Finals are just around the corner—are you ready? Many students may be feeling overwhelmed at the thought of finals, especially in a remote learning environment. Sometimes it’s difficult to know where to begin when it comes to studying. The good news is there’s still time to set yourself up for success with the right strategies. Here are some tips to help you finish the semester strong.
Know your finals schedule
Look up your finals schedule online and take note of the dates and details. Remember: Your final will be on a different day and time from when your normal virtual class may meet. Final exams will take place May 2 – 6.
Get organized and make a plan
Use a calendar or planner to map out important dates and block off study periods for each class. Prioritize your studying, 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.
Once you have your study sessions and tasks planned, do your best to stick to that schedule. Eliminate distractions and find your most productive study spot to make the most of your study sessions.
Take short breaks
It can be tempting to pull an all-nighter to get things done, but this may be more harmful than helpful. 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, eating regular meals and snacks and getting enough sleep (seven to nine hours a night) 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 may 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.
Reach out if you need 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
