How To: Study for Midterms (Looking At You, Freshmen)

September is coming to a close, meaning three important things for freshman on campus: winter is coming, Annenberg food is losing its quantitative appeal (its only appeal), and midterms are a real thing.

We’ve now entered the awkward in-between following the opening weeks during which we’re surrounded by a flurry of parties celebrating the start of college and filled with friendly faces, but preceding a time of security and routine when we will actually know what we’re doing for the rest of the semester. These weeks are reserved for long days filled with uncertainty of schedules, the shock of having homework, and – God forbid – actually being challenged by a class. And what better time than now to introduce yet another horror?

So, here’s to all the freshmen who have never studied a day in their lives, who always got by in high school with intelligence and lazy indifference, and who are scared by the reality of an actual exam. Follow these simple tips, in addition to common sense, in order to not fail your first Harvard midterm:

Here’s a simple one: don’t cheat. We know, we know, the odds that someone else has studied harder than you for this exam is high. And that guy in the row in front of you looks like he hasn’t slept in weeks, meaning he definitely knows how to do the problem you’ve been staring at for hours. But trust us, it’s not worth it. #RIPGov1310

Wear sweatpants. We know you still harbor hopes of finding love on this campus (you won’t), but it’s not worth the pain. You wake up an hour early, shower, wear your sexiest outfit, and show up ready to impress. You look good, smell good, and you should be turning heads. But you’re not, because everyone is focused on their cramming and testing. Instead, you got one less hour of sleep, you’re starting to get cold, and you haven’t even seen the cute person you were trying to impress. Option two? Go for the sweatpants, get an extra hour of sleep, be warm and comfortable, and focus that brilliant mind on the test.

Get some sleep, and don't overdo it on the caffeine. Also, trying black coffee in an effort to seem legit is not a good idea on the day of your first exam. There seems to be a sadistic culture around some circles at Harvard, in which the perception of how smart you are — or how many insanely hard classes you’re taking — is directly proportional to how much coffee you down the night before. I’m here with the Crimson to bring you breaking news: it’s not. Begin studying well before the exam, by a couple days or even a week, and then get a good night’s sleep the night before. Your mind and body will thank you.