As GCSU reaches its midpoint in the semester, the college core memories of study sessions, late-night cramming and coffee-fueled marathons begin to fill the air. For many students, the midterms are a high-stakes checkpoint, a defining moment that can shape the rest of their academic journey. 

Whether you’re a seasoned senior or a wide-eyed freshman, navigating midterms can feel like running a marathon with hurdles at every turn. 

“Since I only have one midterm, I am feeling good about it because I’ve been able to focus all my attention on studying for that one class,” said Madison Heyman, sophomore marketing major.  “Although it feels like midterms have crept up on us, I feel prepared and ready to take them.”

Some students breeze through midterms with only a few exams on which they focus all their energy. As for others, there is a heavy workload filled with studying and sometimes stress with their studies. 

A common occurrence is that one midterm ends up being the hardest compared to others in a student’s course load. While midterms at GCSU are often composed of multiple-choice questions, there are times when it is writing or project-based. The medium of a midterm can vary by class, as some classes are not cohesive with the typical pencil-and-paper exam format. 

“I mainly was nervous for my anatomy and physiology midterm,” said Allie-Rose Caro, a sophomore exercise science major. “It was 50 questions, and I had to look at something and write what it was. No word bank or multiple choice, our spelling counts, which was scary for me.”  

Students of all years are tackling midterms with a mix of preparation and nerves, though their preparation strategies differ depending on the subject.

“I’m feeling pretty good about midterms so far,” said Macy Collins, a sophomore psychology major. “I have made Quizlets and studied them religiously. I’m really nervous about my psych stats midterm. I think it is multiple choice.” 

With the right strategies, a balance of study and self-care and the support of peers and professors, GCSU students are well-equipped to tackle midterms and anticipate grades with the hope that all the hard work has paid off.

“Overall, I feel good about my midterms,” said Riley Diaz, a sophomore nursing major. “To prepare for my midterms, I studied at least a week in advance for each of them. I utilized study tools such as flashcards and Quizlet and even had my roommate quiz me when I was free.” 

The access to campus resources throughout the semester is key to success. Some of GCSU’s best campus resources to help with preparation include the Learning Center, Writing Center and class SI sessions.

“No matter how tough things get during a semester, we always remind ourselves we are a student resource; we are here to help the student with their writing needs,” said Benjamin Circle, a Writing Center graduate assistant. “We want to support the system of Georgia College and State University and its Bobcats, whatever that might be.” 

Campus support centers are stepping up to help students navigate midterms, emphasizing the importance of early preparation and seeking assistance.

“The Learning Center experiences student anxiety during test periods all year long and midterm exams are not much different,” said Kensie Poor, assistant director of the Learning Center. “What we teach is the importance of asking for assistance, coming to the center early and often, visiting professors during hours, and staying organized to best combat test anxiety. We also offer generalized Practice Tests for most STEM and economic core classes.” 

Another resource that an influx of students use is professors’ office hours to better understand how the class operates and what each instructor is looking for personally. 

“My midterm that is going to be the hardest is for Intro to Shakespeare, as we have to write 1000 words of our paper and turn that in for class comments, so I am very nervous for that,” said Lily Harris, a sophomore English major. “I am preparing for midterms by working on my outlines and going over them with professors.” 

The experience of midterms can be a test of resilience and adaptation. With the semester’s second half ahead, students are poised to carry the lessons learned from midterms forward and be prepared for what lies ahead.