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Unique tips for midterm prep

October 24, 2024

When it comes to prepping for midterms, you’ve probably heard all the typical advice: study early, stay organized, and take breaks. But let’s talk about some more unique, specific strategies. Plus, I’ll include links to tools that can help!

Use AI to Create Study Guides

Instead of relying on generic notes, let AI help you create custom study guides that focus on your weak points. Tools like Notion AI and ChatGPT can help generate summaries, organize your notes, or even quiz you based on the material you upload. 

AI Study Guide 2024 | Notion Template

Source: Notion AI

TL;DR: Use AI to create personalized study guides and explain difficult concepts in simple terms to save time and better understand tough topics.

Make a Game Out of It

Turn studying into a game to make it more engaging and competitive (yes, even if it’s just against yourself). Try  Quizlet or Brainscape and turn your study materials into flashcards- so its like you're playing a game. Some of these tools even track your progress and adapt the questions based on what you’ve mastered and what you need more practice on.

The complete guide to making & studying flashcards online | Brainscape  Academy

Source: Brainscape

TL;DR: Make studying fun by turning it into a game with flashcard apps that adapt to your learning, and challenge yourself or friends to stay motivated.

Focus Tools

Your study environment can totally make or break your focus. Instead of trying to push through distractions, check out these apps that help you stay on track for short bursts of time. Apps like Forest and Focusmate make it way easier to stay productive. With Forest, you grow virtual trees while you focus, and Focusmate pairs you up with an accountability partner for virtual study sessions. It's a game-changer!

Getting More Done with Focusmate — Dave Hill Jr.

Source: Focusmate

TL;DR: Use focus apps to eliminate distractions and create a productive study environment, whether by planting virtual trees or teaming up with an accountability partner.

Mock Questions with ChatGPT

One of the best ways to test what you know is by practicing with mock questions. A cool trick you can try is uploading your lecture notes to ChatGPT and asking it to whip up some mock exam questions for you. It's a great way to get a feel for the kind of questions that might pop up and solidify key concepts. Plus, it helps you figure out where you might need some extra review.

Explore the future of AI interaction with ChatGPT's Sensory Upgrade. -  Stermedia

Source: OpenAI

TL;DR: Upload your lecture notes to ChatGPT, and let it create mock questions. This is super useful for getting ready for the real thing and spotting any gaps in your knowledge.