MIDTERMS: What to Expect When You Aren't Expecting...

by Arabella Chamberlain

You might be calmly thinking to yourself "Wow, the semester just got started... SO HOW IS IT ALREADY ALMOST MIDTERMS?!?!?!?" First exams have already come and gone and suddenly, they want you to take midterms??

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It can seem crazy how fast the spring semester flies by. As soon as you start to settle into a routine and start to think you've got a handle on this semester, midterms slam into you like a tsunami. That 10-page paper is due, you've got 3 lab reports, and every professor is breathing down your neck about that upcoming exam.

When did all that happen?

While I don't know that I can solve the mystery of how midterms snuck up on all of us, maybe I can offer some help on what to expect when you aren't expecting midterms.

• Did that first exam not go so hot? Make midterms better. Start studying as early as a week or so in advance. Even though you won't have all the exam material probably, it'll be easier to add a few new things to study as opposed to studying four chapters all at once! Here are some little study tips for "Improving Concentration" from Purdue University Academic Success Center:
• "Set up an environment that is conducive to study. Plan your own quiet corner away from distractions. Include a desk stocked with all the tools you need, a comfortable chair, and good lighting." 
• TL;DR: Pick the right study spot!
•  "Study on campus. Stay on campus after class to avoid distractions in your room or dorm. When you’re done, go home and relax." 
• TL;DR: Go to the library or Stuart or Hickok... Just avoid studying in your room!
• "Take care of basic physical needs. Be sure to eat, sleep, etc. first. Plan short naps and periods of exercise to revive you."
• TL;DR: To care for your mental needs, don't forget to care for your physical needs.
• "Do something relaxing before going to bed at night. This helps to keep from dreaming about the exam you have the next day and to relax instead. Try listening to music or reading some good fiction."
• TL;DR: Before you go to sleep, do something relaxing. Don't end the night high-strung over the exam.
• It's never too late to request a tutor. Do it. Really. Just filling out the tutor request form has no obligations attached. You never even have to use the tutoring, but filling out the form means you'll have easier access if you do decide you need tutoring.

• Talk to your professors sooner rather than later. That one problem you didn't understand on the homework? Take it to your professor and ask for help. Not sure why your prof took points off of the greatest essay ever on the dichotomy of Hershey and Ferrero Rocher (humble brag)? Ask them now so you won't make the same mistake on an essay question at midterms.

However you do on your midterms, don't forget - this is just one exam. There will be others if this one doesn't go your way. If you notice a trend in poor performance on exams, don't hesitate to fill out the Request for Academic Support (RAS) form or stop by the Learning Commons.

More Resources:
Improving Concentration - Purdue University Academic Success Center

The End of the World: The Onslaught of Finals

By Arabella Chamberlain

It's never too late to save your grades. You can't give up yet. Sounds cliche, but it's true. (Okay, actually, if you try to save your grade minutes before finals, it may not work.) Honestly, you can always do better in a class until the minute you turn in your last final. What I'm trying to say is, want to make that "D-" a "C+" and pass that class? You can, but it ain't gonna be easy.

When facing the dreaded "finals," what's your attack strategy? Do you:

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a. Panic.
b. Attempt to study. Then, panic.
c. Panic. Then, study. Then, panic.
d. Flawlessly ace every exam handed to you.

(If it's the last one, give me a call. I doubt it is though - Not because I lack faith in you, but because I lack faith in the universe.)

Honestly, a lot of us aren't really that stressed, are we?

Maybe you are though. Finals can be a really intense time. Sometimes we can get too caught up in a percentage instead of our understanding. We should be focusing on putting forth our best work possible, even if that's not A+ material right now. Nevertheless, here are some things to do to make finals a little easier:

• Study. Well, duh. You all knew that one. However, when I suggest you "study," I'm not just saying sit down for five minutes and flip through your notes. That isn't going to get you anywhere. Instead, make flash cards, find a study group, practice old problems, catch up on unfinished assignments - it really does make a difference when you actively engage in studying.
• Get a tutor if you need one. (Or even if you don't) Don't be afraid to ask for help. Even if you think you've got it all figured out, it's okay to have someone help check you, just in case you aren't. You don't want to spend a bunch of time studying, only to realize you learned something wrong, do you? It's super easy to get a tutor and they're a great resource while studying. 
• Talk to your professors about concerns. If you're really freaking, don't. Try to pinpoint what's stressing you out and let your professors know. A lot of professors want you to succeed so many are willing to help. Address the issue early on so you can work together to find a good solution. 
• Get a good night's sleep. This should go without saying. Yet, how many all-nighters have I pulled in the past? I know it's hard to sometimes just say I can't study anymore because my health is a priority, but sometimes, that's what you have to do. Don't let that be an excuse not to study, but also, SLEEP. Your brain can only retain so much when you've been chugging 5-hour energy drinks for 48 hours straight. Put down the pencil and turn off the lights.
• Try to eat a little healthier. Avoid all the french fries, potato chips and other snacky foods while bunkering down for finals. You want to be in tip-top shape while taking those last crucial exams and some old candy and chips ain't gonna cut it. Just be a little kinder to your body, maybe even do a little exercise to destress. And don't forget to stay hydrated - It's flu season!
• Make time for you. Check in with yourself. I know this can be a stressful time, but a little self-care goes a long way. Watch an episode of that one show you always watch, kick back and read a book that isn't assigned reading, take a long, hot shower - you and your roommate will thank you! It's just as important to study hard as it is to take it easy. Find a good balance for you and let yourself unwind. Lastly, don't forget...
• "C"s get degrees.   But also, try to remember for next semester that Coe offers four opportunities to change the grading scale to pass/fail after your first semester. Set high standards for yourself always, but it's okay if you don't ace every class. Put forth your best effort and hope for the best. You can do this. You got this.

Ultimately, just remember to take a deep breath. This semester's been a little crazy, a little hectic, but don't let that discourage you. It'll hopefully be better next semester, right? Don't give up. It's not like it's the end of the world.

The Procrastinator's Midterms Survival Guide: How To Make It Out Alive

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By Arabella Chamberlain

As the dreaded end-of-the-world - uh, I mean... "midterms" approaches, the stress levels on campus are rising... unlike our GPAs. As we try to cram in two papers and some last-minute studying before fall break, do you ever wonder if there's a better way to get through midterms?

If you're looking for a good laugh before midterms, check out this: Studying For Midterms As Told By GIFs

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If you're looking for some actual tips on how to survive midterms though, look no further! While this time of year can be daunting to even the most seasoned professional, there's no need to fret if you just try your hardest, put in the work and follow some of these helpful tips:

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• BE PREPARED. I know you all immediately thought of Lion King just then, but I'm serious. Don't go into midterms thinking you'll just float on through without doing any real work. Be prepared to get into the nitty-gritty of your classes. Make sure, before you even get to the midterm, you're all caught up on any past assignments, even if they're late. If you can still turn them in for credit, go for it, but even if you can't, maybe ask your professor for feedback so you can still learn from your mistakes.
• OPEN A BOOK. Even though you might've never even cracked the spine on your textbook yet this semester (or any semester, for that matter), if you're struggling with a topic, maybe take a peek. Who knows? Maybe that over-priced stack of papers can do you some good this semester. It can be really beneficial to reinforce tricky concepts sometimes. Or maybe you've been ignoring those assigned readings? At least skimming through the text could save you from a surprise question about something only mentioned in the textbook, not in class.  
• MAKE A PLAN. Don't just attack your assignments and study time recklessly. Think through what work you need to get done by when and prioritize your time. Be aware of what deadlines your assignments and papers have and set out a schedule for them so you don't lose focus. If you feel too overwhelmed, just remind yourself to work on one task at a time.



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• GET AHEAD OF THE GAME. I know you have a thousand other things on your plate, but try to start study early when you know a big exam is coming up. Don't set yourself up for a night of panic as you try to learn an entire chapter of Calculus in one night. Instead, review a couple topics and concepts each day leading up to the exam. Make flashcards for your Psychology exam. Do some practice problems for Calculus. Explain a tricky concept in Cell & Molec to a friend. Even if this just seems like one more thing on your to-do list, it'll help you feel much more prepared on exam day and you'll hopefully feel less like this at 1 AM the night before:

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• TALK TO YOUR PROFESSORS. If you're really stumped on a problem or can't wrap your head around a concept, there's nothing wrong with stopping by a professor's office hours to get a little more help. Your professors are here to help you learn, but if they don't know your struggling, how can they help? Let a professor know you're really struggling and ask for additional practice or readings to help cement the concept in your head. ANOTHER OPTION: It's never too late to get a tutor in the Learning Commons. Come by the Coe LC and talk to someone about what you can do to stay on top of your coursework. You may be able to have a weekly tutoring session, which is helpful long after midterms!
• FIND A STUDY GROUP. Talk to your friends in your classes. Chances are, you aren't the only one stressed about that big test coming up. See if a few people want to meet up in the library to study. Or maybe work to come up with a study guide together on Google Docs and share it with one another so you can all help fill in the gaps. Having a study group not only gives you someone else to talk to about hard material, but also gives you someone to hold you accountable to studying when you say you will. Don't be shy - reach out!

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• TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Get some sleep. Eat well. Drink some water. Check in with yourself. It can be really easy to forget sleep until 4 AM because you had to finish that paper, or skip dinner because you zoned out on this really hard problem, but things like this never end well. It's crucial when you're stressed to take care of yourself. Otherwise, you risk being so burned out leading up to midterms that you sleep through your 9 AM exam! Your body needs fuel to get you through those three exams and a paper - "Student cannot survive on caffeine and potato chips alone."
• DON'T STRESS. I know it's easy to freak out and think you'll never make it out of midterms alive, but midterms is really only as stressful as you let it be. Be confident in yourself. You made it this far already - YOU'RE HALFWAY THROUGH THE SEMESTER. You read that right. Just believe in yourself! 

Good luck to everyone on any midterms coming up or recently taken  - although, after this article you don't need any luck! Let me know in the comments if you have any other great midterms survival tips. Hope you had a fun and safe fall break!

More Information:
Coe College Learning Commons

10 Ways to Study for Midterms

Last-Minute Tips for Acing Your Midterm Exams
How to Study for a Midterm

How to Study for Midterms Like a Boss