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How To Have The Best Semester Yet (part 4): Break Mid-Terms & Finals Into Manageable Chunks 🔨

Updated: Apr 18

NOTE: This post is part of a series called "How To Have The Best Semester Yet." Each post is inspired by the course, The Semester Success Blueprint, which is designed for parents or educators to complete alongside students with ADHD or Autism, to help prepare them for a successful school semester. Try a free preview of the course by clicking here.


If you want to go back and read the other posts in this series, click on the links below:


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Mid-terms. Finals. Essays. Final projects. 👻


These words strike fear in parents and students with executive function challenges.


Why is this?


Well, in the past, your student has probably established an unrealistic time frame for addressing these end-of-semester projects, leading to:


  • Cramming

  • Exhaustion

  • Tears

  • Nagging

  • Burn out



Papers

Exams

Projects

Reading assignments


Regardless of how you refer to it, I want your students to feel empowered, focused, and confident they can face the challenges of mid-terms and finals.


I've established a two-part framework to experience greater success, confidence, and satisfaction in the next mid-term or finals cycle. Here are the two parts:


  1. Establish an error log

  2. Self-monitor your progress


By following these steps, you are guaranteed to do better (progress, not perfection baby). Let's jump into it:


How to establish an error log


Step One: Make a three-column chart

You can do this in Google Docs, on an Excel Spreadsheet, or just a piece of blank paper. You can also click here to download our sample error log template.


I suggest using a digital file so you don't need to erase and re-write things multiple times. The three columns are the following:


  • Know

  • Somewhat know

  • Don't know


Example Error Log

Want to download our error log template? Use the form below:




Step Two: Identify and categorize your knowledge gaps

Once you have your error log established, the next step is to take a practice exam. By taking a practice exam, you can then identify what questions you do not know.


For the questions that you do not know the answers for, copy them and put them in the "Don't Know" column on your error log. When you are done, go back and study each of the concepts behind the questions you don't know. See if you can identify any patterns in the "Don't Know" column.


For example, if you are preparing for the driver's exam, did you miss all the questions related to parallel parking? This is signal that you need to study that chapter, then retake a practice exam.


Watch this video to see a visual guide to how to create an error log:



Step Three: Repeat steps one and two, until everything is in the "know" column


Now, all you need to do is keep studying those concepts that are in the "don't know" and "somewhat know" column until you can safely move them to the "know" column.


As you are doing this, you should also track your progress by completing practice exams. If you aren't sure how to find a practice exam, you can send the following email to your teacher:


Subject: Preparing for the exam 


Hi (Teacher Name),


I hope you are doing well. Thank you for sharing that I could get closer to reaching my goal by earning a better grade on the upcoming exam. I have been taking the following actions to prepare for your exam: 


(Describe any actions here)


Is there anything else you recommend I do to most effectively prepare for your exam? Any practice tests you can share for me to evaluate my current level of expertise? 


Thank you for your guidance. 


Sincerely, 


(your name) 


You can download this template and many other helpful ones by entering your email below:




How to self-monitor your progress

Monitoring your progress is key to transforming your understanding from "I don't know" to "I've got this." This four-step process will help you keep a steady pulse on your progress and ensure that you're moving in the right direction.


Let's break it down:


Step One: Establish your baseline scores

Before diving into your studies, it's crucial to know where you're starting from. This is your baseline. Take a comprehensive practice test, and honestly assess your performance.


Once you take your first practice test, record the score in some form of a tracker. You can use the error log template form above or click here to use the one pictured below:


Example table for self-monitoring your scores on practice tests
Example table for self-monitoring your scores on practice tests

This initial categorization is your starting point, your roadmap for what needs the most attention.


With your baseline score, go back and take any questions you missed and add them into the "don't know" or "somewhat know" column on your error log. This step should look something like this:


Example of error log after baseline score is established
Example of error log after baseline score is established


Step Two: Study your error log

Now that you know your baseline, dedicate time to review and study the concepts, especially those in the "Don't Know" and "Somewhat Know" columns.


This is where you'll need to try a few different strategies to build an understanding of the concepts that are currenlty in the "Don't Know" and "Somewhat Know" columns. Here are a couple of my favorite strategies:


  • Highlight specific sections of the concept and change the color to black like this: 5 X 5 equals 25 ; then, remove the black highlight to reveal the answer and see if you have memorized it

  • Ask an accountability partner, friend, parent, tutor, or coach to quiz you the unknown concepts.

  • Look up the unfamiliar concept on Google and review different visual models to understand it further


After spending some time reviewing these new concepts, move on to the next step.


Step Three: Re-take a practice test

After a significant study period, take another practice test. This isn't just about getting more questions right; it's about assessing which concepts have moved from "Don't Know" to "Somewhat Know" or "Know." This test acts as a progress check and highlights the areas that still need your attention.


Step Four: Track your progress

Use your simple tracking system to record your scores, the dates of practice tests, and notes on areas that need more work. Watching your scores improve and your "Don't Knows" diminish is not just motivating; it's a clear, visual representation of your progress.


Repeat this cycle of study, practice testing, and tracking until your confidence is high and your knowledge solid. With consistent effort and a methodical approach, you are guaranteed to make progress and learn more about your own study habits.


The beautiful thing about this approach is it can be generalized to learn almost any skill in life -- pretty cool!


Conclusion

These posts will guide you through small steps that can have a HUGE impact on your student's success this semester.


If you want to take things a step further, consider enrolling in the Semester Success Blueprint course.


The 'Semester Success Blueprint' isn't just a course; it's a concise, actionable tool designed from years of expertise in executive function coaching and special education.



If you're looking for a strategic, effective approach to improve the educational experience for students with ADHD and ASD, this course offers practical solutions. It's structured to provide just what's necessary, avoiding overload while maximizing impact.


For those ready to make a real difference in how they or their loved ones manage academic challenges, I encourage you to explore what the 'Semester Success Blueprint' has to offer.


Click on the link below to start your journey towards more efficient learning and better educational outcomes today.



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About the author

Sean G. McCormick is a former public school special education teacher who founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. 


With this mission in mind, he then founded the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key approaches to improve executive function skills for students.


He is also the co-founder of UpSkill Specialists, a business with a mission to provide adults with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, access to high-quality executive function coaching services that can be accessed through Self-Determination funding.

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About 👋

EFS started with one teacher deciding that kids with ADHD needed better access to quality executive function coaching services. Since then, we have grown to a team of specialists working both private students and public schools to enhance executive function skills for all students. 

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