[UA] Finals Season Support Resources

Sat Dec 13 15:23:22 EST 2014

Greetings Undergrads,

With classes winding down and finals coming up, there are sure to be lots
of stresses coming your way. With this in mind, the UA Student Support and
Wellness Committee has compiled a list of FAQs that are often relevant
during finals season. If you have any of these questions, you’re not alone.
There are resources on campus that can help you, and it is definitely worth
reaching out to them for support.

For more details about the offices mentioned in the FAQs below, the
services they provide, and how to access them, please see the Finals
Edition of our How-to Guide to Accessing MIT Resources
<https://www.dropbox.com/s/5b9dk7joc1e8b6t/How-To%20Guide%20Fall%202014.pdf?dl=0>
(written
by students, for students and approved by staff from the relevant offices
to ensure accuracy).

*What if I get sick or injured during finals week, and feel like I can’t
study or even take my exam? *

   1. Make an appointment with S3 (by calling 617-253-4861 or walking in to
   5-104 to schedule a time with the receptionist at the front desk to discuss
   your options).
   2. If you're injured and want exam accommodations, contact either S3
   (617-253-486) or SDS (617-253-1674 or uaap-sds at mit.edu) and they will
   help you determine which resource is best for you.
   3. Contact your professors and TAs directly to let them know your
   situation (S3 can also help you write these emails if you need help.
   Just ask them!).
   4. Go to Urgent Care <http://whereis.mit.edu/?go=E23>, open 7 am to 11
   pm every day. You can call 617-253-4481 first and ask for an estimate of
   the wait-time and some immediate advice. If you have a Primary Care
   Provider (PCP) and would feel more comfortable with them, make an
   appointment by calling their office
   <http://medweb.mit.edu/directory/providers.html> and ask for the closest
   possible availability.

*What if I’m overwhelmed by all my classes and don’t know how I’m going to
finish anything?*

   1. Make an appointment with S3 (by calling 617-253-4861 or walking in to
   5-104 to schedule a time with the receptionist at the front desk). S3 deans
   can help you make a study schedule and plan how to keep from feeling
   overwhelmed.
   2. If you often feel overwhelmed or experience feelings of dread or
   despair, consider making an appointment at Mental Health and Counseling by
   calling 617-253-2916.

*I’m concerned with my grades and how much studying I’ll have to do to pass
my classes. What should I do? *

   1. Email or talk to your TAs and professors. They may be able to provide
   you with last-minute tutoring/study materials or resources.
   2. Make an appointment with S3  (by calling 617-253-4861 or by walking
   in to 5-104 to schedule a time with the receptionist at the front desk).
   They can help you create a study schedule to best manage your time.

*I’m too stressed out over my classes to sleep/eat. What do I do?*

   1. If you’re awake after hours, you can call MIT Mental Health and
   Counseling’s on-call mental health clinician at 617-253-4481. You will be
   able to talk with that professional who can guide you through how to reduce
   your immediate stress and also give you sleeping tips.
   2. Make an appointment at Mental Health and Counseling by calling
   617-253-2916 to help you balance your body’s needs with academic/personal
   stresses. You may also consider visiting Walk-In hours (weekdays 2 - 4 pm)
   to talk briefly with a mental health professional about the issue right
   away.
   3. Make an appointment with S3 in order to balance your academic work
   with self-care (by calling 617-253-4861 or by walking in to 5-104 to
   schedule a time with the receptionist at the front desk).
   4. Try using the Community Wellness sleep hotline at 617-253-CALM
   (617-253-2256) or download podcasts
   <http://medweb.mit.edu/wellness/resources/downloads.html> for better
   sleep and bedtime relaxation.
   5. E-mail Community Wellness at MIT Medical at wellness at med.mit.edu for
   help with stress management techniques, healthy eating habits, and sleep.

*My laptop isn’t working/I can’t access all my study materials. What do I
do? *

   1. Call the IS&T Help Desk at 617-253-1101 to find out what can be done.
   In some cases they will ask you to bring your laptop in to E17-110
   <http://whereis.mit.edu/?go=E17>.
   2. If they can help you fix your laptop, most repairs take 3-5 days. The
   IS&T Help Desk may be able to loan you a laptop while you are having yours
   repaired. Ask about the Repair Center Laptop Loaner Program when you bring
   your laptop over.
   3. Ask around to see if any of your friends has an extra computer or
   doesn’t need theirs at certain times during which you can borrow it. They
   may also be able to help you copy your class files over from your hard
   drive onto theirs or onto a USB. Friends are great resources!
   4. Take a trip to the athena clusters
   <http://whereis.mit.edu/?q=clusters&zoom=16&lat=42.36035147519904&lng=-71.0906195640564&open=-1&maptype=mit>.
   They’re always open and will give you computer access even if you don’t yet
   have all your files available to you.

*My room is too loud for me right now and I need somewhere quieter to
study. What should I do? *

   1. Try out one of MIT’s study areas:
      1. Libraries <http://libraries.mit.edu/study/> (study areas
      <http://libraries.mit.edu/study/> in the libraries)
      2. The reading room (on the 5th floor of the student center)
      3. Dorm conference rooms
   2. If you want to put on headphones and listen to ‘white noise’, you can
   find a link to white noise in the list of Community Wellness resources
   <http://medweb.mit.edu/wellness/resources/downloads.html>
   3. If you want strategies for how to talk to your roommate(s) about
   setting quiet hours in a way that would avoid conflict:
      1. Talk with your GRTs,
      2. Visit Conflict Resolution @ MIT
      <http://studentlife.mit.edu/conflictmanagement> at W20-507
      <http://whereis.mit.edu/?go=W20>,
      3. Contact the Ombuds Office (617-253-5921) to talk or make an
      appointment), or
      4. Check out the Ombuds published self-help resources online
      <http://ombud.mit.edu/self-help>

*My friend is having a difficult time dealing with all the work right now
and helping them is concerning because of my own finals. How can I help? *

   1. Forward this guide to your friend and point them toward the relevant
   information.
   2. Hugs are great. So is chocolate (for some people). Just letting your
   friend know that you’re there for them can be super helpful.
   3. Talk to your friend or their GRT to brainstorm a solution.
   4. Make an appointment with S3 (by calling 617-253-4861 or by walking in
   to 5-104 to schedule an appointment); they can give you advice on caring
   for a friend and make sure that you’re also able to care for yourself.

If at all possible, take some time for yourself and get away from the books
for a study break. Try to enjoy the warm indoors and spend time with your
friends to celebrate all the work you’ve put in this semester. The UA
wishes you all the best in your finals and a safe and happy winter holiday.

Sincerely,

Your friends from the UA Student Support and Wellness Committee
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