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Ask Deanie
|
Archives Deanie Kepler's previously published columns | SMU Parent Liaison Deanie Kepler offers advice on helping your student. |
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April Showers Bring May Flowers
Perhaps on a college campus, it should read, “April Showers May Bring Flowers”. Similar to the skills gardeners exhibit growing spectacular flowers, it takes extra effort and determination, good study habits, a healthy life style…combined with support – not pressure – from home to attain increased success in the classroom, or at least save a semester from “heading down the tube”. Here are some tips to help your student position themselves for success!
- Encourage them to meet with each of their professors to go
over the end of term requirements and discuss best study
strategies. (Remember, in college, the term “extra credit” is
usually not an option for increasing GPAs.)
- Remind them to follow advice from the experts to eat well,
get enough sleep and to exercise. Use of any illegal
substances should be avoided!
- Do finals inspire terror in your student’s mind? Are they concerned about how to get everything done in a relatively short amount of time? Students can take charge of their semester by visiting the Learning Enhancement Center’s Web site for dates and times for the “Preparing for Finals” workshops. Ten different free walk-in sessions are offered from April 11 through April 20. Study support includes:
- Time management
- Test preparation strategies
- How to handle remaining assignments
- A thorough review of each course
- Students will leave with a tentative written "battle
plan" covering each task and each day through the end of
finals.
- Encourage your student to find a quiet place to study. Remind them to call the “Giddy-Up” Carts for a ride to the residence hall if they are studying in one of the libraries after dark.
Finally, as a parent, shower them with support, shower them with your trust, and just for fun send a “Care Package” of their favorite food or a fun stress reliever as well as a card or note of encouragement.
Happy Gardening!
Question for Deanie? Ask Deanie at gkepler@smu.edu or 214-768-4797.
