As the Spring 2026 semester comes to an end and final exams commence, groups across the University are providing students with resources to support their mental and academic wellbeing during finals week Thursday through May 8.
The Honor Committee is one group that provides support every semester to students preparing for finals. Genny Freed, Honor Committee chair and third-year College student, said that Honor representatives will be tabling across Grounds to provide supplies to students like energy drinks and bluebooks.
“We know that finals period can be especially stressful, so we have organized a number of opportunities to encourage students to take a study break and meet their new Honor representatives,” Freed wrote in an email statement to The Cavalier Daily.
Freed sent an email to all University students Wednesday morning wishing students luck as exams begin and outlining the events for the week.
Honor events include a Lunch & Learn with Honor Engineering School representatives Thursday at 12 p.m. in Thornton Hall A238, a study session with snacks for McIntire School of Commerce students Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m. in Rouss-Robertson Hall and a Chaps Ice Cream tab for College students Saturday at 5 p.m.
Freed also said that Honor representatives will be tabling across Grounds throughout the week to provide students with snacks, bluebooks and more.
Class councils will also be providing spaces for students to unwind and destress between studying.
In addition to its efforts with the First Year Formal Friday, the First Year Council plans to launch a matcha tab Wednesday with Nok108 at Observatory Hill. Raheem Bashir, First Year Council president and first-year College student, said that the First Year Council hopes to support students during this time.
“Finals week is one of the most stressful periods in a student's academic life and it's my belief that student leadership exists for moments like this,” Bashir said.
Second Year Council also plans to have study café pop-ups in libraries across Grounds, according to Hayden Matay, Second Year Council president and second-year College student.
Beyond Class Councils. Student Health and Wellness also sent an email to all University students April 23 with tips to improve mental health and relieve academic stress throughout finals.
SHW already hosted a Hoos Unplugged week in partnership with the Office of the President, Peer Health Educators and U.Va. Flash last week, according to Danielle D’Andrea Black, SHW director of marketing and communications. Hoos Unplugged consisted of 28 programs — including puppy yoga and live concerts — intended for students to step away from technology and focus on their well-being and balance, and the week culminated in the Wahoo Wellness Fest.
First-year College student Erika Luedke said she believes events during the finals period around Grounds help students cope with stress.
“Studying for finals seems like it will always be stressful regardless, but the different events being thrown around U.Va. for students to stay engaged with their peers and take scheduled breaks help a lot with finding a balance,” Luedke said.
The last day of classes for the Spring 2026 semester was Tuesday. The period of scheduled final examinations began Thursday, and it will end May 8, with reading days on Wednesday and Sunday.
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