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Indiana University Indianapolis Division of Student Affairs
Stress Busters Week | Dec. 9–13

Level down your stress. Level up your FUN.

Recharge before finals

Taking breaks is good for you, especially when you’re preparing for exams and final projects. That’s where Stress Busters Week comes in! This weeklong program brings a variety of stress-reducing events to IU Indy students for free.

See the full calendar of events
stress busters week
stress busters week

Find your study spot

Everyone’s a little different; some people need some noise around them to focus, others study best in a quiet space. Finding an environment that meets your needs and allows you to focus is important.

Some favorite study spots for students are:

  • University Library
  • The Den in University Tower
  • Ball Gardens
  • Campus Center quiet room (340)

No matter where you choose to crack the books, check out our lo-fi Jazzy playlist to get into the zone.

Listen to lo-fi Jazzy
stress busters week

Taking breaks can actually boost your study sessions

Research suggests that having time in between study sessions allows you to better learn and remember what you’ve studied and feel recharged.

Being intentional about when you rest between study periods and what you do during breaks will help you get the most benefit from your breaks. For example, scrolling on your phone during your break may actually make it harder to get your focus back to studying.

Take action: Set your study breaks up for success

  • Plan out your study schedule with anticipated breaks, rather than cramming it all into one session. This can help you learn—not just memorize—the material.
  • Do activities during a study break without your phone like spending time outdoors, grabbing a snack, or trying out a guided meditation podcast.
  • Consider using “do not disturb” settings on your phone to turn off notifications that can be distracting. Or try turning off your phone while studying.
See how taking breaks helps your brain learn new skills
stress busters week

Fuel up for studying

Frequently stopping for snacks can disrupt your study flow, and feeling hungry can also make it hard to concentrate, make you feel irritable and tired, and impact your GPA.

Take action: Make your snacks filling and easy to grab-and-go

Pack energy-sustaining snacks that will keep you satisfied for studying like nuts and dried fruits, cottage cheese or yogurt, berries (for an added brain boost!), edamame, whole grain cracker, or toast with nut butter.

Take action: Keep caffeine in moderation

While there is research to support caffeine can help boost your concentration and solidify memories, too much of it and too late at night can disrupt your sleep—which can also impact memory retention and recall.

Take action: Get enough food to fuel your study session

Having enough food is key to learning. Paws’ Pantry can help you fill up on foods if you need it.

How to access Paws' Pantry
stress busters week

Don’t skip out on sleep

Prioritizing your zzzs can help boost your studies. Here’s how:

Take action: Assess your sleep space

Get the best rest by snoozing in a space that’s comfortable, cool, quiet, and dark.

Take action: Make a bedtime routine

Power down devices 30-60 minutes before going to bed (phones, tablets, computers). Incorporate relaxing activities before bed, like reading (for fun!), meditating, journaling, or listening to music.

Take action: Get up around the same time each day

Yes, even on the weekends! This helps your body get into a rhythm of waking up and feeling rested without having to rely as much on alarms and caffeine.

Take action: Incorporate sleep hygiene into your daily routine

Use your bed for sleep and intimacy only. That way you only associate your sleep space/bed with relaxing and getting to sleep.

Learn more about the importance of sleep hygiene
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    Academic support

    Bepko Learning Center

    Assists students in developing their academic skills through the guidance of experienced student peers. This includes tutoring, academic mentoring, and success coaching.

  • stress busters week
    24-hour support

    TimelyCare Talk Now services

    This free virtual portal can be accessed by all IU Indy students for individual counseling, group therapy, health and wellness coaching, and more.

  • stress busters week
    Online resource

    Virtual Care Support

    A mental health self-help resource with video workshops and downloadable activity sheets to to find ways of managing and coping with stress.