Your Healing Space: Ending Strong and Recovering During Break

Wellness @ Columbia

Your Healing Space is embracing a new, longer-form format to share more detailed information with the Columbia community. This month's edition is focused on how to wrap things up this semester and use your break wisely.

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There are just a few days left in Fall Semester 2025 and Finals are here. This month's W@C brings you a guide to planning your finals week out from Lauren Targ, our Academic Life Coach, some thoughts on managing stress from finals, and ideas about how you might plan to use Winter Break. 

If you want to learn more about Lauren or schedule an appointment with her, visit the Academic Life Coaching website here: https://students.colum.edu/academic-services/coaching/

To meet with a staff at the Center for Student Wellbeing, visit the Decompression Space or check out our site here: https://students.colum.edu/studentwellbeing/

Finals Week Plan: You’ve Got This!

Notes from the Life Coach

It’s here… it’s clear… the end of the semester is near.
Take a breath. You are absolutely capable of finishing strong.
Whether you’ve been organized all semester or you’re just now pulling things together, the key is making a plan and sticking to it.

 Step 1: Get Everything in Front of You

• Make a list of every assignment, project, exam, and due date for each class.
• Put this list somewhere you’ll see it every day:
  • On your wall
  • In your digital calendar
  • In your planner
• Seeing the whole picture reduces stress and keeps you accountable.

 Step 2: Break It Down — One Course at a Time

• Don’t try to tackle everything all at once.
• Choose one class, list what needs to be done, then move to the next.
• Progress comes from steady steps, not panic.

 Step 3: Create a Daily Schedule (Consistency = Calm)

• Map out your day hour-by-hour, including meals, classes, and rest.
• Choose study locations that aren’t your bed—library, studio, student lounge.
• Example:
  • 7:00–8:00 AM – Wake up, get ready, breakfast
  • 8:30–10:30 AM – Focused study session (specific class)
  • 10:30–12:30 PM – Class
  • 12:30–1:30 PM – Lunch
  • 1:30–3:30 PM – Study session / Library
  • 3:30–6:20 PM – Class
  • 6:30–7:30 PM – Dinner
  • 7:30–10:30 PM – Study session / Dorm lounge
• Print it, screenshot it, or tape it to your desk—whatever helps you follow it.

Step 4: Protect Your Study Time

• Plan short breaks (10–15 minutes).
• Stay off social media until the study block is done—future you will be grateful.
• Try the 25/5 method: 25 minutes focused, 5-minute break.

 Step 5: Rest Like It Matters (Because It Does)

• All-nighters feel heroic… until you sleep through your final.
• Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep and keep a consistent routine.

 Step 6: Use Your Resources

• The Tutoring Center is open and ready to help—don’t wait until the last minute.
• Study groups, writing support, and academic coaching are all there for you.

Step 7: Communicate Early

• Reach out to your instructors if you’re stuck or confused.
• Early communication = more support, less stress.

Final Thought

You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to be intentional.
Make your plan, trust your abilities, and take it one focused step at a time.
You are capable. You are creative. You are Columbian.

Let’s finish strong.

Lauren Targ, Assistant Director of Academic Services, Academic Life Coach


 

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