Arrive Early and Organized

• Bring all required materials and avoid last-minute rushing.
• Set up your space calmly to reduce tension.

Practice Grounding Techniques

• Practice deep breathing: Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts and exhale for 6 counts. Try to exhale for a longer period if you can. Focus on pressing the soles of your feet against the floor and looking far at a distance. These techniques can help reduce panic and restore focus.
• Try the 5-4-3-2-1 method to stay present and focused. Name 5 things you can see, 4 you can feel, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, 1 you can taste.
• To learn more about test anxiety, visit: .

Focus on What You Can Control

• Ignore distractions and concentrate on your paper.
• Pace yourself steadily instead of fixating on the clock.

Plan for Breaks

• If allowed, take short breaks to stretch or breathe. Notice if you are holding your breath. If you are, consciously inhale and exhale mindfully. Ěý
• Use these moments to reset your focus and calm your mind.

Use Visualization

• Picture yourself completing the exam successfully.
• Visualize handing in your paper feeling confident and relieved.

During exams, maintaining balance is essential. Stick to a routine with regular sleep, balanced meals, and hydration, and schedule study blocks with breaks to avoid burnout. Stay connected by reaching out to friends or family and joining study groups or social activities to prevent isolation. Finally, practice self-care—exercise, listen to music, or enjoy hobbies in nature.

The post Managing Anxiety and Stress During Final Exams appeared first on Paul Menton Centre.

Finalize Your Exam Plan

By April, reviewing shifts into implementation. Make sure your plan is exam‑ready:

• Double‑check all exam dates, times, and locations.
• If you use accommodations (e.g., extra time), verify your bookings in your or connect with your PMC Coordinator if anything looks incorrect.
• Prioritize earlier exams or those with heavier grading weight.
• Use realistic study blocks (e.g., 45 minutes study + 15 minutes break) to assist with deeper focus and great productivity.
• Keep a weekly visual schedule to stay focused and avoid surprises.

Explore the Study Module in the Brightspace course PMC Learning Strategies for templates and tools

• How to Register:
  1. In the â€Ćŕľ±˛őł¦´Ç±ą±đ°ů” tab, search and select Enrol.
  2. If you don’t see the course, you may already be enrolled. Check your Brightspace “Select a Course” menu.

If you have questions, contact the PMC Learning Strategies Team at PMC_LS@cunet.carleton.ca.

Maximize Your Tools

The best study resources and questions are often found in your textbooks and websites connected to your textbooks. Check these out first!

These digital tools can streamline your studying as exams approach:

• for spaced repetition and flashcards
• for flashcards and student-made study sets
• for generating personalized study quizzes
• for organizing notes and creating audio summaries

Experiment and mix tools to find what supports your learning most effectively.

Take-Home or 24-Hour Exams

The Winter term often includes various exam formats. For take-home or online exams:

• Read the full instructions before starting.
• Create a brief outline to guide your responses.
• Keep track of citations as you work.
• Proofread before submitting (reading aloud can help).
• Don’t procrastinate, distribute your time over the allowed window.

Final Projects, Papers & Presentations

End-of-term projects require planning:

• Break projects into smaller, manageable steps
  • example: research → drafting → editing → slides.
• Set mini deadlines to keep pace.
• Practice presentations aloud or record yourself to build confidence.
• Use rubrics and assignment descriptions to make sure you’re meeting expectations.

Timed Exams

Timed exams, whether in person or online, require a clear strategy to use your time effectively and avoid feeling rushed. Here are tips to help you stay focused and confident:

• Arrive early (or log in early) to get settled and reduce stress before the clock starts.
• Take a few minutes to do a “brain dump” on a blank piece of paper before looking at or starting your exam. This can include formulas, dates, theories, definitions, or key concepts you reviewed.

It helps build confidence by showing you do know the content, and it acts like a personal reference sheet so your working memory can focus on reading and answering questions rather than trying to hold everything at once.

• Preview the whole exam first (*not always possible with online exams) so you understand the structure, question types, and how to pace yourself.

• Start with easier questions to build momentum and secure quick points.
• Budget your time by dividing the total exam time by the number of questions or sections.
• Keep an eye on the clock without checking so often that it distracts you, set small mental checkpoints or make physical markers on your test page during your preview to check the time after a certain number of questions.
• If you get stuck, move on and return later. It’s better to complete all questions you can answer before spending too long on a difficult one.
• Use any concluding minutes to review for missing questions, repeated errors, or misreads.

For Online Exams:

• Ensure your device is charged and updates are disabled during the exam period.
• Have a stable workspace and limit distractions.
• Save your work frequently, if the system allows.

Timed exams can feel high-pressure, but with pacing, planning, and steady progress, you’ll maximize your performance.

April exams can be challenging, but you’re not facing them alone. Pace yourself, stay organized, and trust your preparation. When in doubt reach out to PMC_LS@cunet.carleton.ca for more tips and supports.

The post Exam Season & Fresh Momentum appeared first on Paul Menton Centre.

Before Your Exams

Check Ventus for Accommodation Details

• This includes the course code, date, start and end time(s), location, accommodations, and status of each exam….
  • 14 days before the date of an in-person exam; and
  • 5 days before the date of an online exam in Brightspace.
• Ensure the accommodations for each exam are accurate.
• Report any missing or inaccurate accommodation(s) to your PMC coordinator ASAP.

Familiarize Yourself with In-Person Exam Location(s)

• Use the interactive campus map to plan your route in advance.
• During the formal exam period, accommodated exams are typically scheduled at the following locations:
  • 133 Nideyinan: building information, ; accessible guide tour (MS Word)
  • 7th Floor Dunton Tower: building information, , accessible guide tour (MS Word)
  • Southam Hall: building information; room search
  • 512 Nideyinan Ěý
• Budget enough time to travel to campus in time for your examsĚýwhether arranging a ride with family/friend or planning out your OC Transpo trip.

For online exams…

• If there is no accommodation information for an online exam, email your course instructor ASAP to ask if they plan to apply the extra time in Brightspace themselves or if MEC will apply it on their behalf.
• If the exam type is in-person proctored digital exam, which will be labelled as “Online – Brightspace, student brings device”, please make sure to bring your device to the exam and check the location of the exam in Ventus.
• If you are writing an exam that is beingĚýe-proctored by CoMaS or Zoom,Ěýmake sure you areĚýfamiliar with the technical guidelinesĚýbefore the exam.

AT reminders…

• If you have Assistive Technology (AT) software (e.g. reading or voice dictation)Ěýas part of your exam accommodations, make sure you are trained and comfortable using the software before your exams. AT training with an assistive technologist can be arranged through your PMC coordinator.
• If you have “pre-approved personal music” as anĚýaccommodation for your exams, please contact Synclair Calder, SynclairCalder@cunet.carleton.ca, to make arrangements to have your music vetted before your exams if you have not already done so. If you do not submit any music, generic music will be provided to you for your exam.
• Note that smart glassesĚý(e.g. Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer) and smart watches are consideredĚýunauthorized devicesĚýand are not permitted at formal exam sites.

On Exam Day

Plan to arriveĚý15 minutes beforeĚýyour exam begins.

If you arrive late…

• There is aĚý30-minute grace periodĚýat the start of formally scheduled exams.ĚýIf you arrive at your exam location within 30 minutes of the scheduled start time, you will be admitted without question.
• If you are more than 30 minutes late, proceed to your exam site. The on-site proctor will contact your professor to seek permission for you to write the exam.
• You will not receive additional time to make-upĚýfor the time lost due to the late arrival. If you feel that there is not sufficient time to successfully complete your exam, you should instead apply for a deferral through the Registrar’s Office. If you begin writing a final exam, then you are no longer eligible for a deferred exam.Ěý

Before you begin…

• Review the summary of accommodations and the amount of time (extra time included) you are entitled to receive for accuracy. Report any discrepancy to the proctor ASAP.
• If you are using assistive technology software or equipment as part of your exam accommodations, make sure they are working properly and report any problems to the proctor right away.
• For in-person evening exams with earlier start times, students will not be permitted to leave the exam site until at least 30 minutes have passed from the official start time of the exam.

Additional Tips and Resources

Accommodated Exams at the McIntyre Exam Centre FAQ

Managing Exam Accommodations FAQ

On Exam Day – Before the Exam, During the Exam, and Around Campus

The post Final Exam Tips and Resources appeared first on Paul Menton Centre.

As we approach the last month of the term before the final exam period, stress can build quickly. Balancing deadlines, exams, and daily life takes a toll on your mental well-being — and you don’t have to handle it alone. Use these simple strategies to stay grounded and supported during this busy time.

Break Work Into Small, Manageable Steps

When tasks feel big, motivation can drop, and anxiety can spike. We sometimes shut down, freeze or fall into a cycle of self-doubt. Try:

• Breaking coursework into 20–30 minute study blocks.
• Making a short daily to-do list (3–5 items max).
• Focusing on “the next step,” not the whole task.

Small, steady progress helps reduce overwhelm and keeps you moving forward.

Use Mental Health and Academic Supports

Reaching out early can make stress much easier to manage.
Available supports include:

• for short-term mental health support
• for urgent concerns
• and
• Academic Advising for course‑related concerns. The last day for academic withdrawal is March 15^th.

Asking for help is a sign of strength — not a setback.

Use Quick Grounding Techniques During Stress

When anxiety rises or focus slips, grounding tools can help reset your nervous system. Try:

• Box breathing: 4 seconds in → 4 hold → 4 out → 4 hold.
• 5‑4‑3‑2‑1 technique: Notice 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste.
• A short, guided relaxation or stretch break.

Even 1–2 minutes can help you regain calm and clarity.

Stay Connected — Social Support Protects Mental Health

It’s common to retreat during stressful times but staying connected helps reduce anxiety and prevents burnout.
Instead of pulling back into yourself, try:

• Studying with a friend or virtual study buddy
• Sharing one meal a day with someone
• Checking in with a friend, teammate, or family member
• Joining a club activity or wellness event for a short break. Check out the CAB activity calendar for March events.

Connection keeps you grounded — you’re not going through this alone.

The post Post-Reading Week Balancing Act appeared first on Paul Menton Centre.

Below is your March roadmap to help you stay organized, make informed decisions, and set yourself up for a strong finish.

1. Important March Dates & Academic Planning

March is a pivotal month for academic decision‑making. A few and opportunities to keep on your radar:

• March 15, 2026 — Last day for academic withdrawal from full winter, late winter, and fall/winter courses.
• March 19, 2026 — Registration opens for Spring/Summer 2026 courses.

If your midterm grades suggest a course may not be salvageable, this is the time to:

• Review your grade breakdown carefully.
• Use a grade tracker to estimate possible final outcomes.
• Meet with your program advisor to discuss whether withdrawing, staying enrolled, or shifting your course load is the best path forward.
• Consider as a way to stay on track or lighten next year’s load.

Grade Tracking Tools to Try:

• grade tracker templates
• The online
• PMC’s Excel grade‑tracking sheet (email PMC_LS@cunet.carleton.ca to request a copy)

2. Getting Started on Final Papers & Major Assignments

March is the ideal time to begin final papers and projects, even if they’re due in April. Starting early helps you avoid the April crunch and gives you time to revise thoughtfully.

A simple early‑start workflow:

• Week 1: Re‑read assignment instructions, create a working outline, and gather sources.
• Week 2: Draft the introduction and one body section.
• Week 3: Continue drafting and begin integrating feedback from instructors or TAs.
• Week 4: Revise, proofread, and finalize.

Support to explore:

• for source selection and search strategies
• Writing Consultation Sessions for structure, clarity, and argument development
• Assignment Calculators can help to provide you with steps on how to complete your assignments if you are ever in a bind and need help with assignment completion plans:

3. Accountability Meetings: A Powerful March Strategy

Meeting with professors or TAs in March can:

• Clarify expectations for final assignments
• Confirm your understanding of marking criteria
• Help you identify gaps in your work early

These meetings don’t need to be long, 15–20 minutes can dramatically improve your direction and confidence. Check your course outline(s) and/or course Brightspace pages for Office Hour information.

4. Daylight Saving Time & Time Management Reset

Daylight Saving Time began on Sunday, March 9, 2026, and losing an hour can disrupt your routine more than expected.

Use this shift as a natural reset point:

• Revisit your weekly schedule
• Prioritize high‑energy tasks earlier in the day
• Set reminders for major March deadlines in your phone calendars
• Adjust sleep routines to stay aligned with your study goals

A small schedule tune‑up now can prevent burnout later.

5. Preparing for Final Exams: What a Term Wrap‑Up Looks Like

A strong April starts with a thoughtful March wrap‑up. If you haven’t already done so, check out the Exam Schedule to make note of the dates/times for your exams.

Consider…

• Organizing all course materials (notes, slides, readings) into a single folder (digital or physical) per course
• Creating a study calendar based on the April exam schedule
• Identifying weak spots early so you can review gradually instead of cramming. As you’ve seen us discuss before, Spaced Retrieval is key to practicing the recall we need to finals.
• Revisiting course outlines to confirm final exam formats and weighting

Think of March as your “prep and position” month. April becomes much more manageable when you’ve already laid the groundwork.

6. PMC Learning Strategies Resources

If you’re looking for structure, tools, or guidance, the modules are available anytime.

How to register:
Go to the Discover tab in Brightspace → search PMC Learning Strategies → select Enrol.
If enrolment isn’t available, check your course list, you may already be registered!

Questions or Support?

Email the PMC Learning Strategies Team anytime: PMC_LS@cunet.carleton.ca

The post The Home Stretch Begins – Learning Strategies: March Edition appeared first on Paul Menton Centre.

The deadline to request accommodations for April final exams is March 15th if you have not already requested accommodations for your courses, earlier in the term. Accommodations can be requested through the .

Note that…

• You are not required to request accommodations for your courses again if you have already requested accommodations in Ventus earlier in this term.  If you are not sure, login to Ventus and go to the “Accommodations” tab to make sure exam accommodations have been selected for the courses you have final exams.
• After March 15th, please contact your PMC coordinator to submit a late request for an accommodation change or adjustment. Late requests made less than 10 business days before an exam are not guaranteed. 
• Don’t panic if you do not see your final exam accommodation information in Ventus now. Accommodation arrangements for each exam will be published to your Student Ventus portal two (2) weeks before the exam date for in-person exams and five (5) days for online exams.

Deadline to Drop Courses for Winter Term

March 15th is the last day for academic withdrawal from full winter, late winter, and fall/winter courses.  Attempts to withdraw after this deadline must be done through a petition process. If you need academic advice before dropping a course, please reach out to the Academic Advising Centre or your departmental academic advisor.

The post Deadline to Request Accommodations for Final Exams appeared first on Paul Menton Centre.

ADHD Coaching Group

The ADHD Coaching Group (formerly ADHD Group) meets on Tuesdays from 1:30 – 2:30pm as a group to vision identity-based goals, select strategies to meet them, and then follow through with regular accountability check-ins and support.

The first ADHD group for the term is on January 20, 2026.

Neurodiversity Support Group

Unmasking Connections: Neurodiversity Support Group fosters connections, social communication skills and wellness in a neuro-affirming space. Join us to meet other students who get it, explore relevant issues, and share some laughs!

The Neurodiversity Support Group meets on Wednesdays, from 3:00 – 4:15pm, starting on January 28, 2026.

Graduate Student Writing Group

Graduate Student Writing Group participants can expect a supportive (virtual) space to work on your thesis or other academic writing, set clear and tangible tasks/goals, and reflect and plan what to tackle next.

This group meets on Wednesdays from 10:00am – 12:00pm.

The post Winter Term Study, Social and Support Groups for PMC Students appeared first on Paul Menton Centre.

Nideyinan will be closed for building repairs and updates from April 27th to May 5th, 2026. This includes the PMC’s physical office.

All PMC operations will be virtual during this time.

The post PMC Office Closure April 27 to May 5 appeared first on Paul Menton Centre.

Summer Courses

Registration information, including registration dates and time-ticket information, for the 2026 Summer session is now available at the Registration website. The 2026 Summer class schedule (course offerings only) is currently available in ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ Central and via the public class schedule. Course locations will be available February 4, and course instructors will be available on March 16.

Summer Jobs

Need help finding and applying for summer jobs? It is never too early to start. Book an appointment with an ACT Advisor to receive individualized support in any of the following areas:

• Career exploration
• Job search and networking strategies
• Resume and cover letter
• Job applications
• Interview preparation
• Professionalism
• Workplace accommodations and disclosure of disability

Students must first be registered with ACT to book an appointment.ĚýOnce registered,Ěýcontact themĚýto book an ACT Advising appointment.

The post Planning for Summer appeared first on Paul Menton Centre.

Centre for Student Academic Support (CSAS)

CSAS provides evidence-informed leaning supports for students to support their learning and studies.

Located on the 4th floor of theĚý, CSAS is open during regular business hours, 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday – Friday. You can connect with them in-person, via email (csas@carleton.ca), or by phone (613-520-3822).

CSAS provides three learning supports:

1. How to…Drop-in Sessions for learning and writing: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. on the 4^th Floor of MacOdrum Library. Each drop-in session is 30 minutes in duration.
2. One-on-One Learning or Writing Appointment (In-Person or Virtual). Each appointment is 50 minutes long.
3. Online Workshops & Resources

Watch this  to learn how CSAS services can support student learning and writing.

Research Help & Resources – MacOdrum Library

The Library offers for and . 

• Research Help Desk (in-person, email, virtual chat, text)
• Course and subject guides
• Consultation with subject specialists

Department/Faculty Supports

• Math Tutorial Centre (MTC)
  • Math Homework Support Videos
• Ěýat Science Student Success Centre (SSSC)

The post Learning Resources Around Campus appeared first on Paul Menton Centre.