Your support of your K-State student during this challenging time is critical to student success. Living and working in the midst of a global pandemic demands a lot from all of us. The uncertainty of the moment and the near future is stressful. We need you to help your student finish the Spring 2020 semester.
How can you help?
- Give your student the time and space to complete academic work, especially if your student is living at home.
- Ask your student to share details of a study plan that includes future assignments and when and how your student plans to meet those course demands. If your student does not have such a plan, suggest creating one!
- Respect those study plans. Be mindful of how much you ask your student to do in support of household chores, caring for siblings or grandparents, or contributing to the family farm or business. Some contribution is reasonable, but these duties should not interfere with the study plan.
- Remind your student that K-State resources are available to them remotely. The Keep Learning website is a great place to start. Most office websites have guidance on how to access services at a distance.
- If your student is graduating this spring, celebrate this accomplishment and make plans to come to campus in December for a special ceremony.
- If your student is continuing, ask about summer and fall enrollment plans and encourage your student to meet with an academic advisor.
- Join your student on walks or other breaks during the day. If your student is not living at home, call or video-chat regularly. It is important to say connected to a social network even as we practice physical distancing.
The unforeseen curriculum of Spring 2020 is resiliency. Join me in helping your student make progress toward their academic, career, and personal goals by finishing the semester K-State Strong!
Submission by guest contributor Dr. Jeannie Brown Leonard, Vice Provost for Student Success