Prepping for Midterms and ISLI

A general rule of thumb is that midterm exams tend to happen before Fall Break. Not every faculty member gives a midterm, of course, but for those who do, it is likely the midterms will take place soon.

Midterms can inspire a lot of stress, particularly for our Class of ’26 students who haven’t taken college-level midterms before. Our newest students might be worried about how hard their midterms will be, what grades they will get, and what their family’s/loved ones’ reactions to those grades will be. (We dedicated our 9/26 Weekly Message for First-Year Families to the subject of midterms; if you missed it, read it here.)

Students of any year may be experiencing midterm stress. Here are a few thoughts of ways you might provide support and comfort at midterms (you know your Deac and what they are likely to respond to, so go with what works and scroll past what doesn’t):

• Send them a text with a supportive midterm message (“you got this!” “I love you”, etc.)
• Remind them that it’s OK to take study breaks, get a good night’s sleep, take a refreshing walk, etc. They may inherently know this, but it can help to have a loved one remind them that sometimes NOT studying for a bit is the thing they need.
• Tell them explicitly that you do not expect a certain grade, only that you want them to do their best. Sometimes taking that “I must get an A or my folks will be mad” pressure off is a huge relief.
• Text them a picture of something that will bring a smile: the family dog/cat, a funny picture you took of their sibling, a college joke or meme you found online.
• Send them a giftcard so they can order a treat for themselves – could be GrubHub if they want a special meal, a Starbuck’s card to keep them caffeinated, etc. Or Venmo them some cash for a special treat.
• Remind them that they got through many exams before, whether at the high school or college level, and they will get through these too.

And always, always tell them you love them, you believe in them, and that your love is not dependent on their achievements. That’s the most important message of all.

And as we get closer to course registration (late Oct./early Nov.), students may want to consider the ISLI (Intensive Summer Language Institute) program:

“Does your student have a rigorous course load during the semester or may need/ want to fulfill their language requirement in Spanish in five weeks during the first summer session?

ISLI is an intensive language program to allow students to take SPA 153 and 213 together in Summer Session I. Eligible students must have completed SPA 112, SPA 113, placed into SPA 153 or SPA 154, or want/need to retake SPA 153. The ISLI program gives 8 credit hours total (4 from SPA 153 and 4 from SPA 213). For more information, students should contact Liliana Mendoza-Batista, Associate Professor of the Practice in Spanish, or visit this website. The deadline for applications is Monday, April 17 2023.”

This could be a great option for Deacs taking Spanish as their foreign language requirement to consider.

Two final bits of news: the Office of Residence Life and Housing has sent the following message to resident students about Spring 2023 housing processes. And for students staying on campus for Fall Break, our Fall Break dining hours of operation have been posted. Students should plan ahead and know what is open (and when) so they can plan appropriately.

— by Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (’92, MA ’94)

October 6, 2022