Tips for faculty to support students

Students often face significant stress at the end of the semester due to a variety of factors, including financial pressures, social challenges, and academic demands. For some, the uncertainty of whether they will return to college next semester adds to their anxiety. As educators, it is our responsibility to create an environment where students feel supported and not overwhelmed. By adopting innovative approaches, we can help students stay engaged, apply what they’ve learned throughout the semester, and enhance their overall well-being. Below are three actionable tips to help students better prepare for their finals.

1. Integrate Gamified Review Sessions Enhance Engagement: Transform your review sessions into interactive games—such as trivia, Jeopardy, or escape room challenges. This approach not only makes learning enjoyable but also reinforces key concepts in a memorable way. Gamification promotes active involvement, reduces stress, and nurtures a collaborative spirit among students, fostering a dynamic learning environment.

Implementation Steps:

a)Organize students into small teams for a friendly competition centered around core topics.

b)Utilize online platforms like Kahoot! or Quizizz to create engaging interactive quizzes that captivate your students.

c)Offer appealing prizes, such as extra credit or small rewards, to increase participation and enthusiasm.

2. Create Collaborative "Study Jams" Foster Collective Success: Collaborative study sessions provide a supportive, low-pressure setting for students to engage with course materials and each other. Collaborative learning builds confidence, strengthens peer connections, and helps students identify areas needing improvement, ultimately enhancing their academic experience. At Learning Commons at Kean University we provide students, SLAM the exam event, where students come and study and we provide some snacks and tutors.

Implementation Steps:

a) Facilitate in-class group activities where students work together to solve problems or analyze case studies.

b) Employ peer-teaching techniques, enabling students to share knowledge and clarify concepts with one another.

c) Provide structure by assigning each group specific focus areas or tasks, ensuring productive and targeted efforts.

3. Incorporate Mindfulness Breaks and Reflective Activities Cultivate Focus and Well-Being: Introducing mindfulness and reflective practices can significantly reduce anxiety and improve concentration, creating a positive, productive learning environment. Mindfulness techniques enable students to manage stress effectively, while reflective activities empower them to take ownership of their learning, paving the way for greater academic success. At Learning Commons Kean University we have open hours in our immersive studio for students to take a "mindfulness break".

Implementation Steps:

a) Begin or conclude each class with a brief 5-minute mindfulness exercise, such as deep breathing or guided visualization, to help center students’ minds. (I learnt that our PFA training and I use this technique for all my meetings now. It helps.)

b) Use reflective prompts like, “What’s one thing you feel confident about for the final? What’s one thing you’d like to clarify today?” to encourage self-reflection. Students may also benefit from having group check-in among themselves.

c) Inspire students to create “exam affirmations” that build their confidence and acknowledge their progress.