As you prepare for exams, we’re here to support your success! Check out these events, resources and supports available to help you connect and recharge, practice effective study strategies and take care of your mental being.

Recharge during your study breaks

Study breaks are an essential part of your studying schedule! They allow you to manage stress and take care of your mental well-being, enabling you to do your best on your final exams and assignments.

Check out the activities and events below for fun ways to recharge and reconnect with your fellow Gryphons during exams or find them listed on GryphLife.ca.

Ongoing Exam Stress Busters

  • The Positive Wall

    The Positive Wall will be up throughout the exam period and provides you with an opportunity to leave a message of encouragement for a fellow student during exam time. You can also take a message that resonates with you. If you aren’t on campus, you can share messages of encouragement to your fellow students and read their messages on the library’s Instagram account @uglibrary.

    • Wednesday, Nov. 29 to Friday, Dec. 15 (Library, first floor and online)

  • The Activity Table

    An activity table (filled with colouring sheets, activity books, colouring utensils, puzzles, and more) will be located on the library’s first floor for the whole exam period. Come and help yourself to materials that you can use to take a break from your studies. It’s so important to take care of yourself and to take breaks!

    • Wednesday, Nov. 29 to Friday, Dec. 15 (Library, first floor)

  • The Worry Box

     Exams can be a challenging time. We encourage you to write down your worries and release them into the worry box.

    • Wednesday, Nov. 29 to Friday, Dec. 15 (Library, first floor)

  • The Postcard Project

    Every day throughout the exam period, you’ll have the opportunity to find a postcard with a coupon for a free coffee and a muffin at the library’s Starbucks. Postcards will be randomly placed throughout the library for you to find.

    • Wednesday, Nov. 29 to Friday, Dec. 15 (Library)

  • Nightly Stress Busters Programs

    Are you a residence student? Join us for a study break during our nightly Stress Buster activities happening each night before exams from 8 to 9 p.m. Ask your RA for more details on your area’s Stress Buster schedule.

    • Sunday, Dec. 3 to Thursday, Dec. 14, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. (North, South, and East residences)

  • Wellness Walkabouts

    Keep an eye out for our Wellness Peers around campus handing out wellness resources and good luck messages!

    • Monday, Nov. 27 to Thursday, Nov. 30 (Around campus)

Exam Stress Busters Events

  • CEPSSC Gingerbread House Building

    Are you a CEPS student who loves building gingerbread houses but hates paying for them? You’re in luck! CEPSSC is hosting a gingerbread house building event where all you have to do is show up, build your dream (gingerbread) house, and enjoy the tasty treat afterwards!
    • Tuesday, Nov. 28, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (University Centre – Peter Clark Hall)

  • Self-care Kit Collab with Psych Society

    Psych Society and Student Wellness are hosting a stress buster event to promote self-care for students during exam season. Students will have the opportunity to make a self-care kit and paint a tote bag to bring it home in!
    • Tuesday, Nov. 28, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. (University Centre, room 225)

  • Delivery of Letters in Residence

    Your Gryphon family has words of encouragement for you! Through the Letters in Residence program, U of G alumni wrote over 100 notes for current students. Look out for your letter of encouragement!
    • Week of Monday, Nov. 27 to Friday, Dec. 1: Students in residence will receive their letters from Housing staff
    • Wednesday, Nov. 29, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (University Centre Courtyard): Letters will be handed out to off-campus students

  • Wednesday Noon Walk in the Arboretum

    Exams got you stressed? Join the Arboretum’s Naturalist Intern for a guided nature walk and meet some of the wildlife that calls The Arb home. Dress for the weather and bring your best nature questions!
    • Wednesday, Nov. 29, 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. (Arboretum Kiosk, Campus Entrance)
    • Wednesday, Dec. 6, 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. (Arboretum Kiosk, Campus Entrance)
    • Wednesday, Dec. 13, 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. (Arboretum Kiosk, Campus Entrance)

  • Board Games with Off-Campus Living

    Unplug, unwind, and join Off-Campus Living for a stress-busting board games event! Grab a seat, make new friends, and let the games begin – see you there!
    • Thursday, Nov. 30, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (University Centre)

  • Take a Paws

    Are you missing your pet from home, or just craving some fluffy cuddles? Take a “paws” from studying and hang out with therapy dogs from St. Johns Ambulance! Book a 15-minute time slot in the registration. There are limited spots per session so be sure to register ahead of time.
    • Tuesday, Dec. 5, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Athletic Centre, room 131)
    • Wednesday, Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Athletic Centre, room 131)
    • Tuesday, Dec. 12, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Athletic Centre, room 131)

  • Wellness & Dragons

    Take a fun break with our one-off games of Dungeons & Dragons with the Student Wellness team! Join for a single event or attend them all!
    • Tuesday, Dec. 5, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Location TBA)
    • Thursday, Dec. 7, 1 p.m. 4:30 p.m. (Location TBA)
    • Tuesday, Dec. 12, 1 p.m. 4:30 p.m. (Location TBA)
    • Wednesday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. 4:30 p.m. (Location TBA)

  • Coffee, Tea and Healthy Snacks

    Visit the library to grab a free coffee, tea, and a healthy snack as you begin your day
    • Wednesday, Dec. 6, 9 a.m. (Library, first floor)

  • Glowga Yoga Class

    Join Athletics for Glow in the Dark Yoga! Bring your glow in the dark gear and we’ll provide the glow sticks and mats so you can glow, flow and unwind in this relaxing atmosphere. Free for full or part-time undergraduate students, full-time graduate students, and members.
    • Thursday, Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Athletics Centre, Studio 3214)

  • Crafts and Cocoa with the Indigenous Student Centre

    Join the ISC Peer Helpers to build gnomes and make your own fancy hot chocolate. Supplies and ingredients provided!
    • Thursday, Dec. 7, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Indigenous Student Centre, Federal Building, 620 Gordon St.)

  • Bracelet Making

    Come and take a break from studying to make friendship bracelets! Bring your friends or come to make new ones and take the time to unwind between exams.
    • Monday, Dec. 11, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (University Centre Courtyard)

  • Project Serve Day: Habitat for Humanity ReStore

    Bring a group of friends or meet new like-minded people at this half-day of volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore! Take a break from exams, have fun, and make an impact in your community. Free transportation from UC Bus Loop is available.
    • Thursday, Dec. 14, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Habitat for Humanity ReStore)

Find more Exam Stress Busters on GryphLife.

Looking for tips for managing stress, tasty study-snack recipes, wellness resources on campus, and more? Follow Student Wellness Services on Instagram.

Academic resources

Set yourself up for success during exams by taking advantage of the in-person and online academic resources and programs available to you.

The McLaughlin Library offers a variety of online guides to help you prepare for exams, including guides on:

Find more guides and resources on the library exam prep website.

Other resources to support academic success include academic coaching and appointments, academic support in residence, Student Accessibility Services, research assistance, the Science Commons, study skills and time management assistance, and writing assistance. The Undergraduate Academic Information Centre has a full list of online resources available to you.

Need to talk?

When things get stressful or overwhelming, it helps having someone to talk to. We know that recent and ongoing global events are impacting many members of our campus community as they fear for the safety of themselves and others and mourn losses.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or having trouble coping, take advantage of the mental health supports available to you.

  • Counselling Services

    Individual and group counselling for students
    Urgent drop-in sessions by phone
    Monday to Friday – 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
    Call 519-824-4120, Ext. 53244, to set up a session.

  • Student Wellness Navigators

    Service for students who are accessing Counselling Services for the first time or who have concerns about their mental health and don’t know where to go next
    Online or phone sessions available
    Monday to Friday – 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    Call 519-824-4120, Ext. 52131, to book an appointment.

  • Student Support Network

    Confidential peer-to-peer support
    Virtual drop-in sessions
    Monday to Friday – noon to 10 p.m.
    Book a Student Support Network session.

  • Here 24/7

    Local mental health and crisis phone line
    Available 24/7
    1-844-437-3247

  • Crisis Text Line

    Text-based mental health support
    Available 24/7
    Text “UofG” to 686868 to start a conversation.

Unable to take your exam?

If you are struggling and unable to complete an exam or final assignment due to medical, psychological, or compassionate reasons, you may be eligible to request academic consideration through your program counsellor.

Learn more about the academic consideration process and contact your program counsellor to request accommodation.

U of G’s Student Experience advisers are also available to support you:

Take care of yourself this exam season and check in with your friends, too. Good luck, you got this!

YouTube player

More U of G News:

  1. Smart Salt Trucks, Managing Waterborne Diseases: Ontario Invests in U of G Research 
  2. Top U of G Stories of 2024
  3. Why Grief Over Lost Pets Hits Harder During Holidays 
  4. How to Prevent Food Waste From Holiday Meals