By: Shawn Cox
Submitted: 2010-11-09 07:33:33 | Word Count: 575
The midterm exam week is a stressful time for college students. Often spread out over a two or three week time period, students usually have several papers, projects, presentations, or exams to turn in or prepare for in a short amount of time, especially if a student has a heavy course schedule. Tension often runs high and students are left feeling run down often without a break to recover before finishing the rest of the term.
However, parents and loved ones can help ease the stress with a midterm care package. There are plenty of items that family and friends can include to make midterm exams seem less hectic.
What to Include in a College Midterm Exams Care Package
During midterm exams, students may consume a large amount of school supplies by printing off papers, creating projects or presentations, or by making flashcards for exams. All of these items can rack up a hefty bill at the local office supply store or the campus bookstore, depending upon where a student purchases school supplies.
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Parents can help by including a pack of index cards, Post-It notes, pens, a notebook, or a gift card to be used towards printer paper and ink cartridges. Other supplies that are important but often overlooked, such as paperclips and staples, can help tremendously as well when a student is in a hurry.
For those who are looking to help keep a student's stomach full during midterm exams, stay away from unhealthy snacks like potato chips, cookies, or highly-processed foods. Not only are these foods unhealthy, but they often do not include the proper nutrients that a students needs in order to learn and concentrate effectively. Instead, include items such as crackers, peanut butter, and nuts to give students a boost of energy and the proper nutrition they need.
Finally, including a thoughtful personal item will help students remember that someone is thinking of them and provide a break from all of the studying. Including something small, such as a package of his or her favorite tea or a mug with their favorite team's logo, shows students that family and loved ones are thinking of them.
What Not to Include in a College Midterm Exams Care Package
There are a few things that parents, family members, and loved ones should not include in a midterm exams care package.
Most importantly, those sending care packages should check with the college or university's housing policies to make sure all items in the care package comply with school rules and regulations. Items not allowed in on-campus housing may lead to a student becoming involved in judicial action, which can cause more stress for a student.
In addition, those sending care packages should refrain from sending alcohol, cigarettes, or other non-prescription medications or drugs, especially if the package is being sent via the postal service. This is because colleges and universities often have regulations on how tobacco and alcohol can be used and kept while on campus, and the postal service has rules and regulations as to what kinds of controlled substances can be sent through the mail system.
Care packages can be a thoughtful and personal way of showing that parents and loved ones are thinking about their college student. Keeping a student's needs in mind, especially during midterm exams, can help make the stressful times in a student's schedule less hectic by making sure some of the student's basic needs are taken care of.
