With reading week behind us, preparing for midterms is almost as unappealing as completing them. For some, building healthy and fruitful study habits feels like an impossible feat. If you’ve been spending more time researching optimal study tips than reviewing your actual class content, fret no longer. The Tribune has composed a midterm survival guide.
Ditch the library and try a cafe
Montreal is home to a fantastic cafe culture; use your mountain of deadlines as an excuse to try out some of Montreal’s vibrant options. Bring a fellow struggling classmate, treat yourself to a delicious drink, and savour the last whispers of terrace season as you study. If you are avoiding libraries, but still craving a close to campus late-night study session, check out the Second Cup on St. Laurent. Located at the intersection of rue St. Laurent and avenue du Parc, Second Cup is open until 10:00 p.m. on weekdays, and 12:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Trying new places, bringing friends, and exploring Montreal are all benefits to cafe studying, which make midterm-cramming less isolating and repetitive.
If a library is what you prefer…
If the ensured silence, outlets, and privacy of a library are the features that facilitate your productivity, broaden your horizons away from the packed Schulich and McLennan by exploring the many other beautiful libraries McGill and Montreal have to offer.
Located only three metro stops from the McGill station, the National Archives of Montreal is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Its beautiful interior with warm lighting, high ceilings, and intricate architecture makes it a must-try for study sessions.
Even closer is Concordia University’s Webster Library, a mere fifteen minute walk from Roddick Gates. This library is open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week, only requiring a Concordia student ID between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.. It is a great option for students looking to escape campus for a few hours while remaining in a student environment.
If you prefer to squeeze library-time in between classes, stay on campus and check out the Nahum Gelber Law Library, Birks Reading Room, the Islamic Studies Library, or the Marvin Duchow Music Library. These are excellent choices if you seem to know one too many familiar faces at Schulich or McLennan, or simply can’t find a seat during peak midterm season.
Remember, revising is not an all or nothing game
Don’t let perfection become the enemy. Be kind to yourself if you don’t achieve everything you want to, and take mindful breaks instead of doomscrolling. It can be easy to call 15 minutes of Instagram Reels your study break, but try to use those 15 minutes to go for a walk outside instead. Get your blood pumping, ingest some fresh air, and fully disengage from your work so you can start again feeling refreshed.
Set yourself up for success
A full course load is overwhelming, and it can be tempting to sit down and attempt to conquer everything at once. Although stress can be a strong motivator, it can also generate unproductive, scattered studying. Instead, make a study plan in advance, setting smaller goals for each day. Creating a weekly plan with each day’s tasks outlined allows you to get everything done in small digestible doses, while avoiding a stress-induced rut of procrastination.
Taking good care of your mental and physical health during midterms is incredibly important. Before any to-do list or cafe adventure can happen, you must fuel your body with real food, lots of water, and quality sleep. These pillars should be the backbone of every study session. As appealing as coffee, energy drinks, and vending machine snacks are, let them be treats—not foundations—of long study sessions.
