We know it’s been a challenging year, and it’s hard to believe that we’re now in the final push of the spring semester. With just a few weeks left of classes (and then final exams), your student might be experiencing some stress about closing out the academic year. Here are some helpful tips and resources that you can use to help support your student finish the semester strong.
- Remind them that there are a lot of resources available! Your student will have final papers, labs, projects, and exams between now and the end of the semester. If your student needs help in any of their classes, tutoring sessions are available right through the end of the final exam periods. If your student isn’t sure how to communicate with their professor or how to ask for help, encourage your student to reach out to their academic advisor for assistance. Sometimes students need help processing the feelings that come with end of the semester stress, and university counseling services are available to help.
- Provide some good old fashioned inspirational support! Some fun snacks, a motivational note, maybe an iced coffee at just the right time…these small displays of support can help your student feel cared for and motivated for that final burst of energy needed for the end of the semester. Reminding your student that you are in their corner rooting for them can provide some serious emotional support when things feel overwhelming.
- Encourage Sleep and Routine! We know that the idea of pulling an “all-nighter” can seem like a college rite of passage, but sticking to a consistent schedule and getting enough sleep will help your student be successful with the end of the year. Encourage your student to make a list of everything due between now and the end of the semester and then have your student schedule times that they will work on each specific assignment.
- Venting is Ok! Your student will be feeling lots of things about the end of the school year. It’s been a tough year in ways nobody could have anticipated, and your student will be going through a transition as they close out the year. Give your student the space to process and the time to vent. Sometimes just having someone to listen can help students feel ready to move on and tackle whatever is next.
Remember that the university is full of faculty and staff that are here to support you and your student and to help your student achieve success at UMass Lowell! Never hesitate to reach out if you or your student needs anything!