How to make your way through the April midterm week
By Anna Vlugt
Every few months, the time we all dread comes back around: exam week. After only eight weeks of classes, Safety and Security Management students must file into the exam hall, take a deep breath, and open the laptop to everyone’s favorite application: Remindo.
These exams are only part of the overwhelming April midterm workload. First years must submit their research projects, second years try to balance three group projects, third years have a paper and project portfolio in addition to their exam(s).
So, with all of these various deadlines, exams, and commitments, how are you supposed to get it all done? Well, I cannot solve all of your problems, but here are tips from fellow SSMS students to make this upcoming exam period a bit easier!
- Just start.
Every article says something different. Start studying two months before the exam, four weeks, two to three weeks, seven to ten days, five days, two days, etc. There is no one answer, no one time where if you start studying you are guaranteed to pass. There is, however, one way to guarantee you don’t pass; not studying at all.
Now, we can all agree that two weeks before is probably better than two days, but two days is better than no days. So it doesn’t matter when you are reading this or how close the exam is, just start.
- Make a plan (and stick to it).
Exams can be overwhelming, especially when you are staring at a pile of work and no clue where to start.
If before you even start to study, you take the time to sit down and create a plan, you will automatically be in a better position. By identifying every chapter and lecture that you need to revise or every step that needs to be taken in writing a report, you can map out (by) when everything needs to be done.
By placing a set number of tasks on each day, you will limit decision fatigue, focus on the task at hand, and still have time for the other aspects of your life (work, sports, family, etc.).
- Find a study buddy (or buddies).
Staring up at a mountain of work is one thing, but doing it alone is another. Lucky for you, all of your classmates are staring at the same mountain, and preparing for the same exams.
By finding a partner to study with, or forming a group, you create a fun and safe space for yourself to learn and review the materials!
Midterm week prep will never be fun or easy, but doing it with your friends might make it a little bit better!
- Focus.
Put your phone away, turn off the TV, no music with lyrics. By eliminating all distractions your chances of consuming the information you study significantly rises. No distractions will not only lead to spending less time on one concept, but a deeper understanding as well.
We are all addicted to our phones these days, but if you put it in another room and turn on some quiet ambiance, you’ll have accomplished much of your to-do list before you even realize you might have missed some calls.
- Take lots of breaks.
Give your mind some time off. If you’re losing steam, don’t force yourself to continue or just quit altogether. Take a break.
Go outside, call a friend, stretch, have a snack, whatever works for you! Even though taking a break might ‘feel’ like a waste of time, it is quite the opposite. It allows your brain to start fresh, process what you’ve learned, and continue without exhaustion.
- Little rewards.
What’s your favorite TV show? Or maybe your favorite dinner or candy? Whatever it may be, find a motivator for yourself.
Revise a chapter or lecture? Have a mini candy bar! Pass a practice exam? Enjoy your dinner with TV or a movie.
The reward doesn’t matter. What matters is that you can find little ways to motivate yourself and to keep going. Really want to have that cookie? One more page!
- Switch up your setting.
While studying, it is really easy to get bored and lose steam. The best way to avoid this? Move around!
You can spend some time at school or in the library, maybe at your desk at home, in a cafe, or even outside. Making these changes allows your brain to reset, to start over.
Studying in small chunks is significantly more productive than long, multi-hour sessions. We already talked about taking breaks, so you might as well switch your location after every few breaks too!
- Sleep and prioritize your health.
Do not, under any circumstances, pull an all-nighter to study. Trust me, it’s not going to do what you think it will.
It may seem like a ‘waste of time’ to you, to not use all available time, but in reality, it’s how you use your time that matters. So, use your time right!
Spending time on studying is good, but it’s better when you can also get a good night’s sleep, eat food that supports your brain and gives you energy.
Especially the night before an exam, just go to sleep. What you know the night before is likely all you will ever know. So instead of forcing yourself to stay up to study something you won’t even remember, go to sleep! Give your brain a break, rest.
Health is important, just because exams are going on, doesn’t mean your health doesn’t matter.
- Don’t just reread.
Rereading notes is arguably the biggest waste of time when it comes to studying. Instead, study actively!
Flashcards, quizzes, and revising are just some of the many ways you can actively study.
Whatever your preferred method is, make sure it actually engages your brain. Not just skimming or scanning (a good method for the last few minutes before an exam, however).
- Take advantage of ‘lost’ time.
Like it or not, you lose a lot of time every day that you don’t even realize. Maybe it’s during your commute, maybe it’s while you stand in the kitchen waiting for your pasta to boil.
When this ‘lost’ time is doesn’t matter. What matters is that you can identify it, and use it.
I wonder how many hours of studying you might gain by doing this? May as well find out now!
- Bonus tip! Just breathe.
Believe it or not, everything will be ok. We at Centuria know you can do this and feel confident that following these tips will be a big help!
Need some more help? Check out these websites recommended by other SSMS students!
Thea Study: Great for creating summaries, flashcards, and practice exams.
Studley: Great tool for creating multiple formats of practice exams, has a chatbot to help you, and creates podcasts.
Quizlet: Easy and convenient flashcards and learning games.
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