Conquering Midterms-the Fordham Way

Amidst the fun times that college brings comes the stress around the middle of the semester known as midterm exams. Although the stress can sometimes seem unbearable to most students, Fordham's academic departments offer resources that have given me relief during this hectic time of year. With Fordham already being a medium-sized school, it is not difficult to seek help from your professors personally in preparation for midterms, but I have also discovered many of the other ways Fordham has come first in preparing and assisting its students for exams. From various practical study locations on campus to specific programs that each academic department has to offer, Fordham always has something to offer to a student who is desiring to succeed in their academics.

As an Engineering Physics major, I oftentimes find myself struggling to balance the workload from my liberal arts core classes on top of my major science courses. Luckily, many of the departments located on campus provide peer tutoring and group study sessions--unconventional ways of studying for tough exams. For example, the Physics department offers a “Physics Club room” in which students and professors gather in one place to assist others in tests, homework, or whatever it is they need help on. I find this to be a comfortable place to study, if going one-on-one with your professors becomes a bit intimidating. Plus, it is a great environment to collaborate with your peers in studying for exams that you might have together. Other departments like the Mathematics and Chemistry departments offer similar tutoring style rooms open for peer tutoring in preparation for exams. Sometimes, being able to talk about your exams with your peers in this situation already helps in relieving the stress that midterms bring, so I am definitely grateful for discovering that part of Fordham and highly encourage others to take advantage of it as well!

The Physics "Club Room" in Freeman Hall where students can study together and receive tutoring.

Another helpful tool that many Fordham students use, especially around the impounding swarm of midterm papers, is the English department’s writing center. For a paper to get better, it sometimes requires another pair of eyes to look over, and the writing center allows students to bring in papers ranging from Theology to English Composition and lets another graduate student take a look at some problem areas in the paper and to spend one-on-one time discussing the areas where a paper can get stronger. It is also really easy to sign up for an appointment online, and you can even request tutors that you felt really helped you in the revision process if they did!

A flyer for the Writing Center showing its accessible hours and creative ways to get students to seek help!

These are just some of the resources that I have utilized during stressful times like midterms and finals. The most fulfilling aspect lies in the fact that no matter what your major may be, Fordham will always have a place that will cater to your academic needs. Best of luck to everyone taking their midterms!

8 Simple Rules for Surviving Midterms

It's that time of year that appears to sneak up on everyone faster than a fall breeze. I'm talking about midterms. It's the midway point in the semester that never feels so midway but requires days of studying none the less. For some of you, this can feel extremely overwhelming and you may not know where to begin on those three tests and two papers you have. As a junior, I have been through four semesters worth of midterms and have comprised an easy-to-follow and stress-free way to keep your mind and body focused during this dreaded time.

Rule 1: Make a List 
Often times, the mere thought of everything you have to do is enough to make you want to curl up in bed and close your eyes until it's all over. This is also a surefire way to forget something. So, instead of relying on your crowded noggin to remember everything, start by visually laying out everything you have and want to accomplish. Doing this will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that no topic goes unreviewed. 

Rule 2: Space It out
The inclination is to study everything you've learned all semester at once and hope it all stays in your brain for the test. In reality, the best way to learn and remember material is to study little bits of something over a period of time. Switch it up a bit!  Plan on reviewing a chapter or two of a topic one day and then move on to something else. The topics will go a lot faster this way and it will also help you avoid getting bored of one topic and accidentally taking a siesta in the middle of Walsh Library.

Rule 3: Stay Motivated
Although it seems like a long process, remember that your goals are 100% achievable. Remind yourself what your working towards whether it's mastering that confusing equation or getting a good grade. In the end, you are the only one who can get yourself there so don't be afraid to give yourself that motivating boost to get yourself there. YOU CAN DO IT!

Rule 4: Nourishment 
Don't forget to nourish your mind and body with healthy options to help keep yourself thinking clearly! There are numerous places on campus that offer a variety of delicious food options. With all the new additions to the menu on campus, such as Cosi and Jamba Juice, it'll be easy to find yourself chowing down while you tackle that paper. 

Rule 5: Take Breaks
This may seem like an odd request, but ensuring that you take plenty of breaks while studying will keep you from burning out too quickly. Allowing yourself to watch an episode of your favorite show or hang out with your friends every now and then can keep your brain more focused than you think. In a sense, studying can be fun! 

Rule 6: Get Moving
Sitting and studying for long periods of time can quickly take a toll on your body. To keep stress and tension from building up, remember to move around frequently. With two work out facilities and plenty of field space, it should be easy to blow off some steam with a pick-up game of soccer or a light jog. 

Rule 7: Keep Calm and Carry on
Relax. Take a deep breath. If it is your first time taking a college test or your 100th, remember to keep calm. You've worked hard and know the material. No amount of worrying is going to help you in any way. Remember to remain confident and keep your mind clear. 

Rule 8: GO TO SLEEP!!
The most important preparation you can do for yourself is getting plenty of sleep. It may seem like a good idea to stay up for days and cram every power point slide into your brain before the big day. This, however, is not a good idea. Just like your body needs rest after an injury, so does your brain after learning so many new things. You will retain more of the information you studied after a good night's sleep. Waking up after an hour of sleep before a test is also not going to be very beneficial. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day...because they had to sleep at some point!

Tutoring With Let's Get Ready SAT Prep

During my sophomore year, I decided to get involved with community service to give back to the local community I had come to call my home.

I chose to volunteer with a national organization called Let’s Get Ready. Let’s Get Ready is an SAT and college prep course for high school students all around the nation. Fordham has its own chapter to help the local Bronx kids.

I was a verbal coach and met with the same 8 students for 3 hours every Thursday for ten weeks. The first half of class, I taught my students grammar rules, how to take the SAT, and how to write a proper essay. For the second half of class, I helped my students write their college application essay.

It was a ton of work planning a 3 hour class every week for 10 weeks, but it was absolutely worth it. I spent 6 hours every week making fun lessons and activities that the kids would actually enjoy. At first, the kids hated coming to class. But within three weeks, I was able to get them to admit that they actually had fun in class with me.

By the end of the ten weeks, my class had improved tremendously. They went from being unable to write a grammatically correct sentence to being able to write a grammatically correct essay. I was so ecstatic when some of my students sent me their SAT test scores. Some of my kids improved their verbal score by 250 points. There is no better feeling than knowing you made a difference in someone’s life. I not only helped them to learn something new, but I helped them increase their chances of attending college.

Let’s Get Ready is only one of the amazing tutoring services Fordham has to offer. Other tutoring services can be found in the Dorothy Day Center for Service and Justice office. 

How to Cram Like a Pro

College life provides just as many distractions as opportunities for growth. When the middle of the semester rolls around we often succumb to procrastination, the college student’s kryptonite. Quality time with roommates, killing hours on Facebook and late night coffee runs can be too tempting to pass up when you have a midterm looming over you.

So let’s say it’s the night before a big midterm or final, and you realize you’re in for a long night. Don’t panic just yet, because I’ve boiled down my years of trial and error into some foolproof study tips:

Tip 1: Take Breaks

You’re brain can only absorb so much information in a given amount of time. If you study for too long, your brain shuts down and productivity stops. Basically, if you” study” for five straight hours, you might only be really studying for two and staring blankly at your book for three. My advice is to take a 15 minute break after every hour. For those 15 minutes, get away from your work, walk around, stretch and keep your blood flowing. Trust me, it’ll keep your mind awake for much longer, and you’ll be more productive.

Tip 2: Stay Fed/ Hydrated

If you know you have a long night ahead, make sure you keep eating and drinking. Your attention wanes quicker when you’re hungry. Don’t gorge yourself either though; eating small servings of fruit or granola bars keeps you satisfied and is healthier than finishing a bag of chips. (I’ve done that too, and it kept me awake but left me feeling a little guilty at the same time) Also, make sure you drink plenty of water. Soda and energy drinks keep you conscious, but you’ll feel jittery and restless rather than awake and focused. Personally, I drink a big cup of coffee to get me started, and stick to water after that.

Tip 3: Listen to Music

It’s a common trick, and it works. Music helps you focus since it creates an atmosphere that should help you focus. However, music can be its own distraction if you use it improperly. First, don’t listen to music that you sing along to. Also, don’t select songs one by one; you’ll wind up focusing too much on what you’re listening to. What I usually do is open Pandora and leave it running for a while so I don’t have to think about what’s next. You can also make a study playlist if you like.

Tip 4: Stick to your Notes

Rereading your textbook the night before an exam is a terrible idea. If you haven’t been keeping up with your readings, your first impulse will be to do them all in one night. I’ve tried this at least one every semester, and it never works. Going back to Tip 1, your brain can only handle so much material at once; cramming two months worth of reading will only leave you tired and confused. The nest thing to do is reread your notes, and study from there. You can look at your textbook after that because you’ll know where to look. If you didn’t take good notes, find a classmate who did. It may be a blow to your pride, but it’ll save you time and stress.

Tip 5: Don’t Panic

This is the most important step. It’s both tempting and easy to beat yourself up about slacking off more than you should have, but it will wear you out faster and kill your confidence. Just remember that what’s done is done, and you have to make the best with what you have. Just keep your cool and push on; maybe you won’t get the A you promised yourself on the first day of class, but at least you can get through your test knowing that you give it your all.

Even if you follow these five tips in an academic emergency, I can’t promise that you’ll ace your midterm or final; however, I can guarantee that you’ll cram much more effectively. Procrastination should always be avoided but if you’re in a bind, just remember to keep yourself together and do your best. At the end of the day that’s the most anyone, including you, can ask of yourself.