How to effectively use “My Schedule & Exams” in Bear Tracks

Plus additional info about exams this Winter 2021 term

Interested in learning how to get the most out of the “My Schedule & Exams” function in Bear Tracks? Well, we’ve got you covered! Read below to get a better understanding of all that you can do in this section. And at the very bottom we’ve included special info that relates to this term (Winter 2021) and potential issues you might run into (and how to deal with them). This is one post in a series of posts all about the refreshed Bear Tracks system, so check back and learn about the other sections.

My Schedule & Exams

View my Classes — List

Select a term and see your courses plotted into a weekly grid. Below the grid, see your courses and all their relevant details (course name/number, start and end dates, days/times, location and instructor).

Tentative Exam Schedule

You can see your tentative exam schedule (before the final exam schedule has been finalized) here. If multiple sections of a course are offered, you might choose a particular section based on how all your finals line up together. On one hand, it can be nice to have all your finals within a few days of each other, but on the other hand, spreading them out to have more time in between each one has its benefits too.

Once the final exam schedule for a particular term has been finalized, nothing will display in this section for that term. Note: “tentative” is just that, which means your tentative exam schedule is subject to change. Your final exam details can be found in the “Final Exam Schedule”.

Final Exam Schedule

Here, you will be able to select a term and see a list of their final exam dates and times, once they have been finalized. Note: dates/times for final papers, lab finals, assignments, and take-home finals will not be displayed here. Refer to each course syllabus and/or reach out to your instructors for further information.

My Textbooks

Select a term to see the assigned textbook(s) for each course and whether or not they are required or recommended. This is subject to change so be sure to consult each course syllabus before actually purchasing your textbooks. Also, keep in mind that there are resources like the Library available with potential textbook loans if you don’t want to purchase the textbook.

Additional Links

The provided additional links connect you to resources that can be found on various sections of the University of Alberta’s website. The links include:

• Dean of Students: Academic, personal and professional resources are available through the Dean of Students Office. Explore exactly what is offered so when you are in a time of need, you’ll know exactly where to go.
• Libraries: The staff at the Library can help you with curbside pick up, finding scholarly articles for your papers, sourcing the books you need, and has chat assistance to help you in seconds (within business hours). Make the most of what the Library has to offer — it make all your work easier.

Other resources include Campus Maps and ONEcard

Notes for Winter 2021 Exams:

• If you have exams scheduled at the same time (or overlapping times), start by notifying both instructors and they will work out a solution between them. If you are not provided with a reasonable solution, please let us know at arts.undergrad@ualberta.ca so we can help facilitate. In general, a deferred exam is not an appropriate solution for a scheduling conflict.
• If you are in a time zone that is incompatible with the scheduled time of a final exam, again start by getting in touch with your instructor. Many instructors already have set alternatives such as offering flexible start times or offering an equivalent exam with a 12-hour offset. Should you still have an exam scheduled at an unreasonable time (e.g. 1 AM), with no reasonable alternative, please let us know at arts.undergrad@ualberta.ca. We will then work with you and your instructor to find a solution. Note: Though living in a different time zone is technically not covered under the University’s Duty to Accommodate, our Faculty is working hard to provide reasonable and compassionate solutions to the realities produced by the pandemic.
• If you have no access to a workspace, device, or internet connection at the scheduled time of the exam please notify us as soon as possible at arts.undergrad@ualberta.ca so we can better understand your situation and work to resolve the issues prior to your exam. If your situation suddenly changes at the time of the exam, please notify your instructor as soon as possible (ideally immediately).
• If you have unreliable internet connectivity, please notify us as soon as possible at arts.undergrad@ualberta.ca so we can work to resolve the issues prior to your exam. If you experience a loss of connection during the exam, please notify your instructor as soon as possible (ideally immediately). Your instructor will provide their contact information during the exam time.
• If you miss my final exam, you may be eligible to apply to write a Deferred Exam. The rules for eligibility are described in the University Calendar: A student who has missed a final exam because of incapacitating mental and/or physical illness, severe domestic affliction, or for circumstances as described in the University’s Discrimination, Harassment and Duty to Accommodate Policy (including religious belief) may apply for a deferred exam.
• If you have missed a final exam and are seeking a deferred final exam, please contact the Faculty of Arts Undergraduate Student Services team at artsund@ualberta.ca within two business days of the exam.
• We, along with the rest of the U of A community, are here to help. If you are facing other challenges this term, know that it’s okay to say so. Please contact us at artsund@ualberta.ca and let us know, or reach out to the Office of the Dean of Students to be connected with their academic and/or wellness services.

Disclaimer: The Calendar is the official reference for academic programs. If this or any other blog post, handout, tutorial video or tip sheet conflicts with the Calendar, the Calendar will be taken as correct.

Author bios: This article was written by Nathaniel Haile and edited by Joanna Manchur. Nathaniel is BA student pursuing a double major in Political Science and Economics with a double minor in International Studies and Philosophy and is currently on an AWE placement working for the Faculty of Arts as the Student Recruitment, Engagement & Communications Intern. Joanna is the Student Engagement & Communications Specialist for UAlberta Faculty of Arts, and proud Arts grad — ’02 BA Hons.