a higher standard.” 

This standard helped Bridgette keep a 4.0 throughout high school and every semester at Coe, while being active in the college community as a CAP leader, a tutor, the secretary of the Political Science Club, and as a member of Pre-Law Society, an Honor Society, and Phi Alpha Delta. This evidence of her hard work has attracted the attention of many, including her TRIO coach, Laura Hayes, who nominated her for this award.

 

Making Her Own Path

From a young age, Bridgette’s parents encouraged her to pursue a career in law. For most of her life, she hated the idea, simply because her parents always reminded her of their opinions. In her junior year of high school, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, she grew fonder of the idea of law school. Bridgette came to the realization that she wanted to pursue law, specifically criminal defense, but this time for herself, rather than for her parents.

 

This self-developed interest complemented with a specific sociology course allowed for her path to change slightly once she arrived at Coe. Originally, Bridgette did not want to take Introductory Sociology due to how many Social and Criminal Justice courses she was already enrolled in. However, Alissa Boguslaw’s section of the course quickly became her favorite and led her to declare a sociology minor. Bridgette explained, “[It was] nice to focus on the human perspective and the people that make up the political system. [It] made me realize I want to work with people directly.”

 

Bridgette credits Coe for allowing her to figure out what works for her, specifically “not taking a 9am ever again.” When choosing a college, she wanted to be further from home, ensuring she would not know her peers on the first day. Bridgette explained her experience, “I became more outgoing than I already was, I knew I would have to come out of my shell and be independent. Being away has taught me to find my own people, make friends my age, and do things on my own.”

 

This May Term, Bridgette will backpack through the beautiful country of Ireland. The class will spend two weeks exploring both Northern Ireland and the Republic, specifically examining the conflicts between the two. For Bridgette, this is an opportunity “to see what [she is] passionate about on a bigger scale and talk to the people actually living in it.”

 Learning Commons Spotlight: Abbey Vickers

The Learning Commons gives a monthly award that features students we work with who have shown greatness in academic excellence, social leadership, peer development, and/or community engagement. These students are nominated and selected by the Learning Commons team. They are interviewed and receive a gift card to the Kohawk Shop! Stay tuned to learn more about this month's recipient: Abbey Vickers!

Success Story

"I was from a really small town where we didn't have a good education, and my senior class size was about 30," Abbey ('23) shared. They always did well in school back home on Catalina Island, California, and have enjoyed learning since they were young. But after arriving at Coe College, Abbey struggled right away. Like many first year students, they never learned study strategies, which was detrimental to their grades. 

Unexpectedly, COVID hit not too far into their time at Coe, which led to Abbey going back home and doing schoolwork online. Abbey struggled during quarantine, leading to failing classes, being on academic probation, and being behind in credits. They had every reason to quit and drop out, but Abbey was determined to bounce back, which they did by working hard and taking extra classes. "My academic coaches, professors, and Learning Commons staff helped me a lot during this time," Abbey explained. 

In fact, Abbey's College Foundations instructor Michelle McIllece found their perseverance an invaluable resource for the class. Michelle noted that "they shared a lot of great stories with the College Foundations class, which was comprised mostly of students quite a bit younger than them." She continued, "Abbey has stuck with it and now as a senior has landed in a place of confidence, love of learning, and determination to stick with things even when they are hard."

Abbey's brother is one of their biggest inspirations in academics and life in general. He was the first in the family to graduate and helps Abbey stay determined to go on and graduate as well. They will do so this May.

Interests

When Abbey when first came to college their major was going to be biology, but they soon felt they didn't have the requisite skills to succeed. Inspired by a sociology class they enjoyed, Abbey changed their major to sociology. Now, Abbey works for a non-profit organization called Trees Forever, which combats invasive species and replants trees to help the community. 

Advice

Abbey said, "Let go of the idea of the traditional academic/college experience. College is hard and not everyone is prepared." They emphasized that it’s okay to take more time to reach the finish line than the "traditional" 4 years, it’s okay to have to take extra classes, and it’s okay to ask for help. "You should never be ashamed of that. Everyone has their own trajectory and their own college experience." 

Abbey recommends not comparing your experience to that of those around you and that "as long as you stick to it, you’ll get through it. The bumps along the way don’t matter as long as you believe you are making the right decisions for yourself."

Learning Commons Spotlight: Tabitha Dey

The Learning Commons is starting a new monthly award that features students we work with who have shown greatness in academic excellence, social leadership, peer development, and/or community engagement. These students are nominated and selected by the Learning Commons team. They are interviewed and receive a gift card to the Kohawk Shop! Stay tuned to learn more about this month's recipient: Tabitha Dey!  

Academic Success Story

“My academic success story is changing my major. I helped myself with that by getting the help I needed," Tabitha exclaimed. When she first came to Coe, she planned to major in biology and neuroscience to become a neurosurgeon. However, when she took the class Organismal & Ecological Biology, she began to struggle, so she took the initiative to reach out for help by visiting the Learning Common's Biology Support Specialist Spencer Stout. He said, "She has since studied with me every single week and has applied so many new skills/study habitats to not only pass her biology classes, but excel!” 

After reflecting on her plans and goals, Tabitha ultimately realized that majoring in biology and neuroscience wasn't the right path for her, so she changed her major to nursing. Tabitha reflected, "Even though the class was difficult, it ended up turning me in the direction that I wanted." She has discovered a new passion and is very happy with her nursing major! After college, she currently plans to work for a few years then go back to school to get her master's and become a nurse practitioner.

Campus and Community Engagement

In addition to being involved in various Coe sponsored events, Tabitha is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta and currently serves in a leadership role as VP Chapter Wellness. With this organization, she has participated in volunteer work such as volunteering with HACAP. Additionally, Tabitha works at Mercy Medical Center and has engaged in various charity events with them such as a cancer walk. 

Advice

“I didn’t want to get help, but then I learned if I do get help, I have a better chance of succeeding," Tabitha exclaimed while reflecting on what has helped her succeed at Coe. She gave this advice to other Coe students:

• Take advantage of the free academic resources here at Coe such as tutoring and SI sessions.
• Get to know your professors and ask questions. Since Coe is small, it's a lot easier to build relationships with your professors and get one-on-one help if you need it. 

Reflecting on the advice she would give herself, Tabitha said, "Don’t procrastinate, go with my gut feeling, and do what’s going to make me happy in the end." She definitely seems to be following her own advice as she's pursuing her new path in nursing. As Tabitha said, “It was a big shock to me when I first decided that I didn’t want to be a doctor, but now thinking back on it, this is probably one of the best decisions I’ve made.”