Handling mid-terms
Handling mid-terms
October 1, 2012
Question 1: What can I expect during mid-term season?
Rob says: “Sometimes you know what to expect, and other times you don’t. I’ve written mid-terms that were exclusively essays, multiple choice, or short/long answer. To avoid being surprised when you sit down to write the exam, talk to your professor or teaching assistants days before the exam to find out what you can expect.”
Corrin says: “Expect to put your time-management skills to good use! A mid-term is like a small exam, but it’s held while you’re also attending your regular classes and keeping up with your everyday responsibilities. Make sure you schedule enough time to study, so you can avoid cramming and stressing yourself out.”
Question 2: What’s the best way to prepare?
Corrin says: “Stay on top of things before mid-term season. Cramming isn’t learning—it’s just memorizing. If you take the time throughout the semester to actually learn and understand what’s being taught in your classes, answering questions on the exam will be much easier.”
Rob says: “Personally, I always refused to study one hour before the exam. Instead, I would use that time to decompress, relax, have a cup of coffee, and make sure I had all the supplies I needed. Studying until the final minutes before the exam always used to stress me out.”
Question 3: What has been your best and worst mid-term experience?
Rob says: “Best: I had one exam where I had to write three essays in two hours. I stressed out so much thinking how crazy this was. I studied so hard, gave myself pep talks, and ended up pulling out the top mark in the class. Worst: I wrote this one 100-question multiple-choice exam where we had to choose the “best” of the available answers, meaning none were actually wrong. You had to pick the most appropriate of the five correct answers. This was quite a challenge; I didn’t do so well.”
Corrin says: “Best: My best mid-terms have always been for classes that I’m genuinely interested in. Studying doesn’t seem like studying if you’re reading about something you like. Worst: My worst mid-terms have been for classes where I’ve fallen behind. There’s nothing worse than trying to play catch-up, finish assignments, and study for a mid-term all at the same time.”
Question 4: Any last-minute advice?
Corrin says: “Try not to stress! Mid-terms are obviously a high-pressure situation, but getting worked up and nervous isn’t going to help you at all. Try to remain calm, and remember that it’s just a test! If you don’t do as well as you had hoped, there are often assignments that can help improve your mark, and the final exam is always a chance to redeem yourself.”
Rob says: “Bring pencils, pens, pencil sharpeners, erasers, and a bottle of water. Give yourself a little pep talk, believe in what you know—and rock it!”
Comments
Mayka says,
October 3, 2012
"Arghhh mid-terms I am writing 2 next week and at the same time I need to find a job for the holiday school break. I was checking out the cover letter section on your site, thanks for the info btw. Now back to studying!!! Tip of the day : studying with a coffee is the combination for success. Mmmmm coffee! Maybe I should find a job as a Barista :)"
Rob says,
"Hey Mayka!
That’s a great success tip – one I certainly relate well with! If you’re looking for a holiday job, make sure you reach out to your network to find jobs in the hidden job market. Check out this video for more details!
Good luck with the job hunt."