Dear Reader,
I’ve been traumatized. I am recovering from the sequels that my first midterms left when I have a second round coming next week. Fortunately, I learned from my last experience and modified my strategies for midterm readiness. Here are my study rituals:
When it comes to learning concepts…
Especially for science classes, an in-depth understanding of processes is key to solving application questions, this implies a bit of memorization and connecting knowledge you cumulatively sum from class to class. My ultimate strategy has been turning my little brothers (12 and 10 years old) into intellectuals. If I can have them understand cellular respiration (yes, all the cycles, the parts of the cell where they take place, the difference between animal and plant cells) and answer all their innocent, hypothetical yet challenging questions, then, as I corroborated in my last Bio midterm, I can get an outstanding grade. Use diagrams, label, describe, connect steps or systems, play with hypothetical scenarios (what if… situations), and while doing practice problems research the why behind the answer (why this option is right and this one wrong).
When it comes to application questions…
Most of the time, midterms are multiple-choice and this can be detrimental. My approach is to take the given information, analyze it, draw conclusions, read the question, and, lastly read the options. The point is: Don’t read the options first, formulate your own conclusion and then proceed to evaluate options and determine the best answer. Jumping straight into options will hinder your thinking process, distracting you from the topic you should recall to answer the question. On the other hand, when it comes to math problems, precision is your hangman. Identify minuscule errors made during practice problems, these errors will not go away and will cost you points in an exam. Learn how to round, use your calculator, rearrange formulas based on the information given, and understand the why behind the components of the formulas.
To save you time…
Sometimes researching the reason behind the answers can be a lengthy and rigorous process. Finding the perfect YouTube video tutorial, the chapter in the book, the notes on the lecture to answer that tricky question, implies investing time in researching. In my experience, asking TAs and LAs the explanation behind the answers has taken me to navigate their thinking processes. Along the way, they will pull out shortcuts, analogies, caveats, unwritten rules, and their strategy on how to see, start, and finish a problem. They are valuable resources that can amplify your ability to troubleshoot while saving you research time.
Here my wisdom lies, from a traumatized first-year student to you. Thank you for reading and please show yourself appreciation and sympathy. You are not behind. Be patient and put in as much effort as you need to satisfy your own expectations. Embrace the struggle because the reward will be proportional to it.
Best,
Glenda Orozco.
(best study spots found on 4th floor)