Midterm exams begin one week from today and some students have been preparing for weeks while others’ plans are more short term. Regardless of your study-style and timeline, there are many ways to set yourself up for success and approach your exams with confidence.
A recent survey sent to 48 randomly selected Nazareth students reveals that students start to prepare for their exams anywhere from 1 day to more than two weeks in advance. While the difference seems stark, there is something to be said for students’ individual study styles and schedules.
Since this can be a pretty stressful time, it’s best to enter into the end of the semester with a plan. If you haven’t already, now is the time to chart out your exam week: schedule and dedicate a day or two prior to each test day to pour over that subject’s materials.
For instance, if your Theology exam is on Tuesday, you could spend Sunday and Monday with a laser-focus on all of your semester materials for Theology. Spending at least a couple days leading up to the exam with that test in mind will keep the material fresh in your mind when you take that test.
Academic Support Counselors Jim Legner and Sara Shannon facilitate academic tutoring year round and they manage the tutoring center where students can come for help, advice and a place to study. When it comes to midterms, Legner advises students not to procrastinate. “Give yourself time, because if you wait too long, you run out of time to be able to see your teachers…and if you wait till the night before, you’re on your own trying to figure things out,” he said.
Legner often reminds students that to ease their stress while preparing for exams, they should use the resources that have been made available. “Use your teacher’s study guides,” he said. “Go over them, start early, and take them in small pieces.”
Students agree that stress can heighten exam anxiety, so they share a few tips on how to prepare. Senior Ara Vasquez said, “While I do feel that midterms provoke stress, it can be manageable by accommodating enough time to prepare and study.”
Sophomore Frances Hamilton believes that stress is a mindset and that if she blocks it out, she does better on her tests.
But not all stress is bad. Guidance Director Brenden Green believes that stress can encourage students to work towards success with the mental and physical warnings that it gives their brains.
Green said, “Stress is actually very healthy. It’s important to have it during tests, because what stress does is it gets the heart beating, which gets the blood going, the blood gets to the brain and starts to help you remember things.”
Social Studies Teacher Jon Paul Jurasas agrees that sometimes, stress is necessary for success. He said, “Stress kind of gives you a little bump of adrenaline to say, ‘okay, I can do this.’”
Jurasas also understands that “there’s a lot of pressure on students to do well, from their peers to their families, to guidance counselors, to colleges that they’re submitting their GPAs and test scores to.”
English Teacher Jennifer Boyle said that students will do better if they trust themselves with the material and their learning. She thinks students make a mistake when they focus on the stress and not their abilities.
Princeton University offers some practical study tips which can positively affect your midterm testing experience. They agree that creating a study schedule is key. They also say students should maintain a positive attitude heading into midterms and they should also make sure they’re getting good, quality sleep.
Just like Legner, Princeton suggests reaching out to teachers and speaking up if you have questions or concerns (though not the night before the exam). Lastly, they recommend changing your scenery: for instance, you can go to a new library or coffee shop if sitting in your bedroom has proven to be too comfortable or distracting in the past.
More Ivy League advice comes from Yale University who also mentions staying positive and getting a good night sleep. Their tips also include, “Study with a purpose, put away your electronic devices…and remember that exams are a test of knowledge, not personal worth.”
Midterms are an essential part of high school and are a foreshadow to the exam schedule many students will face in college. At Naz, exams count for 20% of your semester grade, so they are no small part of students’ academic performance. By making a good plan, staying focused, asking for help, getting a good night sleep and keeping positive, you’re setting yourself for success.
