Study Melbourne Ambassador Tinaika Pereira shares her tips on how to prioritise your wellbeing to have a positive student experience in Victoria.

Honestly, life as an international student can get really busy and overwhelming at times. So for me, relaxing sometimes means doing absolutely nothing. I’ll just stay at home, lie in bed or even binge watch my favourite series. Those quiet days are actually really important for me because they give me space to switch off completely and recharge without any pressure.

At the same time, I also like to balance that with a bit of self-care. Every now and then, I’ll treat myself. Whether that’s getting something small I’ve been wanting or catching up with a friend for those long oversharing conversations that always end up making me feel lighter. I really value those moments because they remind me to slow down and enjoy life outside of study and responsibilities.

Living in Melbourne also makes it easy to relax in different ways because there’s always something happening. Sometimes I like to visit places like the NGV or just take myself on a solo date and explore a new spot. I enjoy those little outings because they feel simple but refreshing.

What I do to relax really depends on my mood when I’m stressed. But one thing I always come back to is working out. Exercising is my “me time”, it helps me clear my mind, reset and refocus. It’s not just about fitness for me, but about giving myself space to breathe and improving my mental wellbeing. That balance between rest, connection, and movement is what really helps me stay grounded.