Prepping For Midterms and Finals as a Freshman

Midterms and Finals season is quickly approaching. Some of us are finishing up our 8 week course finals. And some of us are prepping for our midterms fairly soon. I have just finished my first final ever as a freshman! It can be nerve wracking to think about the process of going through your exams. But I have some tips that can help make the process a little easier.

Effectively Utilizing Your Resources

At UIUC, there are many resources available at your disposal to use to prepare for your exams. Currently I am in an online environment, but meeting up with your professor for office hours, using e-mail, or even consulting TA’s and fellow classmates is a great way to study material. Another resource I used, which many of you might know, is Quizlet. Quizlet has been a lifesaver throughout my years of education, and I recommend looking for a study set that is related to your class, there are dozens out there.

Blocking Out Time to Study

For Freshman, this can be a new concept to us. Everyday we are learning how to effectively utilize our time while we navigate our new lives. Blocking out time to study is a great way to prepare for your exams. Even if it is 5-10 minutes every few hours, anything counts. I try to study in the mid-day as opposed to night or early morning. And I try to refresh myself on concepts I might miss on the exams the night and morning/afternoon before the exam. Studying is the most important part of effectively doing well on exams!

Facing Your Fears

Not all exams will go according to plan. And not all exams will yield the score that you desire. Going into your first exams can be quite scary! One thing I kept telling myself is that the result doesn’t define my entire college career, and that setbacks are necessary to the road of success. Having this mentality will lead to further success and understanding setbacks. Good luck on your finals!