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
Graphic design with bold white letters with smaller, scattered letters below on an orange background.
10 April - 11 September

Well Fed & Ferments

Just Food Collective's Well Fed is teaming up with Farm to Ferment and Study Melbourne in 2026 to offer free meals and inspiring fermenting workshops led by master fermenter Patrick Meaney.
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (AEST)
Cost: Free
Register
Victoria
a person driving a car
19 August

Road Ready Victoria Program

Join the free sessions for the Road Ready Victoria Program, proudly supported by Study Melbourne. The sessions will help international students with the knowledge and practical skills for using Victoria's roads, public transport, and pedestrian networks. You may also be eligible for practice driving lessons with a qualified instructor.
Time: 12:00am - 12:00am (AEST)
Cost: Free
Register
Melbourne
Students having coffee together
26 August

Money Strengths Workshop & Winter Night Market

This interactive workshop will help you identify the strengths and habits you already use to manage your finances, set realistic financial goals, and discover practical tools to support your budgeting journey. After the workshop, you'll head to the Queen Victoria Winter Night Market, where you'll receive a free food voucher and have the chance to put your budgeting skills into practice while exploring the market.
Time: 4:30pm - 5:15pm (AEST)
Cost: Free
Register
News recommendation
Three students in a

Finding your balance as an international student

Studying in a new country is exciting, but it can also be busy and overwhelming. Study Melbourne Ambassador Tinaika Pereira shares her tips on how to prioritise your wellbeing to have a positive student experience in Victoria.
View article
A group of students sitting together outside

Melbourne is Australia’s #1 Student City – and one of the best in the world!

Melbourne has been ranked #4 in the world in the latest QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings, making it Australia’s highest-ranked student city. Melbourne is also ranked #1 globally for student diversity, with students from around 170 countries choosing to call our city home.
View article
Photograph of diverse adults standing and smiling in front of a blue banner.

StartSpace Business Fundamentals Program Sponsorship

Study Melbourne is delighted to sponsor five teams of international student founders to participate in this program in 2026, as part of our leadership and employability programs supporting international students and alumni across Victoria. Delivered by Startspace, State Library of Victoria, the StartSpace Business Fundamentals Program is an 8-week, in-person program designed for early-stage startup and SME founders who want to strengthen the core foundations of their business.
View article
A group photo on a bridge

Melbourne named Australia’s most liveable city in 2026 rankings

Melbourne has once again been recognised as Australia’s most liveable city, ranking #3 in the world in the 2026 Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Global Liveability Index. The result reinforces Melbourne’s reputation as one of the world’s best places to study, live, and work.
View article