Although high school midterms may seem scary, (nearly five months worth of information on one exam, yikes!), it is possible to succeed.  With just a few helpful study tricks, a positive mindset, and the proper fuel, midterms will be a breeze – or at least not the end of the world. Follow these tips for results that have proven to generate success on exams.

1. Don’t forget that midterms only count for 10 percent of your final grade

• It is easy to get caught up in the idea that midterms are a big deal that has a major impact on your final grade in a class.  However, you must remember that they only count for a small percentage in the long run.  While it’s important to study and prepare for each exam, take some of the pressure off in knowing that your grade does not make a huge difference.

2. Don’t underestimate the power of a healthy breakfast.

• You oversleep after a long night of studying and have to run out the door without any breakfast…we’ve all been there.  We tend to forget how much fuel we truly need to power through the long exams.  Although you’re not working your body, your mind needs the energy to focus and recall as much information as possible.  Without a quick pre-exam meal, you are more likely to get distracted and have trouble staying on task.  If you are worried about being pressed for time, make your own grab-and-go breakfast the night before and eat it on your way to school.  Mix some fruit with a carb or protein, like peanut butter and you’ve got a delicious and nutritious fix that will give you a burst of energy.  Snacks can also provide incentive for getting through each exam.  Trust me, you’ll need it.

3. Create your own personal study guide with a fun twist.

• Highlight, color-code, draw pictures, or do anything your heart desires to make studying easier.  Colors help to keep your mind engaged and may also improve your memory of the material.  It is more fun than staring at the same old smudged pencil marks for several hours, which are likely to put you to sleep.  Also, rewriting information in simpler language helps to get it in your brain, and furthermore, adding your own flare with colors or images will enhance the associations you create.

4. Relate information to yourself or something you enjoy.

• As selfish human beings, we tend to remember more when information is relevant to us in some way.  Even if history isn’t your thing, find a way to relate events to your own life.  For example, physics can be more easily broken down in terms of sports and history shows how lucky we are now compared to people generations ago.  Funny self-created mnemonic devices help break down long titles or theories.  Associate boring words with more interesting topics that will prevent you from forgetting.  For example, if you need to remember the order of taxonomy, use the saying, “Kids Prefer Cheese Over Fried Green Spinach” to abbreviate “Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species”.

5. Keep the area around you clean while studying.

• An organized study space makes for a clear head.  If your surrounding area is cluttered with material, this will take away from your concentration and result in a greater chance of distraction.  A messy floor consisting of dirty clothes or a giant pile of dishes in the kitchen sink with keep you from honing in on your studies.  Do your chores before sitting down to study to make for an effective study space that is free of distractions.

6. Set realistic study goals.

• Planning to stay up all night studying before your exam is never a healthy choice.  In the end, sleep is more important than that extra hour of review.  Start early and take breaks to stay motivated and not drive yourself crazy.  Even going for a run or taking a shower can help to clear your head and allow your brain time to recuperate, rather than going into overload.

For more information on the most effective studying tips, check out the following articles.

http://www.wgu.edu/blogpost/improve-online-study-environment

http://college.usatoday.com/2014/10/14/5-tried-and-true-tips-for-making-it-through-midterms/