Midterm grades got you scared? Be better prepared
What students should do to help improve a poor midterm score
Ye Cheng
Issue date: 3/11/10 Section: Opinions
Jennifer Siebert, assistant director of the Hayssen Academic Resource Center (HARC), said, "Many students usually choose to quit a class when they do not do well on the midterm exam. However, it's not a wise choice to give up, for they still have chances to get a higher grade in the final result."
At a Passport event on Feb. 25, Siebert talked about the post midterm slump and suggested some ways to help fix the problem.
Courses can be split into two main groups. One group may have a quiz for each chapter and several exams during the academic term. The other group may just have two exams - the midterm and the final. There are different ways to work out the specific problems for each type of course.
If students are not doing well in a class with many quizzes and exams, the first thing for them to do is figure out which types of questions give them the most problems. Some students may be bad at multiple choice questions; some may feel it is hard to get a correct answer on true or false questions. While others may typically get a low score when answering short answer or essay questions.
Once students determine the main problems they have, they should take the time to review their previous quizzes and exams. Students should try to do the questions again and make sure they really understand why they made mistakes the first time.
By referring to previous quizzes and exams, it is easier to know the style of the tests. When the next quiz or exam is approaching, they can predict what kinds of questions the professor will most likely ask, based on past experiences, which may help them earn a better grade in the end.
To do well in the second kind of class, talking to professors before an exam could be a better choice. Since students may not have enough information about the exam - like which types of questions the exam may have, how many points each part will be worth, or similar questions - they need to talk to their professors to get these basic ideas in their mind.
"You'll never know whether your professor may give you a surprise or not," said Siebert. When the students interview their professors about exams, professors are often willing to tell what they are planning to test the students on. Interviewing professors may also help students to get a higher grade on their research projects and presentations as well.
One thing that is very preferable is to set up an appointment with the professors or to visit them during their office hours. Do not just ask questions before, during, or after class. Before class, professors are usually thinking about their lesson plans, and after class they may have another class or appointment.
Students can also get help or advice in the HARC or at other Passport events. On March 25 there will be a session on note taking, on April 8 a session on semester wrap-up, and on April 15 a session on presentation strategies.
At a Passport event on Feb. 25, Siebert talked about the post midterm slump and suggested some ways to help fix the problem.
Courses can be split into two main groups. One group may have a quiz for each chapter and several exams during the academic term. The other group may just have two exams - the midterm and the final. There are different ways to work out the specific problems for each type of course.
If students are not doing well in a class with many quizzes and exams, the first thing for them to do is figure out which types of questions give them the most problems. Some students may be bad at multiple choice questions; some may feel it is hard to get a correct answer on true or false questions. While others may typically get a low score when answering short answer or essay questions.
Once students determine the main problems they have, they should take the time to review their previous quizzes and exams. Students should try to do the questions again and make sure they really understand why they made mistakes the first time.
By referring to previous quizzes and exams, it is easier to know the style of the tests. When the next quiz or exam is approaching, they can predict what kinds of questions the professor will most likely ask, based on past experiences, which may help them earn a better grade in the end.
To do well in the second kind of class, talking to professors before an exam could be a better choice. Since students may not have enough information about the exam - like which types of questions the exam may have, how many points each part will be worth, or similar questions - they need to talk to their professors to get these basic ideas in their mind.
"You'll never know whether your professor may give you a surprise or not," said Siebert. When the students interview their professors about exams, professors are often willing to tell what they are planning to test the students on. Interviewing professors may also help students to get a higher grade on their research projects and presentations as well.
One thing that is very preferable is to set up an appointment with the professors or to visit them during their office hours. Do not just ask questions before, during, or after class. Before class, professors are usually thinking about their lesson plans, and after class they may have another class or appointment.
Students can also get help or advice in the HARC or at other Passport events. On March 25 there will be a session on note taking, on April 8 a session on semester wrap-up, and on April 15 a session on presentation strategies.
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