Here at Idaho State University, we are quickly approaching the midpoint of the spring semester, which means the 2022-2023 academic year is coming to an end soon. However, before we can start celebrating the end of another successful school year, we have to survive one of the most stressful weeks of any semester: midterms week.

Midterms consist of a week of tests, projects, and presentations for professors to evaluate our progress throughout the first half of the semester. For most college-level students, midterms are stressful. If you are needing some ideas on how to get through midterms, check out our list below on ways to prepare and survive one of the most notorious weeks of school!

Maintain an open line of communication with your professors

One area that can be a major source of stress for students during midterms is a lack of communication with professors. By keeping a line of communication open between yourself and your professors, you can easily understand what is expected for your midterm assignments, let them understand how caught up you are on information covered in class, and ask questions regarding the exam format and the content being covered.

Schedule time to study and work on assignments

As we all know, studying for your exams is crucial in understanding course material that will be on your exams. However, cramming is one of the worst ways to go about studying because it actually puts too much stress on your brain, which can actually make you forget much of the material as opposed to taking your time to go over the material. Set aside time throughout your day to study your material and stay caught up on assignments to ensure the best possible grade on your exams.

Practice self-care and prioritize your well-being

No one can perform well when under extreme pressure. Your body will tell you exactly when it needs to take breaks and rest, so definitely look out for those cues because it can greatly improve your overall performance! Taking breaks can improve your overall productivity and energy, which can promote better retention of information. 

It is important to prioritize sleep and knowing when your brain needs to rest. Sleep is important in maintaining your brain’s overall function, including memory and concentration. So make sure you are getting plenty of sleep and taking enough breaks to keep your brain sharp!

To all of us Bengals getting ready for midterms, good luck! Be sure to pace yourself as we enter midterms week, and especially be kind to yourself. You’ve got this!