In the midst of the midterm season, we recognize that this can be a stressful time — whether this is your first semester at Maryland or your last. Take a moment to honor your successes, accomplishments, and what you have learned about yourself so far this semester.
To support you through midterms and through the rest of the academic year, we’ve compiled helpful tips, strategies, and resources to help you be successful in your exams and projects. We are always here to help you succeed!
The Department of Resident Life wishes you success in your midterms and beyond!
GETTING CAUGHT UP
Sometimes we don’t have the strongest start to our semester, and you need to spend time and energy getting yourself back on track. Here are some tips to help you save your semester:
ATTEND CLASS
Prioritize being in class—it’s the place where you’ll receive the most effective instruction and feedback!
CHANGE YOUR POINT OF VIEW
DETERMINATION IS DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE DOING IT.”
-Unknown
• STUDY STRATEGIES
Studying is an important part of life in college, and there is more than one way to do it. Check out these methods for some new approaches to making the grade.
POMODORO METHOD
This time management strategy guides you to study in intervals of 25 minutes with a five minute brain-break in between intervals.
SPACED PRACTICE
This strategy involves studying materials or practicing a skill throughout multiple short sessions over time. For example, if you have a test in two weeks, you’ll schedule half an hour everyday leading up to the test to review material.
INTERLEAVING
Interleaving involves studying two or more related concepts within a given study time—think about switching between two different classes that have similar topics or that share foundational concepts.
BODY DOUBLING
A strategy where you have another person, called a “body double,” provide support with being productive in completing tasks while staying accountable to set goals.
RETRIEVAL PRACTICE
This strategy helps to self-assess what information you know while identifying what knowledge needs to be retained. It helps to improve long-term memory and learning.
NOTE TAKING
Think about how you are taking your notes, what helps you most when you are studying. Check out this resource for some note taking methods, like the use of visuals, such as concept maps.
YOU GET IN LIFE WHAT YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO ASK FOR.”
-Oprah Winfrey
TIPS FOR ORGANIZING
Sometimes turning things around means paying attention to organization. Committing to an organized semester will help you to stay motivated, keep stress levels low, and accomplish more in a short period of time. Try out some of the following suggestions:
• Set goals by month, week, and day that outline what you want to accomplish. Be specific!
• Commit to specific study times and hold yourself accountable. Building a routine is important.
• Set up your study space so it is clean, free from distractions, uncluttered, and comfortable. Make sure you have plenty of light.
• Include ALL of your obligations on your digital calendar and ensure that you set alarms for items you might forget.
• Determine a set day or week to check that all of your notes and course materials are present, organized, and complete. Update when and where it is necessary.
• Determine a regular time (daily or weekly) to ensure that your personal space is clean and tidy. Get rid of clutter and put everything in its designated spot. Choose one thing to deep clean (vacuuming counts as deep cleaning).
• Keep a “to do” list and add everything that you need to complete. This list does not need to have details, but should include everything you need to do. You can use a note in your phone, a physical notebook, your phone’s reminder application, or the tool of your choice. As long as it is easily accessible and can hold a list, you are on the right track.
FOCUS ON DOING THE RIGHT THINGS INSTEAD OF A BUNCH OF THINGS.”
-Mike Krieger
THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT LEARNING IS THAT NO ONE CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU.”
-B.B. King
Pro Tip: You can add your course calendar from ELMS-CANVAS to your Google Calendar to keep track of assignment due dates. Learn more by checking out the Canvas Basics Guide.
HOW TO BEAT MIDTERM MANIA*
Ask questions. Your instructors should be your very first stop when getting ready for midterms. Make sure you’re asking the right questions to get the information you need about the exam. Here’s a quick list of questions you should confirm for each class:
• Will the teacher be providing a review packet or holding an inclass review session? Will there be outside-of-class opportunities for more review?
• Will the midterm test material from the whole semester so far or just the most recent material?
• What is the format of the exam?
• How many points is the exam worth?
• What study suggestions does your instructor have?
• Does your instructor have specific suggestions for improving your grade like turning in extra credit, rewriting a paper, or getting a tutor?
Make a midterm study schedule. Once you know what’s going to be on the exam, make a list of what topics or question types you need to cover and when you’re going to cover them. Make sure you study a little each night from now until the midterm.
Ready to study? Start with your notes and tests. While you’re at it, gather up any handouts or worksheets. If your midterm exam covers material from the whole semester, then your previous tests will help you see what your professor thinks is important. (Plus, you can learn from your past test mistakes). If the quality of your notes is less than stellar, check out these strategies for note taking.
IF YOU GET TIRED, LEARN TO REST, NOT QUIT.”
-Banksy
Form a study group. Study groups can also help you study more efficiently— dividing and conquering a chapter outline, for example, can help all of you prepare.
Understand each subject is different. Practice problems may work for geometry, but what’s your strategy going to be for English? Figure out the best study method for you for each course you’re taking.
Mix it up. If you find yourself losing concentration because you’ve been studying in the same way, switch it up. Try asking a friend to quiz you in biology, putting history dates to music, or recording yourself practicing your French vocab.
Change the scenery. No matter how hard you’re working, take some time to grab a snack from the kitchen or go for a quick run. It also helps to switch up your study space when reviewing for exams. Check out this list of quiet spaces on campus , at a coffee shop, or at a study buddy’s house for a change.
Don’t skimp on sleep. You might be tempted to pull an all-nighter, but a good night’s sleep is key to your success. Start a healthy sleep routine in the weeks leading up to your exam, so you can reap the benefits of a fresh mind on test day.
Stay positive. Test anxiety is real. A smart plan, focused studying, and a calm morning are your best plan of attack.
Pro Tip: You can use this calculator from the University of Minnesota to break down large writing assignments into smaller, more manageableparts.
*Adapted from the Princeton Review’s “10 Ways to Study for Midterms ”
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Students can get run down with so much going on. Here’s how you can help beat the stress.
Create a routine. If you get yourself in the habit of studying, working out, and sleeping at certain hours, it will be easier to fit in all the things you need to do in a day without feeling too stressed out.
Put limits on work hours and give yourself a break. You can’t work all the time—fun and relaxation have to be part of your routine as well. Limit the times when you will work to give yourself time to sleep and rest up.
Be realistic. Sometimes there’s just no way you’re going to get everything done in one day. Be realistic about your goals and understand that you can only do so much.
Understand you can’t do everything. While you might want to go to class, work, play a sport, and participate in clubs and social activities, the reality is that sooner or later you’re going to get run down by trying to do so much. Focus on doing the things you truly love and forget about the rest during midterms season.
Cut back if needed and get help. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out and ask for help from professors and friends. They may be able to give you more time or help you to complete projects and study more effectively. If you’re feeling like you’ve got too much on your plate, cut back work hours, drop a class, or cut out some extracurricular activities to make your schedule more manageable.
Relaxing with hobbies. Whether you like to paint or to destroy aliens with your friends in video games, making time for the things you love is an important part of keeping yourself from getting too stressed out.
Give yourself plenty of time. It’s easy to put off starting on a big project or studying for a test until the last minute. You’ll be much less stressed out, however, and will likely do better, if you give yourself more time to work on it.
Spend time with friends. There are few things that can cheer you up like being around the people you like most. Eat dinner with friends, hang out and watch tv, or take a walk to get away from the stress of homework and midterms preparation.
*Content adapted from Rutgers University’s 101 Health and Wellness Tips for College Students.
HELPFUL CAMPUS RESOURCES
ACADEMIC COACHING
You can schedule a free 30-minute academic coaching session to develop and refine study strategies, enhance skills in various areas such as time management, note taking, test preparation and learn of other campus resources to support your academic success. To schedule an in-person or virtual appointment, visit go.umd.edu/learn . For more information, email learn@umd.edu
ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND TUTORIAL SERVICES
As an initiative of the Academic Achievement Programs (AAP), the Academic Success and Tutorial Services program provides free peer tutoring to all UMD students for over twenty 100- and 200-level general education courses and for historically difficult courses in areas such as biology, business, chemistry, computer science, economics, mathematics/ statistics, and physics.
THE COUNSELING CENTER
The Counseling Center is the primary campus provider of free and confidential therapy to help UMD students manage personal, social, and academic challenges. The Counseling Center also offers wellness workshops and a variety of resources to help students with common student concerns .
GUIDED STUDY SESSIONS
The Guided Study Sessions (GSS) program offers FREE, regularly scheduled group review sessions for students in traditionally difficult courses. GSS Leaders have previously taken your course and earned an A, so they know what it takes to stay on track in lectures and prepare for exams. Go once, a few times, or attend every session—it’s never too late to start attending GSS. Visit the GSS Schedule to view the available sessions.
LIBRARIES
The University Libraries offer plenty of resources including those for getting started on research and places to study. There are six libraries on campus and all have different hours .
HELPFUL CAMPUS RESOURCES
KEYSTONE CENTER
Located in the J. M. Patterson building, the Keystone Center is where you can go to work on homework or group projects, use the computer labs, or study for exams. It is staffed with upper-level undergraduate and graduate students who can provide you with assistance in answering questions in fundamental engineering and STEM courses: CHEM135, MATH140, MATH141, MATH241, and MATH246.
MATH SUCCESS PROGRAM
The Math Success Program offers free, drop-in math coaching and tutoring services for all UMD undergraduate students. The program is open Sunday - Thursday from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays are held in ESJ 0224, Sundays are virtual and require an appointment. Visit the Math Success Program website to get more information and access the program.
MATH TUTORING ROOM & MATLAB TUTORING
TAs available on a daily basis for most of the introductory math courses in Math Building Room 0203. To see all courses offered and a full schedule, please see the Undergraduate Tutoring Hours
MATH TEST BANK
Google Drive of past exams from the Math Department for tons of classes. Great practice material for studying for midterm exams.
OFFICE OF MULTI-ETHNIC STUDENT EDUCATION (OMSE)
OMSE offers free, walk-in tutorial program that covers most key courses in Writing, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Economics, among other courses. Individual and small group tutoring is available each semester in most undergraduate courses. Check out the OMSE tutoring site to learn more. You can also check out these short videos created by OMSE tutors on some traditionally difficult concepts.
HELPFUL CAMPUS RESOURCES
OFFICE OF STUDENT CONDUCT
The Office of Student Conduct serves the UMD community by investigating referrals, enforcing the Codes (Code of Academic Integrity and Code of Student Conduct ), and committing to a fair, honest, and transparent conduct process. The Office of Student Conduct handles issues of academic integrity. If you are unsure of rules about academic integrity, the Office of Student Conduct has resources to assist you.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS CENTER (OCC)
The OCC can provide peer consulting for presentations, speeches, and other modes of oral communication; Speech planning and practice assistance; Interactive workshops on a variety of relevant communication skills; Special events and workshop series. You can schedule an appointment here .
QUIET STUDY SPACES
These spaces offer some great opportunities to safely explore campus and find new places to get your work done. Please visit the Quiet Study Spaces list to view the spaces that are available and guidelines around using the spaces.
TUTORING & ACADEMIC SUCCESS RESOURCES
The University is committed to academic excellence, and provides a variety of tutoring and other academic resources to support student success—available on campus, from our peer institutions, and other non-university websites. To learn more about the available resources, visit tutoring. umd.edu . Also checkout these helpful resources to tackle some common academic concerns.
THE WRITING CENTER
The Writing Center provides opportunities for undergraduate students to improve their writing, research, and critical thinking skills in preparation for successful academic, professional, and civic lives. In a supportive atmosphere, trained consultants from a variety of backgrounds and majors assist writers in-person and online throughout the writing process. Visit the Writing Center’s website to schedule an appointment.
You’ve got this, break is right around the corner!
And remember: study hard, go to class, get enough sleep and ask for help when needed.
