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Breathe, break, reset: How to make it through exam season

From power naps and Pomodoro breaks to puppy cuddles and free gelato 鈥� here鈥檚 how you can look after your mental health this exam season.

19 May 2025

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As deadlines pile up and exam prep kicks into high gear, we asked our Peer Support Advisors (PSAs) and Student Life Ambassadors (SLAs) how they stay grounded and well during the most stressful time of semester.

Plus, we鈥檝e rounded up this week鈥檚 Exam Ready wellbeing events happening across campus 鈥� from therapy dogs to free snacks and even live organ music 鈥� so you can take a break, reset, and keep going strong.

For PSA Itish, it鈥檚 all about balance: 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 expect yourself to be studying 24/7. I make time for friends, call my family, and go to the gym to reset.鈥� Fellow PSA Geettika agrees. 鈥淚 set boundaries and switch off at the end of the day 鈥� no late-night cramming. Cooking or going for a walk really helps me stop the stress from spiralling.鈥�

SLA Alisa has a simple trick for staying focused: 鈥淓ach morning, I write down three priorities on paper. Crossing things off is so satisfying 鈥� it helps me feel in control.鈥� And when it comes to study breaks, she鈥檚 a big fan of walking the Glebe waterfront. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like magic 鈥� it just resets my mood.鈥�

Many students also find that small routines make a big difference. 鈥淓ach morning, I do a quick brain dump,鈥� says Geettika. 鈥淚 write down everything on my mind, then choose three or four key things to focus on. It helps me feel more in control 鈥� and I always include something non-academic, like going for a walk or calling a friend, to keep things balanced.鈥�

Meanwhile, PSA Yee Cheng swears by power naps and cold showers: 鈥淲hen my brain鈥檚 overloaded, I nap 鈥� it鈥檚 like Minecraft: sleep in a bed, wake up to a new day. And morning cold showers are my small act of discipline. They start my day with purpose.鈥�

And remember 鈥� productivity isn鈥檛 the only goal.聽鈥淲hen you rest, your brain consolidates what you鈥檝e learned,鈥� says Itish. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not wasted time 鈥� it鈥檚 actually helping you do better.鈥� Alisa agrees: 鈥淓ven power naps count. Rest isn鈥檛 a reward for burning out 鈥� it鈥檚 part of how we show up for ourselves.鈥�

Alisa finds that the view from Glebe's waterfront provides a mental reset.

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Trust what you鈥檝e learned. Don鈥檛 be so hard on yourself.

Itish

Their advice for other students? Be kind to yourself. 鈥淩est is part of the process,鈥� says Alisa. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 need to earn it.鈥� Itish agrees: 鈥淭rust what you鈥檝e learned. Don鈥檛 be so hard on yourself.鈥� And if you鈥檙e stuck? 鈥淩ant it out,鈥� says Yee Cheng. 鈥淰ent, move, or just let the tension go.鈥�

Feeling overwhelmed? You鈥檙e not alone.聽鈥淯ni can feel isolating when you鈥檙e stressed, but it鈥檚 important to remember that so many of us are in the same boat,鈥� says Alisa. 鈥淓ven a five-minute catch-up with a friend can remind you you鈥檙e not doing this alone. Study doesn鈥檛 have to be solitary 鈥� try teaming up for a group Pomodoro or booking a study space together.鈥�

Everyone鈥檚 version of 鈥榣ooking after themselves鈥� is different.聽鈥淭here鈥檚 no perfect routine,鈥� says Yee Cheng. 鈥淪ome days you鈥檒l smash it, others you鈥檒l just get through. That鈥檚 okay. If you鈥檙e trying, you鈥檙e already doing better than you think.鈥�

Study doesn鈥檛 have to be solitary 鈥� try teaming up for a group Pomodoro or booking a study space together.

Alisa

Looking for a quick recharge between study sessions? Check out this week鈥檚 wellbeing events on campus 鈥� free treats, therapy dogs, study kits, and more:

Wednesday 21 May

Faculty of Science Wellbeing Desk聽(10 am鈥�2 pm @ Carslaw Hub) 鈥� coffee, pastries & chats with staff

SUPRA: Warm Hugs & Refreshments聽(11 am鈥�2 pm @ New Law Lawns)

Thursday 22 May

Ther-A-Paws聽(12鈥�1:30 pm @聽Social Sciences Building, Level 2 Foyer) 鈥� cuddle therapy dogs

Architecture Coffee Cart聽(8:30鈥�10:30 am @ The Hearth)

Business School Study Buddy Kits聽(10 am鈥�1 pm @ BHB Level 1)

Monday 26 MayLaw School: Sweet Relief聽(1鈥�4 pm @ Law School Foyer) 鈥� free gelato & troubleshooting booth
Tuesday 3 JuneStudy in the Great Hall聽(10:30 am鈥�12:30 pm) 鈥� study with live organ music

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