Overview
The demands of college life can significantly impact students' mental and physical health. Research* suggests that faculty can make a positive impact by offering small but meaningful support, such as adding flexibility to the course and directing students to campus resources. The following strategies provide practical steps to achieve this.
Be open to adjusting attendance policies, assignment deadlines, and grade policies when possible.
- Allow for excused absences without penalizing students.
- Regularly review assignments to ensure they are engaging and relevant.
- Avoid heavily weighting a single assignment to minimize student pressure.
- Experiment with ungrading assignments.
- Consider dropping the lowest quiz or exam grade.
- Offer extra credit options.
Monitor student progress and proactively offer assistance.
Leverage the following Canvas resources to help.
Discuss stress management and direct students to the following resources in your syllabus and at key points throughout the semester.
- Student Success Coaching: Offer resources to help with procrastination, organization, time management, work-life-school balance, and more.
- Brainfuse: a free online tutoring service accessed through Canvas with live academic support.
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UT San Antonio's Student Wellbeing: for mental health services and support, including:
- TimelyCare: On-demand emotional support, appointment-based counseling, advanced psychiatric care, and more.
- 24-hour Crisis Line: 210-458-4140, option 3.
- Wellness 360 Counseling Services: The Wellness 360 counseling center provides short-term individual counseling, group counseling, and psychiatry.
- Group Workshops: Meet new people, discuss challenges, build support, and learn about yourself in these workshops.
Resources
For more, review these additional resources:
Support
For support, email [email protected], call 210-458-4520, or book a consultation with our TLDT experts.