4 Studying Tips for College Midterms

Maybe you did pretty well on your first college test. Congrats! While doing well on your first test can be a big confidence booster, it can also give you a false sense of security. You might be thinking: “I did so well on my last test that I don’t need to study that hard for the midterm. I’ve got this in the bag!”

Positive thinking is great. Don’t stop thinking positively! However, don’t let your past success go to your head. College tests usually get slightly harder as the semester progresses. (You have more content to study and the actual tests will probably be more difficult.)

With college midterms quickly approaching, don’t rely on study techniques from Wikipedia to help you pass. Try these 4 tips!

4 Tips for Studying for Midterms

1. Get caught up!

If you’re the typical college freshman, you’re probably slightly behind in at least one of your classes. Maybe you haven’t turned in some small assignments, taken a few quizzes or given your speech yet. These missing grades will be entered as zeros in the grade book.

So, why does this matter? Zeros can truly sink your grade. If the missing assignments are smaller assignments, they can add up quickly.

For example, forgetting to take quizzes can sink your grade. Since the semester is only halfway through, you’ve probably only had about 10 quizzes. But if you haven’t taken 3 of those quizzes, you’re missing 30% of your quizzes grade. Even if you get a 100% on the other quizzes, your total quizzes grade will only be a 70%.

If missing grades are so important, how can you tell what assignments are missing? Most colleges provide an online resource for all courses. Your grades should be recorded on your course’s page. With midterms quickly approaching, most teachers probably have their grades up to date. If you can’t find your grades there, try talking to or emailing your professors.

2. Get help!

At this point you might be feeling like you don’t understand certain concepts. You really feel completely lost when your teacher starts talking about this topic. Don’t continue the semester without getting help!

Maybe you don’t know how to contact your teacher. Maybe you feel like it’s too late, and you’re a lost cause. Maybe you’re embarrassed that you don’t understand. Don’t allow these reasons to keep you from learning!

First try to figure out the problem by asking a reliable classmate. When approaching this person be kind and understanding. Work around this person’s schedule. If meeting with a classmate doesn’t help you, then contact your professor. Sometimes talking one-on-one with your teacher can truly help you understand the course content better.

3. Get organized!

Almost every freshman struggles with being organized. You may not have even tried to use a planner or a scheduling app yet. (If you haven’t yet, do it. Please!) If so, you honestly may not know when your midterms are.

First, make a list of your late assignments and organize them by class. Look at your weekly schedule to see when you can work on these assignments. If you don’t plan on completing them, you’ll probably never do it.

Second, determine which classes you need some extra help in. Make a list of list of questions to ask your teachers. Compose these emails. Be sure you include your specific questions and what times you can meet with them.

Third, take out your schedule and make a note of any meetings you set. Also, double-check the dates of each midterm. Then set a reminder in your phone for your meetings and your midterms.

Even with your busy college schedule, you can be organized and know exactly what to study when.

4. Get a strategy!

Now that you’re organized you can finally start studying, right? Kind of. First figure out a strategy for your studying. Working hard and studying for classes are important. But if you study without a plan, you may be wasting your valuable time.

So, figure out which midterms are coming soonest. Next figure out which class grades need the most work. Then consider which classes are usually the hardest for you. By thinking these things through, you will be able to spend your studying time wisely.

Personal note: Be wise about where, when and with whom you study. Don’t study where you’ll get distracted—your dorm room. Pretty much without exception, studying in your dorm room is a very bad idea. Also, don’t wait to study until you only have time to cram—the night before. You should plan at least a few days in advance.

In addition, avoid studying in groups if you’ll get distracted. Try studying somewhere quiet, turn your phone on airplane mode, and don’t talk to people. If you work well while studying with others, find one or two reliable classmates and keep the conversation focused studying.

Be practical with your strategy! Literally write in your schedule how many hours and on what days you will study for each class. Prioritize your studying time. Focus on the midterms that are coming up soonest, most difficult for you and in the classes that need the biggest grade boost.

For example if your hardest class and lowest grade is in Trigonometry, then start studying now for at least 45 minutes to an hour and continue doing this daily (even if this midterm isn’t for another week). If your closest midterm but highest grade is in Speech, spend at least 30 minutes studying for this daily, starting tonight.

You can do this! By getting caught up, getting help, getting organized and getting a strategy you can conquer your midterms. College may tough, but so are you!