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Edgenuity, a widely adopted digital curriculum provider, implements various security measures within its platform. These measures are designed to maintain academic integrity. Academic integrity is a core value upheld by educational institutions globally. Proctoring software represents one tool frequently used to monitor student activity and prevent unauthorized assistance during assessments. Therefore, the central question many students and educators consider is: can Edgenuity detect cheating? This article explores the specific methods Edgenuity employs and preventative strategies to ensure fair academic practices.
Navigating Academic Integrity on Edgenuity
Edgenuity has become a prevalent name in the landscape of online education, serving as a digital learning platform for a wide array of students. From credit recovery to supplemental instruction, Edgenuity’s reach spans various educational needs and environments.
However, the shift to online learning platforms has concurrently introduced novel challenges to academic integrity.
The ease of access to information and the perceived anonymity of the online environment can, unfortunately, create opportunities for academic dishonesty. This reality necessitates a critical examination of the methods employed to ensure fairness and uphold educational standards.
Edgenuity: A Digital Learning Environment
Edgenuity’s core function is to deliver curriculum and facilitate learning through a virtual interface. Its user base is diverse, encompassing middle and high school students, as well as adult learners.
The platform’s structured learning paths, video lessons, and assessments are designed to provide a comprehensive educational experience. Edgenuity is often used in blended learning models, alternative education programs, and even as a primary means of instruction in some schools.
The platform offers a range of courses across subjects like mathematics, science, English language arts, and social studies, aligning with national and state standards.
The platform’s accessibility also means that academic integrity is particularly vulnerable, requiring educators and institutions to be vigilant.
The Challenge of Maintaining Academic Integrity in Online Education
The rise of online education has brought the issue of cheating into sharp focus. The digital realm presents a unique set of challenges, as traditional methods of monitoring and preventing academic dishonesty are not always directly transferable.
The relative ease of accessing information online, coupled with the potential for anonymity, can create a conducive environment for students seeking to gain an unfair advantage. Contract cheating services and online forums further exacerbate this issue.
Maintaining academic integrity in this context requires proactive strategies and the effective use of available technologies.
Factors Contributing to Cheating in Online Environments
Several factors contribute to the prevalence of cheating in online education. The perceived lower risk of detection, coupled with the pressure to achieve high grades, can influence students’ decisions.
Furthermore, the impersonal nature of some online learning environments may diminish the sense of accountability. The availability of online resources, including answer keys and collaborative platforms, also plays a significant role.
Thesis: Examining Edgenuity’s Approach to Academic Integrity
This article aims to critically assess Edgenuity’s mechanisms for detecting and preventing cheating. It will delve into the platform’s inherent capabilities and explore the common methods students employ to circumvent these measures.
In addition, it will consider the crucial role of educators and institutions in fostering a culture of academic integrity.
By examining these aspects, this article seeks to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with upholding educational standards in the digital age. This exploration is not just about identifying problems but also about finding effective solutions to ensure a fair and equitable learning environment for all students.
Unveiling Edgenuity’s Detection Capabilities
Building upon the understanding of Edgenuity’s role in online education and the inherent challenges of maintaining academic integrity, it’s crucial to examine the specific tools and methods the platform employs to detect cheating. Edgenuity integrates a variety of features, from built-in analytics to plagiarism detection software, aimed at upholding the integrity of its educational offerings.
Edgenuity’s Built-in Analytics and Reporting Features
Edgenuity’s architecture includes comprehensive analytics and reporting features designed to monitor student progress and identify deviations from expected learning patterns. These functionalities are integral to identifying potential academic dishonesty.
Tracking Student Progress and Time Spent on Tasks
Edgenuity meticulously tracks student engagement by logging the time spent on each task, assessment, and module. This data provides a baseline for typical student behavior, enabling the system to identify outliers.
For example, a student completing a lengthy assignment in an unusually short period might raise a flag for further investigation. Similarly, inconsistent patterns of engagement, such as prolonged inactivity followed by a sudden surge in activity, can trigger alerts.
Identifying Anomalous Activity Patterns
Beyond simply tracking time, Edgenuity’s analytics are designed to recognize anomalous activity patterns that may suggest cheating. This includes identifying instances where a student rapidly progresses through modules without demonstrating comprehension or consistent effort.
Another red flag is when a student’s performance dramatically improves or declines in a short timeframe, especially if this change coincides with access to specific resources or materials. These anomalies are not definitive proof of cheating but rather indicators that warrant closer scrutiny by instructors.
Integration with Turnitin (or similar plagiarism detection software)
To address plagiarism, a common form of academic dishonesty, Edgenuity integrates with plagiarism detection software like Turnitin. This integration allows for automated analysis of written assignments.
Analyzing Written Assignments for Plagiarism
When a student submits a written assignment, the plagiarism detection software compares the text against a vast database of online sources, academic papers, and previously submitted student work. The software identifies sections of the text that match other sources, generating a similarity report that highlights potential instances of plagiarism.
Instructors can then review these reports to determine whether the matches indicate intentional plagiarism or acceptable use of sources through proper citation.
Limitations of Plagiarism Detection in Certain Assessment Types
While plagiarism detection software is effective for written assignments, it has limitations when applied to other types of assessments. For example, multiple-choice quizzes, coding assignments, or mathematical problems are not easily analyzed for plagiarism using standard text-matching algorithms.
Additionally, if a student paraphrases information without proper attribution or uses sources that are not indexed by the plagiarism detection software, it may be difficult to detect plagiarism.
The Role of Teachers/Instructors in Monitoring Student Work
Despite the technological tools available, the role of teachers and instructors remains critical in monitoring student work and identifying potential cheating instances. Human oversight complements automated detection methods.
Reviewing Student Submissions for Inconsistencies
Instructors should carefully review student submissions for inconsistencies in style, vocabulary, and content. Sudden shifts in writing quality, particularly if the student’s previous work demonstrated a different level of proficiency, can be a sign of plagiarism or unauthorized assistance.
Additionally, instructors can compare a student’s work on Edgenuity with their performance in other contexts, such as in-class discussions or other assignments, to identify discrepancies.
Utilizing Edgenuity’s Reporting Tools to Identify Potential Issues
Edgenuity provides instructors with reporting tools that summarize student activity and highlight potential issues. These tools allow teachers to quickly identify students who are exhibiting unusual patterns of behavior, such as spending an inadequate amount of time on tasks or submitting work that is significantly different from their previous performance.
By regularly reviewing these reports, instructors can proactively identify and address potential cheating instances, ensuring that students are held accountable for their work.
Use of Data Analytics to Detect Anomalies
Edgenuity leverages data analytics beyond basic reporting to identify patterns of student behavior indicative of cheating, employing more sophisticated techniques to uncover academic dishonesty.
Using Student Behavior to Identify Cheating Patterns
Data analytics can reveal subtle behavioral patterns that may be difficult for instructors to detect manually. For example, analyzing the timing of assessment submissions can reveal instances where students are likely collaborating or accessing unauthorized materials.
If multiple students submit similar answers or complete assessments at nearly the same time, it may suggest collusion. By analyzing these behavioral patterns, Edgenuity can provide valuable insights to instructors, enabling them to investigate potential cheating instances more effectively.
Common Cheating Methods Used on Edgenuity
Unveiling Edgenuity’s Detection Capabilities: As we understand the methods Edgenuity uses to find academic violations, it’s essential to look at the tactics students use to work around those safety features. Here, we explore common cheating methods on Edgenuity, including plagiarism, remote access software, online forums, proxy servers, and contract cheating.
Plagiarism: Copying and Pasting Content
Plagiarism, the act of presenting someone else’s work as your own, remains a prevalent issue in online education. On Edgenuity, students may attempt to copy and paste content directly from online sources or other students’ work into their assignments.
The ease of access to information on the internet makes plagiarism a tempting shortcut, but it carries significant academic consequences.
Circumventing Plagiarism Detection Software
Students employ various techniques to circumvent plagiarism detection software. These methods can range from simple paraphrasing to more sophisticated strategies like using article spinners or replacing words with synonyms.
Some students may also attempt to rewrite sentences or paragraphs to obscure the original source. These efforts are often aimed at reducing the similarity score reported by plagiarism detection tools.
Detection of Metadata Analysis to Identify Unoriginal Work
While students try to bypass plagiarism detection tools, educators have other ways to find copying. One such method is metadata analysis. Metadata includes information about a document, such as the author, creation date, and modification history.
By examining the metadata of a submitted file, instructors can often determine if the student is the original author or if the content was copied from elsewhere. Inconsistencies in metadata can serve as strong indicators of plagiarism. This is a crucial step beyond just checking the text of the submission.
Use of Remote Access Software (TeamViewer, AnyDesk)
Remote access software, such as TeamViewer or AnyDesk, presents another avenue for cheating. These tools allow one user to remotely control another user’s computer, enabling unauthorized assistance during assessments.
Gaining Unauthorized Assistance During Assessments
During a test, a student could use remote access software to allow someone else to take control of their computer and complete the assessment on their behalf. This circumvents the purpose of individual assessment.
This type of cheating is difficult to detect because the activity appears to originate from the student’s own computer. However, unusual mouse movements or typing patterns can sometimes raise suspicion.
Circumventing LockDown Browser (or similar)
Some students try to use remote access software to bypass lockdown browsers. These browsers prevent students from accessing other websites or applications during an exam. However, technical loopholes or vulnerabilities in the lockdown browser software can be exploited.
By using remote access software on a separate device, a proctor or another student could provide answers or assistance without being directly detected by the lockdown browser. This is an example of where combining cheating methods significantly increases the difficulty of detection.
Utilizing Online Forums/Websites for Answers
Online forums and websites serve as readily accessible resources for students seeking answers to Edgenuity assignments and tests. These platforms often host discussions where students share information and collaborate to find solutions.
Accessing Test Banks and Answer Keys
Some websites may contain unauthorized test banks or answer keys for Edgenuity assessments. Students who gain access to these materials can use them to cheat on tests. The distribution and use of such materials are clear violations of academic integrity policies.
Collaborating with Others During Assessments
Students may also use online forums or social media platforms to collaborate with others during assessments. They can share questions, discuss answers, and work together to complete assignments. This form of collusion undermines the individual assessment process.
Employing Proxy Servers/VPNs
Proxy servers and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide students with the ability to mask their IP addresses and circumvent geographical restrictions.
Masking IP Addresses to Avoid Detection
By routing their internet traffic through a proxy server or VPN, students can hide their true location and identity. This makes it more difficult for instructors or administrators to track their online activity.
Circumventing Geographical Restrictions
Edgenuity may implement geographical restrictions to prevent students from accessing certain content or features from specific locations. Students can use VPNs to bypass these restrictions. This is an example where legitimate tools can be used to undermine academic integrity.
For instance, if a student needs to access materials from a different country for an assignment, they might use a VPN. However, the same technology can be used to gain unauthorized access to test materials from restricted locations.
Contract Cheating/Essay Mills
Contract cheating, also known as essay mills, involves students paying others to complete their coursework. This can include essays, research papers, and even entire courses.
Paying Others to Complete Coursework
Essay mills offer a wide range of academic services. They often advertise their services online and cater to students seeking to avoid the effort of completing their own assignments. Students who engage in contract cheating are essentially outsourcing their education.
Difficulty in Detection Without Direct Evidence
Detecting contract cheating can be challenging without direct evidence, such as a confession from the student or the discovery of a paid transaction. The work produced by essay mills may be original and free from plagiarism, making it difficult to identify using traditional methods.
Prevention Strategies and Best Practices for Maintaining Academic Integrity
Unveiling Edgenuity’s Detection Capabilities: As we understand the methods Edgenuity uses to find academic violations, it’s essential to look at the tactics students use to work around those safety features. In light of the various methods students employ to circumvent academic integrity, a robust defense is paramount. This section outlines preventative measures to combat cheating, encompassing strengthened authentication, strict test security, enhanced monitoring by instructors, and the active promotion of academic integrity.
Strengthening Authentication Processes
A foundational element of academic integrity lies in verifying the identity of the student completing the work. Strengthening authentication processes is the first line of defense against unauthorized access and impersonation.
Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security beyond the traditional username and password. MFA typically involves requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to a mobile device or an email address. This makes it significantly more difficult for someone other than the authorized student to access the Edgenuity platform. Implementing MFA can substantially reduce the risk of account compromise and academic dishonesty.
Behavioral Biometrics: Analyzing Typing Speed and Mouse Movements
An emerging field in authentication is behavioral biometrics, which analyzes unique patterns in a user’s behavior, such as typing speed and mouse movements. These subtle, individualized characteristics can create a unique "behavioral fingerprint" that is difficult to replicate. By analyzing these patterns during assessments, Edgenuity can potentially identify instances where someone other than the authorized student is interacting with the platform. While still an evolving technology, behavioral biometrics holds promise for enhancing authentication and deterring cheating.
Implementing Strict Test Security Measures
Once a student’s identity is verified, maintaining the integrity of the assessment itself is crucial. Strict test security measures are essential to prevent students from accessing unauthorized resources or collaborating with others during exams.
Utilizing LockDown Browser and Webcams/Microphones for Online Proctoring
LockDown browsers are software applications that restrict access to other websites and applications during an online assessment. When coupled with webcams and microphones for online proctoring, these tools create a more secure testing environment. Proctoring solutions can record students during the assessment, allowing instructors to review the footage for any suspicious behavior. While not foolproof, these measures can significantly deter cheating and provide valuable evidence in cases of suspected academic dishonesty.
Restricting Access to External Websites and Applications
In addition to lockdown browsers, it is vital to actively restrict access to external websites and applications during assessments. This can be achieved through network-level filtering or by disabling certain functionalities within the Edgenuity platform itself. By limiting the resources available to students during exams, institutions can reduce the temptation and opportunity for cheating.
Enhancing Monitoring by Teachers/Instructors
Technology plays a vital role in preventing cheating, but the human element remains indispensable. Enhancing monitoring by teachers and instructors is essential for identifying and addressing potential instances of academic dishonesty.
Providing Personalized Feedback and Support
One of the most effective ways to deter cheating is to create a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable seeking help. Providing personalized feedback on assignments and offering individualized support can help students master the material and reduce the temptation to cheat. When students feel connected to their instructors and confident in their abilities, they are less likely to resort to academic dishonesty.
Conducting Regular Check-ins to Assess Understanding
Regular check-ins, whether through quizzes, discussions, or individual meetings, allow instructors to gauge student understanding and identify potential gaps in knowledge. These check-ins can also serve as opportunities to reinforce the importance of academic integrity and address any concerns students may have. By actively engaging with students and monitoring their progress, instructors can create a culture of accountability and discourage cheating.
Promoting Academic Integrity and Ethical Conduct
Prevention is always better than cure. A proactive approach to preventing cheating involves promoting academic integrity and ethical conduct among students.
Educating Students on the Consequences of Cheating
Many students may not fully understand the serious consequences of cheating, both academic and professional. It is crucial to educate students on the potential repercussions of academic dishonesty, including failing grades, suspension, expulsion, and damage to their reputation. By making the consequences clear and tangible, institutions can deter students from engaging in cheating behavior.
Enforcing Strict Policies Against Academic Dishonesty
Clear and consistently enforced policies against academic dishonesty are essential for maintaining a culture of integrity. These policies should outline the specific behaviors that constitute cheating, the procedures for reporting suspected violations, and the sanctions that will be imposed on offenders. By demonstrating a commitment to enforcing these policies, institutions can send a strong message that cheating will not be tolerated.
Analyzing Edgenuity’s Built-in Analytics and Reporting Features
Edgenuity’s platform offers a range of built-in analytics and reporting features that can aid teachers in monitoring student progress and identifying potential issues related to academic integrity.
Tracking of the Student Progress by the Teachers to Identify Issues
Teachers should actively utilize Edgenuity’s tools to track student progress and identify any anomalies or red flags. These tools can provide valuable insights into student performance and behavior, allowing teachers to intervene early and address potential problems. Examples of issues to look for include:
- Sudden Changes in Performance: A student who consistently performs poorly suddenly achieving high scores may indicate unauthorized assistance.
- Unusual Time Spent on Assignments: Drastically different completion times compared to other students or previous assignments can be a sign of cheating.
- Inconsistencies in Writing Style: Significant variations in writing style within a single assignment could suggest plagiarism or the use of external help.
- Suspicious Activity Patterns: Unusual login times, multiple logins from different locations, or attempts to access restricted content may warrant further investigation.
By actively monitoring student progress and utilizing Edgenuity’s analytics tools, teachers can play a crucial role in maintaining academic integrity and fostering a culture of honesty.
The Role of Institutions and School Districts in Combating Cheating
Unveiling Edgenuity’s Detection Capabilities: As we understand the methods Edgenuity uses to find academic violations, it’s essential to look at the tactics students use to work around those safety features. In light of the various methods students employ to circumvent academic integrity measures on Edgenuity, the onus is not solely on the platform or individual educators. Institutions and school districts bear a significant responsibility in fostering a culture of academic honesty and equipping their staff with the resources to effectively combat cheating. This entails developing comprehensive policies, providing adequate training, investing in appropriate technology, and taking proactive measures to limit opportunities for misconduct.
Crafting Robust Academic Integrity Policies
The foundation of any successful effort to prevent cheating lies in a clearly defined and consistently enforced academic integrity policy. These policies must explicitly outline what constitutes academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, and the use of external resources during assessments.
They should also clearly state the consequences for violating these policies, which should be consistently applied across all students and courses.
Furthermore, policies should be readily accessible to students and parents, ensuring everyone is aware of the expectations and repercussions. Schools can create an interactive training to teach students about the importance of these policies.
Empowering Educators Through Comprehensive Training
While technology plays a crucial role, the human element remains paramount. Teachers and instructors need to be adequately trained to recognize the signs of cheating and effectively utilize the tools at their disposal.
This training should cover various aspects:
- Identifying Plagiarism: Recognizing different forms of plagiarism, including paraphrasing without proper attribution.
- Detecting Collusion: Spotting instances of unauthorized collaboration among students.
- Utilizing Edgenuity’s Analytics: Interpreting the platform’s reporting features to identify suspicious activity patterns.
- Effective Communication: Addressing suspected cases of cheating with students in a fair and constructive manner.
Ongoing professional development in this area is essential to keep educators abreast of emerging cheating methods and best practices for detection and prevention.
Strategic Investment in Technology
Educational institutions must invest in technology that enhances test security and deters cheating attempts. This extends beyond relying solely on Edgenuity’s built-in features.
Consider these investments:
- Advanced Proctoring Solutions: Implementing proctoring software with features like webcam monitoring, screen recording, and browser lockdown.
- Plagiarism Detection Software: Utilizing advanced plagiarism detection tools capable of identifying sophisticated forms of academic dishonesty.
- Secure Assessment Platforms: Exploring alternative assessment platforms that offer more robust security features.
The key is to select technology that aligns with the specific needs of the institution and provides a multi-layered approach to security.
Proactive Measures Against Remote Access Software
The use of remote access software like TeamViewer and AnyDesk has emerged as a significant enabler of cheating. Students can use these tools to allow others to remotely control their computers during assessments, circumventing lockdown browsers and gaining unauthorized assistance.
To mitigate this risk, school districts should consider blocking access to the domains and servers associated with these software programs on their networks.
This measure, while not foolproof, can significantly reduce the ease with which students can utilize remote access software for cheating purposes.
Institutions and school districts must recognize that combating cheating is an ongoing process that requires a proactive and multi-faceted approach. By developing robust policies, providing adequate training, investing in appropriate technology, and taking proactive measures, they can create a learning environment that fosters academic integrity and prepares students for success.
The Future of Cheating Detection in Edgenuity
[The Role of Institutions and School Districts in Combating Cheating
Unveiling Edgenuity’s Detection Capabilities: As we understand the methods Edgenuity uses to find academic violations, it’s essential to look at the tactics students use to work around those safety features. In light of the various methods students employ to circumvent academic int…]
As Edgenuity and similar online learning platforms become increasingly integral to education, the sophistication of both cheating methods and detection technologies continues to evolve. This section delves into the horizon of cheating detection, exploring emerging technologies and the perpetual "arms race" that defines the battle for academic integrity in the digital realm.
Advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) represent a significant leap forward in the fight against cheating. These technologies offer the potential to analyze vast datasets of student behavior, identifying subtle patterns that would be impossible for human educators to detect.
AI-powered systems can, for instance, analyze writing styles to identify inconsistencies that might indicate contract cheating. By learning an individual student’s writing patterns, AI can flag submissions that deviate significantly, suggesting the potential involvement of a third party.
Furthermore, ML algorithms can be trained to recognize the specific characteristics of answers generated by AI tools such as ChatGPT. The possibility to identify the unique writing styles associated with AI models, and that would become a serious deterrent to students who are tempted to get help from outside.
These advancements promise to make cheating detection more proactive and accurate, shifting from reactive measures to preventative strategies.
Potential Integration of More Sophisticated Monitoring Tools
Beyond AI and ML, the future may see the integration of more sophisticated monitoring tools within Edgenuity. These tools could potentially include:
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Advanced Biometrics: Monitoring keystroke dynamics, mouse movements, and even facial expressions to verify student identity and detect suspicious behavior.
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Real-Time Proctoring with AI Assistance: Enhancing traditional proctoring methods with AI that can automatically flag suspicious activities for human review.
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Sentiment Analysis: Analyzing student responses for emotional cues that may indicate stress, confusion, or dishonesty.
The integration of such tools raises important ethical considerations, particularly regarding student privacy and data security. Finding the right balance between effective monitoring and respecting student rights will be crucial.
The Ethical Implications
It’s important to realize that increased surveillance can come with significant drawbacks. Concerns about privacy, data security, and the potential for bias in algorithmic assessments need to be carefully addressed.
A transparent and ethical framework must be developed in order to responsibly implement these technologies. Open communication with students and educators is very important to build trust and ensure fairness.
The Ongoing Arms Race Between Cheating Methods and Detection Technologies
It is important to recognize the dynamic nature of cheating and detection.
As detection technologies become more sophisticated, so too will the methods used to circumvent them. This creates a perpetual "arms race" where each advancement is met with a counter-strategy.
This reality underscores the need for constant innovation and adaptation. Educational institutions and technology providers must remain vigilant, continuously refining their detection methods and anticipating new cheating tactics.
A proactive approach—focusing on preventing cheating in the first place through robust assessment design, engaging instruction, and a strong culture of academic integrity—remains the most effective long-term strategy.
Ultimately, the future of cheating detection in Edgenuity and similar platforms will be shaped by the ongoing interplay between technological innovation, ethical considerations, and a commitment to fostering a culture of academic honesty.
<h2>Frequently Asked Questions: Edgenuity Cheating Detection</h2>
<h3>What are some ways Edgenuity can detect cheating?</h3>
Edgenuity employs several methods. It can detect cheating by tracking IP addresses, monitoring for suspicious copy-pasting activity, analyzing login patterns, and comparing student answers to online resources. The platform's AI can also identify unusual spikes in performance or inconsistencies in writing style, all of which raise flags that **can edgenuity detect cheating** attempts.
<h3>How effective is Edgenuity's cheating detection?</h3>
Edgenuity's cheating detection is moderately effective. While it catches some obvious instances of plagiarism or collaboration, tech-savvy students can often find ways to circumvent the system. The effectiveness depends on the security settings implemented by the school and the sophistication of the cheating method. It’s not foolproof, but **can edgenuity detect cheating** in many cases.
<h3>What happens if Edgenuity suspects a student of cheating?</h3>
If Edgenuity suspects a student of cheating, the school is typically notified. The school then reviews the evidence and determines appropriate disciplinary action, which could range from a warning to failing the assignment or course. The severity of the consequence depends on the school's policies and the nature of the suspected infraction. Essentially, **can edgenuity detect cheating** resulting in further investigation.
<h3>What preventative measures can students take to avoid accidental cheating accusations?</h3>
Students can avoid accidental cheating accusations by completing assignments independently, properly citing all sources, and avoiding plagiarism. They should also refrain from sharing answers or collaborating with others in unauthorized ways. Focusing on understanding the material and doing original work is the best way to ensure that **can edgenuity detect cheating** but you are not flagged for it.So, while can Edgenuity detect cheating? Yes, in many ways. Ultimately, the best strategy is to focus on truly understanding the material. Not only will that help you succeed in your courses, but it’ll also set you up for long-term academic success. Good luck with your studies!