Rushing to finish assignments or study for tests can sometimes lead to academic dishonesty—where students engage in plagiarism, cheating or helping another student gain an unfair advantage. Whatever the intention, these actions violate the Honor Code and have consequences.  

Here are four strategies to help avoid these issues. 

Review your syllabus 

Faculty include expectations for their course that you must follow in their syllabus. This information will likely be different for each class.   

Check each of your class syllabi for specific course expectations. For example, some professors don't allow collaboration or use of AI for assignments. Ask your instructor for clarification if you have any questions about the expectations stated in the syllabus. 

There are also campus-wide Honor Code expectations that apply to every class. For instance, resubmitting your own work without faculty permission is a violation of the Honor Code. You also cannot self-plagiarize your work⁠—meaning you must cite any previously written work you use while completing a new assignment. You cannot reuse your own work without that citation. Review the Student Honor Code & Procedures and ask your instructor questions.   

Start coursework early 

Avoid procrastination by starting assignments and studying early. Use a calendar or planner to track important dates and deadlines. This gives you time to ask for help if needed. 

Complete work on your own 

Academic dishonesty is any act in which a student gains or attempts to gain an unfair academic advantage over other students regardless of intention. Helping another student gain an unfair academic advantage is also considered academic dishonesty.  

With every test, paper, project, lab and assignment, be sure to complete your own work unless the written directions specifically allow you to work with others.    

• You may be able to talk through your work with another student or a study group but don’t share your work. Once you send it to another person, you don’t have control over how it’s shared or used.   
• Don’t search for answers on the internet unless expressly permitted. Especially with online learning, be careful to use resources authorized by your instructors for help. If specific online resources are allowed, write your researched answers in your own words instead of copying and pasting what you found online. 
• Don’t use AI to write papers or answer questions on assignments unless you have permission from your professor. Talk with your professor if you have questions about if and how you can use AI. Learn more about AI and the Honor Code. 
• Nearly any assignment you submit online could be analyzed for similarity to other sources, so cite your sources when appropriate. 
• Exams, including online and take-home exams, should be completed independently unless your instructor states otherwise in the syllabus or exam instructions. 

Find support 

Whether you’re looking for help citing sources or struggling with a concept discussed in class, asking for help is okay. Attend your instructor’s office hours listed on their syllabus, or use academic and tutoring resources.  

Learn more about the Honor Code. 

Did you know using someone else’s clicker in class is a violation? Or do you know what to do if you want to use a project from another course? Test your Honor Code knowledge with this quiz. 

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For many students, midterms are just around the corner. Here are some underrated study hacks to help you ace your midterms. 

Practice the study cycle 

The “study cycle” is an effective strategy that can help you be more efficient with your time. There are four steps to the cycle: 

• Before class, preview the material you’ll cover. Skim the chapter, note headings and bold words, review chapter summaries and have questions prepared for the lecture.
• Attend class—take notes and ask questions.
• Review your notes as soon as possible after class.
• Schedule time in your week to study the material again. Review your notes, handouts or other readings. 

Know your learning style 

Are you a visual learner? Do you remember things more when you hear them? This find the methods that work best for you to learn and study. Here are some strategies that may work for your learning style. 

• Visual: Underline or highlight your notes. Look for videos, graphs or charts to review information further. Create graphs or charts to organize information.
• Aural: Read your notes out loud and record them on your phone to listen to later. Talk over concepts with a classmate or study group.
• Read/write: Rewrite your notes. Look for other books or resources on the same subject to read.
• Kinesthetic: Think of real-world examples when reviewing your notes. Try to use as many senses as possible when studying. For example, try taking a walk while reviewing your notecards. 

Take breaks 

Taking short breaks during study sessions can help you stay focused and retain information better. Try the Pomodoro Technique to build short breaks into your study sessions: 

• Choose a task to work on—maybe reading a chapter, writing the intro for a paper or solving math problems.
• Set a timer for 25 minutes. Put your phone away and eliminate as many distractions as possible.
• Focus on the task until the timer goes off.
• Set your timer for five minutes and do whatever you’d like during this time. Check your phone, get a snack, stretch—whatever gives your brain a break!
• Reset your timer for 25 minutes and repeat. 

Get creative and try a new approach 

Here are some other study hacks to try: 

• Pretend you're preparing to teach a class on the subject. Think of how you could explain the material to fellow students.
• Think about concepts more critically and try to create examples or practice problems from the material to test your knowledge.
• Rather than studying one subject for a long time, try switching between subjects to allow your brain to form connections and understand the content more deeply.
• Study in testing conditions. Learning the content in a similar setting and with similar conditions to your testing environment can help you form associations between those conditions and the course content.   

Ask for help 

If you’re stuck on a problem or a concept discussed in class, ask for help and use your resources. 

• Talk to a classmate. 
• Visit office hours or a help lab.
• Consider joining or starting a study group.
• If you live on campus or are a first-year student, check out the Academic Success & Achievement Program for free tutoring support.
• If you need help writing a paper, visit The Writing Center.
• If you have a large research project, University offers consultations to help you get started.
• Review more academic resources for students.  

Sometimes, the hardest part is just getting started. Schedule time in your week to study and do your best to stay on track. Find a favorite place to study, like a coffee shop, library or community room in your residence hall. Establishing study routines and finding the right study spot can help you feel prepared for midterms. 

Resources

Academic Success and Achievement Program (ASAP)
ASAP links all first-year students and students living on campus to study resources and free peer tutoring. ASAP also offers the Lending Library, allowing students to check out books for many general education and lower division classes.

Peer Wellness Coaching
Need help managing stress, creating a study routine or preparing for exams? Meet one-on-one with a trained peer wellness coach to learn effective strategies and connect with campus resources.

Let's Talk
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) provides free drop-in services around campus during Let's Talk hours. Stop by to talk with a counselor about stress, anxiety, self-care, academics or other topics you need support with. 

Center for Disability and Access
If you’re planning to use testing accommodations through Disability Services, make sure you’re on the same page as your instructors about how they’ll be administered. Your dedicated access coordinator can help answer any additional questions or concerns.

Free Friday Power Hour
Take a break from studying and blow off some steam at the Rec Center. They offer free fitness classes every Friday during Free Friday Power Hour.

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Attending your professors' office hours is a great way to set yourself up for success this semester. Office hours allow you to interact with your professor one-on-one, ask questions and get clarification about course information. Students may feel intimidated to meet one-on-one with their professors, but your professors are excited to see you. They want you to do well and appreciate when students take the time to attend office hours. It’s a great opportunity to get to know your professors as people and not just academic experts.  

Visiting office hours early in the semester and working with your professors can build confidence as the semester progresses. Here are a few ways to make the most of meetings with your professors.  

Identify your needs 

Even if you don’t have an academic reason to attend office hours early in the semester, you can introduce yourself to your professor. Meeting your professor now can make it easier to go later in the semester if you have a question or need help. There are many reasons to go to office hours as the semester progresses: 

• You want clarification on an assignment or a grade you’ve received.
• You’ve missed a class or classes.
• You’re interested in a topic and want to do further research.
• You want career advice.
• You’re having issues with a classmate.
• You’re looking for an academic mentor.
• You’re more comfortable asking questions directly to the professor. 

Be prepared 

Find out when your professor’s office hours are by checking your syllabus. If you have time conflicts with office hours and other classes, contact your professor directly to request a meeting at a different time. Be sure to provide times you are available and ask what works best for them.  

Come prepared with questions and concerns you have about the course. Office hours are helpful for a variety of reasons. You can ask questions and learn about their teaching style early in the semester. Here are some questions you could ask: 

• Do you have any tips on the best ways to study or understand the material?
• Are there any major concepts I should prioritize learning?
• Will you review a draft of papers before students turn in the final product?
• How does a concept we discussed in class relate to the reading material?
• Can we go over the material I missed during my absence? 

Maximize your time 

During your meeting, stay present mentally to get the most out of your professor’s time. Here are some things to try during your meeting: 

• Ask the most important questions first.
• Bring any assignments with you that you plan to discuss.
• Take notes that help you better understand your questions.
• Be respectful and stay engaged.
• Set up a follow-up meeting with your professor if you need additional help. 

Follow up 

After attending office hours, follow up via email and thank your professor for answering your questions. If you have unanswered questions from your meeting, include them in your follow-up email. 

Don’t forget to compile the notes you took during office hours and add them to your study notes where necessary. Try to apply them to new practice problems to help internalize your learning. 

Campus resources

Academic Success and Achievement Program (ASAP)

ASAP links all first-year students and students living on campus to study resources and free peer tutoring. ASAP also offers the Lending Library, allowing students to check out textbooks for many general education and lower division classes.

Tutoring resources

��������Ƶ Boulder offers various tutoring and learning resources to support you and your academic success. Some are specific to certain classes, departments or groups of students. Most are free, while some require a fee.

Embedded Programs

�䱫’s&�Բ�����;Embedded Program helps connect students with counseling, wellness and trauma services directly through their college or school. Students can access this program on their own or be referred by a staff or faculty member.

Peer Wellness Coaching

Peer wellness coaches are trained students who can help you meet new people, make friends, create study plans, practice self-care, set goals and more. Coaching sessions are free and open to all ��������Ƶ Boulder students.

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Between hanging out with friends, working and keeping up with classes, your schedule can get packed fast. But don’t worry! Here are some time management tips to help you stay on track this semester and still have time for fun. 

Get organized 

First, get yourself organized. Whether you prefer a calendar, planner or an app, use something to keep track of your schedule and responsibilities. Mark down things like exam dates, project deadlines, work shifts, club meetings, study sessions and any other commitments. Regularly check your calendar to see what’s coming up and prioritize what needs to be done. 

Block out study times 

Set aside specific times each week just for studying or reviewing class materials. Having a routine can help balance schoolwork with social activities and keep you prepared for midterms and finals.  

Plan your study sessions

Break down big assignments like papers, projects or exams into smaller tasks with deadlines. This way, you can make steady progress and avoid last-minute stress. For group projects, discuss with your team how to divide tasks and who’s responsible for what. Having a plan helps prevent procrastination and keeps you on top of your work. 

Fight distractions

While you're studying, try turning off your phone or leaving it out of reach to help you focus. Set a timer for a focused study session—maybe 15 or 20 minutes—then take a 5-minute break when the timer goes off. Stretch, check your phone or grab a snack. Repeat the process to stay focused and get your work done faster. 

Ask for help 

If you’re stuck on a problem or don’t understand something from class, don’t struggle alone. Text a classmate, visit your professor during office hours or join a study group.  

You can also find support through the Academic Success and Achievement Program (ASAP), which is available to all first-year students, new transfers and students living on campus, and other campus academic resources. The sooner you ask for help, the less likely you are to fall behind. 

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As you begin your spring semester, here are steps to set yourself up for success.  

Get organized 

Review each class syllabus for expectations, readings, deadlines and exam dates in your first week.

• Add important dates to your calendar, such as exams, project deadlines and assignments.
• Break down big projects into smaller tasks to avoid procrastination.
• Schedule regular study sessions—aim for 2-3 hours of study per hour of class. 

Attend office hours

Meet one-on-one with professors during office hours to ask questions or seek support. Introduce yourself early on to build rapport for future help. Get more tips for attending office hours. 

Discover what works for you 

Experiment with different study techniques and environments this week:

• Try studying alone or with a group
• Study in the early mornings and evenings to see what you prefer
• Test out total silence or background noise 

Try flashcards, rewriting notes or color-coding concepts. Explore . 

Find support

Seek help at any time by visiting professors during office hours and using campus resources:

• Academic Success and Achievement Program (ASAP): Free peer tutoring for first-year students and those living on campus.
• Tutoring resources: Various free and fee-based tutoring options.
• Writing Center: One-on-one sessions with writing consultants.
• : Offers academic resources and "Ask a Librarian" service.
• Peer Wellness Coaching: Free coaching for study plans, self-care and goal setting.
• Honor Code: Follow guidelines to avoid academic dishonesty. 

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Finals will be here before you know it! It's never too early to get organized, make a plan and ensure you’re on track to finish the semester successfully.  

1. Review your materials

Now is a great time to revisit your syllabus for each class and take note of remaining tests, final projects and key concepts that might be important when it comes to your finals. Attending office hours with your professors is a great way to ask questions, clarify expectations and make sure you are set up to succeed. 

2. Know that it's ok to ask for help

The end of the semester can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when taking into account work, activities, relationships and other commitments on top of your academic courseload. There are many academic and non-academic resources available to students to help you feel your best both in and out of the classroom. 

• Academic Success and Achievement Program (ASAP): ASAP offers free peer tutoring to all first-year students and students living on campus, including new transfer students and Bear Creek residents.
• Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS): Meet with a CAPS provider, attend interactive workshops or therapy groups, get community referrals and more.
• Student Support and Case Management (SSCM): Provides support for mental health concerns, family emergencies, food or housing insecurity and more.

3. Make a schedule to stay on top of your assignments

It may be tempting to procrastinate when your assignments begin to pile up. Instead, try making a daily schedule of what you will study, or what projects you will make progress on, and when. Breaking up your work into smaller increments can make the workload feel more manageable. Schedule breaks and allow time for non-academic related activities that you enjoy, as well. Learning how to manage your time can help you now and in the long run. 

4. Prioritize self-care

Your body needs adequate sleep, proper nutrition and more to perform at its best. Aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night and eat nutritious meals to get the most out of your study efforts. Take care of yourself by making wellness a priority, including your relationships and connecting with friends, family and others. 

5. Take breaks and have fun!

Finals are important, but they don’t have to take over your life. It’s ok to still spend time with friends, work out, go to events and still be focused on academics. Decide how much time each week you can devote to non-academic activities and stick to that plan.  

Check out more resources and tips to finish the semester strong. 

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As a student, you may wonder how you could use AI tools like ChatGPT without risking an Honor Code violation. Students, faculty and staff will need to continually adjust as AI tools evolve and become a part of our everyday lives. For this semester, here are three things to know about using AI tools in your coursework. 

1. Learn about Honor Code standards for AI use 

��������Ƶ Boulder does not have a policy on AI in curriculum because there is no one-size-fits-all approach for using AI tools on our campus. The goal is to empower students to use the appropriate innovative tools to be successful in their fields.  

The guidelines around AI use allow faculty and instructors to determine how and when students can use AI for coursework. However, you are responsible for working with your professors to understand their guidelines and clarify questions before using AI for coursework.  

All students enrolled in a ��������Ƶ Boulder course are responsible for knowing and adhering to the Honor Code. The unapproved use of artificial intelligence could lead to a student gaining an unfair academic advantage, which is considered cheating and could violate the Honor Code. Another potential violation of the Honor Code with AI is plagiarism, which includes using paper writing services and technology, such as essay bots and other AI, whether paid or unpaid.  

2. Clarify AI guidelines for each course 

Ask your instructor if you have any questions about course expectations. This information may differ for each class, and asking for clarification can help you avoid making mistakes.  

Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (SCCR) recognizes that artificial intelligence can be used in unique and appropriate ways in education. SCCR encourages students to ask about standards and expectations specific to their course. However, the bottom line is to ensure you know how each professor allows students to incorporate AI tools into the course. If you are uncertain, ask before you use AI.  

3. Be aware of the consequences

Students who use AI in coursework outside of the standards for the course may face an Honor Code violation. Students found responsible for violating the Honor Code may be subject to resolution outcomes, intended to help you reflect, learn and grow in your academic journey. You can review examples on the Resolution Outcomes webpage. Each Honor Code violation is determined on a case-by-case basis. Your professors and instructors retain the sole authority to determine appropriate academic outcomes.  

Find support

Students can access campus resources to find academic and other support.

Academic Success and Achievement Program (ASAP)
ASAP offers peer tutoring and study resources to all first-year students and students living on campus. ASAP also offers the Textbook Lending Library, allowing students to check out books for many general education and lower division classes.

Student Academic Success Center (SASC)
SASC is a multicultural academic learning community serving low-income and first-generation college students with academic skills development, math and writing courses, supplementary instruction in gateway courses, tutoring, pre-collegiate opportunities and graduate research opportunities. 

The Writing Center
The ��������Ƶ Boulder Writing Center is a free academic support service that offers writers from all academic disciplines and skill levels the opportunity to work one-on-one with professionally trained writing consultants. 

Peer Wellness Coaching
Need help managing stress, creating a study routine or preparing for exams? Meet one-on-one with a trained peer wellness coach to learn effective strategies and connect with campus resources. Coaching sessions are free and open to all ��������Ƶ Boulder students.

Disability Services
If you’re planning to use testing accommodations through Disability Services, make sure you’re on the same page as your instructors about how they’ll be administered. Your dedicated access coordinator can help answer any additional questions or concerns. 

Student Legal Services (SLS)
SLS helps students resolve or minimize their legal situations so they can focus on school. High-quality legal services are available for a fraction of the cost of a private attorney to all ��������Ƶ Boulder students who pay student activity fees. 

Student Support and Case Management (SSCM)
SSCM connects students with campus partners, community resources and support systems to encourage success through individualized planning.

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
ISSS offers international students and scholars services to advise, support, engage and advocate for our international community.

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