End of Semester Support for Undergraduate Students
December 6, 2023
Dear Students,
As the Fall 2023 semester comes to a close, we are writing to acknowledge the challenges faced by our campus and global communities, and affirm your perseverance and resilience in light of these challenges. We encourage you to remain in community with each other—spend time with your friends, check in on your family, form study groups with your classmates, talk with your instructors during office hours. There are numerous academic resources, supports, and events that we encourage you to utilize over the next few weeks. We have asked faculty and advisors to be flexible and supportive to students who are feeling especially overwhelmed given the challenges of this semester. Additional support is available from the Brandeis Counseling Center by calling 781-736-3730 at any time, day or night. Contact SAS at access@brandeis.edu or 781-736-3470 for accommodation requests or if you need support managing the rest of the semester. Please seek support and take care of yourself.
With our best wishes,
Carol Fierke, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Jeffrey Shoulson, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences
Meet with academic advisors
- Academic advisors are available for 20- and 30-minute appointments and can talk with you about managing your end-of-semester responsibilities.
- Academic advisors will be tabling outside of Louis’s Deli (Upper Usdan) Thursday and Friday 11-12pm. No appointment necessary.
Request extensions or incompletes with your instructors
- If you are having difficulty meeting an assignment deadline, please contact your instructor to see if an extension is possible.
- If a personal circumstance prevents you from completing coursework by the end of the semester—or from taking a final exam at the scheduled time—you may request an incomplete here. More information about the incomplete policy can be found in the University Bulletin.
Participate in Evening Accountability Hours
These are quiet spaces for you to come in person, at any point, to be around other individuals who are striving to get work done. Did you know you are more likely to be productive if you leave your bedroom/comfort space? During this time you can also chat with a SAS Fellow who monitors this space for study tips, organizational help, etc.! Free snacks are provided.
- Thursday Dec. 7th 7-9pm: Polaris Lounge, North Quad
Utilize Library Resources
Stressbusters Activities begin December 8th and include:
- Collaborative Art
- Therapy Dogs: Goldfarb 1, Mon., Dec. 11, noon-1:30pm
- Bracelet Making: Goldfarb 1, Sat. Dec. 9 noon-3pm & Wed., Dec. 13 noon-3pm
- Snowflake Making: Goldfarb 1, Fri. Dec. 8, noon-3pm & Tue. Dec. 12, noon-3pm
- Origami, Lego builds, and more!
Extended hours, December 8 - 19
Monday-Friday: 7:30am - 2:00am
Saturday 9:00am - 12:00am
Sunday 9:00am - 2:30am
The Library is here to help:
- Stop by the Research Help Desk
- Email researchhelp@brandeis.edu
- Chat with them online
Talk with Roosevelt Fellows
- Need a study break? Grab some hot cocoa, munchkins, and chat with Roosevelt Fellows at the Blue Booths on Monday, December 11 between 11-1pm. (Rain location: tables by Starbucks in the library.)
Attend open hours in the Student Union
- The Student Union is holding a study session in its office (3rd floor Shapiro Campus Center) on Monday, December 11 from 9am - 9pm. This space can also serve as a quiet and collaborative space to work on final exams and assignments. Therapy dogs, too!
Work with BUGS Peer Tutors and Study Skills Tutors
- You are encouraged to connect with Brandeis Undergraduate Group Study (BUGS) peer tutors. Our Study Skills tutors will be holding office hours on Monday, December 11 from 10am-2pm in Farber (by Starbucks).
As a reminder, this Friday, December 8 is the last day of classes for the fall 2023 semester. Monday, December 11 is a Study Day, with the final exam period running December 12-20.