Testing: One, Two, Three!
Testing
By now you probably have established communication with your student that fits your schedules and maybe even time zones. It has been almost two months since your son or daughter has been in classes and as many of you may remember, this is the time for tests, one right after the other. Some higher education institutions call the tests mid-terms; others do not. None the less, it can be a very stressful time for students trying to adjust to a new life at college and also face a couple of weeks of exams that measure just how much they have learned and retained.
As a mom of a Pacific University Senior, I have witnessed the stress and fatigue that weeks of late nights of studying followed with late nights of having fun to relieve the stress, have on my son. You may be experiencing the same with your student whether he or she lives on campus, off campus or even at home. As I talk with students in the Bistro or at the Einsteins Bagel Brothers Kiosk, I often get them talk about their major, where “home” is and how their week is going. Recently I heard the same scenario play out with almost every student: “I have tests this week and next week. I have a lot of studying to do.”
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when your student is studying hard and they (hopefully) text you or call home.
- Keep the conversation light and positive to help keep their attitudes up when facing difficult exams.
- Send them a YouTube video that will make them laugh; this helps to relieve the pressure.
- Send a care package with their favorite snacks, a gift certificate to a favorite store so they can go on a small shopping spree to buy a DVD of a movie they raved about or a CD of their favorite music.
- Photos in frames to put on the student’s desk is a great focus point when they just need to look at something other than a text book , laptop screen or smart phone. Digital is easy to do, but an actual photo that can be held and cherished is so much nicer sometimes than an electronic one on FaceBook.
- Most of all, be supportive. Acknowledge that you are proud of your student for their hard work and dedication to their future through schooling and briefly talk about some fun thing to do or some fun place to visit when the holidays arrive. It will give them something to look forward to.
Life is full of all kinds of tests. Be there for your student by letting them know you are pulling for them and that will help boost their confidence when exams come their way.
Linda Duffy
Pacific Parent Association President 2012 - 2013
Posted by Angela Surratt (asurratt@pacificu.edu) on Oct 11, 2012 at 2:08 PM
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