Christmas vacation is the perfect time to celebrate with family, roast marshmallows by the fire, and enjoy some much-deserved relaxation time. For the students of Union Catholic, it was also time to begin preparation for the dreaded midterms. With vacation free time come and gone, midterm preparation can be overwhelming. Plan ahead for next year, with a few tips learned from the 2016 midterm season.
DO know your dates! Be aware of when each exam is happening so you can be prepared. Check the UC midterm calendar well in advance.
DO NOT skimp on buying supplies. It is always better to have an extra pencil or eraser than to be stuck without one.
DO plan ahead. Organize a study schedule for the weekends and weeknights before exams. Plan to study well before your exams and focus on the most difficult ones.
DO NOT overwork yourself. It is okay and necessary to take a break every now and then! If your pre-calculus study packet is ten pages, plan to take a break after five for a snack or a nap.
DO ask for help. If you are confused on anything, your teachers and classmates probably know the answers. Asking for study help will send you into an exam prepared!
DO NOT wait until the last minute. If you only study for an exam the night before, it will not be as efficient as spacing your studying out over a few days.
DO eat a good breakfast and get a good night of sleep. The last thing you want is to be in the middle of a chemistry midterm and all you can think about is lunch, not the periodic table; a well-rested brain will ace an exam better than a half-asleep one.
DO NOT stress out. Midterms can feel overwhelming, especially during freshman year, but your teachers are going to prepare you. Plus, you always know more than you think you do.
DO be proud and confident! After a long day of exams, go out to lunch with friends to celebrate all your hard work. Just make sure you get home in time to study a little more.
DO NOT ignore your review packets. Teachers who provide you with review material are doing you a favor! Utilize any review papers or review suggestions from teachers.
DO bring a snack. Even though first exams end at 9:45, and you do not think you’ll be hungry, a granola bar or piece of fruit can get your energy up before a second test.
DO NOT psych yourself out by saying “this exam is going to be so hard” or “I am definitely going to fail.” That kind of negative energy will only bring you down.
Lastly, DO take a deep breath! Between stacks of textbooks and math worksheets, be sure to take a breather and remember that you’ve got this!
MIDTERM STUDY GUIDE
by Alice Polini
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