Author: Samantha Greenberg

Summer is right around the corner and many students are busy wrapping up the semester with final exams, papers, and projects. Because this time of year can be particularly demanding for your student, we want to provide you with several ways to help your student manage stress during the final weeks of the semester.

Learning Services
If your student is feeling overwhelmed by his or her workload, encourage your student to visit Mason’s Learning Services for access to resources about time management, tutoring resources and academic counseling. Learning Services also offers a variety of workshops for students to help manage stress levels such as sessions focusing on exam strategies, managing performance anxiety and overcoming procrastination. Click here for a full list of available academic skill workshops.

Study Locations
Many students are spending long hours studying and writing papers during this hectic time of year. Encourage your student to utilize the extended hours of the libraries and Johnson Center as safe study spaces on campus. Students can also reserve group study rooms in the libraries as well as the Johnson Center by clicking here.

If your student lives off campus, encourage him or her to visit the 24-hour Off-Campus Finals Study Lounge located in George’s Restaurant, which is on the top floor of the Johnson Center between May 4 and May 11.

De-Stress Fest
Every year Student Involvement hosts a week of events to help students de-stress before finals. This year, De-Stress Fest will take place between April 25 and April 29. Visit si.gmu.edu/destress-fest/ for more information on the week’s events and encourage your student to attend for several opportunities for free refreshments, exam kits and fun ways to relax before exams.
 
With all of the demands the end of the semester brings, students often struggle to manage stress levels. Please encourage your student to take advantage of these activities in order to relieve stress and power through the final weeks of the semester.

Kristen Wright
Graduate Assistant
Family Programs and Services

The deadline to register for Siblings Weekend is this Friday, April 15 at 5 p.m. EDT! To register online and find additional information on Siblings Weekend, visit masonfamily.gmu.edu.

Here are a few reasons your student and his or her sibling don’t want to miss out on Siblings Weekend:

All siblings that have paid the registration fee and will be joining us for Siblings Weekend will receive an email from

1. Siblings Weekend – The Hunt: Does your Mason student and his or her sibling(s) have a competitive spirit? If so, they may want to participate in “The Hunt”. Co-sponsored by the Patriot Activities Council, students and their siblings will race around campus to answer 10 riddles, and the teams who get the most correct in the shortest amount of time will be eligible for one of five prize packs!

2. Academic Events – Who Done It? Crime Lab and Academic Arcade: For Mason students and siblings with an interest in mystery or who love computer games, these academic collaborations will be a great fit! Sponsored by the College of Forensics and the College of Visual and Performing Arts, our Who Done It? Crime Lab and Academic Arcade are fun and educational ways for siblings to spend time together.

3. Brunch as a family: While Siblings Weekend is designed to provide Mason students and siblings an opportunity to connect and share life at Mason, we encourage the whole family to join for brunch on Sunday, April 23 from 10:30 a.m. – noon at Ike’s. Brunch is free for Siblings Weekend registrants and guests under 10, and only $10 for family members.

Please contact us at families@gmu.edu or by phone at 703-993-2475 with any questions about the weekend. We hope to see your Mason student and his or her sibling in just over a week!

Kristen Wright
Graduate Assistant
Family Programs and Services

Mason is excited to celebrate its thirty-fifth International Week from April 8 -16.    This week-long celebration is a chance for students from the 130 countries represented here at Mason to come together and develop a program of activities that showcase their different cultures.

Registered Student Organizations, Living-Learning Communities, Multicultural Greek Council, academic programs, and other campus units also come together to sponsor several International Week events including an opening ceremony, culture nights, and the greatly anticipated dance competition!  Students, families, and community members are welcome to enjoy the international cuisine, music, lectures, and dance featured during the week.

International Week is one of the most colorful and energetic times on campus.  Students plan for months to host their events and even longer to prepare their dance routine for the competition.  The talent of our students always impresses their audiences, and we highly encourage you and your student to check out as many events as possible.

To learn more about International Week, check out iweek.gmu.edu, or view the 2014 opening ceremony video or the 2014 dance competition for a glance into past events!

Amber Duffey
Program Coordinator for Student Organizations
Student Involvement

April 7	Fall 2016 course registration begins
April 8 - 16	International Week
April 15	Last day to register for Siblings Weekend
April 22	Mason Day
April 23 - 24	Siblings Weekend
April 25 - May 2	De-Stress Fest