Ace Your Midterms: Proven Study Strategies That Work

As GHS transitions into Quarter Two, three facts are definite. One, the summer energy spike is long gone as seasonal depression sets in. Two, most of your teachers have worn off the beginning of the year softness and gone into assignment-after-assignment mode. And three, midterms are slowly creeping up on us. While I can't help you fight winter depression or switch your teachers, I can help you study to get into good shape for midterms. As Rory Gilmore once said, “Who cares if I'm pretty if I fail my [midterms]?" 

For this article, I decided to use myself as the guinea pig, testing all these study methods on myself to give you the full report. I rated each method on how effective it was, how distracted I was, and the time spent studying. Before we begin, I want to say that many of these methods do not work on their own, and you will need to incorporate other methods into them as well to make them effective. I will also rate each method on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, one being the worst and five being the best. 

Active Recall

“Active recall is a learning method where you continuously test yourself by pulling information out of your memory instead of just passively reading notes” (BCU). This strategy ensures that information stays in your memory. 

How it works: By making your brain search for information rather than letting it wash over you, you strengthen the neural connections to memories, making it easier to find the information again later. It's like learning the directions to a new place: you learn your way around better when you get lost and have to use a map to find your way back.

How to do it:  

1. Get familiar with the material: Read through your notes, textbook, or lecture to understand the core concepts. Don't just memorize; aim for comprehension at this stage

2. Test yourself by recalling: Close your book or notes and try to write down the information that you remember or recite the information from memory. It's okay if you can't remember everything; the goal is to struggle to retrieve the information

3. Check your answers: Compare your recalled information with your notes to identify what you got wrong or missed

4. Focus on weak areas: Go back and review the concepts you struggled with. Then, repeat the testing process

My results: I use active recall almost every time I have to study. I find it to be the most effective and the easiest. I felt that while studying my brain was really working to remember the information, and this practice was helping me train my brain for the actual exam day. This method also does not take long and is good at retaining my focus. I used this method before for a global studies test and got great results. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pomodoro Method 

“This…method asks you to alternate pomodoros — focused work sessions — with frequent short breaks to promote sustained concentration and stave off mental fatigue” (Todoist). 

How it works: Each pomodoro represents a 25-minute focused session followed by a short break. By limiting distraction during the 25 minutes and rewarding yourself with small breaks, you’re training your brain for deep focus. This method is also great to use with other methods, (you can do pomodoro active recall, which works the same way but breaks up your study sessions) 

How to do it:  

1. Choose the task or material you want to study

2. Set a timer for 25 minutes and focus entirely on that task until the timer rings

3. Take a 5-minute break: get up, stretch, and drink water

4. Repeat this cycle four times, and after the fourth time, take a longer break (15–30 minutes)

My results: I used this method for studying math, but I took 15-minute pomodoros study sessions instead of 25 because I was cramming. This method was very effective for me as someone who struggles with procrastination. It also gave me something to look forward to at the end of each timed session, but this method was not the best for focusing. After getting into focus during the study period, it was annoying to get out of focus mode for a break and then get back in. For me, this method was not the most effective, but for someone who needs rewards or something to look for, it might be a good method. If you are a person who already has trouble focusing in the first place, this method may not be for you. Overall, I got an A, which is higher than I wanted, and it wasn’t too time-consuming, but it was hard to stay focused. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Feynman Method  

“The Feynman Technique is a four-step process developed by Richard Feynman to learn any subject—no matter how hard or complex it is. This technique rejects memorizing facts without understanding their meaning and favors true comprehension through selection, research, writing, explaining, and refining” (Todoist). 

How it works: By trying to explain a complex concept in simple terms, you can instantly identify your knowledge gaps, which then allows you to efficiently re-study what you don't understand. 

How to do it:  

1. Choose a topic you want to learn and write its name at the top of a blank page

2. Explain the concept as if you are teaching it to a child—use plain language

3. Identify the points where you got stuck or used complicated words, and revisit your study materials to clarify them

4. Simplify and refine your explanation until you can teach it smoothly

My results: This method is extremely helpful if you are someone who learns by memorizing information. I used it to study for my Algebra 2 test. At first, I did not know a lot of the information, and I certainly did not have it down concretely enough to teach it. I reviewed my notes and pretended to teach it to a child. When I first tried, it was hard to teach, but slowly I started understanding the topic more. When I forced myself to explain complex information in simple terms, it helped me memorize the content better. I finished the test with ease and got a 100 (YAY!!). Overall, this method is amazing and very fun, not to mention that it works super fast!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spaced Repetition 

“Spaced repetition…involves reviewing information at closer intervals, boosting your memory, and making it less likely you’ll forget everything” (BCU). Spaced repetition is supposed to boost learning and reduce the time spent studying. 

How it works: Imagine your brain is a library and you store information that you learn on shelves. It will be hard to find the information unless you have a good organization system. Spaced repetition acts as the organization system (BCU). 

How to do it:  

1. Straight after a lesson: summarize the key points in your own words, create a study guide, or make flashcards

2. Next day: see active recall above to test yourself without looking at your notes

3. Three days later, test yourself again. Try writing down everything you remember without your notes, use the Feynman technique (mentioned above), or do past quiz/practice questions

4. One week later: keep testing and identify what you’re struggling with the most. Focus on those areas

My results: I used spaced repetition to study for a Spanish grammar quiz. This method was pretty effective, but it took much longer than expected. The first day was the longest: the study guide took me over 30 minutes to make because I was trying to make it easier for myself later. I noticed that just making the study guide helped a lot. After the first day, I studied for 20 minutes (the recommended amount of time) per session, but I felt that I could not cover enough in those 20 minutes. Overall, this method was effective since I got a 97 on the quiz, but I found that it didn’t really help me understand what I didn’t understand. The method is also not very easy to follow through and incorporates other time-consuming methods. ⭐⭐⭐ 

Leitner System 

“The Leitner System is a method of using flashcards for spaced repetition where you review cards more or less frequently based on how well you know them” (BCU). This technique involves making flashcards and reviewing them. Making flashcards physically is actually better for memorizing the material but Quizlet is also an alternative for this method. 

How it works: The Leitner System uses a set of boxes, piles, or digital folders to organize flashcards by how well you remember each one. Cards you get wrong stay in box one and are reviewed daily, while the ones you know move to higher boxes and are reviewed less frequently. This keeps you focused on weak areas while saving time on material you’ve mastered.

How to do it:

1. Make flashcards

2. Divide your deck into boxes based on confidence level. Start them all in box one

3. Each study session, test yourself on the box one cards: if you get it right, move it up one box. If wrong, leave it in box one.

4. Review box one daily, box two every two days, box three every four days, and so on.

My results: I used this method for studying for my Spanish vocab test. I created flashcards, and on day one, most of the flashcards stayed in box one, and the same on day two. Slowly, I improved and moved up boxes. Although I really like the idea of this method, it was not effective. I felt like I needed to do more than just sort them into boxes and memorize the definitions. Overall, this method is lacking in critical thinking, and I feel that this method did not help me memorize it that well since I was struggling to recall the vocab words for the test. Something that might work is combining this method with others as well to know how to use the vocab, not just memorize the definitions. ⭐⭐

Mind Mapping   

“Mind mapping helps you structure information visually, showing the connections and relationships between ideas” (BCU). It’s perfect for subjects that require understanding themes or big-picture concepts rather than strict memorization.

How it works: You start with one central idea in the middle of a page, then branch out with subtopics, key details, and examples. The visual layout helps your brain connect related concepts, making your notes easier to recall.

How to do it:

1. Write a central topic in the middle of the page

2. Draw branches for major subtopics; then, smaller branches for details

3. Use colors, doodles, or symbols to make related ideas stand out

4. Review your map and add connections between ideas as you study further

My results: I used mind mapping for studying for my Biology quiz, and it was beneficial. The map itself was a great study tool since it not only helped me understand the topic in the first place, but also helped me do quick reviews right before the test. This method was very efficient, and when I was creating the map, I was very focused and did not feel distracted. However, this method was not quick: it took me a good hour to create the map, as I had to retrieve information from my notes and various past assignments, and then connect them all together. Overall, this is a great method, but I would not recommend it if you’re cramming. ⭐⭐⭐⭐