Student Accessibility Services has switched over from paper-based registration and data management to an online data management system, Accessible Information Management (AIM).  AIM is a comprehensive case management software system that was created specifically for higher education disability services departments by disability service professionals.

Students newly requesting registration with SAS will now enter the AIM portal through the SAS website to complete an application and upload their supporting documentation.  Once documentation is reviewed and accommodations are approved, the registration status and approved accommodations are entered by SAS staff into the online database and emails notifying students of their status and accommodations are generated through the AIM system.

A feature of AIM that will directly impact faculty at Conn is that faculty notification of approved accommodations for students in your classes will be handled through AIM as well.   Student course registration data is synched nightly from Banner to AIM.  Through the AIM portal, each semester students will choose the courses for which they would like to notify their professors of approved accommodations.  The Faculty Notification Letter (former paper form “Faculty Accommodation Memo”) will be generated by AIM and sent to the faculty member.  While, students will no longer be bringing you a paper form in class, it is still very important that students meet with each professor at the beginning of the semester to discuss any logistics of how the accommodations will be handled.  Our office stresses the need for students to meet with each professor, though a reminder from faculty to their classes for which they’ve received Faculty Notification Letters would be beneficial while students get used to this new system.

Sudent Accessibility Services has also switched to Google Forms from paper forms for several of the administrative needs that are not handled through the AIM system at present, such as some housing related forms and exam procedure forms (see last week’s blog entry).

We are looking forward to the improved efficiency that will result from this new online system as we become more and more familiar with it and hope that students and faculty will soon experience the benefits as well!

It’s the time in the semester when students’ stress is mounting, increasing steadily until exams are completed, papers submitted, and presentations are in the past.  Stress related to the academic work itself can be compounded by other sources of stress, such as the housing lottery, course registration, or lining up summer work.  For some, there’s even stress over the thought of being back home for the summer, or being away from their school friends for months.  For seniors, it’s the stress of the huge transition of moving on the next phase in life.

Stress is experienced when a person perceives that the demand exceeds the resources they have available – they don’t have the know-how, time, motivation, etc.  What happens in response to a stressor?  There is an aroused physiological response – an increase in stress hormones.  There is a desire to avoid the stressor.  And, there is a sense of loss of control, which in the extreme can result in feeling helpless, which in turn can result in feeling hopeless.

Stress can indirectly affect one’s ability to learn since it has a negative impact on physical health and sleep.  Chronic stress can affect the immune system, inhibiting the ability to fight off infection, resulting in more frequent sickness.  Stress also interferes with one’s sleep, leaving you tired, cranky, and cognitively sluggish.

Stress also directly impacts memory, concentration, and problem solving.  While a small level of stress actually helps the brain perform better, stress that is too severe or goes on for too long has a negative impact on learning.  It worsens the ability to perform math calculations, process language, remember information, take in and process new information, concentrate, and reason.

What Can We Do to Help?

While there are long term, comprehensive ways to help students cope better with stress, we’re in crunch time and want to help students successfully get through the here and now.  Gaining a sense of control is a key way to reduce feelings of stress.  Here are some immediate ways to help students who have become stymied by their stress to gain a sense of control:

1. Be an empathetic listener who can help come up with coping strategies.
2. Help students become aware of the physical symptoms that are associated with their stress, so that they can recognize it early on and work to reduce the stress before it escalates.
3. Show students that through effective time management and planning they can accomplish what they need to get done. Help them break down large assignments, plot due dates, and designate time slots to get their work done.
4. Recommend taking regular breaks every 1 ½ to 2 hours while working on assignments or studying to eat a healthy snack, listen to music, or take a walk. Setting a timer is a good idea so they know when to get back to work.
5. Suggest students attend the mindfulness or meditation groups that exist on campus (contact Counseling Services for more information) or add regular exercise to their daily routine. They might say they don’t have time for one more thing, but these are tried and true ways of reducing stress, so it’s worth the minimal time commitment.  For those who truly feel they can’t spare the time, they can find a meditation app on their phone and listen to that for 5-10 minutes.
6. This one is tough: encourage students to say “no” when necessary.  It’s not helpful to hang out with friends whose stress levels fuel your own.  Nor is it helpful to be lured away from what you need to accomplish by a friend who is prioritizing fun over work.  But, find the right kind of friend who is also working diligently, and sharing a laugh every now and then can be a great way to help reduce stress.