As the end of the semester approaches and the weather gets colder, it’s harder for your student to find the motivation to stay on top of work. Their schedule gets busier, and suddenly it’s the last week of classes and they have eight assignments due in two days.
Balancing digital learning, deadlines and the pressure to make good grades is tough and it's common for students to break down as the end of a semester nears.
It’s important to recognize the stressful situation your student is in and suggest ways to stay motivated and positive. Here are some tips to help you support your student during this time.
Respect your child’s time and space
This year, there is little time between midterms and finals and it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Although it may seem hard during the holiday season, giving your student time and space to study and prepare for their finals is key. Not having to worry about plans and family events will help to keep their stress at a minimum and eliminate unnecessary distractions.
A family calendar on Google can be a helpful tool. Anyone who joins can write-in important events and dates. Your student can use this to make you aware of times they may be busy and don’t have time to talk.
Support their mental health
The end of the semester can be a mentally, emotionally and physically tolling time for your student. It is important to recognize when they may be entering a bad mental state as work piles up and take steps to support them.
If you feel your student may be struggling, some questions you can ask to check-in include: “How are you feeling lately” or “Is there anything on your mind that you want to talk about?”
Being aware of resources that are available to your student is also vital. UNC recently created a new list of mental health resources to support students while going fully digital.
Another way to support your student and increase their motivation during this time is to encourage breaks and activity away from the computer. It has been shown that interacting with outdoor spaces has therapeutic benefits. Whether they take a walk or go on a bike ride, your student will come back feeling refreshed and motivated.
Maintain communication, but take a step back
Your student will appreciate knowing that their family is supporting them during a stressful time, but being bombarded with texts and calls will distract them. It’s key to balance offering support with giving them space to prioritize their studies and mental health.
Setting aside a specific time during the week to call or FaceTime can be beneficial. It lets your student know that you’re thinking about them, but also shows that you care about their time and success. During these calls, you can check in on their mental wellbeing, motivation levels and see if they need anything from you.
Send a care package
Many students skip meals and pull all-nighters as their schedule gets busier.
As a result, students tend to get sick the last few weeks of the semester. Sending a care package with items fit for this stressful time can energize your student and help them to push through those last few assignments.
A care package does not have to be fancy. For the final few weeks of the semester, some great things to include in a care package are your student’s favorite snacks, tea or coffee, and things to help your student stay healthy – i.e. hand sanitizer, Lysol wipes and Vitamin C packets.
This article was produced by 1893 Brand Studio on behalf of Raising Heels, an email newsletter for parents of UNC students. This article was written by Sarah Campbell.
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