5 tips to ace your finals

Finals are looking a little different this year with CU's transition to remote learning. That's why, now more than ever is a great time to start getting organized and prepared. While the thought of finals in this new environment may feel overwhelming, you can set yourself up for success with the right strategies. Here are some tips to help you finish the semester strong.

Get organized

With the shift to remote learning, make sure to check in with your instructor to find out if there are any changes to your assignments or exams for the rest of the semester and update your planner with any changes. This will help you become familiar with your workload leading up to finals. Use a calendar or planner to map out these dates and block off study periods.

Prioritize your projects, papers, labs and exams based on deadlines. Make projects and studying more manageable by breaking them down into smaller steps. Write down each individual task in your planner on the dates you will do them.

Plan a strategy

As you get organized, consider what successful studying looks like for you:

• Do you concentrate best when there’s complete silence or some background noise?
• If your living arrangements have changed, make sure to update those around you about your study plans so you’re not interrupted
• Are you more mentally sharp at a certain point in the day (early mornings or evenings)?
• Are you more of a visual learner or do you learn best by reading/writing?
• Is it helpful to study with a friend or two, or do you study best on your own? Connecting with your friends via video chat can be a great way to socialize and study.

Take breaks

It can be tempting to pull an all-nighter to get things done, but this can be more harmful than helpful in the end since sleep is so vital for memory. Take short breaks during study sessions (five-minute break for every 25 minutes of studying) to give your brain a rest. You can take a quick walk, stretch or watch a funny video.

Staying hydrated and eating regular meals and snacks are also important for maintaining energy and focus.

Avoid cutting corners

Even though it’s crunch time, avoid cutting corners with your work. Failing to properly cite a source or asking a friend to help out with your work may not seem like a big deal at the time. But these actions and any form of academic dishonesty are a violation the Honor Code and can have consequences.

Academic dishonesty is any act in which a student gains or attempts to gain an unfair academic advantage over other students. Examples of this include plagiarism and cheating. All CU Boulder students are subject to the Honor Code for academic matters, and students who violate the code may be subject to discipline.

Ask for help

There’s still time to ask for help if you are struggling with an assignment or subject.

• Take advantage of free virtual academic resources such as the Writing Center and University Libraries. 
• Free tutoring in all subjects is available to students living in the residence halls and Bear Creek Apartments and first-year commuter students through virtual sessions with Academic Success & Achievement Program tutors.
• Faculty are still hosting virtual office hours, so be sure to connect with them to ask questions before a final exam or project due date.
• For additional tips and resources visit: https://www.colorado.edu/exploratorystudies/remote-learning