Midterms are right around the corner. Are you ready?

If you have no idea where to begin, there is hope. Trisha Guy and Stephanie Mueller from the Student Success Center have some great suggestions on how to prepare for your midterms.

The best way to begin is to prioritize your tests and time. Find out when your tests will take place. Most students will put off their most difficult tasks and often run out of time to study for tests. The ideal way to study for your most difficult test would be when you are at your best mentally.

By creating a study schedule, you will have assigned times to study for all of your tests for the amount of time appropriate for each specific one.

If you are unable to study for an extended period of time, break up the amount.

Mueller suggests that if you get easily distracted to study for 20 minutes, then take a 10 minute break. Eventually your time will add up to the amount you wanted to study.

Another way to get started is to decide how you want to study. Different subjects can require different study methods. Also, the time that you have can affect how you study. Some of the more commonly used methods are flashcards, groups, partners or independent study.

Guy suggests that if you have to study for an essay test, work on the essay in pieces.

Mueller suggests that if you study in groups or with a partner, to be selective with who you choose. Choose people that will put the same amount of effort into studying as you will. Also, be weary of studying with friends.

Where you study also plays an important part in studying. A social area would probably not be the most appropriate place to study nor would a place that is too comfortable, such as a dorm room. The library is a perfect place. It is quiet and there is plenty of room. There is also a 24-hour room available to students after the library closes.

Remember to use your resources wisely. Some important tips to remember are to read your book and paraphrase sections one at a time. Then, compare your paraphrased notes with notes from the lecture. Look for similarities in between your notes and your paraphrased notes.Similarities between sources are usually hints for future test questions. Also, ask your professor questions you may have and see if he or she has placed any materials on-reserve in the library. If your class has a Supplemental Instructor, attend his or her study sessions.

The Student Success Center offers great resources, too. For students that are taking Math 070, 080 or 140, free tutoring is available Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Clement 202. If you need private tutoring, the center has contact information for student tutors in several subject areas. This information is available in Clement 202.

Lastly, do not cram for your test or do marathon studying. Neither one of these techniques works well. This tactic only increases your stress level. Commonly the more stressed you are the worst you will perform on an exam, especially a midterm exam., which often counts for more of your entire course grade. So start studying this week. Your work will payoff next week when you ace your midterm exams.

“Studying goes against what we have learned. If you cram, you are putting in too much information for your brain capacity. The brain will forget because the information will not be put into long-term memory,” said Mueller.

Hopefully, you will benefit from these study tips.Good luck to all students on their midterm exams.