This is my memory of the night before my first set of final exams in college. There was a scheduled time when everyone in the freshman dorms opened their windows and let out a loud primal scream. Then a few snowball fights ensued. I can’t think of a better way to break the tension on what felt like a very high-pressure night.
College students are under even more pressure now, as competition to get into the health professions, finance, and the high-tech industry rises. Pre-med college students, for example, are expected to do more shadowing, volunteering, and research than in the past.
Parents, you can play a significant role in reducing pressure as your student approaches their very first final exams. The month of October is a great time to do an academic check-up, as they are going through midterms, so they can take necessary corrective action.
- Check in with them now to see how they are performing in their classes. If they are doing poorly, encourage them to find a tutor and go to their professor’s office hours. I’ve seen many students be too embarrassed to tell their parents they are struggling only to end up with poor grades at the end of the semester.
- Keep an open mind about their major. If you think they will be successful at engineering but they don’t like their math and physics classes, they will not do well. Encourage them to follow their purpose while working with the school career center to identify future vocational paths. Keep in mind that one third of students change their major at least one time
- Encourage a good night’s sleep (at least 7-8 hours). Studies show adequate sleep will enhance school performance. Sleep quality during the month before an exam has a bigger impact on grades than sleep the night before an exam. During sleep, the glymphatic system clears our brain of toxins, enhancing our physical and mental health.
- Consider a gap year after college if they are considering going into the health professions or other graduate programs. Meeting the requirements to get into different programs, especially PA, dental, and medical schools, can be arduous. Allowing additional time for students to take entrance exams and participate in the requisite activities can take a great deal of pressure off. It’s most important they keep their GPA up and they can focus on other requirements later.
- Encourage them to be evaluated at their counseling center if they are underperforming. They may have severe test anxiety, a form of social anxiety disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the gold standard for treating anxiety disorders. Consider a psychiatric evaluation if you think your child might benefit from medication. Medications that raise serotonin levels, like sertraline, and that inhibit the sympathetic nervous system, like propranolol, can reduce test anxiety.
This is a stressful time for parents of freshmen who will soon face their first set of final exams. You are worried — what if they do poorly? Will they ruin their chances for a successful career? It’s normal for freshmen to struggle in some classes. Don’t catastrophize; your child is likely doing that on their own. Be the voice of calm in their lives, guiding them to resources now so they can have smooth sailing during their first finals.