Helping Your College Student Succeed During Finals Week
For college students and their families, the completion of the semester means several things. Everyone is probably looking forward to a well-earned vacation or break. Families are looking forward to having their children back home for a few days. However, the end of the semester also heralds the arrival of the dreaded Finals Week. Your college-bound child is undoubtedly experiencing the stress and worry that comes with this period. However, there are some things you have to do as a parent to help your kids pass their exams.
- Let Them Know You Care
Your child may be more self-sufficient than a year ago, but that doesn’t mean they don’t require your assistance. Allowing them to know that you are aware of upcoming exams can help them realize that they are not alone. Even a simple text message of “best of luck” might boost their confidence. If you have the resources, send them a study care box — fill it with nutritious foods, coffee, highlighters, and anything else you believe will help them study more effectively. Remember to include a handwritten message showing your trust in them.
- Remind Them to Stay Healthy
Your learner may struggle to take adequate care of themselves if you are not around to remind them to eat their veggies and get enough sleep. Remind them to eat plenty, especially at breakfast, in a kind manner. Also, emphasize the necessity of consuming the proper meals.
Another area of health that college students frequently overlook is sleep. Late-night cramming sessions might make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep and accomplish nothing. Remind your youngster that they need to get 8 hours of sleep before the test if they want to remember the knowledge they’re cramming. An all-nighter is never a good idea.
- Keep a Close Eye on Mental Health
If your student is in a new college, adjusting to the new responsibilities and obstacles may be difficult. You’ll be the first to notice any changes in their mental condition because you’re their family. Ask them about their stress levels regularly. Remember that a little bit of tension is normal and may even be motivating. However, too much stress might lead to more serious issues.
Remind them about stress-reduction tactics they may attempt if you notice any changes that make you worried or if stress has become too much for them to handle correctly. Managing stress may be as simple as planning, scheduling sleep, or going for daily walks. Encourage them to seek help from on-campus mental-health services if they continue to feel overwhelmed; they generally specialize in school-related stress difficulties and will have numerous tactics or other options for your learner to explore. Keep in mind that your mental health is more important than your GPA.
- Find Out What’s Going on On-Campus
Almost every day, entertaining activities and events are held on college campuses. If your student is too stressed to approach them, or if they spend much of their free time studying in the library, do some research on the school’s website to discover what activities are taking place. Many campuses provide stress-relieving activities like “puppy corners” or bouncy castles, especially around finals time. Let them know anything you discover that could help them relax.
Concluding Thoughts
College is difficult, especially when exams are approaching. By implementing the guidelines above, you can become a super-parent to your college student. If you’re unsure, simply let your youngster know you’re there for them. The rest will be simple once they realize they can count on you for help.