As we听head towards听the end of the听semester,听I know that final exams are on many of your minds.听This听period will听certainly听feel听far from typical as our classroom and campus spaces sit empty鈥攔egardless,听I want to wish you all the听best, from my living room to yours,听as you听take on your final exams听remotely.听
I听know that right now,听academics听are just one听priority among many. As you prepare, remember to听utilize听supports听like听Teaching and Learning Services鈥櫶�,听and听refer to the list of听adjusted academic measures听for听information about things like course withdrawals, exam deferrals, the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory听grading听option, and听more.听This has been an听unusual semester听to say the least,听so I encourage you to discuss your options with your听Academic Advisor, Program Director, or Supervisor,听and make the choice that will be best for you at this time.听
I鈥檝e听also听seen some听confusion听about the difference between open-book and听take-home听exams.听An open-book exam is generally timed鈥攐nce听you begin听the exam,听you听will only have a set number of hours to complete it听(often three hours to align with our general exam schedule). A take-home exam is not usually timed in the same way. Once听you begin听the exam,听you will听have as much time as you need to complete it听as long as听you听submit by the deadline.听Whether you鈥檙e doing an open-book or听take-home听exam, my advice is to听start early听in the allotted period, as this will give you听time to troubleshoot听if you run into technical challenges.听
Through all of this, remember听to find moments of joy鈥攚hether in the new buds of spring returning to the trees, a spot of sunshine,听or听a check-in with family or friends.听Good luck in your exams, and remember that slowly but surely, we are getting through this together.