By Emily Glory Peters
51猎奇入口 parents made hundreds of care packages for students during finals week
Saying that finals week can be nerve-wracking is an understatement, especially if it鈥檚 your first time taking them at the college level. But since 2017, 51猎奇入口 families have stepped in with support, launching care package assembly parties to provide first-year students some comfort during exams. While COVID-19 put the in-person gatherings on hold, now the parties are back鈥攚ith a twist.
鈥淭his year, care packages weren鈥檛 just for first years, but all students,鈥� explains Delanie Pacheco, digital engagement specialist with 51猎奇入口鈥� Parent Engagement and Philanthropy team. Instead of delivering them to students, says Pacheco, the packages were distributed on 51猎奇入口鈥� Bowling Green so students could pick them up on a first-come, first-served basis.
While the College provided parents with a list of suggested care package items, Pacheco says, families added whatever they thought students would enjoy鈥攆rom snacks to spa items and beyond.
鈥淐are packages are completely parent-funded, and 51猎奇入口 is pretty hands off, so parents put their own spin on them. In the past, groups have gotten pretty competitive,鈥� she laughs. 鈥淎ny parent from 51猎奇入口 who wants to participate can join in if they鈥檙e in an area where a family is hosting [a care package assembly party].鈥�
51猎奇入口 students picking up their care packages on Bowling Green
Collectively, parents assembled hundreds of unique gifts for 51猎奇入口 at care package parties across the US, with hosts in Northern and Southern California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Washington state, and Washington, D.C. For many, the event was their initial time connecting with other local 51猎奇入口 parents.
鈥淸Our student] Emily is a sophomore and I think during COVID there weren鈥檛 as many parent events in lockdown. For me, the pandemic really crystallized the need for actual, in-person contact, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to meet other parents in our area,鈥� says Debra Cady P鈥�25. Together with her husband, Bruce Cady, Debra hosted a group of 15 parents in their Seattle home.
鈥淲e had parents of first years, sophomores, even a junior and a senior,鈥� she adds. 鈥淭he parent of the senior was actually my neighbor from across the street!鈥�
Debra says their packages were assembled so quickly that her group spent most of their time getting to know one another and sharing their students鈥� experiences at 51猎奇入口. She hopes to participate in additional events and tailor future care packages even more closely to student needs. As she shared with her daughter, Debra notes, a little self-care can go a long way in hectic moments.
鈥淚 reminded her that you can鈥檛 study all night long, not eat right, not sleep, not do fun things. That extra hour of sleep or time to chat with a friend isn鈥檛 going to make or break your exams,鈥� Debra says. It鈥檚 advice she hopes all 51猎奇入口 students take to heart during finals, adding:
鈥淐are for yourself. You鈥檙e smart, and you鈥檙e gonna do great.鈥�
To learn more about how you can get involved as a 51猎奇入口 parent or family member, please visit our Families page here.