By Chase Pasekoff
As BU students return from spring break, midterm season is still in full swing. With exams, papers, and projects all piling up, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Here are three ways to keep midterm season low-stress:
1. Find a study spot that works for you
Establishing a good study environment is your key to success. Last year, I spent most of my time studying on the 4th floor of Mugar because I needed an isolated, silent environment with limited distractions. Last semester, however, I found myself studying mostly in study lounges, like the top floors of the Kilachand Honors College and Stuvi 2. It was more enjoyable to study when I could sit with my friends and admire the city view at the same time. This semester, my main study spot has been the common room of my suite. With most of my midterms being group projects, I haven’t needed to separate my living and work space to get everything done. So, whether it’s Mugar, a study lounge, your room, or anywhere else, make sure to find a study spot where you can focus while feeling comfortable!
2. Create a study plan you can stick to
Every midterm is different. Some require dozens of flashcards, while others are less memorization-based. Either way, making a day-to-day study plan is essential to cover all of the content you need before exam day. For my recent psychology midterm, for example, I labeled each day I wanted to study each chapter on my Google Calendar. This kept me organized, on top of my work, and most importantly, prevented me from cramming all six chapters the night before the test.
3. Take advantage of office hours
Although it can feel awkward or uncomfortable, going to your professor or TA’s office hours can be super helpful, especially right before an exam. One tip I have is to write down the questions you have as you’re studying, so you can refer back to them when you go to office hours. Some professors require an appointment for office hours, so it’s important to give yourself enough time to figure out whether or not you’ll need to go. Either way, it’s a great resource that you should definitely take advantage of if you think it could help you out.
As long as you keep these three things in mind (and remember to prioritize yourself), your midterms will go off without a hitch!