10 Tips for Parents and Families from Student Academic Success Programs:
TIP # 1
Ask your students when their finals are (days and time). Ask which ones they are the most concerned about and give a call the night before. Notice when they may have more than one final exam on the same day. Explain to siblings why this time may be stressful.
TIP # 2
If your student lives at home, help them find somewhere quiet. As a family, identify those times when a computer can’t be shared since it’s final exam week (May 6 – 12). If your student is on campus or in Dallas, ask them where they plan to study. Note that many places on campus have quiet areas for study – the libraries, A-LEC, Commons, etc.
TIP # 3
See if your students attended the workshops called “Prepare for Finals: The Last Week”. They would have made a plan and ask them to share it with you.
TIP # 4
There is a Reading Day on May 5 (Wednesday) – since this a day for study, ask your student how they plan to utilize this day to really focus on finals preparation.
TIP # 5
Remind students that both tutoring and the Writing Center are available to help during finals week. Schedule is on our website at www.smu.edu/SASP.
TIP # 6
Remind students that if they feel overwhelmed, academic counseling is also available during final exams.
TIP # 7
For students who work with the Disability Accommodations and Success Strategies staff, your coordinator or learning specialist is available to touch base with as well.
TIP # 8
In order to make up the missed days due to the ice storm, the last day of class will now be on Tuesday, May 4.
TIP # 9
There are no finals on Sunday, May 9 – check in with your students at this halfway point!
TIP # 10
Congratulate them when they get home – this has been a challenging year and your students have demonstrated resilience and persistence – celebrate!
