The college student's guide to surviving midterms

That time of the semester has arrived when many professors feel the need to test what students have learned so far. Midterms mean students will likely have multiple exams, projects, presentations and papers all due around the same time. It’s a stressful part of the semester, and unlike finals week, class is still in session. Managing class, homework and everything else that comes with midterms can be difficult. But there is a way to balance it all and still get plenty of rest and good grades. Here are some tips to help you get ahead of the midterms stress.

Make a list. Plan out what you need to do on paper. Lists keep everything organized and you don’t have to worry about remembering everything off the top of your head. Plus, many people (like me) find satisfaction in crossing items off a list as you go.

Prioritize. It may sound silly when you know that everything needs to get done eventually, but some things can wait. Figure out what is gong to take the most time and which things are less important. If you can get the bigger, more important tasks out of the way first, working on the smaller projects and papers after will seem like a breeze. And, if you get stuck on one item, you can always switch to something else and come back to it when you’re ready. If you're still not sure about what to do, visit your professors during their office hours or make an appointment. They're always happy and willing to talk to you about upcoming projects and can offer guidance as to what you should try to focus on. 

Don’t wait. Procrastination — it happens to everyone at some point in some form. As tempting as it is to continue binge-watching your favorite show on Netflix, your grades are more important. The show will still be there once midterms are over. Putting off your work will lead you to the dreaded all-nighter. While writing a 10-page paper probably doesn’t sound like fun right now, waiting until the night before is much worse. Try to get a little bit done every day, even if it's only 10 or 15 minutes on each project.

Form study groups. Study groups can be very beneficial. If you’re stuck on one problem, someone else may know the answer. Together, you can all reason through difficult subjects and find out how to best answer questions. One word of caution though: As fun as it is to study with friends, sometimes it’s also easier to get sidetracked. If you notice you're spending more time talking about the weekend than your philosophy paper, it may be time to come up with a new study plan. Working in a group study lounge in Moore Library can cut down on the distractions and help keep you and your group on task.

Explore the library. Moore Library offers many different study options. There are several group study rooms as well as individual study spots, a video viewing room, printers, copiers and laptops available to check out while in the library. If you're unsure of how to start researching for a paper or project, a librarian at the research desk will help you get started. 

Go to the Student Success Center. If you’re still having trouble finding the best way to study, go to the Student Success Center on the third floor of the Bart Luedeke Center. The services include a writing lab, math skills lab, supplemental instruction and other tutoring services. To view or schedule appointments, go to www.tutortrac.rider.edu. To make an appointment in the writing lab, email [email protected] and include details on the course name, instructor and what the assignment entails. For more information on tutoring services available, email [email protected] or call the office at 609-896-5008.

Take a break. You may think you can’t take a break from whatever it is you’re working on, be it a project or paper or even just studying. But it’s important to relax every once in a while. Go for a walk across campus. Go to the gym for 30 minutes. Go to Starbucks and grab a coffee with your friends. Go to Cranberry’s and treat yourself to your favorite food. You’re working hard and deserve the break. Plus, coming back and looking at a project with a fresh pair of eyes can allow you to think of new ideas.

Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is important, that goes without saying. And yes, sometimes pulling an all-nighter becomes unavoidable. But following these tips can help eliminate that need. Taking a test when you’ve stayed up all night is not fun and it's harder to concentrate. Get some sleep the night before a big test or presentation. You’ll feel well-rested and be able to think more clearly.