Office of Student Life

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April 22, 2025

Dear Fellow Buckeyes,  

It’s hard to believe that the semester is nearly over. Reading Day is today and then it’s on to finals, final projects and for many, Commencement. Congratulations on making it this far, and I know you’ll have a Scarlet and Great finish to the academic year. Here are some tips and information that may help you as we wrap up spring semester. 

In this edition:  

  • Finals Week Study Tips 

  • Talk to a Counselor 

  • PsychBytes: Anxiety! 

  • Safety Tip 

  • Monda Student Resource Center  

  • Graduation Survey    

  • Move-Out 

  • OH! the places you’ll go 

  • Meet the Team  


Finals Week Study Tips
Here are a few tips for final exams and end-of-year projects from Counseling and Consultation Service. Of course, there is no “one-size-fits-all” way to study, so do whatever is best for you! 

  • Remember to take frequent breaks, and not just as a reward at the end. Many people like the Pomodoro Technique.  

  • If you’re making a to-do list or tracking your goals, break them down into smaller chunks you can “check off” to keep yourself motivated.  

  • Consider joining or forming a study group. This could be with classmates or with friends who are working on their own projects (keep each other company!).  

  • Explore different environments to work in—maybe a library reading room, a coffee shop, by a favorite tree on the Oval or a study room.  

  • Always prioritize sleep and nutrition so your brain can continue to function at its full capacity and retain what you’ve learned.   

  • If you get test anxiety, plan to relax before your exam. Even if it’s on the walk to campus or when you sit down in the classroom. A few quick ideas are a walk, listening to your favorite music, doing a few minutes of intentional breathing or the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise. 

 
Talk to a Counselor  
Unexpected stressors can come up at any time of year. Whether it’s finals looming, an argument with your roommate or worries about the future, Student Life Counseling and Consultation Service is here for you. Whether you have an urgent concern, are looking for therapy or just want to chat, there is someone available 24/7. Need help? Talk to a Counselor.   
 
PsychBytes: Anxiety! 
It’s human to experience anxiety but many people experience a level that becomes distressing and distracting. That’s where coping skills come in, and in this episode of PsychBytes with Counseling and Consultation Service, Mary Decenzo, LISW-S, ACTRP-C, shares her expertise with skills that fall under the umbrella of “sensory mindfulness”—using our five senses to calm our physiological responses to stress. In this episode, she shares background on why it works, a few examples of sensory mindfulness exercises and where to find more.   

Safety Tip
With warmer weather, windows are likely to be opened to enjoy the fresh air. Remember to close and lock doors and windows at night or when you leave your residence. Spring also means more Buckeyes are out walking, cycling, scooting and driving. Eliminate distracted behaviors and be aware of your surroundings. If you’re leaving campus for the summer, remember to take your bike with you or consider bike storage options available through Transportation and Traffic Management on a first come, first served basis.

Monda Student Resource Center
The Monda Student Resource Center (MSRC) officially opens at the end of this week, culminating several years of planning to meet students’ essential needs all under one roof in the Younkin Success Center. It brings together and expands a variety of resources to provide Ohio State students with holistic support to meet their essential needs in a one-stop shop, further eliminating barriers for students in accessing timely, seamless essential needs support. The center will include the Reid Family Career Closet, the Buckeye Food Alliance pantry as well as other resources and services from university and community providers.

Graduation Survey     
The Ohio State Graduation Survey is now open through Monday, May 5. The survey, administered by the Center for the Study of Student Life, asks spring 2025 graduates about their time at Ohio State. The valuable feedback will help enhance the student experience for future Buckeyes. For more information, please visit go.osu.edu/grad-survey. Contact cssl@osu.edu with any questions.  

Move-Out 
Residence halls close for spring semester on Wednesday, April 30, at 2 p.m. To facilitate an organized Move-Out process, students must schedule a Move-Out date and time via the Housing Portal.  You can find a checklist of tasks online. Goodwill will be on hand at all front desks to accept items (except mattress toppers and bed pillows) that you don’t want to take with you.  

If you are moving out of an off-campus property this summer, watch for information in the coming days from Student Life’s Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement department. Subscribe to their Buckeyes Living Off Campus (BLOC) newsletter for the most up-to-date information. 

OH! the places you’ll go 
Love trying new foods and want a way to experience the Columbus food scene? How about trying one of the Columbus Food Adventures food tours! You can save money by getting tickets through D-Tix, Ohio State’s discount ticket program. Food Tour tickets are just $30, two per BuckID per week for current Ohio State Columbus campus students. Options right now include Grandview Avenue and Short North Food Tours. Starting May 5, we’ll have Old Worthington and German Village Food Tours as well. There are plenty of other opportunities, including shows, museums, concerts, sporting events and more available at an exclusive rate. Find out more online.  

Meet the Team 
I’d like to introduce you to Matthew D’Oyly, Director, Events and Conferences. Meet Matthew by reading his online bio.  

 

Doc  
 
Melissa Shivers, PhD  
Senior Vice President for Student Life