By Iantha Stewart

It is no surprise that the stresses of college can weigh deeply and heavily on students. It can be difficult to watch nieces and nephews become overwhelmed with essays, projects, due dates and finals. But from the very beginning, aunts can lend a helping hand.

Here are five ways you can help curb their college stress:

Letters. Talking on the phone and texting are normal to most teenagers. We do it all of the time and it has become very impersonal. But the very personal, thoughtful nature of a letter can give a stressed college student an escape to happiness.

Advice. Advice. Advice. As a student, there were times when I have received advice that I thought was futile, but in the end, was useful. Of course, aunts will always want to know how their nieces and nephews are doing in classes, if they are studying enough, sleeping and eating. But what really helps is more practical advice: Help them manage their schedules, warn them about the amount of reading they’ll need to do and how to best tackle it, encourage them to join clubs and get involved while giving them tips on how to manage their time between extracurriculars and studying. You can also tell them the importance of sleep, good diet and exercise, so that weight gain, sluggishness and unhealthy habits do not add to the stress of college. Last but not least, teach them the importance of a balance between work and play. Connect with them so that they know you understand what they are going through.

Care Packages. Among my friends, I have realized that this is something that is overlooked by families who are in close proximity to their students (1-3 hours). I go to school just an hour from where I live, so I can easily get back home whenever I please. I think this made my family forget that, even though they see me fairly often, I am still away with lots of stress and missing home. When I saw my friends get care packages, they were often filled with little trinkets, snacks and stuffed animals. I saw some stress steam blow out of them as they opened the package.

Send your nieces and nephews, whether close or far, some meaningful packages. Print out some loving pictures that you took with them, send them some of their favorite snacks, buy them a beautiful shirt or article of clothing that they would or send them something that can only be understood between you and them!

Listen. College can be a rollercoaster in every way: emotionally, socially, educationally, among other ways. Having someone take the time to just listen can be a huge stress reliever. College can become a lonely place that keeps throwing tests and essays at you. Be that ear and that shoulder like you always are! This time it will count twice as much.

Help. When it comes to classes, many students feel as though they cannot turn to the adults in their life, myself included. If you have an area of expertise, lend a helping hand to your nieces and nephews. It will help to feel as though someone knows what they’re going through when it comes to difficult class material. Even if you are not familiar with their material, give them some good studying habits and encourage their success!

Aunts can do a few seemingly small things to help reduce the stress. These things go a long way and can make college life so much easier.