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Simple Study Tips for Midterms

students smiling studying in library

While midterms are important, some students may end up feeling overly anxious about studying for them. Because these exams only cover half a semester of material, they should be less stressful and require less work than finals. Plus, you can use certain techniques and shortcuts to make studying for midterms even easier. Discover some practical ways to get prepared for these mid-semester exams below.

Systematic Study Sessions

You can avoid having to cram before midterms by beginning the study process a few weeks in advance. Work study sessions into your schedule each week. Not only will this approach alleviate some pressure, but it will also help you retain and recall information. Plus, you’ll still have time to work on other assignments, important tasks, and projects. Just remember to make time for each class.

Regularly Reviewing Material

Reviewing notes, as well class and textbook material, is a fail proof way to retain information. For the best results, review important concepts from this material for just a few minutes each day. You can even rewrite or tidy up your notes for a simple and effective review. Making sense of your notes through rewriting them can serve as a reminder of important information and even help clarify confusing or complex topics. So, when you read and organize your own notes, you’re inadvertently reviewing the material.

Organizing your notes every week should keep you abreast of all the concepts that will most likely be covered on the midterm exam. You should also review material discussed in class and covered in the textbook. Plus, by connecting this material to your lecture or lecture notes, you’ll broaden your understanding of certain topics.

Using Flashcards

Flashcards are one of the most effective study tools used and beloved by students everywhere. Creating and using flashcards makes studying easier, quicker, and perhaps even enjoyable. The visual cues and repetition of flashcards helps you recall information. Moreover, flashcards can be stored and used for quick reference when needed or reviewed just before the exam. You can also use flashcards to hold engaging studying sessions in a group, which brings us to our next tip.

Joining a Study Group

Study groups or study partners help students to share ideas, information, perspectives, and resources. Your classmates can clarify confusing concepts, provide smart study tips, shed light on key information, and keep you on track and immersed in the material. A study group or partner also alleviates some of the stress and pressure associated with studying for a big test. You can review information with your group or partner and quiz each other on key topics. Study groups are found all over campus or in your apartment community, especially if you live in one of the most equipped student rentals Waterloo has to offer, like those provided by King St. Towers.

Reviewing Major Concepts

Major concepts or topics are those that include the material most heavily covered in class, which will therefore make up most of the exam. Unfortunately, they may also be the most complicated to understand and study. Thus, you should review these concepts frequently and thoroughly. If a major concept includes many smaller topics, divide your study time. For example, study each group of connected topics on different days of the week. Eventually, you’ll be able to connect all the smaller topics to the larger concept.

Studying sizable concepts in smaller groups is perhaps the most effective way to retain the material. You can also ask your professors for guidance or information on which major topics will be covered on the exam. If you need additional help studying or understand complex topics, consider visiting your school’s learning centre.

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