Now What? Key Steps to Academic Success After Midterms
Written by: Emma Zhang, 3rd Year, Medical Sciences
Photo by: Western Communications
Congratulations to everyone—we made it through midterm season! I hope each of you got some rest before your exams and didn’t rely too heavily on energy drinks. With midterms behind us, there’s some time to recharge, though finals are already on the horizon. So, how can we level up and become unstoppable in academics? Let’s explore some key strategies to make this school year a success!
Sleep
Sleep is essential for both physical and mental health, directly impacting our daily performance. Studies show that sleep-deprived students consistently perform worse than those who maintain a regular sleep schedule, aiming for at least 7 hours each night. Sleep deprivation can weaken immune defenses, lead to long-term damage to the circulatory system, and may even contribute to the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Energy drinks are also known to cause heart arrhythmias, so it’s best to limit their consumption as much as possible. As a coffee drinker, I avoid energy drinks because of this risk. I’ve found that having coffee about an hour after waking up keeps me more alert throughout the day, as opposed to waiting until after lunch.
Review your midterm and learn from mistakes
If there's a midterm review session, make it a priority to attend! Going over what you got wrong can deepen your understanding of key concepts. Sometimes, even if you feel confident, you may have misinterpreted parts of the material. Reviewing incorrect answers helps clarify and correct these misunderstandings.
Additionally, if the final is cumulative, some questions from the midterm might show up again! I once assumed a question wouldn’t reappear on the final just because it had been on the midterm, so I didn’t review it carefully. To my surprise, that exact question appeared on the final and was worth a significant number of points.
So, make sure to revisit your midterm, correct any gaps in understanding, and solidify your grasp on these foundational concepts as you prepare for the rest of the semester!
Ask for help or access academic supports
You are not alone! There are a variety of academic support services available for all courses. Start by checking your syllabus or any announcements from your professor for details on office hours with either the professor or teaching assistants (TAs). Additionally, you can book academic advising appointments or visit the Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Centre for one-on-one course-related support. PAL services are offered both in-person and online via Zoom for added convenience. A helpful tip is to check the schedule to find specific PAL sessions tailored to your course needs. This will connect you with the right resources to support your academic journey! If you need help prepping for those final essays, the Writing Support Centre offers multiple supports, including one-to-one appointments.
Do not give up: YOU GOT THIS!
Some of us may have seen less-than-ideal marks after our first midterm, but that’s okay! I remember bombing my first biology midterm—I stayed up too late the night before cramming and could barely stay awake during the exam. But by adjusting my sleep habits, strengthening my understanding of the foundational concepts, and keeping up with new material, I was able to make an academic comeback.
If your midterm isn’t worth a huge portion of your grade, you still have plenty of time to turn things around and reach your full potential. I hope these tips help, and let’s all work together to ace our finals!
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