"Blessing of Brains" and Surviving Comps

This time of year, students are stressing not just about the holidays but also about final exams, papers, and tests at the end of the fall quarter. Here are two things that might help your students feel supported during this time of year.

Two summers ago, I was in the same boat, stressing over comprehensive exams. It was one of the most academically and pyschologically difficult things I had to do. After I got through it, I thought no one should have to stress like that alone. So I put together a little web site called "Surviving Comps" that has some tips that helped me get through my comps.

When I was a campus minister at UCLA and at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, we would do a "blessing of brains" on the Sunday before finals. These were always the best-attended Masses of the year. Consider doing a "blessing of brains" at an upcoming Sunday gathering or youth group meeting. You can even make up little card or bookmarks with this prayer for the students to take home.

A Blessing of Brains

God, Creator of all things and of human intellect,
bless these students with orderly thinking,
curiosity for the work of your creation,
and a creative spirit in their studies.

Lord Jesus, Son of God, help them remain focused.
Give them eyes to see the connections between their study
and its value for life and service to others.
Energize them and get their brains working.

Send your Holy Spirit upon them
to give them flexibility of thought and expression,
good memory and calm nerves,
the ability to organize their thinking
and comprehend theories and facts
that they may express them with flair and clarity.
May your Spirit help them
to overcome moments of discouragement
and to rejoice in their accomplishments.

God our Wisdom, in whom we live, move, and have our being,
bless your sons and daughters.
Bless their brains and every part of their lives.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.