Term Break Resources
Take time to reassess, reach out, and recharge this term break.
The health and wellbeing of our campus community is a priority at the University of Calgary.
In 2017, General Faculties Council approved a Fall Break being added to the 2018-19 calendar in recognition that term breaks are critical aspects of how we support student wellbeing and good mental health. Students are encouraged to use the term breaks to support their wellbeing in ways that are aligned with their individual needs.
The General Faculties Council-approved term breaks are designated weeks during the Fall and Winter terms where standard class schedules and academic assessments are not scheduled. These breaks are periods of time that are intended to be free of compulsory academic events and assessments for students and are aligned with our Campus Mental Health Strategy and our strategic areas of focus. It is important to note that students may have practicum work, clinical placements, or internships during the term breaks. In these cases, classes and/or academic assessments maybe need to be scheduled during term breaks.
The Fall and Winter Term Breaks are published in the Academic Schedule found in the University of Calgary Academic Calendar.
Making the Most out of Term Break
As the semester ramps up towards final exams, it can be easy to get swept up in the current of papers, projects, and readings. However, term breaks are an excellent time to do some forecasting for the rest of the semester – and beyond!
Below you’ll find resources to help keep you on track for the rest of the semester, connect you with supports, maintain balance, and forecast for a successful year ahead.
Thrive Priority Support Network
Have you received an email from a member of our academic support team? This is part of our Thrive Priority Support Network outreach. We connect with students who are experiencing difficulties during the the semester, in order to connect them with the right supports at the right time.
Self-Help Mental Health Videos
Each semester, students navigate deadlines, balance their workloads, and prioritize numerous competing demands. Whether things are going smoothly or feeling more challenging than you would prefer, it's a good idea to check in with your mental wellbeing.
Student Wellness Services offers a number of excellent Self-help videos on topics such as coping with stress, planning a sleep schedule, and confronting perfectionism.
Exploratory Advising
Term break can be a time for reflection - Does my current degree match my goals? Do I want to add to my degree with a minor or an embedded certificate? What are my options?
If this sounds familiar, consider meeting with our Exploratory Advising Team to discuss how to add additional value to you degree and finding the major that is the right fit for you!
Digital Badge Workshops
Are you looking for ways to build your skills during Term Break?
The Student Success Centre offers a number of digital badges that allow you to add microcredentials to your CV.
You can register for our term break offerings through the SSC Events/Workshops calendar.
Featured workshops
View more term break workshops and other events
Featured resources
We've selected some helpful SSC and campus resources for you to consider as you prepare for the remainder of the semester.
A week without classes is a great time to pause and consider “what do I need to be successful for the rest of term?”
There a number of great resources to help you consider your next steps. To help you plan our the rest of your semester, check the list of Important Dates in the University Calendar and revisit your course outlines to ensure you are aware of your remaining assessments. Once you have a sense of your upcoming tasks, consider making a to-do list with using our Amplify Your To-Do List Blog or planning your upcoming readings with our Reading Plan Worksheet.
Be aware of circumstances that trigger low motivation or excessive distraction. You can learn more about how to avoid procrastination by reading our Why Am I Procrastinating Blog or using our Minimizing Distractions Worksheet.
Access our full catalogue of planning resources on our Time Management Resource page.
If you have midterms coming up after the break, review our Reducing Test Anxiety Worksheet or plan your approach using the Creating a Study Routine Blog.
If you completed some or all of your midterms before the break, consider using the Self-Reflection on your Grades Blog to help you consider what you need to be successful for the remainder of the course. You can use a similar strategy for any recently graded assignments using the Post-Assignment Self-Assessment Worksheet.
You can find additional strategies and resources on the Getting Ready for Exams Webpage.
Term Break is a great time to reflect on your habits and be honest with yourself. Ask yourself what’s gone well this semester and what you’ve learned about your abilities as a student. If you feel like something needs to change but are unsure of where to start, consider some of the supports available on campus.
If you're completing a course with written assessments, you can explore the variety of workshops, group sessions, and 1:1 appointments offered by Writing Support. If you're looking for more self directed support, you can access a variety of tip sheets on the writing support page or read one of our blogs, such as the Coming to Terms with Term Papers Blog.
If you're looking for new strategies or ways to approach your academics during the latter half of the semester, Academic Support Appointments are available to discuss learning strategies, help you manage your time, and assist you in determining your goal grade for remaining assessments.
Term break is also an important time to check in with your stress level and mental well being. There are a variety of workshops, peer supports, and Self-Help Mental Health Videos available through Student Wellness Services.
Finally, your Instructors remain a valuable resource in successfully completing your courses. If you haven't already, consider connecting with your instructors in Office Hours. If you've never attended office hours, you might feel a bit uncertain of what to expect. To help answer some of your questions, check out our student-written Why Should You Go to Office Hours Blog and plan your meeting using the Attending Office Hours Worksheet.
Term break is often used as a time to catch up on class work, but it’s also an important opportunity to recharge and reconnect to avoid burnout. Consider if there are areas of your life that you have been neglecting recently.
If you've been missing physical activity, take a look at what's available through Active Living (all students are members!). Physical activities can also be a great way to connect socially. For more considerations, check out the Keeping Connected and Active Tip Sheet.
Since there are no classes during Term Break, you may be spending more time socializing, going out, or engaging in substance use. Consider applying strategies from the Safer Substance Use Tip Sheet to help you stay within your limits.
If you're looking for more ways to engage in self-care, review the Resilience Tip Sheet, Self-Compassion Tip Sheet or Mindfulness Tip Sheet.
While you may be catching up on academics (and sleep!) during term break, this time can also be used to look ahead to the rest of the year – and beyond!
There are many ways to become involved in Global Learning beyond a typical semester abroad. Browse the variety of opportunities available as well as the Benefits of Global Learning Abroad.
There are also many ways to learn through involvement domestically. Connect with the Centre for Career and Personal Development or signing up for a Digital Badge Program. You can also connect with Alumni in your field through Mentorlink to get insights to help you align your degree with your long term goals.
If you're part way through your degree, you may also be Considering Graduate School. Consider browsing programs or connecting with Academic Support to learn more about this process.