Your midterm support guide

It's officially midterm season! While there aren't set dates for when your midterms start and end, we're willing to bet that you've recently had, or are preparing for, a few big exams or projects. This guide is packed with strategies, tips, and helpful ways to unwind at every step of the way, from pre-test jitters to de-stressing after your exams.

Preparing for your midterms

Before your exams and projects are due, you're probably planning to spend some time studying and reviewing test topics. Make the most of your study time by leveling up your study skills and strategies with our help.

How to prepare

Before you start reviewing slide decks and your notes, get study strategies from experts - including ASU professors. Having an effective study plan can make all the difference and help your mindset shift from dreading your study session to efficiently reviewing your materials in a way that works best for you.

• Get helpful tips, like the fact that studying after exercise, which can make your study session more effective. Exercise gets your blood flowing more vigorously to the brain, helping you to concentrate better on what you're reading and triggering your memory.
• Find out which study strategies work best for you with our complete guide to studying, part 1 and part 2.
• Try these five strategies that help make what you're learning stick in your mind, even after the exam.
• For help understanding concepts or an in-depth review of your materials, make an appointment at the tutoring center for expert tips.

What to listen to

Studies show that music has several positive effects on the body and brain. Music activates both the left and right brain at the same time, and activating both hemispheres can maximize learning and improve memory, which is perfect for a study session. Here are some of our playlist recommendations:

• Deep Focus. A calm and focused playlist with ambient and post-rock music.
• Brain Food. Get into the zone with this playlist of hypnotic electronic playlist.
• Totally Stress Free. Listen to easy, upbeat songs to relieve stress while you study.
• Lo-Fi Beats. Turn these beats up for a relaxing and focused study session.
• Study Music: Enhanced Creativity & Focus. ASU student Taylor Bettis, a junior majoring in forensic psychology, recommended this playlist.

Videos to watch

Get engaged with what you're learning by watching a helpful YouTube video to review, get virtual company while you study, and get you started with tools to help you collaborate and study with your classmates.

• Brush up on your skills and get in-depth help on topics including chemistry, algebra, composition and more with ASU's Study Hall series.
• Join ASU student YY for a 45-minute study session, filmed outside McCord Hall on the Tempe campus outside of McCord Hall.
• Learn how to use Google Jamboard and enhance your study group's learning potential.

Snack time

• Hard-boiled eggs. Easy to make, easy to store and all that protein will keep you full. Here's a hack to make them easy to peel.
• Take a dip into something delicious. Hummus or guacamole with some cut-up veggies, pita or crackers. Chips and salsa (although be aware of the messy drip factor). Peanut butter with apples or pretzels.
• Frozen grapes. If you haven't eaten frozen seedless grapes, you haven't truly lived. Easy to make, a healthy alternative to sugary snacks, and incredibly delicious (and addictive!). Rinse the grapes, put them in bunches in Ziploc baggies, and freeze for at least five hours to ensure they are fully frozen.
• Get toasty. There's avocado toast, peanut butter and banana on toast, Nutella on toast, butter and jam on toast, and melted cheese on toast.

Exam day resources

On the day of your midterms, you want to be feeling your absolute best. We hope you had a good night's rest and are ready to gear up for your exams.

How to prepare

• Plan for test day by making sleep a priority in the days leading up to your exams.
• If you'll be taking your exams online, brush up on our how-to tips for everything you need to know.
• Communicate with your professor if you have any questions or issues while taking your exam.

What to listen to

Boost your confidence level and get in the right mood before test time with these upbeat playlists. Feel free to move around a little while you listen, or have a full-on dance party to hype yourself up before the exam. There's no harm in getting your body moving to stimulate your brain.

• Confidence Boost. Tune in to this station for songs that will put you on top of the world.
• Coffee Beats. Get a caffeine boost with these electronic songs to keep you bright and awake all day long.
• Rise. For light, positive tunes and uplifting ambient instrumental tracks, this playlist is for you.
• Mood Booster. Let your mood get lifted by these upbeat, feel-good songs lift your mood.
• Pump Up Music. Rev up your pre-exam mindset with this upbeat, mega-fun playlist.

Snack time

Treat yourself to a little snack before your exam to fuel your body and brain. Going into an exam on an empty stomach isn't a good idea — you won't want to be distracted by hunger while you're trying to remember what you reviewed yesterday.

• Peanut butter, honey, and yogurt-dipped apples make a great snack to refuel your brain for another read-through of your notes.
• These Greek yogurt dips are so easy you can make them right in your yogurt cup.
• For a no-bake snack that will recharge your mind, try these easy-to-make Nutella energy bites.
• Apple sandwiches are both Instagram-worthy and great brain food. Whip up a few, snap a pic and get back to the books.
• For more snacks you can make at home, try these 10 simple snack recipes we think you'll love.

Videos to watch

Exam day can cause stress and pre-test jitters for many students. Try watching one of these videos to help your body relax. These strategies can help you with everything from managing exam-related anxiety to focusing on your breathing and giving your brain time to recharge before you jump into test mode.

• Take a moment before your test for a pre-exam meditation to clear your mind of distractions.
• Feeling midterm nerves? Learn how to beat exam anxiety and get helpful coping strategies.
• Get a positivity pick-me-up from this YouTuber sharing the motivation she wished she'd heard before midterms.