Tips for Midterm Studying and Tutoring Success

October 14, 2025

An STLCC student and tutor study from a textbook.

Midterms can feel stressful, but being prepared builds your confidence. And when you're confident, you do better on your tests. This guide has simple, high-impact tips to help you study smarter, stay motivated and get the most out of tutoring. Whether you want to go over the basics or aim for top grades, these tips will help you walk into your midterms feeling ready.

Why Midterm Tutoring Matters

Midterm tutoring gives you the right support at the right time. When you work with a tutor, you get help that’s built around your classes, your learning style and your goals.

Tutors help you focus on the most important topics. That saves you time and helps you remember more. They also teach in ways that match how you specifically learn—like working step by step, using visuals or doing practice questions together.

STLCC’s Academic Success & Tutoring can help in many ways:

In math, you might build a formula sheet and practice real test questions.
In writing, you can plan essays, fix grammar and improve your thesis.
In science, you’ll review lab notes and practice diagrams.

Feeling nervous before a test is normal. But tutoring helps turn that stress into a clear plan—with goals, feedback and next steps. Just one session can make a big difference!

Build a Study Plan That Works

A good study plan helps turn stress into progress. Follow these steps:

Set clear goals. Look at your syllabus and figure out what’s most important for the test. Set small goals like:
- “Practice three math problems a day.”
- “Write one paragraph for my essay outline.”
Make a timeline. Don’t wait until the night before! Start early and spread your study time over several days. Study in short sessions (45-60 minutes) with breaks in between.
Use different tools. Flashcards, quizzes, practice problems and summary sheets all help in different ways. Mix it up to stay engaged.
Check in daily. Are you reaching your goals? If not, adjust your plan.

And don’t forget—STLCC tutors can help you build your plan and stick to it.

Study Smarter, Not Harder

Here are some smart ways to study:

Teach it to someone else. If you can explain it, you really know it.
Use flashcards. Make one card per idea. Mix them up and quiz yourself.
Practice like it’s the real test. Time yourself and try sample questions without notes.
Summarize what you’ve learned. After each class or study session, write 3-5 sentences about the main ideas.

Your STLCC tutor can help you try these methods and choose the best ones for your class.

Stay Motivated and Focused

Midterm prep takes time, so it’s important to stay focused and keep your energy up:

Pick a good study spot. Find a quiet place with no distractions. STLCC’s libraries and tutoring centers are great for this.
Take short breaks. Try the 50/10 rule: 50 minutes of study, then a 10-minute break. Walk, stretch or grab a snack—just don’t get lost on your phone!
Reward yourself. Finished a chapter? Give yourself a treat or a short break. Little rewards help you stay motivated.
Study with support. Set goals with a tutor or friend. It helps to have someone keep you on track.

Tips for Different Classes

Different classes need different strategies. Here’s how tutoring can help based on your subject:

Math

Focus on tricky problems
Practice step-by-step
Build a formula sheet
Show your work and check for mistakes

Science

Connect theory to real examples
Practice with diagrams and data
Review lab notes and practice quizzes

Humanities and History

Work on writing clear essays
Turn themes into thesis statements
Practice using evidence and explaining ideas

Writing Classes

Plan outlines before writing
Practice topic sentences and conclusions
Use tutor feedback to make your writing stronger

Whatever the subject, bring your syllabus, notes and sample questions to your tutoring session. It helps your tutor give you the best advice.

Manage Your Time Wisely

Time management is a big part of midterm success. Here’s how to stay on schedule:

Use a weekly calendar. Block off study time for each class.
Start with your toughest subjects. Focus more time there.
Don’t cram. Study a little each day and leave time for review.
Book tutoring sessions early. The best times fill up fast!

Tutors can help you review your mistakes, adjust your study plan and stay calm before the test.

How to Prepare for a Tutoring Session

To make your tutoring session as helpful as possible:

Bring what you need: Notes, past quizzes, study guides, practice questions
Know your goals: What do you want help with today? List 2-3 questions or topics
Talk it out: Explain your thinking. Your tutor can spot where you're stuck.
Leave with a plan: Your tutor will help you figure out what to do next.

Review and Practice Before Midterms

As your test gets closer, focus on review and practice:

Quiz yourself with flashcards
Explain concepts without looking at notes
Do timed practice problems
Create a one-page summary for each unit

After practice, go over your mistakes. Bring your questions to a tutoring session so you can fix any confusion before the big day.

Manage Stress and Boost Confidence

Your mindset matters! Here’s how to stay calm and confident:

Stick to a routine: Study at the same time and place each day.
Talk kindly to yourself: Change “I don’t get this” to “I’ll try, then ask for help.”
Take care of your body: Get sleep, eat well and move around.
Ask for help early: Don’t wait until the night before. Tutors are here to help.

Quick Action Plan

Here’s how to put it all together:

List your test dates
Choose your goals
Make a study calendar
Book your tutoring sessions
Study actively with tools like flashcards and summaries
Practice under test conditions
Celebrate small wins
Use STLCC resources for extra help

We're Here for You!

STLCC’s Academic Success & Tutoring is ready to help with all your midterm prep. Whether you need help with math, writing, science or anything else, we’ve got your back.

Book your tutoring session today through Navigate, and bring your class notes, study guides and questions. With the right plan and support, you can walk into every midterm confident and prepared.