ACADEMIC SUCCESS GUIDE
Dear Terps,
As you face the challenges of midterms, remember that you’ve already accomplished so much on your academic journey. You are capable, resilient, and well-prepared. Each test is an opportunity to showcase your knowledge and growth. Stay focused, believe in yourselves, and know that you have a whole community cheering you on. Take a deep breath, embrace the challenge, and give it your best effort. You’ve got this, and your hard work will pay off. Keep pushing forward, and success will surely follow. Good luck, and remember that your efforts are truly commendable.
The Department of Resident Life wishes you the most success on midterms!
RESIDENT LIFE | Fall 2023
TIPS TO CONQUER MIDTERMS
It may be difficult to know how to prepare for Midterms. Here are 10 tips to make sure you are ready to conquer!
• Start Early: Begin reviewing your course materials well in advance of the midterm date. Cramming can lead to stress and poor retention of information.
• Review Class Notes Regularly: Go through your class notes and highlight key concepts, formulas, and important details. This will help you identify the most critical information.
• Create a Study Schedule: Plan your study sessions in advance and allocate specific time slots for each subject. Stick to your schedule to ensure balanced preparation.
• Practice with Past Exams: If previous midterms or sample questions are available, use them to practice. This can give you an idea of the format and types of questions that may be asked.
• Use Active Learning Techniques: Engage actively with the material by summarizing, teaching it to someone else, or creating flashcards. Active learning enhances retention.
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SUCCESS IS THE SUM OF SMALL EFFORTS, REPEATED DAY IN AND DAY OUT.”
-Robert Collier
LIFE IS LIKE RIDING A BICYCLE, TO KEEP YOUR BALANCE, YOU MUST KEEP MOVING.”
-Albert Einstein
MENTAL MAINTENANCE
Taking care of your mental health during midterm exams is crucial for maintaining overall well-being. Here are some tips for students to help manage stress and prioritize mental health during this challenging time:
PRIORITIZE SELF-CARE
Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine. This includes getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and engaging in regular physical activity.
CREATE A STUDY SCHEDULE
Plan your study sessions with breaks to avoid burnout. Stick to your schedule, but be flexible and adjust it as needed to avoid overexertion.
MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION
Practice mindfulness and meditation techniques to reduce anxiety and increase focus. Apps and online resources can provide guided sessions.
STAY CONNECTED
Don’t isolate yourself. Stay connected with friends and family for support, even if it’s just a short chat or a video call.
TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS
Don’t hesitate to talk to someone you trust about your stress and anxiety. Sometimes, sharing your feelings can provide relief and perspective.
SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Set achievable goals for your exams. Understand that perfection is not required, and it’s okay to make mista kes or not know everything.
BREAK TASKS INTO SMALLER STEPS
If studying feels overwhelming, break it down into smaller, manageable tasks. This can make the workload feel less daunting.
TAKE SHORT BREAKS
Incorporate short breaks during your study sessions to recharge your mind. Use this time to do something enjoyable or relax.
STAY ORGANIZED
SELF-CARE
IS
Keep track of important dates, assignments, and study materials. Being organized can reduce stress caused by last-minute rushes.
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HOW YOU TAKE YOUR POWER BACK”
-Lalah Delia
LIMIT CAFFEINE AND SUGAR
While caffeine can provide a temporary energy boost, excessive consumption can lead to increased anxiety and disrupted sleep patterns. Consume in moderation.
PRACTICE DEEP BREATHING
When feeling overwhelmed, take deep breaths to calm your nervous system. Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique for relaxation.
SEEK CAMPUS RESOURCES
Many universities offer counseling services and mental health resources. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need professional support.
ENGAGE IN RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
Explore relaxation techniques like progressive muscle relaxation, aromatherapy, or taking a warm bath to alleviate stress.
LIMIT DISTRACTIONS
Create a distraction-free study environment to enhance concentration. Put away your phone and other distractions during study sessions.
POSITIVE SELF-TALK
SUCCESS IS NOT FINAL, FAILURE IS NOT FATAL: IT IS THE COURAGE TO CONTINUE THAT COUNTS.”
-Winston Churchill
NEVER BEND YOUR HEAD. ALWAYS HOLD IT HIGH. LOOK THE WORLD STRAIGHT IN THE EYE.”
-Helen Keller
UPCOMING ACADEMIC SUCCESS EVENTS
OCTOBER 3, 2023 COMM First Look Fair
OCTOBER 3, 2023 The Wellness Series: Time Management
OCTOBER 3, 2023 Meet Your Mental Health Providers: Mental Health Awareness
OCTOBER 6, 2023 Self-Care Fair: Mental Health Awareness Week
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STAYING ORGANIZED
Staying organized during midterms is crucial for managing your time effectively and reducing stress. Here are some of our top tips to help you stay organized!
USE A PLANNER OR DIGITAL CALENDAR
Keep track of important dates, including exam dates, assignment deadlines, and study sessions, using a planner or a digital calendar. Set reminders to stay on top of your schedule.
PRIORITIZE TASKS
Identify the most critical tasks and focus on them first. Prioritizing helps you tackle the most challenging or highimpact subjects when your energy and concentration are at their peak.
BREAK DOWN STUDY SESSIONS
Divide your study sessions into manageable chunks, typically 25-30 minutes each (the Pomodoro technique). Take short breaks in between to maintain focus and prevent burnout.
USE TO-DO LISTS
Create daily to-do lists outlining specific tasks and
IT TAKES AS MUCH ENERGY TO WISH AS IT DOES TO PLAN.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt
STAY HEALTHY
Prioritize self-care, including getting adequate sleep, eating nutritious meals, and engaging in physical activity. A healthy body and mind are essential for effective studying!
GATHER NECESSARY SUPPLIES
Before each study session, ensure you have all the supplies you need, such as pens, highlighters, notebooks, and any other materials relevant to your subjects.
USE DIGITAL TOOLS
Utilize productivity apps and tools for note-taking, task management, and time tracking. Apps like Evernote, Trello, or Google Keep can be helpful.
SET GOALS FOR EACH SESSION
Define clear goals for each study session. What do you want to accomplish during that time? Having specific objectives helps you stay focused.
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START WHERE YOU ARE. USE WHAT YOU HAVE. DO WHAT YOU CAN.”
-Arthur Ashe
REVIEW REGULARLY
Periodically review and revise your study schedule and to-do lists to ensure you’re on track. Adjust as necessary based on your progress.
AVOID MULTITASKING
Focus on one subject or task at a time. Multitasking can reduce your efficiency and comprehension.
STAY INFORMED
Stay updated on any changes in exam schedules, assignment due dates, or class announcements. Check your university email and online platforms regularly.
MANAGE STRESS
Implement stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to keep anxiety at bay.
ASK FOR HELP
Don’t hesitate to seek help from professors, teaching assistants, or classmates if you have questions or need clarification on course materials.
REWARD YOURSELF
After achieving your study goals or completing a challenging midterm, treat yourself to a small reward as motivation.
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IT ALWAYS SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL IT’S DONE.
-Nelson Mandela
HELPFUL CAMPUS RESOURCES
ACADEMIC SUCCESS & TUTORIAL SERVICES
As an initiative of the Academic Achievement Programs (AAP), the Academic Success and Tutorial Services program provides free peer tutoring to all UM students for over twenty 100- and 200-level general education courses. Additionally, tutoring is offered for historically difficult courses in areas such as biology, business, chemistry, computer science, economics, mathematics/ statistics, and physics.
THE COUNSELING CENTER
The Counseling Center is the primary campus provider of free and confidential therapy to help UMD students manage personal, social, and academic challenges. The Counseling Center also offers wellness workshops and a variety of resources to help with common student concerns
GUIDED STUDY SESSIONS
The Guided Study Sessions (GSS) program offers FREE, regularly scheduled group review sessions for students in traditionally difficult courses. GSS Leaders have previously taken your course and earned an A, so they know what it takes to stay on track in lectures and prepare for exams. Go once, a few times, or attend every session—it’s never too late to start attending GSS. For the Fall 2023 semester, some Guided Study Sessions will be conducted in-person and others will be conducted virtually through Zoom. To access a specific virtual session, please contact your GSS Leader or email gss@umd.edu from a University email address. Visit the GSS Schdule to view the available sessions.
KEYSTONE CENTER
Located in the J. M. Patterson, the Keystone Center is where you can go to work on homework or group projects, use the computer labs, or study for exams. It is staffed with upper-level undergraduate and graduate students who can provide you with assistance in answering questions in fundamental engineering and STEM courses: CHEM135, MATH140, MATH141, MATH241, and MATH246.
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HELPFUL CAMPUS RESOURCES
LIBRARIES
The University Libraries offer plenty of resources including those for getting started on research as well as places to study. There are six libraries on campus and all have different hours .
ACADEMIC LEARNING ASSISTANT
The TLTC Learning Success Team provides free, 30-minute, one-on-one academic coaching sessions for UMD students. Our coaching sessions are collaborative and you set the agenda. Whether you are looking to improve your learning strategies, develop an effective study plan, or survive/ace a course our team is here to support your academic success. Click here or visit go.umd.edu/learn to schedule an appointment.
MATH SUCCESS PROGRAM
The Math Success Program offers free, drop-in math coaching and tutoring services for all UMD undergraduate students. The program is open Sunday - Thursday from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sundays are virtual, and Mondays through Thursdays are held in ESJ 1224. Visit the Math Success Program website to get more information and access the program.
MATH TEST BANK
Google Drive of past exams from the Math Department for tons of classes. Great practice material for studying for final exams.
OFFICE OF MULTI-ETHNIC STUDENT EDUCATION (OMSE)
OMSE offers free tutorial programs that cover most key courses in Writing, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Economics, among other courses. Individual and small group tutoring consisting of 2-4 students per group is available each semester in most undergraduate courses. Check out the OMSE tutoring site to learn more and to request a tutor. You can also check out these short videos created by OMSE tutors on some traditionally difficult concepts.
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HELPFUL CAMPUS RESOURCES
OFFICE OF STUDENT CONDUCT
The Office of Student Conduct serves the UMD community by investigating referrals, enforcing the Codes, and committing to a fair, honest, and transparent conduct process. The Office of Student Conduct handles issues of academic integrity. If you are unsure of rules about academic integrity, the Office of Student Conduct has resources to assist you.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS CENTER (OCC)
The OCC can provide: peer consulting for presentations, speeches, and other modes of oral communication; Speech planning and practice assistance; Interactive workshops on a variety of relevant communication skills; Special events and workshop series. You can schedule an appointment HERE .
QUIET STUDY SPACES
These spaces offer some great opportunities to safely explore campus and find new places to get your work done. Please visit the Quiet Study Spaces list to view the spaces that are available, as well as the guidelines around using the spaces.
Bonus Tip: Keep track of academic deadlines and other important academic opportunities on campus by downloading the Department of Resident Life’s Academic Success Calendar.
SPS TUTORING SERVICES
The Society of Physics Students (SPS) offers free online and in-person tutoring for anyone taking an introductory physics course at UMD. Tutoring is available on a drop-in basis through Zoom from 4-6pm, Monday through Thursday. It is also available in Toll 1303 at the same time. In order to request the Zoom information, students must fill out the following brief form: https://forms. gle/M8FnJrEDgTkwSiUR8 .
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HELPFUL CAMPUS RESOURCES
TUTORING & ACADEMIC SUCCESS RESOURCES
The University is committed to academic excellence and provides a variety of tutoring and other academic resources to support student success -- available on campus, from our peer institutions, and other non-university websites. To learn more about the available resources, visit tutoring.umd.edu . Also checkout these helpful resources to tackle some common academic concerns.
THE WRITING CENTER
The Writing Center provides opportunities for undergraduate students to improve their writing, research, and critical thinking skills in preparation for successful academic, professional, and civic lives. In a supportive atmosphere, trained consultants from a variety of backgrounds and majors assist writers in-person and online throughout the writing process. Visit the Writing Center’s website to schedule an appointment.
Good luck on midterms, Terps!
Study hard, go to class, get enough sleep and ask for help when needed.
You’ve got this!
