As winter break approaches, one thing lingers in every high school student’s mind: Midterms. Although so many students dread midterm week, the tests are unavoidable. Even if they may seem intimidating, midterms are effective when evaluating to see if students are on track or if different learning methods need to be applied.

Midterms will take place from Dec. 19 – Dec. 21. There are three 90-minute sessions per day with 35-minute breaks in between each session.

On the first day, session one is 1st period, session two is 2nd period, and session three is either 5th or 6th period.

On the second day, session one is 3rd period, session two is 4th period, and session three is a makeup session.

The third and final day of midterms includes session one as 7th period, session 2 as 8th period, and session 3 as a makeup session.

Leading up to the tests, ask your teachers questions regarding what information you will need to know. This will help to ensure you are spending your time wisely studying the correct material.

Discover the best and most effective study method catered to the way you memorize information. This memorization is important as you are being tested with months of material. As units stack up, it is also important that you take notes and keep them in a spot you can get to when exam season comes around.

Unlike state tests, midterms do have a weight that could take a toll on your grade. Midterms are worth ⅕th of the semester grade as the two-quarter grades are doubled and worth the other 4/5ths.

As midterms approach, it is good to stay on top of your studying and be aware of the importance of these tests. Although the three days of testing are not an exciting thing to be reminded of, they are important to measure your learning. Not to mention, they also mark the halfway point in the school year and the start of the long-awaited Christmas break.