- Emily Ross.

It’s that time again. Exam time.

It happens once a semester but that doesn’t mean it gets any easier each time. Though most students have their ways of getting through these hard times, whether it be cramming, caffeine fueled all-nighters or some other crazy study tactic, we thought we’d pull together a list of tips to help you be successful this semester.

Know your resources. Check the Libraries exam bank. Some courses have previous exams listed on this website. This can help you get an idea of the format and possible question structure.

Study smart. Make sure to ask your professor or TA what kind of exam you’ll be writing or what types of questions there will be. Certain studying strategies can be more helpful than others for various exam types. Here’s a list of tips based on different kinds of exams.

Review, review, review. Try to review materials as often as possible. Though this may not fit into everyone’s study plan, reviewing key concepts throughout the semester can help you retain information long-term in a way cramming won’t.

Remember the past. Review your quizzes, midterms and any other tests you may have had during the semester for the course. Taking a look through these to get an idea of concepts that may be covered while also seeing what areas may be worth spending a little more study time on. Also, remember to check if your exam is cumulative!

Take a break. Make time for things other than studying. You often come back refreshed and ready to study again after taking a break. Getting lots of sleeping, eating healthy and exercising are all things worth making time for during a stressful exam period. They help you de-stress and keep you healthy for the big day. Remember to socialize too! You deserve a break. As long as it’s not the night before your exam!

For more tips, check out the Student Learning Commons exam prep resource guide. Also, make sure to check when and where your exams are, here's a handy schedule.

Before you know it, exams will be over and you’ll have a few weeks to recuperate before the fall semester begins. Good luck!