It’s now that time of the quarter again. Midterms are coming up for some of us *South Campus Majors. It seems like with the quarter system, I’m always studying for midterms one after another. But it’s really not as bad it sounds actually. I mean, I’d rather have my tests spread out than have them all at the same time.

Midterm weeks are not as stressful as finals week , but they definitely do bring restless nights of studying. As long as you keep up with the lectures and homework from the start of the quarter, you don’t have to be too stressed out for midterms. When I heard about people having to pull numerous all-nighters for exams, I thought college was a place where no one sleeps. But I haven’t had to pull any all-nighters yet, and I hope to keep it that way 😀

Also, midterm season means that the Test Bank will be crowded with people lining up for copies of practice tests. Between John Wooden Center and Powell Library, there is a place called the Student Activities Center, where many of the past practice midterms and finals are kept. Before every exam for a class, students visit that center to get a copy of past exams for that particular class. SAC’s only policy is for the students to give them an original copy of a past test (any test, essay, etc.) for a copy of a test in their test bank. Freshmen during the Fall quarter are exempted from this policy, because they obviously do not have any tests of their own because they haven’t taken any yet. It is also a good idea to stop by the test bank before the midterm/finals week, because as it comes closer and closer to midterms week, the place gets pretty packed. Last quarter, I went to the test bank at around 9 in the morning a week before my midterm, and a huge line had already formed all the way to the entrance of the building. So go there early, print what you need, and you are good for the quarter.

Midterm seasons can be tough and restless, but you can make it fun! Look for study buddies and form study groups. I found out that I can study for a longer time if I have someone to study with. Even if you guys are not studying for the same class, it definitely helps to have someone there to keep you from snoozing off 😀

So here I go again. First round of midterms for the Winter quarter…

Wish me luck!!

*South Campus Majors: a term for students with majors in the science and mathematics departments. The south side of the UCLA campus holds most, if not all, of the science and math buildings.