Midterms Made Easy: Study Tips to Help You Succeed

December 2024

By Nancy Perez, Assistant Editor

As an ordinary high-schooler you may be reviewing your to-do list. When you see “study for test,” however, how often do you intentionally sit-down and study to ace the upcoming test? If the answer is not often, don’t worry! This article is comprised of the many tricks and tips you will need to prepare for any upcoming exams, especially those around the corner: midterms. 

As a freshman, this may be the first time you’ve heard of the phrase midterms, however these tests or projects, whichever you teacher chooses to assign, are meant to give your teacher insight on how well you understand the material in that specific subject from the first semester. 

They are their own grade category, making up 15% of your total first semester grade. It may not seem like a lot, however you should still ensure to do your best as your final grade could be directly affected by this score. It could be the difference between an A and a B, or potentially even between passing and failing. Therefore, preparation for these tests is essential. 

Studying Tips 

The first and simplest form to be successful in your exams is by simply attending your classes, however it is just as important to fully be present in them by actively listening to your teacher, following along with note-taking, and engaging in course discussions. 

Next, finding a comfortable environment to begin studying is a key aspect to a successful studying period. Either a quiet room/space in your home that grants you a desk or table area with a comfortable seat is a great setting for your focus to not get lost. However, you do not need to limit your environment to only inside your home, you can also find a local library and or a quiet coffee shop to enhance your setting.

An additional tip is inviting a friend along to your studying session, not only will this help make studying more enjoyable, you’ll also be enjoying their company, and even be able to help each other study through Q and A’s and flashcard review. 

Plugging in some headphones and playing some tunes is not a bad move, but being conscious of what you play is important. Study and instrumental music are better alternatives to lyric music.

Limiting distractions is also crucial in order to be productive, placing your phone on do not disturb will not tempt you to reach for your phone when you receive notifications. Along with placing your phone in a completely different room/space will altogether remove all electronic distractions.

Successfully proven studying methods 

Now that basic tips have been described over studying in general, you may wonder how to structure or begin your studying. One method many individuals follow is the Pomodoro technique. This studying method centers on time management when studying, based on a work/study period of 25-minute stretches, that is then followed by a 5-minute break. This strategy is most effective when followed thoroughly and will best support those who tend to be more easily distracted while studying. You are able to follow an example of this technique on YouTube, The Sherry Formula, is a great channel to follow along to, that provides a relaxed ambience to help you maintain stamina while studying. 

Those who have taken or are currently taking a course of Psychology are familiar with the method of studying known as SQR3. This method is especially useful when reading textbooks and gathering information. The five steps in this method consist of: 

• Survey: scan the text to gather main ideas, focusing on titles and headings
• Question: Formulate questions to know what you are looking for, helping comprehension
• Read: Find the answers to your questions, and highlight main ideas 
• Recite: Write what you have learned into your own words, helping store this information into your long-term memory 
• Review: Finally, review and look over what you have learned and gathered, completing this step helps you avoid cramming all the info the day before your test!

Organization Techniques 

A valuable component to ensure you are able to study successfully is having good organization. You don’t necessarily need to be the most organized person on the planet to be able to complete your designated tasks. All you need is a simple to-do list to keep track of your deadlines and current pending assignments.

A great tool to use is the application, Notion, an online website that allows you to personalize your to-do list, along with enabling you to customize, and be able to place assignments under specific categories.

Even through the usage of a simple sticky note, or note pad, writing down reminders to complete specific tasks in the future, helps you stay organized and limits the likelihood of forgetting important assignments. Attaching a sticky note next to your keypad is a great way to not forget the items on your To-Do!

Another key step towards organization is planning, this can be achieved through the usage of either a physical or digital planner. Having a visual overview of your month helps you better prepare to meet deadlines. 

Inspiration

Lastly, we all may need a spark of inspiration from time to time to keep us going. Therefore if ever in need of a boost to begin working, think of fictional characters such as Rory Gilmore, from Gilmore Girls, a naturally gifted teenage girl who initially desires to attend Harvard University, but decided to attend Yale. She prioritized her studying over hanging out with friends, however she always maintained a balance with managing her studies and spending time with loved ones. 

Another source of inspiration, especially for those wishing to pursue a career in law, can come from Michael (Mike) Ross, from the hit show, Suits. Mike, a brilliant college dropout uses his cleverness to be successful in his career. Although his brilliance may be a bit unrelatable, our goals in striving towards better can begin by simply passing our classes and implementing what we learn and skills we gain into our own higher education and career path. 

Hopefully, after reaching the conclusion of this article, you have a sense of where to begin when it comes to the preparation and success of your midterms!