The Student News Site of Westfield High School

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The Student News Site of Westfield High School

Hi's Eye

The Student News Site of Westfield High School

Hi's Eye

“How-to” tips when studying for midterms

by Michaela Winberg and Maddie Katz

You’ve gotten midterm review packets in most of your classes, and maybe you’ve already shoved them to the back of your binder. But midterm exams are set to begin on Jan. 29; here are a few study tips to help you get prepared:

Make a schedule: Prior to studying for midterms, it’s important to write down each day that you have a midterm and in which class. Once you know the specific dates and times, it is helpful to write out a study schedule for each exam. This way you keep all your notes and thoughts organized and have no excuse to skip out on the set study time.

Practice testing: According to washingtonpost.com, continuous practice testing before an exam is the best way to remember information. When you’re studying for your math midterm, complete practice problems from your teacher or textbook. For an English or history exam, write mock essays or make some virtual flashcards on quizlet.com.

Short study sessions: Of course, leaving all your work for later is tempting, but if you study for short periods of time for about a week before the test, you will retain the information better and feel less stressed, according to stanford.edu. Instead of cramming for your midterms, study for 15-20 minutes every night of the week before.

Self-explanation: When you’re studying a concept that is difficult for you to understand, make sure that you can explain it to yourself in your own words. It is much easier to remember and understand a complicated concept after writing it down and providing your own examples, according to washingtonpost.com. Similarly, studying in a group makes learning even more effective because teaching others can help reaffirm information you already know.

Getting in the right mindset: Preparing mentally for midterms is just as important as studying the material. There are meditation and yoga videos on YouTube to help alleviate stress and improve test success. If you’re interested in practicing yoga outside your home, studios in the area include Satsang Yoga, Hot Yoga Revolution and Hapi Yogi.

For a quiet place to study, the Westfield Memorial Library has extended its hours for midterms. On Jan. 28, 29 and 30, the library will be open until 10 p.m.

​Happy studying!

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