Spring 2024 Midterms Academic Success Guide

ACADEMIC SUCCESS GUIDE RESIDENT LIFE | Spring 2024

Dear Terps, This is a reminder: You’ve got this! Midterms can feel tough, but remember all the hard work you’ve put in so far. Take a deep breath, stay focused, and believe in yourself. You’re capable of amazing things.

Keep pushing forward and don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way. You’ve got a whole community cheering you on!

The Department of Resident Life wishes you a great Midterm Season.

TIPS TO CONQUER MIDTERMS Here are some helpful tips to consider when navigating through studying and preparing for exams and assignments.

Making a plan of how you will accomplish these big tasks. The tips below provide guidance to ensure success during this season.

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Start Early: Don’t wait until the last minute to start studying. Begin reviewing material well in advance of your exams to give yourself enough time to thoroughly understand and retain the information.

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Create a Study Schedule: Plan out your study sessions and allocate time for each subject or topic.

Breaking down your studying into smaller, manageable chunks can help prevent overwhelm and ensure you cover everything you need to.

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Use Active Learning Techniques: Instead of just passively reading your notes, actively engage with the material. Practice active recall by quizzing yourself, teach the material to someone else, or create flashcards to test your knowledge.

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Take Regular Breaks: It’s important to give your brain time to rest and recharge. Take short breaks during your study sessions to avoid burnout and maintain focus. Use strategies like the Pomodoro Technique, working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break.

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Stay Organized: Keep your study materials, notes, and textbooks organized and easily accessible. A clutter-free study space can help reduce distractions and improve productivity.

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Utilize Resources: Take advantage of resources available to you, such as textbooks, online resources, study groups, tutoring services, and professor office hours. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re struggling with a concept.

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Practice Past Exams: If past exams or practice questions are available, use them to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions you may encounter. This can help reduce anxiety and improve your performance on the actual exam.

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Stay Healthy: Don’t neglect your physical and mental well-being during midterms. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, exercise regularly, and practice stress-relief techniques like meditation or deep breathing

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Stay Positive: Maintain a positive mindset and believe in your abilities. Avoid negative self-talk and focus on your strengths. Visualize yourself succeeding and stay motivated to reach your goals.

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Reward Yourself: Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Treat yourself to something you enjoy after a productive study session or once you’ve completed an exam. This can help reinforce positive study habits and keep you motivated.

MENTAL MAINTENANCE Managing mental health during midterm season is crucial for overall well-being and academic success. Here are some tips for undergraduate students:

PRIORITIZE SELF-CARE

Make self-care a priority by ensuring you get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, exercise regularly, and engage in activities that you enjoy. Taking care of your physical health can positively impact your mental health.

SET BOUNDARIES

Set boundaries around your time and energy. Learn to say no to additional commitments that may add unnecessary stress during midterm season.

YOU’VE GOT THIS. ONE STEP AT A TIME, ONE DAY AT A TIME, ONE TEST AT A TIME.” -Unknown

SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Be realistic about what you can accomplish during the midterm season. Set achievable goals for yourself and avoid putting too much pressure on yourself to perform perfectly.

MANAGE STRESS

Practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or progressive muscle relaxation. These techniques can help you stay calm and centered during times of high stress.

STAY CONNECTED

Maintain social connections with friends, family, and peers. Having a support system can provide emotional support and encouragement during challenging times.

SEEK HELP WHEN NEEDED

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you’re struggling with your mental health. Talk to a counselor, therapist, or trusted individual about what you’re experiencing. You can connect with our Counseling Center by contacting 301-314-7651 or visiting the office at 1101 Shoemaker Building.

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TAKE BREAKS Schedule regular breaks during your study sessions to rest and recharge. Taking breaks can help prevent burnout and improve productivity when you return to studying.

PRACTICE MINDFULNESS Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine to stay present and reduce anxiety. Mindfulness exercises such as mindful breathing or body scans can help you stay grounded and focused.

ENGAGE IN RELAXING ACTIVITIES Make time for activities that help you relax and unwind, such as reading a book, listening to music, taking a nature walk, or spending time with pets.

STAY POSITIVE Maintain a positive outlook and practice self-compassion. Be kind to yourself, acknowledge your efforts, and celebrate small victories along the way.

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THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SUCCESSFUL PERSON AND OTHERS IS NOT A LACK OF STRENGTH, NOT A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE, RATHER A LACK IN WILL.” -Vince Lombardi

EDUCATION IS THE PASSPORT TO THE FUTURE, FOR TOMORROW BELONGS TO THOSE WHO PREPARE FOR IT TODAY.” -Malcom X

UPCOMING ACADEMIC SUCCESS EVENTS EVERY FRIDAY IN MARCH Wind Down for the Weekend Meditation EVERY MONDAY Guided Visualization Meditations EVERY WEEKDAY Wellness Series EVERY MONDAY Language House Language Chats

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STAYING ORGANIZED Staying organized during midterms is crucial for managing your time effectively and reducing stress. Here are some of our top tips to help you stay organized!

SCHEDULE STUDYING Plan out your study sessions and allocate specific times for each subject or topic.

Having a schedule will help you stay focused and ensure you cover all the material you need to review.

USE A PLANNER OR CALENDAR Keep track of important dates, deadlines, and exam schedules using a planner or digital calendar. This will help you stay organized and prioritize your tasks effectively.

BREAK DOWN TASKS Break down larger tasks, such as studying for an exam or writing a paper, into smaller, manageable steps. This will make the workload feel more manageable and prevent feeling overwhelmed.

ASK FOR HELP Set aside time each week to review your notes and materials for each class. Regular review sessions will help reinforce your understanding of the material and prevent last-minute cramming before exams.

THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT LEARNING IS THAT NO ONE CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU.” -B.B. King

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THE MIND IS NOT A VESSEL TO BE FILLED BUT A FIRE TO BE IGNITED.” -Arthur Ashe

USE TO-DO LISTS Make to-do lists to keep track of everything you need to accomplish during midterm season.

Break down your tasks into categories and check them off as you complete them.

SET GOALS Set specific, achievable goals for each study session. Whether it’s completing a certain number of practice problems or finishing a chapter of reading, having clear goals will keep you motivated and on track.

STAY ORGANIZED DIGITALLY AND PHYSICALLY Keep your study materials, notes, and textbooks organized both digitally and physically. Use folders or binders to keep your physical materials in order, and use digital tools such as folders on your computer or cloud storage to organize digital files.

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PRIORITIZE TASKS Identify the most important tasks or assignments that need to be completed first, and prioritize them accordingly. Focus on completing high-priority tasks before moving on to less urgent ones.

ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS Create a distraction-free study environment by turning off notifications on your phone, finding a quiet space to study, and minimizing interruptions. This will help you stay focused and productive.

REWARD YOURSELF After achieving your study goals or completing a challenging midterm, treat yourself to a small reward as motivation.

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HELPFUL CAMPUS RESOURCES ACADEMIC SUCCESS & TUTORIAL SERVICES

As an initiative of the Academic Achievement Programs (AAP), the Academic Success and Tutorial Services program provides free peer tutoring to all UM students for over twenty 100- and 200-level general education courses.

Additionally, tutoring is offered 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 mental health services to help UMD students manage personal, social, and academic challenges. The Counseling Center also offers Wellness Series virtual drop-in skills sessions and a variety of resources to help 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. Guided Study Sessions are provided both in-person and virtually through Zoom. To access a specific virtual session, please contact your GSS Leader or email gss@umd.edu from a University email address. Visit the GSS Schdule to view the available sessions.

KEYSTONE CENTER

Located in the J. M. Patterson, 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.

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HELPFUL CAMPUS RESOURCES LIBRARIES

The University Libraries offer plenty of resources including those for getting started on research as well as places to study. There are six libraries on campus and all have different hours.

ACADEMIC LEARNING ASSISTANT

The TLTC Learning Success Team provides free, 30-minute, one-on-one academic coaching sessions for UMD students. Our coaching sessions are collaborative and you set the agenda.

Whether you are looking to improve your learning strategies, develop an effective study plan, or survive/ace a course our team is here to support your academic success. Click here or visit go.umd.edu/learn to schedule an appointment.

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 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sundays are virtual, and Mondays through Thursdays are held in ESJ 1224. Visit the Math Success Program website to get more information and access the program.

MATH TEST BANK

Google Drive of past exams from the Math Department for tons of classes. Great practice material for studying for final exams.

OFFICE OF MULTI-ETHNIC STUDENT EDUCATION (OMSE)

OMSE offers free tutorial programs that cover most key courses in Writing, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Economics, among other courses. Individual and small group tutoring consisting of 2-4 students per group is available each semester in most undergraduate courses.

Check out the OMSE tutoring site to learn more and to request a tutor. You can also check out these short videos created by OMSE tutors on some traditionally difficult concepts.

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HELPFUL CAMPUS RESOURCES OFFICE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

The Office of Student Conduct serves the UMD community by investigating referrals, enforcing the Codes, 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, as well as the guidelines around using the spaces.

Bonus Tip: Keep track of academic deadlines and other important academic opportunities on campus by downloading the Department of Resident Life’s Academic Success Calendar.

SPS TUTORING SERVICES

The Society of Physics Students (SPS) offers free online and in-person tutoring for anyone taking an introductory physics course at UMD. Tutoring is available on a drop-in basis through Zoom from 4-6pm, Monday through Thursday. It is also available in Toll 1303 at the same time. In order to request the Zoom information, students must fill out the following brief form: https://forms. gle/M8FnJrEDgTkwSiUR8.

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HELPFUL CAMPUS RESOURCES 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.

Good luck on midterms, Terps!

Study hard, go to class, get enough sleep and ask for help when needed.

You’ve got this!