With the winter season in full swing, the comfort of a warm blanket seems far more appealing than a study session. Trust me, I’ve been there, done that. It’s hard to say no to an extra hour of sleep, but I’ve learned that accepting a bad score sucks even more. To avoid that, here are some practical tips and tricks that worked for me and might just work for you too.
Be all ears in your class
Think of your classroom as a stage play and your professor is the main lead. Sometimes, what’s said in class can’t be found in the textbook, but makes its way into the exam. Professors love sprinkling real life examples to clarify concepts and those are the small details you shouldn’t miss. Listening to lectures and explanations in real time is better than scratching your head scrutinizing a 200 page textbook later.
Speak up and ask questions
Utilize your classes to clear all of your doubts, no matter how trivial you think they might be. It’s smarter to ask questions than to sit and pretend that you know the answers. Don’t suffer in silence. Keep up with your professors as they ask if anyone has any questions, review material in-class, discuss exam formats and content, etc. Talk with the professor and ask them to share their personal guidance on how to achieve a good score in their class.
Plan your study sessions
Procrastination will lure you into the trap of postponing things for tomorrow. You get your course outline on the first day of your class; best use it as a road map. Mark important dates and use it to your advantage. Plan studying in digestible chunks, rather than cramming the entire course content a night before an exam. If you can, create notes and read them ahead of time; it will help you engage better in class.
Know what to study
While it’s great that you can study all the course material you have, it’s still essential to prioritize. Some professors prefer notes over optional textbooks, some prefer pop quizzes to prepare their questionnaires. Focus on the sources that matter the most. There’s no use in reading a 95 page chapter if the answer lies in a 10 page handout. Study smart, not just hard.
Tailor your approach by subject
Your interest and ability to score high aren’t the same in every subject. For instance, if you’re good in economics and not so good in philosophy, then devoting an equal amount of time to both the subjects won’t help. Schedule your study sessions in a way that you’re giving extra time to the subject you struggle with the most.
Submit assignments on time
Imagine having midterms in a week and you’re buried under three assignments, two group submissions, and one presentation. A total nightmare. To avoid this, finish assignments as early as you can, especially around midterms. It will give you more time to focus and minimize the stress of deadlines.
Make use of available resources
UFV has multiple resources to help students do well academically. Some examples are peer tutors who provide one-on-one sessions, student learning groups which are alumni-led study sessions, and advising sessions. They’re there to help us and there’s no shame in asking for help.
Study to learn, not to get it done with
Out of all the fields you could’ve chosen, you picked your specific degree for a reason. Don’t let the goal of just getting assignments done overshadow the opportunity to learn and grow. Exams test our knowledge and scores are irrelevant in the long run; in the end, learning is what truly holds value.
Don’t study on your bed
This might sound funny, but studying on your bed is a slippery slope that can lead to falling asleep. Find a study spot, like the UFV library, a cafe, or your desk at home. Wherever you can stay alert and study without distractions helps.
You’ll be okay regardless
Your score doesn’t determine your worth or your potential. You shouldn’t overestimate your dreams and not study at all, though. But sometimes, despite giving your best, the results aren’t as anticipated. Don’t take it as a failure — take it as a nudge to rethink your strategy and try again.
To each their own
What works for me might not work for you and that’s okay. It means something else will do and you just have to find the strategy that works best for you. After all, these are some tips that worked for me, so feel free to modify them to best suit you!
Midterms are just tiny stepping stones to a bigger dream. You’ve got this!
