By Quentin Revillard / Staff Writer

A disappointing midterm grade can feel like a turning point in the semester. Students and professors at Missouri Valley College say it does not have to be the end of the story. With several weeks left before final exams, many students still have time to improve their performance and finish strong.

As the semester reaches its midpoint, assignments and exams begin to pile up, and stress often follows. Faculty members say that a poor midterm result can serve as a warning sign that study habits need to change before final grades are determined.

Jadwin Farington, a sophomore, said he has experienced the frustration of receiving a lower grade than expected on a midterm. He said the lowest midterm grade he has received was a 70, which caught him off guard.

“My first reaction was like, wow, I thought I did better,” Farington said.

He said the result also reflected his level of preparation.

“It surprised me, but I also expected it because I didn’t study that much,” he said.

Farington said the experience pushed him to rethink how he prepared for exams. Instead of waiting until the last minute, he began studying earlier and working with classmates.

“I changed it a lot and I study more efficiently now,” he said. “I used study groups and studied with some of my classmates.”

He encouraged other students to respond quickly after receiving a poor grade rather than becoming discouraged.

“Either talk to your professor about it, or create study groups with your classmates,” Farington said.

Farington also said a single midterm does not always determine a student’s final grade.

“Yes, it is possible, depending on the percentage your final is, then it is possible to recover,” he said.

Professor Tiffany Bergman said recovery is possible, but students must communicate with their instructor and make meaningful changes to their study routine.

“Most important is to communicate with your professor,” Bergman said. “So many times, it’s just that you had a bad test, and you need to figure out your study habits.”

Bergman said students should review their exams carefully instead of ignoring mistakes.

“You need to figure out what you don’t understand and then seek help,” she said.

She added that many students struggle on midterms because they delay studying until the last minute, a pattern that often appears midway through the semester when motivation begins to fade.

“Really just not studying and getting lax in their study habits,” Bergman said. “Midterm is right around the time students start getting tired, and that’s when grades can slip.”

Bergman said students should take advantage of campus resources such as tutoring, the library and office hours to improve before the semester ends.

“We want students to reach out and get help,” Bergman said.

While midterms can be stressful, students and faculty agree that stronger study habits, early preparation and clear communication can make the difference between a setback and a successful finish to the semester.