Supporting Students through Our Changed Circumstances

Thereare’sa lot of unknown right now in the world which is causing a lot of stress and anxiety, especially for students. Below are some tips and thoughts on how to help your student through this ambiguity and transition. Hopefully these tips will help you and your student to feel more equipped and prepared to handle changed circumstances.

1. Encourage your student to take care of their health.

Being active at least three days a week can really help elevate mood. Encourage your student to select a variety of nutritious foods, particularly during high-stress times. Part of overall wellness is the development of a balanced and holistic lifestyle. 

2. Help your student maintain healthy sleeping habits.

Most Georgia Tech students tell us they don’t get enough sleep.   Yet sleep is vital not only for physical health, but also for the learning process.   Good sleep supports good academics! Help your student maintain healthy sleeping habits by creating a sleep schedule. A sleep schedule means waking up and sleeping at the same time every day – even on weekends. Holding to a sleep schedule can create better wellness and improve overall well-being. Consider making your own sleep schedule so that you and your student can make this healthy behavior a family tradition.

3. Listen openly to your student without judgment.

As a parent it can be easy to want to give your student advice. However, sometimes they might resist listening to advice, even good advice! Instead, they may need to come to a solution on their own. There’s a lot of unknown for everyone right now and it might just help for your student to voice their anxiety and questions out loud. Listening to your student openly and affirming their experiences can be a way to offer support even if it feels like you aren’t helping to solve the problem. It might also be useful for your student if you ask them what you can do to help when they are stressed.

4. Act as a positive-thinking role model for your student.

Feeling stressed can be contagious, and this can work both ways--between you and your student. Looking at the brighter side of a situation and staying calm when interacting with your student can help reduce everyone’s stress. If you can find the time to take care of yourself and maintain a positive attitude, your student will believe that they can do the same.

5. Support your student in creating SMART goals.

When school feels overwhelming, especially with so many unknowns, your student might feel like it is impossible to complete all of the work assigned to them. However, goal-setting is a great way for them to realistically accomplish their tasks on time. Consider supporting your student in identifying their SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) goals and encourage them to continue working towards their goals even from afar. Little steps can take them a long way!

6.Access local medical and mental health providers.

It’s important for your students to be proactive in thinking about their needs.Georgia Tech offers a wealth of mental health assistance.Sources of assistance can be accessed through the Counseling Center’s website at http://counseling.gatech.edu/.Counselors and case managers are also able to assist students in making connections to mental health professionals in their home community, and for in-state students counselors are helping by phone and a private a/v platform.Call the Counseling Center at 404-894-2575 to request a parent consultation to discuss any mental health concerns about your student.To discuss initiating services (in-state students) or for assistance with out-of-state referral, call CARE (Center for Assessment, Referral and Education) at 404-894-3498.

7. Encourage your student to stay on top of academics and in touch with professors.

Encourage your student to take a look at their syllabi from now to the end of the semester, map out their assignments, then break things up and start them early where possible.Online classes can be structured very differently and require more self-direction. Encourage your student to speak with their professors if they have concerns about this new format.

8. Encourage social distancing but not social cut-offs.

While social distancing is recommended right now, it’s important for your student to stay in contact with their support system. Zoom meetings and FaceTime calls with friends are particularly important right now. Encourage your student to keep in touch with friends, roommates, and teams and student groups to which your student belongs.These social interactions can provide continuity for students and can help them continue to feel connected to Tech. 

9.Stay Inspired!

And for inspiration through our changed circumstances, we invite you and your student to watch our President and Faculty lead and encourage our campus through these unusual times!

President Cabrera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0mxObvWLq8

Faculty:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSHeB_jjIHI