By Troyee
Midterms are undoubtedly stressful for many of us! The cramming of information while attending to other assignments and lectures is tough. In order to better prepare for your midterms, here are some suggestions:
1. Calendar Your Dates:
Firstly, it is very important to know the dates of your exams. We usually have multiple midterms and it is important to make sure there are no conflicts in our schedule. If there is a conflict, you have to reach out to your professor as soon as possible to make arrangements. Use a planner or mark those dates in your personal calendar to make sure you do not miss the dates.
2. Exam Expectations:
Once the dates are confirmed, take time to review your syllabus and connect with your professors to understand their expectations and focus areas.Knowing the format and content expected of us helps us effectively prepare for an exam.
Here are some resources to understand about your learning style and help prepare for multiple choice exams:
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/sites/utsc.utoronto.ca.aacc/files/tipsheets/Academic_Advising_Tipsheets/LearningStyles.pdf
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/sites/utsc.utoronto.ca.aacc/files/tipsheets/Academic_Advising_Tipsheets/MultipleChoice.pdf
3. A Constructive Study Plan:
The key to a constructive study plan is to ensure that we organize and prepare all material necessary: lecture slides, problem sets, sample exams, etc. When preparing for multiple exams, it is important to plan wisely. I usually allot more time to prepare for exams that are more challenging and that I am less confident about. Finance, for example, was a course that I struggled with and spent a lot of time studying for. Planning in advance helps in avoiding unnecessary stress and allows you to focus on one thing at a time.
4. Studying for the Exam:
The general rule of thumb is to study 2-3 hours for every hour you spend in a lecture.1 Bloom’s taxonomy is a great tool that emphasizes how important it is to study not just to remember, but to understand, apply, and analyze so that you can evaluate your learning and critically think to rationalize what is being presented.2
Once you have your study plan laid out, make sure you focus properly and follow it. Get rid of all the distractions- if you work better in a quiet study space, make use of our campus library or other study spaces. If you are like me and you like studying alone in your own room, stay at home, put away your phone, and try to make the most of that hour you’re giving for preparation.
Here are also some additional study skills FAQs available on our website:
5. Take Breaks
When you study, try to reward yourself and take regular breaks during your study sessions- “researchers found that the length of the break directly correlated to how long the information was retained.” 3 When you allow your brain to rest, it can help you learn better when you resume studying.
6. Before the Day of the Exam:
It is important to get good sleep the night before an exam. I know ‘all-nighters’ during midterms is very common but not getting enough sleep can impact your performance during the exam. “Research has consistently shown that taking the time to sleep before an exam will benefit your test score more than four or five hours of staying awake, and staring at notes that you will not remember.”3
While revising, I try not to learn new materials too close to the exam. This boosts my confidence about the preparation. If there are topics that you have not studied and think might show up on the test, try not to learn it at the last minute. The stress of that could cause you to forget the materials you've already learnt.Therefore, the best idea is to study ahead of time so that this situation can be avoided!
Resources:
In addition to this article, take advantage of in-person advice. Here are some resources:
o Visit your professor or TA during office hours (information is usually given in the course outline)
o See a Study Skills Peer Coach at the AA&CC to help you strategize the methods that work best for you. You can book an appointment by yourself through the Career Learning Network to see a peer. For specific booking instructions, please visit:
o Join a Facilitated Study Group (FSG) or create a study group online with your classmates to discuss problems
The following Tip Sheets below are also available:
Time Management : https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/sites/utsc.utoronto.ca.aacc/files/tipsheets/Academic_Advising_Tipsheets/timemanagement.pdf
Test Preparation:
Test Writing:
Furthermore, here are some important deadlines for Fall ( F-section, Sept - Dec) you need to keep in mind:
o Deadline to drop courses for Fall without academic penalty and have them removed from transcript – November 19th
o Credit/No Credit an elective or breadth requirement in Fall : Request or remove this assessment from your transcript Sept 4- December 3
o Request a late withdrawal from a UTSC course on eService: Nov 20- Dec 3
The following link to the Registrar’s Guide can provide you with key deadlines :
I hope you can take advantage of these study tips and the various resources available! Do your best and remember there is always next time to do better!
For additional questions,please don't hesitate to contact our office by phone (416-287-7561) or in-person at AC213! See you soon!
Good luck,
Troyee
References:
References:
1. https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/study-skills-faq
2. Jshabatu. ( 2018, March 19). Teaching Innovation and Pedagogical Support. Retrieved from https://tips.uark.edu/using-blooms-taxonomy/
2. Jshabatu. ( 2018, March 19). Teaching Innovation and Pedagogical Support. Retrieved from https://tips.uark.edu/using-blooms-taxonomy/
3. The Science of Taking A Break. (n.d.). Retrieved from OnlineSchools.org: https://www.onlineschools.org/science-of-study-breaks/
4. Oexman, D. R. (2012, July 8). Retrieved from HuffingtonPost: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-robert-oexman/all-nighters_b_1501263.html
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