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Semester is finally over. Results are out. Whether you are feeling relieved, surprised, or a bit unsettled, this moment can leave your mind buzzing long after the pressure should be gone. Many students say the same thing each year: the workload stops, but the stress doesn’t switch off right away. That is normal, and you can help your body and mind move back into a calmer space with a few simple choices.
Here is a clear, relatable guide on how to unwind and reset for the break.
Start with a mental reset
Your brain has spent weeks running at high speed. Even seeing your final grades can spike your stress again. Give yourself time to slow your thoughts. Choose an activity that asks almost nothing from you. Watch a light show. Sit outside. Put on music that settles your breathing. These small pauses signal to your mind that the intense season is behind you.
Acknowledge how you feel about your results
Results can bring mixed feelings. You might be proud, disappointed, confused or somewhere in between. Let yourself feel whatever comes up without judgment. This helps your system process the experience instead of carrying it into the next semester. If you need help making sense of your grades, our support services are there for you, and it is normal to use them.
Reclaim your pace
During semester, your schedule often controls every hour. Now you have space again. Use it. Sleep more. Eat without rushing. Give yourself a morning with no tasks. This helps your body find a steady rhythm after months of academic pressure and supports long term wellbeing.
Move your body, even a little
Physical movement helps clear leftover stress from exams and results. You do not need a full gym routine. Stretch in your room. Walk around Curtin Stadium if you live on campus. Kick a footy with friends. Small bursts of movement improve mood and help your mind reset after academic intensity.
Reconnect with friends and family
Busy weeks can leave relationships in the background. Breaks are a good chance to rebuild those connections. Catch up with your favourite people. Talk about your semester if you want to, or avoid uni talk altogether. Real connection helps ground you and reminds you that life is bigger than grades.
Plan something enjoyable
Giving yourself something positive to look forward to helps redirect your focus from stress to curiosity. It can be a beach day, a short trip, a gaming night, or trying a new spot in Perth. These small plans help your mind shift out of study mode and into recovery.
Reflect lightly
Think about what worked and what did not this semester. Keep it simple. Maybe you learned you focus better in the library than at home. Maybe group assignments took more energy than expected. Capture a few notes and let the rest go. You do not need to map out next semester right now.
Rest without guilt
Rest is essential, especially after grades are released and the adrenaline drops. Give yourself permission to slow down. You earned it.
Winding down after a long semester takes time, but each small step helps you reset, recover and return stronger.
