The final few weeks of the term can be particularly stressful for many students balancing final assignments, projects, and exams. Units across Student Affairs have collaborated to offer a variety of events and programming, with a particular focus on promoting health and wellbeing.

Student Academic Success Services (SASS), in partnership with Residence Life, ran their annual study event, Get It Done, in Ban Righ Dining Hall on Nov. 27. Peer and professional staff were available to help students finish assignments, write papers, and start prepping for exams, while offering snacks and encouragement. Students can visit SASS in Stauffer Library for exam tips or to book an appointment for one-on-one writing or academic skills support sessions through to Dec. 22. SASS and Student Wellness Services (SWS) have also gathered exam stress and test anxiety management tips for students to practice over the next two weeks.

SWS continues to offer programming to promote health and wellbeing, including the 15 Days of Exams Health Challenge, running Dec. 8–22 on their Instagram and TikTok channels.

“For this social media challenge, Peer Health Educators and other peer staff promote healthy activities through daily challenges and giveaways to help relieve the stress of exams,” says Peer Health Outreach Assistant Riley Walker, BAH’23 (Health Studies). “I hope students take the daily posts as a reminder to prioritize their health and wellbeing during a busy time of year.”

The Health Promotion (HP) Hub continues to host weekly Dogs on Campus visits in Mitchell Hall, where students can hang out with Oscar the golden retriever, a therapy dog from St. John’s Ambulance.

For those worried about food, Health Promotion facilitates the Mason Jar Meal and Fresh Food Box programs, which students can register for if they’re in need of a low-cost meal option. The AMS Food Bank remains open until Dec. 15.

Exercise is a great way to combat stress; the ARC has created a group fitness class schedule with adjusted times to accommodate exam times. Students can also access free virtual classes, as well as other ARC facilities throughout exams and the holidays.

Student Community Relations wrapped up their Check In/Treat Yourself outreach initiatives this past week, connecting with more than 1,500 students. Staff and student volunteers handed out hot chocolate and apple cider while wishing students good luck! Over 1,000 bags of treats and resources, covering exam prep workshops, health and wellbeing tips, and support services, were distributed in the University District.

Several units are hosting events to help students maintain a sense of connection and community. The Yellow House has study halls for BIPoC students on Tuesdays, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Faith and Spiritual Life is providing Conversations and Cookies, Monday–Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Mitchell Hall until Dec. 22. The Student Experience Office lounge is open for Study ‘n Snack, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. until Dec. 16. And Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre collaborated with SASS on an exam preparation workshop, 9:30–10:30 am on Dec. 6. The Queen’s University International Centre is a comfortable place to study, and is hosting a Holiday Open House on Dec. 13. The Ban Righ Centre continues to offer study and lounge spaces and hot soup lunches for mature women students and mothers through to Dec. 21. 

For more information and links to exam prep resources and services, visit the Student Affairs Student Resources webpage.