Helping your Bulldog Care for Themselves

During this time in the semester, your student is likely exhausted, tired, and concerned about being successful in college. They may be giving everything that they can but are struggling to have the motivation and energy to maintain the same enthusiasm they had in the beginning of the semester. In addition, many students wonder if they are disappointing their families, not good enough, or letting others down. This year, we encourage you to remind your Bulldogs of their worth and self-esteem.

Here are some tips to help improve your student’s self-worth and self-esteem

1. Praise them for all of their hard work
2. Recognize their efforts before offering any feedback, criticism, or recommended changes
3. Validate any difficulties they are experiencing
4. Help them access self-compassion through rather than an inner critic
   1. g. “It’s okay to make mistakes” rather than “What is wrong with me?”
5. Let them know how proud of them you are, even when things are difficult

Sleep remains a common concern for students. Here are additional tips to offer your student:

1. Find a Quiet and Relaxing place (add in ear plugs if you live in an environment that is louder)
2. Draw your attention to your breathing. Remember to focus on all the details of your breathing (speed, weight, movement, calmness)
3. Validate that your attention will drift and slowly allow it to come back to focusing on your breathing and rest.
4. Lay down how you feel most comfortable.

Here are some extra tips:

1. After 20 minutes of difficulty sleeping, get up and walk around a bit, then come back to your bed to try again.
2. Invest in a weighted blanket
3. Use calming smells and lotions
4. Imagine a place where you feel the most relaxed and bring that image to your mind
5. Try not to eat at least 1-1.5 hours before bed.

To learn more about the Drake Student Counseling Center, please visit our website: drake.edu/counselingcenter