February 12, 2024

Midterms made easy: three steps for success


2 min read


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You’ve done it. 

You’ve made it through the first part of the semester. You’re settling into your classes and you’re getting in the flow of completing your homework, but now it’s time for midterms. 

For many college students, facing midterms can be overwhelming. In fact, according to Inside Higher Ed, 56% of college students experience chronic stress during college. And for many students, midterms can play a large role in stress levels. 

Whether you’re at the start of your college journey or you’re in the midst of your academic career, these three steps will help you stay calm and collected no matter what your midterms look like. 

1. Start early

Always begin studying early. While this is certainly easier said than done, the earlier you begin preparing for your midterms, the better off you’ll be. Studying early means you’ll have less to worry about as you approach your exams. Additionally, early preparation means you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions and get clarifications on what to expect during your midterms. 

When your professors assign your midterm projects or exams, make sure you review the instructions promptly. Ask for clarification if anything doesn’t make sense. This ensures you’ll have the chance to carefully plan your projects and make a study schedule that works for you.

2. Prioritize

Whether you’re taking one class or a full-time load, chances are you’re juggling other responsibilities, such as family and work. One of the best ways to ensure you’re able to prepare for your midterms is to prioritize important tasks. Maybe you have an essay due that requires a lot of time reading scholarly articles or perhaps you need to have specific terminology memorized for your animal health regulatory affairs class. Carefully consider how you need to prepare for your midterms and then determine which exams require the most up-front studying so you can prioritize your time to accomplish those tricky tasks.

3. Take care of you

Of course, we all know that studying can be an exhausting endeavor. This is just one of the reasons it’s so important to take good care of yourself. Regardless of what classes you’re juggling and how much preparation you need to do, be sure to take regular study breaks to relax.  

Of course, you also can reach out to our student services team anytime you have questions or need support. Our student success coaches are ready to help support you throughout your academic career, whether that’s with study tips, academic guidance or help figuring out your best pathway forward. 

"As a student success coach, there is nothing more rewarding than helping a student overcome barriers on their journey to achieving their goals," said Steven Brockschmidt, student success coach at K-State Olathe. 

Our team is always ready to help answer your questions and support you in any way that we can, so reach out today. 

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Whether you're looking for ways to improve your study skills, have questions about which classes to take or want to know more about your options at K-State Olathe, reach out to our student services team.

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