Beat the Cram

The Best Time to Start Midterm Prep

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

As both the year and the semester come to a close, it is inevitable that midterms begin to loom on the horizon. These exams can be stressful, especially when multiple subjects demand one’s attention.

However, there is a solution to this: giving oneself enough time to prepare for their upcoming assessments. Studying in advance provides numerous benefits such as giving oneself time to mentally prepare, review their notes and visit teachers with questions. Therefore, the best time to start studying for midterms is about one to two weeks in advance.

First, starting one’s studying early helps to provide essential time to mentally prepare for upcoming tests. Midterms often cover a wide range of content, which is why the idea of reviewing everything at once can feel overwhelming. This is especially true for subjects where one is worried about their final grades; however, by addressing their anxiety sooner than later through early preparation, the midterm will not be as daunting. Thus, giving oneself around one to two weeks to start studying helps to turn the initial panic into preparation, making a major difference in one’s confidence and performance. 

Studying ahead of time, especially around a week to two weeks in advance, helps provide the right amount of time to thoroughly review one’s notes, especially for all the subjects they will be tested on. The workload can therefore be broken into manageable pieces to ease the burden of balancing multiple subjects. When done over multiple days, review becomes more effective as one becomes more confident in their knowledge. This early review also allows one to identify which units are solidified and which concepts need more work. With more time to prepare, one can reinforce weak areas instead of rushing through them at the last minute.

Addressing these gaps in one’s knowledge earlier than later is also important because it allows for the opportunity to reach out to teachers before they get bombarded with last-minute questions from other students. Teachers are often very busy in the days immediately before exams, and one’s questions may not always get the attention they need. In contrast, by beginning one’s preparation in advance, one can actually have more time to schedule extra help sessions, ask questions and get feedback. Staying ahead of the crowd in terms of getting help is very important to ensure one gets the adequate amount of time and help they need to be successful. 

Ultimately, preparing for midterms does not have to be a stressful or frantic experience. By starting to study a week or two ahead of time, one can mentally prepare, thoroughly review their notes and seek extra help when needed. This early approach not only boosts one’s confidence but also helps them develop important time management skills that will be essential later in life. In the end, staying ahead and preparing in advance will only prove beneficial in the long run.