WA students are entering into one of the most stressful times of the year: midterms. Many students overthink the exams and procrastinate their studying, causing them to enter their midterms under prepared and stressed out. The following is a list of tips on how to feel ready on exam day with suggestions for how to fix several common struggles.
1. Knowt
Knowt is a free Quizlet alternative that lets you convert any Quizlet into a versatile study set with many different free features. You can use it to create a multiple choice practice test with custom rules as well as a spaced repetition learning plan or a matching game. If you don’t already have a Quizlet for your class, you can create a study set from scratch within Knowt. Overall, it’s a great way to prepare for tests the way you want to, with many custom features.
2. Gimkit Practice
Many students are familiar with Gimkit as a website teachers use to keep learning fun with games and competitions, but many don’t know that you can create your own kits with any questions and answers you want. This can be helpful if you’re struggling to stay focused when studying as it is fast moving, interactive, and will keep you engaged.
3. The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a study method meant to help with burnout on topics. Pick one topic you need to work on, such as one class you need to study for, and work hard for 25 minutes. At the end of the 25 minutes, take a 5 minute break and pick something new to work on for another 25 minutes. After you do this 4 times, take a longer 30 minute break to reset and then repeat the process. This technique helps you avoid burnout by letting you take a break and switch subjects right around the time your brain starts to get tired. It’s been proven to increase study efficiency and mood.
4. Gamify your studying
Many people find it helpful to “gamify” their studying. This means breaking down your studying into smaller, easier to complete tasks and finding a way to reward yourself after completing each one, usually through a short break. If you’re going to try out this study strategy, make sure your “reward” doesn’t distract you too much from your learning. This practice can make your studying much more efficient and help make longer study sessions more bearable by adding extra motivation and variety. If you still find yourself struggling or getting bored, you should consider things like taking a longer break, changing your study strategy, and switching subjects to study.
5. Look for third-party information
In the modern age, there are plenty of third-party sources for helpful information. If you’re struggling with a subject at home, look for trustworthy websites and/or YouTube channels that can help explain the topic you want to know more about. Certain YouTube channels like Crash Course for History and Science or Course Hero for English can help you refresh your memory on a topic when you’re unable to reach your teacher and can also provide a new perspective you haven’t heard before. There are also plenty of information packed websites you can read through.
6. Ask Questions/Extra Help
When you’re having trouble studying for a specific class or you’re confused about the material, there’s nothing better you can do than just asking your teacher questions. Email your teacher to ask for help and also consider setting up a meeting with them outside of school hours. Your teachers have the best idea of what’s on the midterm and have likely taught the subject many times before, so going to them with questions is one of the best things you can do.
