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
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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
Melbourne
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12 June - 31 July

Games afternoon at the Hub (Every Friday in June and July)

Looking to de-stress over the exam period or unwind post exam? We've got you covered! Bring a friend or come by yourself to the Hub and play some board games or table tennis. You can treat yourself to hot chocolate and snacks, make new friends, and take part in different games. We have a wide variety of games to play, from table tennis to Uno, chess, Jenga, and much more.
Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm (AEST)
Cost: Free
Online
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4 August

Visa Options for International Graduates

The Department of Home Affairs invites you to a free online Temporary Graduate and Skilled Visa Information Webinar. This session will provide information on the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485), employer-sponsored visas, General Skilled Migration, and migrant worker reforms.
Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm (AEST)
Cost: Free
Register
Melbourne
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6 August

Midweek Reset: Slow down and Recharge

Balancing study, work and everyday life can be a lot. This session gives you a chance to pause, learn simple ways to manage stress as a student, and enjoy the afternoon with other international students. The session will include a discussion on stress and mindfulness, practical take-away strategies, and a guided group mindfulness activity. You will then be able to take part in creative activities such as crafting, while relaxing and chatting in a supportive environment.
Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm (AEST)
Cost: Free
Register
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