Midterms and finals can feel overwhelming, especially when you are not sure what to study or where to begin. If you find yourself staring at your notes the night before an exam wondering how you are going to remember everything, you are not alone. The good news is that effective studying does not have to mean spending hours cramming the night before. With a simple plan and the right resources, you can break your studying into smaller steps and feel more prepared when exam day arrives.
Start Before You Feel Ready
One of the easiest ways to make exams feel less stressful is to start studying before
the last minute. Instead of trying to review an entire semester in one night, look
at your upcoming exams and decide what you need to review first.
Start by making a list of:
- Upcoming midterms or finals
- Chapters, units, or topics covered on each exam
- Assignments, quizzes, or notes you need to review
- Topics you understand well
- Topics that are still confusing
Once you have your list, choose a few topics to work on each day. Even 30–45 minutes of focused studying can be more manageable than trying to learn everything in one sitting.
Do Not Just Reread Your Notes
Reading your notes over and over can feel productive, but it does not always help
you determine what you actually know. Instead, try studying in ways that require you
to recall the information.
You could:
- Make flashcards for important terms or concepts.
- Quiz yourself without looking at your notes.
- Explain a concept out loud as if you were teaching someone else.
- Complete practice problems without checking the answer first.
- Create a short study guide from your notes.
- Ask yourself what information you would include if you were writing the exam.
The goal is to actively work with the material rather than simply looking at it.
Break Large Topics Into Smaller Goals
If you have several chapters to study, the amount of material can make it difficult
to know where to start. Instead of telling yourself, "I need to study biology," create
a smaller goal such as, "I am going to review the vocabulary from Chapter 4 and complete
five practice questions."
After you finish one task, move to the next. Breaking studying into smaller goals can make your workload feel more manageable and give you a clearer idea of your progress.
Make a Study Schedule That Fits Your Life
Your study plan does not have to take up your entire day. Look at your work, family,
class, and other responsibilities, then find realistic blocks of time for studying.
For example:
Monday: Review Chapter 1 for 30 minutes
Tuesday: Practice problems for 45 minutes
Wednesday: Review Chapter 2 for 30 minutes
Thursday: Quiz yourself on Chapters 1–2
Friday: Review difficult topics
Weekend: Complete a longer practice session
You can adjust your schedule depending on your classes and exam dates. The important part is giving yourself enough time to review instead of waiting until the night before.
Know When to Ask for Help
You do not have to figure out difficult material by yourself. If you have been studying
but still cannot understand a concept, reach out for help before the exam gets closer.
The Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) provides academic support and tutoring both in person and online. ACE can help students with areas such as reading, writing, math, assignments, and understanding course material. Lemoore College currently requires enrollment in the no-cost, non-credit NC 100 course to access ACE academic support services.
If you are unsure who to contact about an academic concern, Counseling & Advising can also help connect you with campus resources and provide support with your educational journey.
Ask Your Instructor Specific Questions
Your instructor can also help you understand what you should focus on before an exam.
Instead of saying, "I do not understand anything," try identifying the specific topic
giving you trouble.
For example:
"I am having trouble understanding how to solve these types of problems. Could you
help me understand what I should focus on when studying for the exam?"
Being specific can help you get a clearer answer and make your study time more productive.
Take Care of Yourself While Studying
Studying for an exam does not mean you have to sacrifice sleep, meals, or every moment
of your free time. Staying up all night may leave you exhausted when it is time to
take the exam.
Give yourself breaks, get enough sleep, eat regular meals, and step away from your study materials when you need a reset. A study plan should help you prepare—not leave you feeling even more overwhelmed.
Create Your Own Exam-Day Checklist
The day before an exam, avoid trying to learn everything from scratch. Instead, use
your time to review the most important information and identify anything you still
need to clarify.
Before the exam, make sure you:
- Review your study guide or class notes.
- Test yourself on important concepts.
- Review mistakes from quizzes or practice problems.
- Prepare anything you need for exam day.
- Get enough sleep.
- Give yourself enough time to arrive or log in.
You Do Not Have to Cram to Be Prepared
Feeling stressed about an exam does not mean you are unprepared or incapable of succeeding. Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing how to start.
Start with one class, one topic, and one small study goal. If you get stuck, use your instructor, ACE tutoring and academic support, or Counseling & Advising to find the support you need.