Tips to manage exam and assignment stress

Published: 27 May 2025
International students in the cinema enjoying the stress less movie night

As exams and assignment deadlines get close, it’s important to take care of your health and wellbeing. Study Melbourne recently hosted a Stress Less Movie Night for international students. It was a full house, with 130 people watching the latest Mission Impossible movie. Before the movie, the event kicked off with stress management tips provided by youth mental health experts Orygen.

We’ve received wonderful feedback from students. They appreciated the chance to relax, connect, and recharge: “It was such a fun and refreshing experience. The event helped me take a much-needed break from study stress. Thank you!”

Some useful tips to help manage exam and assignment stress, try to:

  • take regular breaks
  • go for a walk
  • see friends
  • do some cooking.

These are great ways of managing stress and help you to produce happy hormones.

Make time to sleep. Social media takes you elsewhere, it’s a pure escape. We all love to scroll on our phones. If you’re scrolling socials before bedtime, use a timer for 10 minutes. Take control of your time.

Manage multiple deadlines by enjoying small celebrations along the way. Reward yourself for every deadline. Go out with a friend, sing some karaoke, eat some nice food, or whatever you like to do. Relax, you’ve earned it!

If you need a quiet place to study or connect with others, please visit the Study Melbourne Hub. The Hub has free Wi-Fi, tea, coffee, snacks and friendly faces. Stay well, keep balanced, and best of luck with your assessments and exams.

Upcoming events
Melbourne
Well Fed team handing out lunches at the Study Melbourne Hub
2 May - 31 August

Well Fed at the Study Melbourne Hub

Proudly supported by Study Melbourne, the Just Food Collective invites all international students to attend Well Fed at the Study Melbourne Hub. This initiative provides free food, healthy diet information, and community connections for international students. Think a bowl of delicious food, a sweet treat and a hot drink! There will also be groceries to take-home too. Spaces are limited and registration is essential. This event will be held every 2nd Friday.
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm (AEST)
Cost: Free
Register
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19 June

Language exchange meetup

Come and join us at the Study Melbourne Hub between 4.30pm – 6pm on 19 June for the next Language Exchange Event. Make new friends, practise your English language skills and grab a cute koala keychain of your own! We hope to see you there.
Time: 4:30pm - 6:00pm (AEST)
Cost: Free
Register
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5 July

Mandarin tour of the NGV

Learn about the art and stories that make Australia unique. Come to the NGV Australia for a 30-minute tour. The tour highlights the NGV’s collection of Australian art, including works by First Nations artists. Your guide will be an NGV Community Ambassador, who is a current international student or recent graduate. The NGV Community Ambassadors welcome visitors in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Free entry, booking is not required. Tour meeting point, Ground Level, The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square.
Time: 12:30pm - 1:00pm (AEST)
Cost: Free
Register
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Students exploring parkland in Melbourne
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Walk it out: Career chats with mentors (and snacks!)

Take a break from the pressure of study, job searching, or life admin and walk it out with HEX mentors! This event is designed for international students who want to talk about the real stuff - the stress, the hustle, the uncertainty. Get support and perspective from friendly mentors and Monash counselling students. You will join a casual group walk around Melbourne's beautiful Birrarung Marr, with snacks, chats and time to breathe. Spots are limited so register now. No pressure, no awkward small talk, and just fresh air, open conversations, and real support.
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm (AEST)
Cost: Free
Register
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