The first day of exams is fast approaching! Exam season can be a challenging time to find balance. To help you prioritize self-care, check out study tips, activities and resources from across campus. Let’s do this!
Find a full list of Stress Buster events by searching “stress busters” on Gryphlife.ca.
Check out this useful StressBusters Activity Book for exam prep advice, relaxation tips, puzzles and colouring pages.
In-Person Activities
Studying in the library? Check out their Meditation Hour at noon on weekdays and their Grab and Go Table and Positivity Boards.
In collaboration with campus partners, they’re also offering:
- free ice cream – Wed. Dec. 7 from 1 to 2 p.m. (Lib 109)
- self-affirmation card making – Wed. Dec. 7 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. (Lib 109)
- snowflake decorating – Wed. Dec. 14 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. (Lib 109)
- button making – Thurs. Dec. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. (Lib 103)
Watch for preschoolers from the Child Care and Learning Centre as they’re out and about on campus handing out their Cards of Kindness! Supplies provided by the Undergraduate Academic Information Centre (UAIC).
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Join the Student Volunteer Connections (SVC) team to bust your stress, create and decorate holiday cards, and much more. Details online.
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‘Take a Paws’ from your busy schedule to hang-out and relax with certified comfort dogs! Register online.
Take A Paws programming is offered at U of G through partnerships with the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program and Therapeutic Paws of Canada
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Join Athletics for a Glowga Yoga Class. Bring your own glow-in-the-dark gear and we provide glow sticks and mats. Register online.
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This workshop provides useful tips to help understand and manage perfectionism, impostor syndrome, and how the inner critic shows up. Participants will be encouraged to discuss and address concerns about their own struggles with perfectionism, or the concerns of others. This workshop will provide practical strategies to help manage perfectionism and promote positive well-being. Watch their Gryph Life events list for details.
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From listening to the calming sounds of the new waterfall in the Japanese Garden, to bird watching, to finding ancient trees and going for winter walks, immerse yourself in the Arboretum to help reduce exam stress.
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Follow these accounts for activities, resources and advice to get you through exam season.
- U of G – @uofguelph
Stress busting tips and info on activities - Library – @uglibrary
Study tips and resources - Alumni Affairs and Development – @uofgalumni
Advice from grads who have been in your shoes! - CSAHS Daily Stress Busters Challenge and Giveaway
Daily wellness challenges on Instagram (@CSAHS_UOG). Follow along to complete the challenges and enter to win a prize!
Academic resources to help you prep
Get quick access to academic resources to help you finish the semester strong. The Undergraduate Academic Information Centre has a list of online resources to help students with their academic success, including tutoring and supported learning groups. Or speak to someone through live chat for help finding information and resources.
No matter what type of exam you’re prepping for, the library has strategies to help! Choose from tips for:
- Multiple-choice exams
- Essay exams
- Problem-solving exams
- Short-answer exams
They also have great advice on how to study effectively and more tips on getting ready for exams.
Study space for off-campus students
Are you an off-campus student looking for an on-campus space to study? Join the Student Experience department in Peter Clark Hall (University Centre – Level 0) for a series of pop-up study rooms.
All study room sessions will have an upper year Student Outreach Facilitator around who can answer questions about U of G (not your course content). Study snacks will be available to keep you energized through exam season.
The five sessions include:
- Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Dec. 2 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
- Dec. 5 from noon to 2 p.m.
- Dec. 7 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
- Dec. 9 from 9 to 11 a.m.
Missed a final exam or assignment?
If you miss an exam or final assignment due date because you’re sick, contact your Program Counselling Office. Your program counsellor can help determine what supporting documentation may be required.
Need to talk?
When things get stressful or overwhelming, it helps having someone to talk to. Check out these free mental health resources for students.
Counselling Services supports students through individual and group counselling. Need to see someone today? Access same-day counselling by phone, online or in-person from Monday to Friday – 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Call 519-824-4120 Ext. 53244 to schedule an appointment with a Counsellor or drop by the front desk on the first floor of the J.T. Powell Building.
Not sure where to start? Connect with a Student Wellness Navigator! In a 30-minute appointment, a navigator will discuss your concerns and identify appropriate services and supports. Appointments are available Monday to Friday. Call 519-824-4120 Ext. 52131 to book an appointment.
Confidential peer-to-peer support is offered through the Student Support Network (SSN) either in-person or virtually. Hours vary each semester and during academic breaks.
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U of G’s Student Experience advisers are also available to support you:
- Cultural Diversity Facilitator –Shelleanne Hardial – shardial@uoguelph.ca
- International Student Adviser – Ernest Damalie – intl.student@uoguelph.ca
- Indigenous Student Adviser – Ally Stoett – astoett@uoguelph.ca
- Sexual and Gender Diversity Adviser – Caleb Harwood – calebharwood@uoguelph.ca
- Good2Talk Postsecondary Helpline: 1-866-925-5454.
- Here 24/7 (Addictions, Mental Health & Crisis Services for Waterloo – Wellington Region): 1-844-437-3247
- Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone: Text UofG to 686868
This exam season, be sure to take care of yourself and check-in with your friends, too. Good luck!