How to Crush Midterms Season!!

Midterms season can be intense, and most people throw around advice that sounds more like common sense than helpful guidance.

But to tackle midterms in a way that truly makes a difference, you’ll need practical and unique strategies that go beyond the usual "stay hydrated" and "get enough sleep" (which are obviously are still important but getting 8 hours of sleep doesn’t magically get you a 90 in your finals 😓).

Here are the study tactics and mindset shifts that will help you not just survive but excel 😆.

1. Leverage Memory Anchors with Storytelling

- What It Is: Memory anchors, or "hooks," are relatable points that make it easier to recall information. Use storytelling to give concepts a narrative, even if it’s fictional. Instead of memorizing facts, craft stories around them.

- How to Use It: For example, if you’re studying biology, create a character representing each cell function, like “Mighty Mitochondria” or “Lysosome Larry,” and visualize a story about them interacting. Associating abstract ideas with vivid images or stories helps anchor them in memory.

2. Study with Context Switching

- What It Is: This involves rotating study materials and subjects in shorter, focused sessions rather than long, single-topic blocks. It's a form of spaced repetition that promotes cognitive flexibility, essential during exams when you’ll need to recall and connect diverse information quickly.

- How to Use It: Break down your study sessions to tackle different subjects every 20-30 minutes. Start with your most difficult subject, switch to an easier one, and continue rotating. This helps your brain “reset” so that you’re less likely to experience burnout or lose focus.

3. The Feynman Technique with a Twist

- What It Is: The Feynman Technique involves explaining a topic in simple terms to test your understanding. For midterms, take this further by explaining concepts to a friend or classmate over video calls or through voice notes.

- How to Use It: After a study session, record yourself explaining a concept out loud in your own words, aiming to teach it to a hypothetical audience with no background in the topic. Listening to your own explanations later reinforces learning and highlights areas you need to review.

4. Set Up a "Micro-Rewards" System

- What It Is: Micro-rewards are small treats or breaks you give yourself after accomplishing specific tasks or milestones, helping you stay motivated and avoid burnout.

- How to Use It: Set clear goals, like completing a practice test or reviewing a chapter, then reward yourself. It could be as simple as watching a funny video or having a small snack. This builds positive associations with study time and helps with motivation during long study days.

5. Use the Power of Background Ambience

- What It Is: Background sounds like white noise or ambient café sounds can significantly increase focus. Unlike music with lyrics, ambient sounds don’t distract but keep your mind engaged.

- How to Use It: Try different ambient sound mixes (like rain or a bustling coffee shop) from YouTube channels dedicated to ambient noise. If possible, vary the sounds every few hours, as subtle changes in your environment can prevent monotony.

6. Prioritize Active Recall with "Closed Book" Reviews

- What It Is: Instead of passively reviewing notes, close your books and write down everything you remember about a topic without looking. This method of active recall is one of the most effective ways to reinforce long-term memory.

- How to Use It: Choose a specific concept, close your materials, and write out an explanation or a bullet-point list from memory. Then, go back to your notes to fill in gaps. This process strengthens neural connections associated with the information, making it easier to recall under pressure.

7. Practice the Pomodoro Technique with a "Dynamic Timer"

- What It Is: Instead of rigid 25-minute Pomodoro intervals, use a dynamic approach that varies study and break intervals based on your energy levels and the difficulty of the subject.

 

- How to Use It: For challenging topics, go with shorter, 15-minute bursts and 5-minute breaks. For easier material, try longer intervals, like 40 minutes with a 10-minute break. This flexible structure can prevent mental fatigue and adapt to your unique focus patterns.

8. Simplify Complex Concepts with Flowcharts and Diagrams

- What It Is: Visuals like flowcharts are invaluable for subjects with lots of cause-and-effect relationships or steps, like biology or history.

- How to Use It: Instead of writing bullet-point lists, create flowcharts or mind maps to link ideas visually. Use colors to represent different elements or themes; this helps reinforce memory and makes revisiting the material more efficient.

9. Decrease Study Sessions Leading Up to Exams

- What It Is: Instead of studying nonstop the day before, dial down your sessions gradually. Similar to tapering before a big race, it gives your mind rest and makes it easier to retrieve information during the actual exam.

- How to Use It: If you’ve been studying 6 hours a day, scale down to 4 hours two days before, and 2-3 hours the day before. During this light review time, focus only on major concepts or problem areas, so you’re mentally refreshed on exam day.

10. Use "Transfer Rehearsal" for Practical Applications

- What It Is: Transfer rehearsal involves practicing questions or scenarios similar to those you might see on the exam. It’s especially helpful for application-based subjects like math, physics, or law.

- How to Use It: Search for past exams, case studies, or example questions, and set a timer to practice answering them. This primes you to handle similar questions under time constraints, boosting confidence and accuracy.

11. Cultivate a "Finals Mindset" Early On

- What It Is: Instead of waiting until finals to go all in, develop a consistent study rhythm that keeps stress low.

- How to Use It: Start reviewing notes within 24 hours of your lectures, even if just for 10 minutes. Schedule mini “refresher” sessions for previous topics at the end of each week to prevent last-minute cramming. When midterms approach, you’ll already have a solid foundation.

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Taking an Active Approach to Midterms Success

Applying these lesser-known study strategies requires a bit of experimentation. Midterms are an opportunity to test out what study methods best support your learning style while preventing burnout. Focus on strategies that allow you to retain and recall information efficiently, so you can walk into each exam feeling well-prepared and confident.

Good luck with Exams!! 📝💗