When most people think of October, they think of cooler temps, falling leaves, mugs of apple cider and tales of Trick-or-Treats past. Across many college campuses, however, October is the time undergraduates gear up to battle the great and awesome mid-term monster.

Gather Your Weapons
Take stock of your notes and make sure you have notes for every class given to date (borow if necessary), gather your reading materials, ask your professor to provide you with a study guide (some will, some won't), and pull together a few trustworthy students to study with (a study support group).

Drill for Skills
Review your notes and materials. Make certain you've covered all of the basic elements required for the exam. Pose potential questions and discuss your potential answers with members of your study group.

Prepare for Battle
Begin your preparations well in advance of the exam. Avoid all-night, last-minute study sessions--your brain won't hold the material and you'll be punchy from lack of sleep.

If your college offers a special dinner option or pre-mid-term celebration (Midnight Waffles, All Day PBJ, whatever)--go for it! Blowing off a little steam the night before is likely to help you sleep better and be more rested and ready for your battle with the mid-term battle.

Avoid Potential Pitfalls
Don't blow mid-terms off thinking you can make up the grade later with your final. Most students have to study for college-level exams.

Stay away, far away, from things like guarana, No-Doz, or even coffee/sugar when possible. Sure, you get a quick boost to your metabolism, but its not worth the crash later--especially if you crash during an exam!

Don't party the night (or even two nights) before your exam. Hangovers don't make for good test grades.

Don't forget to set an alarm. You do want to get a good night's rest the night before your battle. But, showing up late for your final is not good form. Your professor isn't likely to be sympathetic to your plea for more time either.

Come prepared. Your professor isn't likely to have extra pencils, pens, paper, test booklets, etc. Bring the necessary materials with you to the exam.

Read all directions. You'd be surprised how many times students lose out on points because they've failed to follow a professor's special instructions.

Answer all of the required questions. Even if you're really not certain about an answer, some response is usually better than no response.

Eat a good breakfast the day of your exams (unless you're the nervous/queasy type, then stick to crackers or something). Growling stomachs are uncomfortable for you and are disturbing to your fellow test takers.

Take a guick side trip to the restroom before you go to class. It's really not a good idea to try and hold it for a couple of hours; and some professors are so picky about testing protocol that they won't allow you to leave during an exam--unless it's a matter of life, death, or exam completion.

Slay the Monster!
On the day of your first academic battle, stand tall. Tell yourself you will defeat the mid-term monster. Believe in yourself. You will survive the battle; and, you may even emerge victorious.

I wish all of you great luck with your upcoming exams. I know you'll do well!

If you would like to read more about surviving college exams, try:

• Test Taking Strategies and Skills for the Utterly Confused by Laurie Rozakis or
  
• How to Study (6th ed.) by Ron Fry.

Until next time!

Lynn Byrne

Preparing for college admissions? Trying to find direction? Need a little help with the planning? Check out my college planning series:

• College Planning Made Easy--the planning and preparation workbook for the take charge, college-bound student,
  
• Paying for College Made Easy--a college financing guide designed to assist students and families in preparing and planning for higher education expenses; and
  
• The Great Scholarship Search--my guide for students and parents researching and applying for scholarship funding.