Week 8: Reading Week

Ah reading week. If things are going well, and you're caught up, this is a chance to refresh and recharge. ... And then begin working on your cheatsheet for the final exam (see below).

If you've fallen a bit behind, this is a chance to catch up, and lay the groundwork for a successful second half of the course. ... And then begin working on your cheatsheet for the final exam (see below).

But if things are not going well 😔, then this is the time to assess how your courses are going, and determine if things are going to turn out the way you want, or need, them to, and to take action if not. Which might mean withdrawing from the course. No one signs up for a course planning to withdraw, but sometimes it is the prudent thing to do.

The diagram up above suggests one way of thinking things through. Get in touch with me if you want to talk your plans or options over.

How well are you doing?

You've probably been keeping track of your grades, but I'll send an email later today showing you the grades I have recorded for you, how many marks you have accumulated toward your final grade in the course, and what grade (as a %) you are averaging on your course work so far.

How well are you going to do?

This course has been offered four times before so history can provide some guidance about how term grades are related to final results. This can give you an idea of what you can expect your final mark to be based on where you are now. There's even a model. 🤓

How well do you need to do?

You probably have your own goals for how well you want to do in your courses, but there are some external requirements to keep in mind as well.

If you are registered in ALES 291,
then you only need to get 50% to count the course toward your graduation requirements.

If you are registered in Math 120,
and want to count the course toward a degree in the ENCS program,
then you need to get a C-, or 55%, to transfer the course credit to U of A.

Final Exam Cheatsheet

You will be allowed a one-page cheatsheet on the final exam with any formulas, or instructions on it you like. If the exam is in-person your formula sheet and your calculator will be the only aids you are allowed. If the exam is at-home and open-book, the formula sheet will still be useful because it's the fastest way to find things. Also, creating it is an excellent way to review. I'll post a couple of examples of previous students' sheets later today. (I haven't heard whether the final exam is going to be in-person or at-home yet...)

I'll also post a couple of previous final exams later this week to give you an idea of what to expect.

Office Hours Continue

I'll be in my Zoom "office" Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. Come on by if you have questions.

That's all for now!

Stay well,
Tim

Something to aspire to, prettiest cheat sheet I've ever seen 🤩: