Tips for Successfully Preparing for Midterm Exams During the Pandemic

Anxious about taking your midterm exams this year? That's perfectly fine. It is a natural reaction that everyone has experienced at least once when preparing for an academic test or assessment. Midterm exams are important because they make up a small percentage of your final grade. Therefore, you have to score well in the midterms. Here are some valuable tips to help you prepare for your midterm exams from the safety of your home during the pandemic.

How to Prepare for Midterm Exams

●       Find out details about your midterm syllabus: Be clear on what your midterm exams entail, such as which course subjects will be assessed, what type of questions will be asked, what is the duration of the exams, and how the exam papers will be scored. Check your academic syllabus for the year or approach your teacher with your queries. 2020 midterms may be conducted online using e-learning tools and techniques. Once you have the necessary details, it will be easier to form a study plan.

●       Choose a study technique that suits your online learning process: Everyone has a different approach to learning. There isn't a foolproof method of studying that suits every student and all subjects. Different subjects have to be approached in different ways. For example, math topics can be mastered by practicing how to solve problems of the same or similar type of questions, whereas science subjects can be mastered by conducting experiments. There are virtual learning programs that make it easier to imbibe knowledge through stimulating audio and visual content. Find out which study technique applies to you and the subject matter you have chosen.

●       Create a study plan for your midterm prep: When you follow a timetable, it's easier to cover all the topics and also have sufficient time to revise before the exam starts. Without a schedule, you will end up spending several hours on a single subject and neglecting the rest. While creating a study plan for online learning, assess your strong and weak subjects, then accordingly assign prep hours for each subject. Don't forget to schedule downtime and time for revision in your study plan. You need short breaks between study sessions to stimulate the mind for better understanding and absorption of subject matters.

●   Form study groups if required: Sometimes, it helps to study with a partner as it keeps each other motivated and also addresses any doubts either of you may have in understanding a topic. When you have someone monitoring your study schedule, you will be disciplined, especially when it is a peer. When one of you is nervous or demotivated, the other can be reassuring and encouraging. Use secure virtual learning apps for online learning with peers.

●   Take help where you can, even learning assistants: Since online learning has become an integral part of education during the global pandemic this year, feel free to take help where you can. If you find it hard to study on your own, try the services of learning assistants like online tutors, study forums, virtual learning programs, free learning apps, etc. Consult your teachers and peers about reliable learning assistants for midterm exam preparation.

●       Eat healthy food and get sufficient rest before the exam: Studying for exams non-stop can affect your mental and physical health. Only if you are healthy can you retain what you have studied and recall it with clarity during the examination. Therefore, make sure to eat healthy foods and to get enough sleep before the day of the exam. Eat foods that are good for boosting your memory power. Don't cram all the topics at the last minute; it is counterproductive. Take deep breaths, stay calm, and confidently approach the exam center, in this case, your laptop/desktop to take the test.

●       Keep your exam kit ready before the test: If you are taking midterm exams in a brick-and-mortar classroom then ensure your exam kit is stocked and ready before going to the exam hall. If your midterm exams are happening online from the safety of your home during the pandemic, ensure your laptop or personal computer and Internet connection are working properly. You don't want any technical hassle while taking the exam. Therefore, be prepared.

All the best for your midterm exams!