Student Wellbeing

As the days grow shorter and the cooler weather starts to bite, it's the perfect time to reset, refresh and reconnect with your health, your habits and the great outdoors. It’s also the time when students have an added layer of pressure: exam periods and major assessment tasks. That’s why now, more than ever, it's important to build in habits that support both physical and mental wellbeing.

Managing Stress During Exams

Assessment periods can be intense, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Here are a few tips to help you stay balanced:

• Break study into manageable chunks using a timetable or planner.
• Get outside - even a 10-minute walk can reduce anxiety and clear your head.
• Practice mindfulness or deep breathing when you feel stress rising.
• Don’t skip meals or sleep - your brain needs both to perform at its best.

Remember: productivity isn’t about grinding endlessly, it’s about working smarter and resting deliberately.

Cooler Weather = Fresh Opportunities

Chilly mornings and crisp afternoons can actually support your focus and wellbeing. Fresh air can increase alertness and help reset your mind between study blocks.

Throw on a jacket and take a quick nature break. It’s more powerful than you think.

Move Your Body, Ease Your Mind

Staying active during exam season helps regulate stress hormones and improve sleep. You don’t need long workouts - short walks, yoga stretches or dancing to a favourite playlist can make a big difference.

Nature as a Study Break

Nature is a natural stress reliever. Use it as a reward between study sessions or as a calming environment to review notes. Even sitting by a window with natural light can boost mood and concentration.

Protect Your Sleep

Late night cramming might feel productive, but it usually leads to brain fog. Instead:

• Stick to a consistent sleep schedule
• Power down screens at least 30 minutes before bed
• Use calming rituals (stretching, tea, journaling) to signal it’s time to rest

Your brain consolidates memory during sleep - so a rested mind is a smarter one.

Nourish Your Body

Fuelling your body with the right foods helps stabilise energy and mood. Choose whole foods, seasonal fruits, and don’t forget to hydrate (even when it’s cold).

You’ve Got This

Whether you're preparing for exams or simply adjusting to the season, take time to care for your whole self - body, mind and spirit. Small habits, done consistently, can have a big impact.

Stay grounded. Stay healthy. And trust in your ability to navigate this season with strength and clarity.

The Resilience Project

This week in the Learning Mentor lesson, students at the Brigidine Campus explored emotions and how different emotions look and feel. Students learnt that all emotions have a purpose and ignoring challenging emotions doesn’t lead to positive outcomes. Students identified the physical reactions they may have when experiencing certain emotions. 

Parents and carers can access the hub via the secure link below, with no account setup or login required: https://theresilienceproject.com.au/2025-parent-carer-hub-inspire-2/

Shari Gotch

College Leader - Student Wellbeing