by Adwaith Hariharan
Image Credit: Google
Midterms. The first thing that the mind conjures is the vast syllabus, intense study sessions, and stress. Typically, the malady of Midterm Mania is manifested in the form of constant panic and stress. Studying late into the night, only to be back at it at 3 am, may be a time where stress levels are high, and motivation is low. If you are exhibiting these symptoms, don't panic! You are not alone! While it may feel like the stakes are quite high, midterms don’t have to be stressful. Here’s a roundup of study strategies that will help you prepare for test day.
Subject-by-Subject Breakdown
Spanish: Over a year of remote learning has resulted in the absence of opportunities to practice the Spanish language skills, resulting in a loss of skills and vocabulary. But, VHL was designed to solve that! Use it as much as possible to learn concepts you may have forgotten. Make flashcards and play Conjuguemos to study vocabulary and conjugations. Review VHL videos to go over grammar rules and concepts, and TAKE NOTES! Without a solid knowledge of the basics to build on, you won’t be able to ace the succeeding topics. As Señora Bozzone once proclaimed, “Spanish is not a class, it’s a skill.”
Chemistry: Chemistry, like physics and mathematics, is formula-heavy. Use that to your advantage. Memorize! Then, use your problem-solving skills to break down the problem and zero in on the crux of “the ask” or what the question is demanding. Most of the information tends to be similar to compare and contrast. For example, if a metal is a good conductor of electricity, then a non-metal isn’t. Remember key differences and formulas, and practice textbook problems that involve those formulas.
Physics: Let me start by saying, without a doubt, physics will be one of the most challenging and difficult midterms you will ever take at Biotech in sophomore year. But that in itself is not a cause for concern. Physics is all about understanding and applying key concepts. Use every resource you have to your advantage and PRACTICE! Just like mathematics, practice is key to physics. Use the textbook extensively to go over any concepts and problem sets. Of course, don’t forget to go over any notes and PowerPoints to add to your knowledge, or in most cases, to form your base knowledge.
English: There isn’t much to say, but the key is to read. Read the books you’re assigned. Understand and analyze the texts to the best of your ability. Connect the texts to the world around you. Use Sparknotes or other resources online to further your understanding of key ideas.
Biology: Without biology, Biotech wouldn’t be what it is today. Being the most emphasized subject, you’ll be taking biology in every single year of high school here at Biotech. Though that may seem like a lot, biology is nothing but understanding facts. Go over PowerPoints, draw out any diagrams every single chance you get. Pictures speak louder than words. The drawings that represent a key concept or process tend to stick in your memory longer than paragraphs- long text. Use the internet copiously. There are innumerable videos online to understand and enhance your knowledge on the topic at hand. Watch Crash Course videos. If you don’t understand a certain topic or process, map it out on a sheet of paper and try to understand it in simple, smaller pieces. At the end of the day, a majority of information in biology is similar to a cause-and-effect relationship.
Mathematics: Like physics, the key to mathematics is understanding and applying key concepts to problems. And, practice, practice, practice. In case I wasn’t clear - PRACTICE!!! Use the textbook, solve all of the assigned problems. Go over concepts that you may have lost touch with. Also, go beyond what your teacher has assigned and practice the Study Plan Problems that are on MyLabMath and Kuta Works. Practice, logic, and application are key!
History: At a science-based school, history gives a fair fight to fit in at Biotech! Many students and teachers alike at Biotech have emphasized the fact that history, like biology, is all about understanding facts. Review the PowerPoints and go over your notes. If you’re unsure of what, how, and when events occur, map it out on a sheet of paper and try to connect the events to the larger picture. Watch Crash Course videos - they are your best friends.
General Tips
I’m sure that was a lot to take in. Now you may be wondering, “well, now that I have a subject-by-subject breakdown of how to prep, how should I prepare in general?” So, here are some general tips to help you unlock your full potential.
Ask Questions: If you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Attend an extra help session with your teacher, or ask one of your fellow peers and upperclassmen. We are all here and willing to help you!
Understand, Don’t Memorize: Memorizing can help you in certain situations, but it’ll only allow you to just remember what the concept is word for word. By understanding, on the other hand, you’ll be able to visually see how the pieces of the concept fit together, how one leads to the next, and how it is applicable in real-life situations.
Consider Following the Pomodoro Technique: Choose the subject you aim to study and estimate how much time you think it’ll take to complete. Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on the task. Once the time has passed, take a 5-minute break and repeat this cycle three more times. After four cycles, take a longer break of about 20-30 minutes. By implementing this technique, it forces you to work with the time you have rather than working endlessly and focusing on surrounding distractions. You’ll be surprised by your productivity in a mere 100 minutes.
Form a study group: If your understanding is not solid and your note-taking is subpar, partner up with a classmate or a group of friends who are willing to share their knowledge. Study groups with like-minded peers are an efficient technique in lessening stress while helping you study more efficiently. By dividing and conquering a chapter at a time, it can help all the folks in your group to prepare.
Stay Positive: Whenever you feel stressed and defeated, pick yourself up. Change the scenery. Go for a walk, exercise, talk to a peer. Practice self-kindness. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Mind over matter. You got into Biotech for a reason. Never give up and never lose heart.
So, there you have it - the ultimate guide to acing midterms. Good luck, and you all will do amazing on each and every exam!!