Testing time is usually stressful for students, from elementary school through the college years. But if your student is in their first year of college, end-of-semester finals can be a big adjustment. While it ultimately is up to your adult child to manage their time and handle their stress, you can be supportive while they work hard in the last few weeks of the semester—even from afar. 

Remind your student of resources on campus 

A simple way to be supportive during finals is to look for all of the resources available on campus, such as the Student Success Center, Writing and Communications Center, and campus librarian.  You can stay up to date on what Missouri S&T has to offer through information given at orientation, parent newsletters, or this listing of student resources at Missouri S&T. 

The Family and Friends program can be a great support as well. Find tangible tips and resources for supporting your student or subscribe to the campus newsletter to stay up to date on campus events. An extra reminder can go a long way when your young adult has a million other things on their mind. 

Communicate that you care – but not too much 

A little moral support is always a good thing, but especially during finals. Whether it’s talking on the phone, sending letters, or sending care packages, your student will appreciate knowing that you are thinking of them.  

But don’t overdo it. If your student doesn’t have time to talk on the phone, or doesn’t respond right away to a text, remember that they are busy and give them some space.  

Send a care package 

A great way to show you care is to send a care package. Dining Services at Missouri S&T offers a variety of care packages that can be purchased and delivered to your student. But even if families do not purchase a pre-made basket, care packages are a great way to show support from afar. Send some of their favorite snacks, coffee, a stuffed animal, granola bars, extra pens and anything that they like or may be useful during this stressful time. They will appreciate it, even if they don’t tell you right away! 

Highlight the benefits of sleep 

Sometimes we forget the important basics of staying healthy during times of high stress. When studying for finals, students often will neglect sleep and pull all-nighters. While you can no longer enforce a bedtime for your young adult, you can talk about sleep and its benefits. For example, sleep has a great impact on academic success. CEO of Sleep for Success and Author Dr. James Maas says even one more hour of sleep a night can make a huge difference in achievement, something that many students are striving for during testing time. “Even getting a couple hours of sleep is better than no sleep at all,” Benson-Gonzales says. While it’s sometimes difficult to stay in a routine during finals time, it is important that students try. 

Encourage stress relief strategies 

Sometimes health falls by the wayside when stress increases, so it is helpful if students plan ahead to make that day less stressful. Parents can offer some suggestions and share experiences about how they plan to reduce stress during busy times or important deadlines. Staying healthy also means having time to relax or spend time with friends. 

Pay attention to their mental health 

Mental health is a topic of concern for many parents and families during this time of year. Keep in mind that this time is naturally stressful for most students and you may see changes because of this, and that in itself is not a reason to be alarmed.  Professional School Counselor Dr. Shari Sevier says talking about mental health with young adults is essential. “Be a good sounding board, you know your children best,” Sevier says. “If you hear them completely stressed out, it’s important to talk to them about mental health.” 

Student Health Services and Student Well-Being can be excellent campus resources, especially for students who may need a little extra professional support during this time.  

A little stress can be good 

Remember, not all stress is bad stress. Sometimes, it can be extremely motivating. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), stress can cause survival functions in the body, such as a quickening pulse, faster breathing, muscles tensing and the brain using more oxygen and increasing activity. In some situations, these functions can be lifesaving. Stress can help provide a sense of urgency to meet important deadlines at work, when preparing for an interview, or when studying for a big test. Ultimately, you know your kid best and if you see worrying signs, then it may be time to get some help. But if they are stressed about doing well and getting good grades on their final exams, then they may just be like every other college student. 

Source 

Author: Esta Pratt-Kielley. Article adapted from https://www.today.com/parenting-guides/how-support-college-students-during-finals-t179273?search=college%20end%20of%20semester. Please note: Missouri S&T does not endorse or have a relationship with SOURCE and articles are provided for information purposes only. Missouri S&T and SOURCE do not assume responsibility for error or omission in materials.    

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