1. Get help.

Struggling with final papers or in need of time-management pointers? Stop by the Center for Learning and Student Success to work with a tutor or peer academic coach.

See website for dates and times; 1810 Liacouras Walk, Room 201.

For writing guidance, head to the Writing Center to finesse those final papers with the help of a tutor.
See website for dates and times; Tuttleman Learning Center, Suite 201.

Are you a School of Media and Communication student already preparing for your next job or interview? Stop by Annenberg, where a professional will review your cover letter and resume with no appointment needed.
Monday, Dec. 7, through Wednesday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m.–noon and 2–5 p.m., Annenberg Hall, Room 7.

2. Break a sweat.

Campus Recreation facilities will be open during exam week, so be sure to get in some exercise to pump up your endorphins and boost your mood. Finals-week schedules are available at any of the facilities.
Various hours and locations.

3. Take a deep breath.

Bring a mat or towel to Tyler for this half-hour Meditative Movement and Relaxation Class. No experience is required, so go ahead and carve out some you time.
Monday, Dec. 7, 11–11:30 a.m., Temple Contemporary, Tyler School of Art

4. Treat yourself.

Finals week have you looking like a Gollum/Hagrid hybrid? The Main Campus Program Board (MCPB) has you covered. This free annual spa event is back with massages, facials, eyebrow threading, manicures, and a hot chocolate and s’mores bar. MCPB will also be collecting warm clothing for charity, so bring a sweater (or five!) to be loved a second time around this winter.
Monday, Dec. 7, noon–4 pm, Howard Gittis Student Center, Room 200

5. Try some art therapy.
Take a break from your studies to flex your crafting muscle while making gifts for local students and seniors. Instructions, supplies and hot chocolate are provided—just bring some creativity! Last year’s gifts included ornaments, stress balls and small paintings.
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Tyler School of Art, Lobby

6. Fuel up.
Crawling to the TECH tomorrow? Skip the Starbucks line and head to Paley for breakfast treats and coffee to fuel up for finals.
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 7 a.m.–noon, Paley Library, Ground Floor

7. Get a (board) game going.

This study-day event at Paley features crafts and games that will help you focus on something other than schoolwork, so leave those chem practice problems at home!
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 5–10 p.m., Paley Library, Ground Floor

Students Activities hosts an evening of games, crafts, massages and desserts. Make an ornament, try your hand at the massive Philadelphia puzzle and nosh at the trail-mix bar.
Thursday, Dec. 10, 7–9 p.m., Howard Gittis Student Center, Atrium

8. Cuddle a canine.

Did you know that being in the company of dogs can help decrease feelings of isolation, lower anxiety levels and provide comfort? Read: No one will judge you for chilling with these calming therapy pups every day they’re on campus.
Thursday and Friday, Dec. 10 and 11, and Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 14 and 15, 1–3 p.m., Paley Library, Ground Floor

9. Cheer on the Cherry and White.

There’s no better mood booster than being in a crowd of cheering fans as our men’s basketball team takes the court. Throw on some TU garb and get wild in the stands for our Owls.
Sunday, Dec. 13, 4 p.m., Liacouras Center

10. Make it past the finish line.

If your Diamond Dollars are dwindling and your pantry is bare, don’t miss out on this opportunity to grab free caffeinated beverages and healthy snacks to power you through the last day of finals.
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m.–midnight, Paley Library, Ground Floor

11. Read all about it.

It turns out stress causes skin problems...who knew? Um, pretty much every Temple student at this time of year. More than 400 Temple undergraduates were respondents in a stress study about this annoying relationship; check out the research results here!

1. Get out. Dorms close Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 7:00 p.m. We hate to see you leave, but we’d really hate to see you fined for hanging around for too long.

2. Take out your trash, remove all perishable items (including that nasty half-eaten burrito in your fridge), lock your windows, shut the shades, kill the lights and lock the door. And make sure to take all of your valuables with you when you go.

3. Unplug electronic devices and appliances, including that mini-fridge (see “remove all perishable items,” above; the fridge will thaw over break and be a real mess if not cleaned out before you unplug and go).

4. Do your laundry before your leave or take it home with you—gym socks do not age well.

5. Bid farewell to your RA and officially check out of your dorm. If you bounce without saying bye, you’ll be fined.

6. Come back. We know your mom’s a great cook and all, but we’ll miss you. Dorms reopen Sunday, Jan. 10, at 10 a.m.

Off-campus students, what you do before you go is really between you and your landlord, but we have a few suggestions.

1. Clean out your fridge if you’re leaving for more than a couple of days. The kale won’t keep, trust us.

2. Wash your dishes. Again, trust us.

3. If you’re going to be away for more than a few days, have the post office hold or forward your mail. Stacks of bills outside your door are like a welcome mat for thieves.

4. Lock all windows and doors but don’t kill the lights—put them on timers instead so it looks like someone’s home.

5. Pull the shades and bring any portable electronic devices with you.

6. Unplug devices/appliances that don’t need power while you’re gone and turn down the thermostat and water heater (many of them have “vacation” settings specifically for this) to save energy. Mother Earth thanks you in advance.

7. Leave a key with a trusted friend who can pop by and check on the place.

8. Make sure your smoke detectors are functioning; you want to return to a house, not a pile of ashes.

9. Don’t forget Fido and Fluffy. If you own pets and are not bringing them with you, line up someone to care for them while you’re away.