The Charger Blog
Tips Corner for Parents and Families: Your Students and Upcoming Final Exams
Stress during the exam period can manifest itself as physical symptoms, negative thoughts, anxiousness, or unhealthy coping behaviors. Here are some tips to help you communicate with your students while they are preparing for and taking their finals.
November 6, 2023
Final exams, especially for first-year students, can be a challenging and stressful time. Try to keep these things in mind when communicating with your students during final exams.
- Ask your student how you can be supportive. This may include you sending them a care package or just giving them space.
- Be a cheerleader not a coach. Finals can take a toll on self-confidence. When our students are doubting themselves, we can let them know we believe in them, and that we are proud of their hard work. Shift the focus from a grade earned to their long-term goals and all that they are accomplishing in college.
- Lower demands and help set reasonable limits on commitments. For example, students may consider limiting the hours they are working off campus during final exams.
- Remind your students of the academic resources available to them on campus (professors’ office hours, the , Writing Center, Student Success Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, and more
- Highlight the benefits of sleep and encourage other stress-relief strategies available to them on campus (, going to the gym, attending social events, etc.)
- Pay attention to their mental health. Look out for sudden changes in mood or behaviors.
- Advocate for balance. Studying can feel overwhelming, so prioritizing their time and taking breaks should be encouraged!
- Encourage a healthy diet. Late-night studying can lead to unhealthy eating habits. Make sure your students have healthy snacks and stay hydrated.
- Report illnesses quickly to ensure proper notification by using the Student Illness Notification Form on myCharger.
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