Seniors offer advice to underclassmen

Cramming, stressing, and panicking can seem unavoidable during midterm week. Some students have created their own ways to stay calm and focused during exam week.

In preparation for midterm exams, seniors share their wisdom with underclassmen.

Time management and the avoidance of distractions are critical elements in studying for exams, said Morgan Gay, kinesiology senior.

“Time management is key,” she said. “If you don’t have good time management then you will have problems preparing for midterms.”

“Don’t wait until midterm week to start studying, then you will have everything pile up on top of you, and then it will just be a huge mess,” Gay said.

Texting, phone calls, and the inability to focus because of other homework are distractions too, she said.

To avoid distractions, turn off your phone and go to a place you can study in solitude.

Facebook can be a common distraction while studying, Gay said.

“It is most certainly an issue, however, I see Facebook as more of a study break,” Gay said. “You need study breaks or you will waste your time.”

Sarah Leonard, kinesiology senior, said she suggests studying outside the computer lab, if possible.

“Avoid distractions by going to the library and not going to the computer lab so there’s no chance of going on Facebook,” she said.

Leonard said midterms will be stressful for her and she is ready for them to over.

“As a senior and it being my last midterm week, it is a little stressful,” she said. “It is the last time I can try to get a better GPA, but it’s also a relief because it’ll be the last on I have to study for.”

Lacy Brown, dance management senior, said to try to find a quiet place to study.

“Socializing is an issue if you’re attempting to study in Alvin’s or other traffic areas on campus,” she said.

Give yourself a time limit to study for each subject, Brown said. Plan something to look forward to at the end of the blocked time for motivation.

She advised freshman to get eight hours of sleep the night before the exam and avoid late-night snacking and energy drinks.

Brown said students should plan ahead when studying.

Start the exam day with an early breakfast, a last look at notes, lots of water, and a smile, she said.

“It’s not anxiety anymore,” Brown said. “We know the process and do what we’ve got to do.”

Brown said to not to stress too much because of exams.

“The clock keeps ticking and we all end up at Spring Break no matter what,” she said.