For college students, midterms mean caffeine, chaos and cramming. By junior year, experience turns survival into strategy. As a junior, here are five tips that have gotten me this far.

It’s that time again! Late-night study sessions, color-coded notes and the collective campus scramble. Midterms can feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation and a solid plan, they become a lot more manageable.

Find a good study spot 

The right study spot can make all the difference. Whether it’s a quiet corner of the library, a favorite coffee shop or your own desk. Pick a place where you can focus without distractions.

Studying in the same space helps your brain recognize it’s time to get serious.

Set a realistic schedule 

Cramming rarely works. Instead, aim for at least 30 minutes of review each day in the five days leading up to your midterm.

Breaking your study time into smaller, consistent sessions helps you remember more and stress less.

Talk to your professors 

Before you start on flashcards or Quizlets, make sure you know what to study. Some professors share detailed outlines, others don’t.

If you’re unsure, send a quick email or schedule an office hours meeting. Especially for classes like math or science, where exams often test understanding more than memorization.

Meeting with your professor is a great way to review and ensure you grasp the material the way they expect. It also keeps you accountable and makes it harder to skip the study sessions you might otherwise put off.

Stick to your study method 

When frustration hits, it’s tempting to bounce between study methods. But switching too often wastes time and limits what you actually learn.

Pick one or two strategies—like flashcards, practice quizzes or rewriting notes—and commit to them.

If you choose flashcards, plan time to make them and review them several times.

Reward yourself 

Nothing motivates quite like a well-earned treat. After each study session, give yourself a small reward—a snack, a walk, maybe your favorite takeout.

Then plan something bigger once midterms are done. Having a reward to look forward to keeps you focused and makes the week feel a little lighter.