UAlbany Students Discuss How to Survive the Midterm Season

By Faaz Syed | October 20, 2025 

Photo Credit: Pixabay

It's that time of the year again at the University at Albany — the midterm season. That means late nights, marathon study sessions and trying to balance college life for many students. 

UAlbany students across campus shared how they are studying, how they're dealing with academic stress and what resources they are using to stay on top of things.

For some students, midterms are already over, but others are still busy with tests and projects that need to be completed in the next few weeks. 

“My first midterm went better than expected,” said Toshin Ahnaf, a junior computer science major. “I started studying a week in advance this time, which helped me stay calm during the test.”

Ahnaf stressed the importance of time management during this time to ensure a clear mental space. 

“Right now, it's all about time management and not burning out,” Ahnaf said. “I’ve been trying to balance studying with taking short breaks to clear my head.”

Midterms can be especially nerve-racking for freshmen because they tend to be their first experience with college-level exams. 

“It's definitely been an adjustment,” said Vivan Koyoda, a freshman cybersecurity major. “The tests are more comprehensive than they were in high school, so I've had to change the way that I study and manage my time.”

Returning students, on the other hand, say they have learned from their experiences and approach midterms with a clearer notion of what works for them. 

“After my first year, I realized midterms are really a checkpoint,” said Wajahat Hussein, a junior cybersecurity major. “They show me what I understand and what I still need to practice before finals.”

Some students, like Tanish Arique, a sophomore majoring in informatics, use multiple study methods to keep themselves on track. Arique believes this strategy allows students to study more efficiently while maintaining focus. 

“'I like to combine traditional note-taking with newer technology like flashcards and quizzes on apps,” Arique said. “It doesn't make studying boring and helps to remember the information better.”

Across UAlbany, students are using a mix of old and new study techniques to get through midterm season. Some prefer traditional study groups in the University Library or the Campus Center, while others rely on productivity apps, online practice quizzes or electronic flashcards. 

Regardless of the technique they’re using, the goal is the same: stay organized, calm and confident during one of the busiest times of the semester..

Computer science major Aditya Sailesh says that self-care practices can help decrease the stress during the midterm season. 

“I've realized that taking small breaks, staying hydrated and getting sufficient sleep can make a huge difference in how well I retain information and handle stress,” Sailesh said. 

Some resources to help students handle the midterm season are available on social media. 

The UAlbany Dean of Students Instagram page recently shared posts offering tips to help students manage midterm stress and prepare accordingly. With exams and projects piling up, the post reminded students of how vital taking care of themselves while studying is.

One post suggested students to plan ahead, create a realistic study schedule and make time for rest so they can stay focused and avoid burnout during this busy period.

Other posts offered practical study tips, such as "study in shorter, concentrated sessions instead of long cramming marathons," “take breaks on a regular basis to refresh," and "get enough sleep so your mind is sharp."

The posts also emphasized the importance of the balance between academics and mental health and encouraged students to ask for help when they need it and use campus resources. 

Students move forward with test dates and deadlines looming, hoping that all their hard work is not for nothing. For the majority of them, surviving midterms is not a question of memorizing formulas and facts — it’s a question of maintaining the right balance between studying and taking care of themselves.