April 27 – May 8, 2026
While it may be finals week, it is also Self-Care Week here at Rec Well. During this week, we are devoted to supporting Active Badgers through this stressful time. To help, we’ll be offering free walk-in’s for group fitness classes, additional meditation classes, and several other workshops and activities to all current members.
We’ll also be sharing resources on ways to manage stress, including tips on getting proper sleep, eating healthy, staying hydrated, and connecting to mindfulness. Take some time to unwind, and know that it’s not bad to give yourself a break. Be good to yourself and take a timeout for self-care.
Show us how you take a timeout for self-care by posting on social media using #timeout #selfcare #uwrecwell.
Events
Badger Bites: Eating Well on a Budget
Eating well as a busy student can still taste good and be easy on your wallet. Nutritional Science students will provide money saving tips along the way as you see for yourself when we prepare fun recipes in this class.
Location:
Wolf Teaching Kitchen at the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
Date & Time:
Monday, April 27 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Badger Bites: Cooking for One
Cooking for one comes with unique challenges — but none that Nutritional Science students can’t help you face. Learn ways to prepare nutritious, tasty, and affordable meals that add variety to your routine.
Location:
Wolf Teaching Kitchen at the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
Date & Time:
Tuesday, April 28 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Mindful Tea Time
Enjoy a cup of tea and a moment of calm. Mindful meditation is also a great way to prepare for exams. Regular practice can improve focus, reduce anxiety, and boost recall. Registration Required.
Dates & Times:
Wednesday, April 29 from Noon – 12:30pm @ Nick Balance Studio
Thursday, April 30 from 4 – 4:30pm @ Bakke Serenity Studio
Super Smash Brothers Night
Sign up for our Super Smash Brothers Ultimate tournament! Compete against your fellow students to win an intramural championship shirt. No experience needed. IM Sports or Esports pass ($5) required.
Location:
Bakke Esports Room
Date & Time:
Tuesday, April 28 @ 6 – 10pm
Fuel Up to Finish Strong, courtesy of Uline
Stop by the Nick & Bakke for a Uline giveaway!
Date & Location:
April 27 @ the Nick
April 28 @ Bakke
Valorant Night Intramural Esports
Head to Valorant Night! Not only will you get to take a break from finals, you’ll get bragging rights and your chance at a champ shirt!
Sign up as a free agent looking for a team, or with your friends! No experience needed. IM Sports or Esports pass ($5) required.
Location:
Bakke Esports Room
Date & Time:
Thursday, April 30 @ 6 – 10pm
Study Break at Bakke
Find your balance with finals preparation by enjoying our quiet study space (in Serenity) and/or our break space (in Tempo) complete with snacks, drinks, crafts, board games, beading, and puzzles. Therapy dog Hoagie will be onsite ready to cuddle. For those graduating, bring your cap along to decorate in the Bakke classroom from 2 – 5pm!
Location:
Bakke – Serenity & Tempo Studios
Date & Time:
Friday, May 1 from 10am – 3pm
Graduation Cap Decorating with UHS
Hats off to you! Come decorate your graduation caps with Rec Well and UHS community art programs. There will be games to help destress and free art supplies.
Location: Classroom at the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
Date & Time:
Friday, May 1 from 2 – 5pm
Roll into Finals
Want to try something new in the pool? Join us at the Cove Pool for log rolling. There’s more to the pool than just swimming, log rolling is fun for all experience levels! Put your log rolling skills to the test (or learn how to do it).
Location:
Cove Pool at the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
Date & Time:
Friday, May 1 from 5:30 – 7pm
Free Walk-in Group Fitness Classes
Enjoy free walk-ins at our group fitness classes all week! These are for UW-Madison students and Rec Well members when spots are available. Enjoy classes like Mat Pilates, Group Strength, Rhythm Ride, Deep Water, and Train360. Make sure to bring your Wiscard/Rec Well membership card.
Location:
The Nicholas Recreation Center and the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
Dates:
May 2 – 8
Mt. Mendota Study Break
Want a great break from studying? Come to Mt. Mendota for our study break! We’ll have staff that can help you out on our bouldering wall and rock climbing wall and great vibes.
Location:
Mt. Mendota at the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
Date & Time:
Saturday, May 2 from noon – 8pm
Jazzy Classics Theme Skate
Skate to the smooth sound of the sax and glide around on the ice at our Jazzy Classic theme skate.
Location:
Sub-Zero Ice Center at the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
Date & Time:
Saturday, May 2 from 7:30 – 9pm
Tennis Skill Clinics
Celebrate National Tennis Month and take a break from finals with a skill clinic! These clinics meet one time for 75 minutes and are designed to facilitate skill acquisition within the game of tennis. There are a variety of clinics being offered, including:
- Intro to Tennis – Adult Red Ball
- Level 1
- Level 2
- Level 3
- Level 4
- Cardio Tennis
- Biomechanics
Dates: May 4 – 6
Check the link below to see all the dates and times for each clinic!
Swim Clinic: Freestyle for Beginners
Learn the components of the freestyle stroke and how to put it all together. This clinic is designed for anyone who wants to start learning the freestyle stroke.
Prerequisites:
- Comfortability submerging under water
- Proficiency with front and back floats
- Working knowledge of flutter kick
Class Components:
- Learn rotary breathing and timing
- Understand freestyle stroke components
- Participate in activities to learn and improve freestyle technique
Location:
Cove Pool at the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
Date & Time:
Tuesday, May 5 from 6 – 7pm
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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University Health Services
University Health Services
Main line: (608) 265 – 5600
- Option 1 for medical services, behavioral health, occupational medicine
- Option 2 for mental health services
- Option 3 for confidential victim advocacy services concerning sexual assault, dating violence, and sexual harassment
- Option 4 for Student Health Insurance Plan
- Option 7 for UHS hours and directions
- Option 9 for 24-hour mental health crisis line
UHS offers: care for illnesses and injuries: women’s health care; immunizations, allergies, and specialty care; primary and preventive care; individual psychological and psychiatric care; group and couple/partner counseling; eating disorder assessment and care; survivor services; trans health care; and wellness services. Drop into one of their Let’s Talk sessions during finals week for free, informal, and confidential counseling services.
Office of Student Assistance and Support
Office of Student Assistance and Support
Phone: (608) 263 – 5700
Email: OSAS@studentlife.wisc.edu
The Office of Student Assistance and Support offers: same day drop-in appointments; outlets to report students of concern, incidents of bias or hate, or other incidents; outlets to report an academic complaint; support for DACA recipients; outlets for getting help for other students; information on food, housing, and financial support.
Office of Financial Aid
Office of Financial Aid
Phone: (608) 263 – 3060
Email: finaid@finaid.wisc.edu
The Office of Financial Aid offers: advising appointments; basic needs support (help gaining access to food, housing, and insurance); emergency support; success services; workshops/events; outreach
International Student Services
International Student Services
Phone: (608) 262 – 2044
Email: iss@studentlife.wisc.edu
International Student Services offers: advising appointments (drop-in and scheduled); COVID-19 and travel updates and guidelines; emergency support; Optional Practical Training; program extension.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Accommodation Requests
If you need an accommodation to attend this event, email accommodations@recwell.wisc.edu. All accommodation requests should be made no less than two weeks before the event. We will attempt to fulfill requests made after this date but cannot guarantee they will be met.