Post-Reading Week Balancing Act
Wellness tips for the second half of the term.
As we approach the last month of the term before the final exam period, stress can build quickly. Balancing deadlines, exams, and daily life takes a toll on your mental well-being — and you don’t have to handle it alone. Use these simple strategies to stay grounded and supported during this busy time.
Break Work Into Small, Manageable Steps
When tasks feel big, motivation can drop, and anxiety can spike. We sometimes shut down, freeze or fall into a cycle of self-doubt. Try:
- Breaking coursework into 20–30 minute study blocks.
- Making a short daily to-do list (3–5 items max).
- Focusing on “the next step,” not the whole task.
Small, steady progress helps reduce overwhelm and keeps you moving forward.
Use Mental Health and Academic Supports
Reaching out early can make stress much easier to manage.
Available supports include:
- Counselling Services for short-term mental health support
- Single-sessions counselling for urgent concerns
- Therapy dog program and student‑run wellness centre
- Academic Advising for course‑related concerns. The last day for academic withdrawal is March 15th.
Asking for help is a sign of strength — not a setback.
Use Quick Grounding Techniques During Stress
When anxiety rises or focus slips, grounding tools can help reset your nervous system. Try:
- Box breathing: 4 seconds in → 4 hold → 4 out → 4 hold.
- 5‑4‑3‑2‑1 technique: Notice 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste.
- A short, guided relaxation or stretch break.
Even 1–2 minutes can help you regain calm and clarity.
Stay Connected — Social Support Protects Mental Health
It’s common to retreat during stressful times but staying connected helps reduce anxiety and prevents burnout.
Instead of pulling back into yourself, try:
- Studying with a friend or virtual study buddy
- Sharing one meal a day with someone
- Checking in with a friend, teammate, or family member
- Joining a club activity or wellness event for a short break. Check out the CAB activity calendar for March events.
Connection keeps you grounded — you’re not going through this alone.