Timely Teaching Tips: Weeks 7 and 8 – Student Support Strategies

By Emma Larkins, OSU Center for Teaching and Learning

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Resources to support students’ physical, mental and academic well-being 

We are moving into the final weeks of the term. Students are busy at work on assignments, quizzes and exams, and group projects in anticipation of finals week. Take steps to help students manage their stress levels and access the many OSU resources available to them. The following tips highlight a selection of resources and strategies to support students in a range of areas.  

  • Strategies to Manage Academic Stress. The last few weeks of the term are often very busy for students. Want to help them manage potential stress and overwhelm? Share strategies from the Academic Success Center’s E.A.S.E. Your Stress handout. Taking a few minutes in class to share these techniques for de-stressing can help remind students of the importance of self-care. 
  • Nourish your body, nourish your brain. Studying for exams, finishing up projects, researching, and writing papers takes energy! Encourage students to take breaks, eat nutritious meals, and get regular sleep. Let them know about the Basic Needs Center’s Healthy Beaver Bags, and consider sharing Academic Success Center ideas about designing effective breaks and potential break activities
  • Keep Student Grades Up-to-Date. Looking for ways to help your students finish the term successfully? Review your Canvas gradebook for accuracy. Make sure it’s fully up to date so students know their status in your course. Use SpeedGrader in Canvas to evaluate assignments more efficiently. 

About the author: Emma Larkins (she/her) is a doctoral candidate in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Oregon State University. Her professional background is in qualitative research, higher education assessment and evaluation, and advancing equity.


Editor’s Note: This is part of a series of Timely Teaching Tips posts to provide just-in-time predagogical techniques, strategies and guidance to support OSU instructional faculty. For daily Timely Teaching Tips throughout the academic year subscribe to OSU Today.


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