We know this time of year is always crazy. It never fails that every semester all your tests, projects, and presentations are all do at the same time. Many UNCW students handle this with a lot of cramming, multitasking, and drinking endless amounts of Port City Java. Here are some tips on how to survive midterms!
Make a Study Schedule
Make a list of everything you need to do. Then make a plan on when you will study, what you will study and for how long you will study. Spread it out over the course of about a week, if possible. This way you will be able to avoid a last minute cramming session. A little a day goes a long way!
Cut Out Distractions
I had a friend who would give a trusted person the password to her Facebook and make them change it so she absolutely could not access it until after her exam. By cutting out the biggest distractions, you’ll be able to stay on task for a longer period of time. I’m not saying you should give up your passwords too, but definitely do whatever is necessary to stay focused. (Multi-tasking isn’t a real thing!)
Take Breaks
It is important to take breaks because your mind can tire out. Think of it as a car, you could drive your car for a while, but eventually you will run out of gas. Your mind operates the same way. If you do not rest and refuel the mind will stop working. Breaks allow for the brain to move memory from working memory to long-term memory. The more information stored in your long-term memory the more you will remember for your test. (Also, don’t be a Spongebob)
Set Goals
Setting goals allows you to track your progress during your studying. You will know if you do not complete a goal at a certain time if you set them. This makes the student more aware of their study habits. Set goals for what you want to have done by the day and do it! “Ain’t nothing to it, but to do it.”
Rewards Yourself!
Plan a reward for yourself for once you’ve accomplished a goal. It might sound silly, but you have to find that motivation somewhere, right? They don’t have to be large goals. Consider making small study goals for yourself throughout your midterm week with a treat for yourself waiting on the other end of that goal. Maybe, ban yourself from Netflix until after you’ve finished a goal for the day or treat yourself to ice cream after you finish a midterm.
Catch some Zzzz’s
All-nighters might be necessary occasionally but they certainly aren’t ideal. You feel drained and exhausted before the next day has even begun! This is made even worse if you have a long day of more exams and studying ahead of you. Aim for a consistent 7 hours minimum of sleep so your brain is working at maximum capacity! (See tip for Taking Breaks)
If these tips helped you or if you have any of your own study habits that you would like to share then post in the comments!
-Austin, Jonathan, & Kaela
IMC Hawks Blog 
As a student in todays society, it is so easy to get distracted and off task with all that is out there today. I know that I have a hard time concentrating on my work when all I have to do on my MAC is swipe 3 fingers left or right to get to my ESPN or Facebook pages I thought would be out of sight out of mind.
As a Freshmen, I thought I had exams figured out. I would go with the massive crowds and jam myself into a corner in the library and pull massively long study sessions 2-3 days before the exam (Usually elbow to elbow with some random person chugging coffee like its their last drink to enjoy before the inevitable end times known as “Exam-Week”)
Sophomore Year, I learned a little bit, and stretched my sessions out to a whopping 4 days before the exam, but still had those inevitable cramming sessions for fear of not being prepped well enough.
This is my Jr. year now, and to be honest with you I still haven’t gotten it all figured out!
Take it from the guy who now has to spend an extra semester here because of poor study choices, Listen to these tips and take them into account BEFORE library day rolls around!