How to Help With College Exam Stress
Now that your grown child is away at college, you're not able to be there for her in the same way during stressful times in school, such as midterms and final exams. That doesn't mean that you can't still be a source of support, no matter how far away she is. Care packages, words of encouragement and offering support in any way you can will go a long way in showing your college student you are behind her all the way, which can help with college exam stress.
Instructions
Send a final exam care care package. Most schools have prepared college exam packages they encourage parents to order for their child. These packages are OK, but they are very generic. Instead, take a cue from what the college offers and modify your own personalized care package specifically with treats and comfort items that you know your college student will appreciate. For example, pack up his favorite packaged comfort foods such as cookies and oatmeal packets. Add thick cozy socks, a coffee shop or health food store gift card, and a suggested playlist list of brain-stimulating music like Mozart with perhaps a gift card for downloading the music. Vitamins, aspirin and perhaps a gift certificate to a health club where he can unwind are also good ideas. You could also include a cheesy picture of yourself or the rest of the family cheering him on. Take the pressure off. Your child might be worried that you will be really upset if he doesn't do well on the college exams, which could be causing even more stress. Let him know that you just want her to do the best he can, that you are proud of him and believe in him, no matter the scores. Send encouraging text messages every now and then -- but not daily -- to emphasize your support. Offer to help your college student study. If you can video chat with your college student, offer to help him study when he can't find a study buddy. Have him email you the answers so you can quiz him during a video chat session. You can also do it over the phone if you are not able to video chat. If he is struggling in a particular subject and has expressed the need for more help, offer to pay for a tutor for her. Avoid making him feel guilty, though, if he prefers studying with friends or alone. Help your student organize his time if he is having difficulty finding time to study for his exams. Go over your student's daily schedule with him, encouraging him to come up with ideas -- and providing your own if needed -- for a schedule that will allow him time to study, even if that means gently encouraging her to postpone some of her social plans until exams are over. Make sure he carves out enough time to get plenty of rest, especially the day before the exams.