‘Feel Good Finals’ activities help students manage exam stress


Week includes a therapy dog visit, Lego-building session, and the popular Late Night Breakfast

As classes wrap up for the semester, the Office of Wellness Education is offering students opportunities to de-stress and wind down while getting ready for final exams. “Feel Good Finals,” now in its fourth year, features a range of activities, from therapy dogs and snacks to the traditional Late-Night Breakfast.

“Feel Good Finals lets students take a much-needed study break,” says Leah Hall, director of wellness education. “There’s a little bit of something for everyone.” 

Along with the popular therapy dog visit, snacks in the library, and fitness classes, Hall says, the office has added new activities to the schedule, including a sensory decompression space, pancakes with programming assistants, and a Lego-building session.

The highlight of Feel Good Finals is the Late Night Breakfast — where Clark staff and administrators greet and serve students. “This is the first Late Night Breakfast with our new dining vendor, Harvest Table. I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes this year and how this partnership can evolve in the future,” Hall says.

Joseph Kalinowski, vice president of information technology at Clark, has volunteered to serve at Late Night Breakfast for multiple years and will be on hand again this year.

“Serving at the breakfast provides a different way for me to interact with the community, beyond IT,” Kalinowski says. “I get energized and motivated by interacting directly with the hundreds of students that come out for the event. It’s an honor being part of the tradition and helping to provide the fuel and encouragement that can help propel them over the semester’s finish line.” 

“I loved Late Night Breakfast as a student, and I love it now,” says Danielle Morgan Acosta, senior associate dean of student success and a 2001 graduate of Clark. “It’s a great break for the students and an opportunity for the community to come together, de-stress, and celebrate the end of the semester.”

The Feel Good Finals schedule is below. Visit The Office of Wellness Education on Instagram for full event descriptions.

Tuesday, December 10

ActivityWhereWhen
Hatha Yoga Bickman Multipurpose Room10 a.m.
Board Games, Puzzles, and PizzaThe GrindNoon
Letting go with LegosASEC 1111 p.m.
Rock PaintingGrace Conference Room3 p.m.
Make Your Own Finals First Aid KitUniversity Center Tables4 p.m.
Late Night Breakfast (open to all — no meal plan required)The Table at Higgins10:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 11

ActivityWhereWhen
Dynamic YogaBickman Multipurpose Room9 a.m.
Therapy DogsAcademic Commons11 a.m.
Cocoa and Conversations with CPGFYSA Conference Room12:30 p.m.
Pancakes with Programming Assistants: McCann Resource Room3 p.m.
Power Hour Fitness with Wellness Ambassador LilyBickman Multipurpose Room6 p.m.

Thursday, December 12

ActivityWhereWhen
ZumbaBickman Multipurpose Room9 a.m.
The Chill Zone (A Quiet Sensory Decompression Space)FYSA Conference Room12:30 p.m.
Inclusive Intro to Strength TrainingBickman Multipurpose Room6 p.m.

Friday, December 13

ActivityWhereWhen
Mindfulness and MeditationCenter for Counseling and Personal Growth (Shawn’s office)1 p.m.
Power Hour Fitness with Wellness Ambassador LilyBickman Multipurpose Room4:30 p.m.
Hatha YogoBickman Multipurpose Room6 p.m.
Study Snack BreakGoddard Library3 p.m.

Students are also encouraged to take advantage of ongoing open gym hours at the Bickman Fitness Center.

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