It’s the most wonderful time of year… well, maybe not. Midterms. Think of it as how Thanksgiving is to Christmas — your precursor to the real finals madness to come at the end of the year. While you may have bombed your tests this week, don’t fret. We’re offering up some tips for you to consider and pitfalls to avoid so you don’t end the semester on the same note you started it.
PROCRASTINATION
Obviously, waiting to the last minute is not a great idea.
While you think that cramming in all the pieces of information you have learned over the past two months in the five hours before you take your next test will help, cramming often only leads to your mind going blank when the test is in front of you.
“I discipline myself, so I don’t have to cram at the last minute,” said Sarah Cooper, marketing junior.
Cooper said that she thinks many people wait until the last minute, and that is where they mess up during tests.
Although you may prefer to be watching your favorite contestant on American Idol, the best thing to do is start studying in advance. Read over your notes every night after class, and – gasp! – actually do your homework. This may seem tedious now, but it will make it so much easier to study when it comes time for an exam.
CHEATING
This is really not worth an elaborate discussion.
If you think that looking at your classmate’s test paper or attempting to hide your notes somewhere during the exam is the quickest way to get an A, you should re-evaluate your game plan.
It’s not worth it. If the possibility of failing the class and getting expelled from the university isn’t daunting enough for you, then think about what your parents would say.
If you didn’t study, just take the F, and speak to your professor. See if there is extra credit you can do, or if there is any other way to raise your grade. Sometimes, if you show your remorse about failing the test and show your desire to do better, they will throw you a bone.
Just do not cheat.
PSYCHO STIMULANTS
(Yes, we went there.) This is just a fancy word for Adderall, Stratera or Ritalin – all drugs that should be taken by people diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder or attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorder. Period.
Granted, taking your friend’s Adderall will make you feel like you can stay up all night and learn eight weeks of information, but after you come off of that academic high, you will quickly forget everything you have studied. You will also experience emotional ups and downs while you are taking the drug and endure body aches from increased muscle tension when it wears off.
Try coffee.
SLEEP AND EAT
These two basic functions —you know, the ones that support all human life — are just as important in passing your classes as is taking advantage of studying early. You won’t feel like going to classes without a proper night’s rest because your body won’t be functioning properly — and you certainly won’t be able to pay attention in the classes you do make it to.
Jasmine Blue, voice performance sophomore said the biggest mistake she made during the semester was not getting enough sleep, and cautions others not to do the same.
“If you study ahead of time, you will be able to get enough rest to concentrate on your exam when it’s time for it,” Blue said.
And eating is also crucial. You don’t want to go to classes with noises from your stomach drowning out the your professor’s lecture. Plus, after your food break, you are bound to feel refreshed and be more capable of listening and taking decent notes.
IN CONCLUSION
The sum of all of these tips? Just remember: go to class and put in work you need to pass.
Even if your midterm grades look bleak, you still have eight weeks left to raise your grade. And if you think these tips can’t do much for a slacker of your caliber, you still have until Mar. 13 to withdraw.
Jaune Jackson can be reached at [email protected].
