Finishing Strong
Finals are right around the corner, whether your student is ready or not. Encourage your student to stay focused and take care of themselves as their classes end with final exams. The best ways to eliminate stress and test anxiety are to rest, eat well, and exercise. It might also be helpful for your student to manage their time with the use of a daily planner. Utilizing a planner encourages students to plan out their time and keep track of where they need to be and when. Usually if it is written down, it is more likely to get done. Making sure that your student stays focused during this time is key to their success.
Reflection
Encourage your student to spend some time reflecting upon the past year. This reflection can provide the framework for the next academic year. The questions below can guide this conversation:
- What went well (academics/social integration/involvement)?
- What did not go well?
- What are your goals for next year?
- How can I help you achieve your goals?
- What did you learn?
- What do you wish you would have done differently?
- How did this year compare to last year?
- How would you describe your freshman/sophomore/junior/senior year?
Perhaps your student heard about all of the great events happening on and around campus, but never seemed to get to one. Maybe they wish they had spent a little more time studying. Encourage your student to begin brainstorming ways they can work on these areas for next year. Campus resources including the Office of Student Activities are available to assist your student in getting involved on campus. If help is needed academically, encourage them to contact the Center for Learning and Student Success+.