How to take care of someone who is writing exams.
Being a student is not easy. At this time of year, there are many university and college folk here in Vancouver and around the world who are staring at their books, trying to eat “properly” and getting their last assignments in. So, what can those of us who are not studying do for our loved ones who are working so hard?
I have compiled a list of simple things we can do, even in our busy work schedules, to help out someone who is going to school:
- make an extra helping for meals and take it to them
- schedule short study-breaks with them
- send them care packages with brain-healthy snacks and funny pictures
- give them a call – even if they don’t answer, tell them you’re thinking of them
- celebrate their final accomplishments with them – no matter how short a celebration due to another looming deadline
- send them brain-break, funny emails
Even if you haven’t been in these shoes, you know what it’s like when someone does something for you to make your life easier. Tension can be high and emotions can run wild during this stage of post-secondary education. Friends and family need to understand that it will all be over in a relatively short time and then the one you love will “go back to normal.” It’s not to say everyone turns into raging wild beasts when they are studying, but the pressures and stresses at this point in the year always test the limits of sanity!
So, a short re-cap of how to be for a studying loved one:
- be helpful
- be kind
- be patient
