It's Midterm Time

Sidney Hargraves
Zeta Tau Alpha

It's getting to be that time of year again, where everyone begins to hit the library and buckle down. The time in the year when watching TV and hanging out begin to fade into the past, and pages of our textbooks begin to turn and our nights turn into all nighters. It's midterm time. 

In almost every class, one can expect to have two or three midterms that make up a good 15 to 25 percent of one's grade, so compared to quizzes and homework assignments it's fairly substantial. During midterm season, as well as finals week, we begin to feel the pressure and we can become overwhelmed. My thought was how can we take some of the mid-term stress away and relieve some test anxiety.

In attempts to find a good method, I have asked several  teachers about study skills and students around campus, from all majors, age groups and social orientations and asked them the question- what is your method for studying for a test and how do you distress afterward? I found  a common theme between two different type of study tips and two distresses. 

The first study tip that I found was instead of making note cards, make an outline of the material that has been covered in both the class and the book. Teachers have said that it is more beneficial for one studying if they create a detailed outline rather then just flipping through note cards. One is more likely to actually retain the information from the outline, because you have to go more in depth to write it out, then just a visual memorization. 

The second tip that my animal biology professor told me was before every midterm instead of taking that time to cram in the information into your head, take that hour beforehand to do nothing. I know it sounds weird, but studies show that if you take time to relax your mind before a big exam, you are more likely to do better because your mind is not racing to remember that last crammed in fact. 

Along with that, don't pull and all niter before and exam, because you need to rest for your brain to retain the information you just studied. 

After asking many students around campus, a main theme arose. By no surprise, going out and hanging with friends was the main reason people gave that helps them distress.

Another factor students said was that the only time they had a significant time period to distress was on weekends. When we think of the typical relaxing weekend, we start out by of going to FAC having a few drink ( if you are of age, of course) and then going to a house party or a friends apartment. Most Saturdays this time of year are filled with tailgating and football games, and all the activities that come along with them, but Sunday seems to be the true day of the weekend that we can actually relax. 

Try taking a few hours on Sundays off from studying and watch a movie, or football game. Maybe grab lunch with friends, do whatever, but use that time wisely because the following week is right back to the books and test. 

Sidney is a sophomore studying nursing and English. You may contact her at sidney-hargraves@uiowa.edu.