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