Disability Spotlight: Surviving Midterms

A note from Michelle Laughlin, director of Access & Success:

Snowball effect: You miss an assignment, you decide to skip class because you are embarrassed, another assignment comes and goes, and you continue to miss class. Things start to spiral. How do you stop this from becoming too big? 

Midterms are a busy time in Access & Success. Students receive their grades, and for some, it’s the first time that they know where they stand in their classes. What a wakeup call! So how do you survive midterms? What do you do if you are caught in a spiral and can’t get out? First, it’s not too late! Now is the time to take a hard look at what is left to be done. Make a list of outstanding assignments.  

Reach out and talk to your professors. Sometimes having a difficult two-minute conversation will provide the answers that will help you get out of your spiral. Ask your professors if they are willing to accept late work. If they are, get to work! If they won’t accept late work, cross them off your list and move on. Focus instead on what they will accept. Make a to-do list and prioritize. If you need to learn how to do that, schedule some time with Access & Success. 

We care about your mental health and wellness. Students have free, immediate access to teletherapy through our partnership with Uwill. Get started. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 833–646–1526 for help 24/7/365. For medical emergencies, call 911.  

The Counseling Center is also a great resource. They offer individual and group therapy. Find all information at https://www.drake.edu/counselingcenter/.   

Access & Success provides academic coaching, tutoring, and student disability services. Equal access to education is achieved when barriers to learning are removed. Access & Success staff are here to help work with students—alongside faculty and staff—to ensure the success and inclusion of all students. 

— Michelle Laughlin, director of Access & Success. 

Access & Success provides academic coaching, tutoring and student disability services. Equal access to education is achieved when barriers to learning are removed. Access & Success staff are here to help work with students—alongside faculty and staff—to ensure the success and inclusion of all students.