Reading time: 3 minutes.
Tuition Free Week is here. If you’ve been counting down to a week without classes, assignments and deadlines, you might already have a list of things you want to get done.
But before you fill your break with errands, study catch-ups and plans, ask yourself: what do I actually need right now?
Sometimes, you need to rest. Sometimes, you need to recharge. And sometimes, you need a reset. They might sound like the same thing, but they can look quite different.
Rest: Give yourself permission to slow down
Rest is about giving your body and mind a chance to recover.
If you’ve been getting up early for class, working late, studying for assessments or feeling like you’ve been “on” all semester, you might need some proper downtime.
Rest could mean:
- Sleeping in or catching up on sleep.
- Watching your favourite show without feeling guilty.
- Reading something just for fun.
- Taking a quiet afternoon to yourself.
- Sitting outside and doing absolutely nothing for a while.
- Saying no to plans when you need some alone time.
Rest doesn’t have to be productive. Sometimes, doing less is exactly what your body needs.
Recharge: Do something that gives you energy
Recharge is about doing things that leave you feeling energised or refreshed. Think about the things that make you feel like yourself outside of uni.
You could:
- Catch up with friends or family.
- Go for a walk, swim or exercise.
- Try a new café or restaurant.
- Explore a new area in Perth.
- Pick up a hobby you’ve put aside during semester.
- Listen to music, play games or get creative.
- Spend time outdoors.
Recharge is about doing things that fill your cup rather than run it empty.
Reset: Make space for a fresh start
Sometimes, you’re not necessarily physically exhausted. You just feel stuck in the same routine. That’s where a reset can help.
A reset is about making a few changes that help you feel more prepared for what’s ahead.
You could:
- Tidy your study space.
- Clean your room
- Get your sleep routine back on track.
- Plan your meals for the week.
- Organise your calendar and upcoming deadlines.
- Clear out your inbox.
- Take a break from social media.
- Think about what has and hasn’t been working for you this semester.
But remember: A reset isn’t to push you to be more productive or overhaul your whole routine, it’s choosing to do one or two things that would make it easier for you to get back into the rhythm of things at uni.
So, what do you need?
Try this quick check-in:
- Am I feeling physically or mentally exhausted? You might need to rest.
- Am I feeling flat, disconnected or like I haven’t done anything for myself lately? You might need to recharge.
- Am I feeling stuck in a routine that isn’t working anymore? You might need to reset.
Or sometimes, you might need all three. Whatever your answer, give yourself permission to make space for it.
Need a little extra support?
If you’re not sure what you need or would like some extra support, take a moment to check in with yourself using the Wellbeing tool in OASIS. You can explore personalised resources based on how you’re feeling and what you need right now.
