From Blue Books to Laptops: How College Finals Have Changed

In the 1990s, college students faced a unique challenge during finals: exams written on sealed blue books. These weren't just any papers; they were lined sheets, often with limited space, forcing students to be precise and thoughtful in their answers. "Blue books were nothing more than lined paper that sealed," explains Sifurickb, a TikToker who experienced this firsthand. This method, he says, allowed professors to assess not just the answers but the student's thought process. The limited space prevented lengthy answers and discouraged copying. Now, with laptops prevalent in classrooms, the methods for preventing plagiarism have changed. Sifurickb asks, "What do professors do now to prevent plagiarism during finals?" The shift from blue books to laptops highlights the evolving strategies in higher education to maintain academic integrity.