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09 December 2020 | Story UFS entral academic advising team | Photo Pixabay

It wasn’t easy, but we all got to this point because we stayed calm and made the effort to learn on even when it was difficult. 

The University of the Free State (UFS) has remained committed to supporting you in every way possible, and as you prepare for the final assessments, remember to access the support tools you will need in order to successfully complete the 2020 academic year: https://www.ufs.ac.za/toolsforsuccess 

Main exams are running from 30 November to 19 December 2020


All of the best, and break a pen in your upcoming final assessments. For those of you who will be graduating, we cannot wait to see you in that graduation attire; and those who still have some way to go, we cannot wait to serve you again in 2021 as we continue the pursuit of academic success!

Below are five main study tips that you can use for final assessment success:


1. Set a realistic study schedule
You might think that studying for eight hours straight for four days before the exam, will help you get through the work in time. See final edition of the #UFSLearnOn for more information.

2. Structure and organise your work

If your notes are organised, it is also easier for your brain to recall information, even when you become nervous during exams. 

3. Practise with an old exam/semester test paper
Practice makes perfect, and although the final assessments might look different in how they are administered, it will still help to practise using old tests and exams. 

4. Adapt your strategies to the content
What works for one module or even one learning outcome, might not be effective for another. You need to continually adapt your note-taking and study approaches. See #UFSLearnOn final edition for different study methods.

5. Healthy body, healthy mind
Your brain needs optimal care to perform at its best, and getting physically active (even if it is by jumping in one spot if space is limited) forces your body to release neurotransmitters responsible for positive emotions, which assist in retaining information in your memory … 
Download the final edition of #UFSLearnOn that points you towards the resources you’ll need to ace your final assessments and end 2020 off on a high note! 

News Archive

Free software a matter of liberty, says computer programming expert
2013-09-03

Dr Richard Matthew Stallman
3 September 2013

“Free software is a matter of the users’ freedom to run, copy, distributes, study, change and improves the software.”   That is according to well-known freedom activist and programmer, Dr Richard Matthew Stallman, founder of the Free Software Foundation and leader of the GNU project.

The computer programming expert visited the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State, where he delivered a guest lecture on “A freeware generation.”

At this lecture, Dr Stallman, referred to by many as ‘the father of programming’ spoke about the threats that non-free software has and how the users are mandatory controlled by the software, instead of the user having complete freedom on the programme itself.

He told the audience in the Albert Wessels Auditorium that free software has advantages for the user, such as:

  • The freedom to run the program, for any purpose.
  • The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs.
  • The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbour.
  • The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits.

Thus, ‘free software’ is a matter of liberty, not price.

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