Your Well-Being Matters: 4 Self-Care Tips for Finals & Beyond

December 5, 2025

With finals approaching and winter recess and holiday gatherings right behind, we want to share four ways to care for yourself during this busy season, along with student health resources to support your well-being.

Rest and Reset

Take time to unwind, even in the thick of preparing for the end of the semester. Try unplugging from digital devices or social media, getting good sleep, or creating new habits and letting go of ones that no longer serve you.

Get Help When You Need It 

If you feel overwhelmed, ask a classmate, faculty member, adviser, or health provider to lend an ear–we’re here to help each other. 

24/7 phone support is also available for urgent concerns, even during holidays and while you are traveling across the U.S. and around the world:

CUIMC Students (Student Health on Haven)

  • Schedule a counseling appointment, support session, or a Well-Being Strategy Session using the Student Health Portal or by calling 212-305-3400.
  • For urgent mental health support, call 212-305-3400, after-hours press option 7, or access support via chat and phone through TELUS Health Student Support (available 24/7, within the U.S. and around the world).
  • Check out these on-campus and community resources for students learning, training, and working in the health professions.

Morningside/Manhattanville Students (Columbia Health)

Continue Practicing Essential Prevention Techniques—Especially While Traveling

Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, and stay home if you’re not feeling well.

Make sure you have all travel-related needs and resources, such as medications, vaccinations, and health insurance information.

Stay Connected During Winter Break

Remember: Your student health services are open throughout most of winter break, and many services can be accessed even if you are not in New York City.

In New York:

Please check your student health service website for up-to-date schedules or to make an appointment.    

24/7 phone support is also available for urgent concerns, even during holidays: 

CUIMC Students (Student Health on Haven) 

  • Urgent medical or mental health concerns: Call 212-305-3400 (option 7 for mental health concerns; option 8 for medical concerns)
  • 24/7 counseling support via chat and phone is available through TELUS Health Student Support

Morningside/Manhattanville Students (Columbia Health) 

  • Urgent medical concerns: Call 212-854-7426
  • Urgent mental health concerns: Call 212-854-2878

All Columbia Students 

  • For support for sexual assault or other forms of gender-based violence, call 212-854-4357. 
  • For spiritual support, connect with a Religious Life adviser.
  • The Ombuds Office provides confidential support to discuss many concerns and issues  

Outside of New York in the U.S. or Across the Globe:   

All full-time students, international students, and students on the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan have healthcare coverage while traveling across the U.S. and around the world.

*Graduating students can use their student health services through December 31, 2025.

 

We encourage you to keep making your health and well-being a priority. Please reach out when you need to, whether to your peers, advisors, or the various University resources here to support you. We wish you continued success at the close of the fall semester and a safe and healthy winter season.

Good luck! 

In health,

Marcy Ferdschneider, D.O. (she/her)
Assistant Vice President, Student Health on Haven
Assistant Professor of Medicine at CUIMC

 

Melanie Bernitz, M.D., M.P.H (she/her)
Executive Vice President, University Life and Wellbeing
Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine (in the Center for Family and Community Medicine)