With fall break and the middle of the semester approaching, midterm season is upon many TCU students. Students will take cumulative tests to evaluate their comprehension of course material so far, the exams often accounting for a substantial portion of the overall grade.
Maggie Wentworth, a junior marketing and finance double major, said the quiet zone in the TCU Mary Couts Burnett Library is her preferred study area. Her review process includes using resources like Quizlet, study guides from professors and PowerPoint presentations.
She also uses AI tools with class notes to create practice tests. She breaks up her studying by chapter, starting her preparations a couple days before the test to avoid cramming.
“I’ll usually grab myself a snack or treat before I start and then study in intervals with short breaks,” Wentworth said. “Sometimes I will listen to instrumental music, too, to help me focus.”
Lindsey Gattis, a junior marketing and finance double major, starts by prepping a study guide using chapter slides and in-class notes. She utilizes AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, to explain concepts she doesn’t understand.
“I am most successful when I start studying early and come up with a plan for what topics I will cover and when,” Gattis said. “I get overwhelmed when I don’t break all the criteria up into steps and don’t start early, so I can be flexible when it comes to other outside commitments.”
Charlie Chambers, a junior finance and management double major, said he has a habit of procrastinating, waiting to review study materials until the last day. He often reviews in-class study guides with friends so they can learn the material by teaching one another.
When studying solo, he breaks it up by focusing for an hour and then taking a 20-minute break. He said he reviews the material the morning of the exam as well to keep the information fresh in his mind and better concentrate.
“I find it hard to concentrate without taking breaks,” Chambers said. “I base my study schedule on the exam’s difficulty, which affects how much I prepare.”
TCU offers numerous resources to help students to achieve their academic goals. The Student Success Center is a free service for current TCU undergraduates seeking one-on-one support. Their trained Peer Success Coaches help students connect with academic resources, create action plans and seek career opportunities.
Peer-to-peer tutors are another resource for students. Each tutor goes through a 10-hour training program and receives certification to assist with specific subjects.
