As we inch closer to the end of the Spring semester with just days remaining, our students are gearing up to prepare for one last hurdle: Finals week.
Whether they’re dealing with final exams, papers, presentations, or projects, this week can be exhausting for both students and parents. We recognize that this is a very stressful and overwhelming time as students may face feelings of internal and external pressure to do well in their courses. Experiencing emotional symptoms like anxiety, fear, depression, or frustration can make it harder for students to focus and concentrate for their finals. We encourage students to utilize resources available both on campus and remotely. Our Academic Success Center (ASC) is found on all three USF campuses and comprises three major sub-centers, the Tutoring Hub, SMART Lab, and the Writing Studio. ASC is committed to cultivate and enrich a learning environment that directly contributes to student success. We highly recommend students to seek discomfort by reaching out for help! As parents and family members, you may be wondering, what can YOU do to help?
With the right set of tools and coping strategies, it is imperative to empower students with positivity during this time of year. Oftentimes, students may experience feelings of loneliness or isolation while spending more time alone to better prepare for finals. For parents and families of students who will be taking finals at home, alone time may also be a benefit. Be sure to facilitate a quiet environment that minimizes interruptions and distractions so that your student can better focus and concentrate in a productive study space. Simply understanding and meaningfully connecting with your student is vital for their health and well-being. While we may not be able to accommodate all of their academic needs, as parents and staff, we can instill confidence to boost their mental resilience and provide a wealth of support to help our students finish the semester strong.
- Sleep is essential - Encourage your student to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night.
- Staying up all night will lead to sleep deprivation as it will become much more difficult to learn and memorize new material.
- In addition, sticking to a healthy sleep schedule improves productivity and concentration as well as preventing daytime fatigue.
- Care package - If your student is staying on or near campus for finals, you can support them with a great care package by including healthy snacks, useful supplies, sentimental items, and stress relievers. Your student will be very appreciative that you really care about them during this overwhelming time.
- Stress management - Encouraging your student to engage in healthy coping mechanisms to relieve stress or anxiety will help foster comfort and confidence.
- Suggest meditation/exercise, deep-breathing techniques, muscle tension stretches, or spending time in nature.
- Try to check-in and see what you can do to better accommodate their needs.
- Resources - Remind your student of resources on and off campus. Attending office hours / study sessions are beneficial to their learning.
- Check out Success & Wellness Coaching and tips and tricks from SWELL on time management, motivation techniques, goal-setting, and more!
- Follow WellnessUSF on Instagram for additional tips and strategies. SWELL is hosting several IG Live sessions throughout the week of April 26th to help students study effectively and reduce stress.
- Avoiding comparisons - Grades are not an accurate measure of learning. As such, comparing grades can actually reduce self-esteem and motivation, and thereby hinder intellectual development. Instead, focus on helping YOUR student achieve their goals by supporting them and boosting their confidence. https://www.usf.edu/student-af... https://www.youtube.com/channe...
