5 tips to help you take charge of your wellbeing

Focusing on your coursework, assessments, and exam obligations while juggling family and social commitments can feel overwhelming. We’re here to help you strike a healthy balance between study and your other commitments, and support you while you’re studying with us. 

Here are five practical tips to help you manage your wellbeing, succeed in your studies and enjoy your time at the University of Sydney.

We’ve developed a personalised student wellbeing profile that features tools and downloadable resources to help you manage your mental health and wellbeing and access support when you need it. You can also book a one-on-one chat with a wellbeing counsellor through your student wellbeing profile by completing a wellbeing support request.  

You'll need your Unikey and OKTA to sign in to your student wellbeing profile. Don’t forget to update your personal details so we have the right information in case we need to contact you.

1. Stick to a routine

A well-structured routine will help you stay motivated while maintaining balance. A balanced lifestyle can significantly reduce stress and improve productivity. 

A routine doesn’t mean every minute of your life is scheduled. Instead, sticking to a routine means you’re making conscious choices about how you spend your time, ensuring all aspects of your life receive attention. 

Start by setting up a daily schedule, dedicating time to studying, socialising, relaxing, eating and sleeping. Consistency is important when it comes to staying on track and reducing stress, and balance is key to avoiding burnout.

⌚️ The time-management self-help resource (pdf, 220.5KB) has a range of tips to help you manage your time effectively and includes a free weekly planner you can print out to help you stick to your routine.

 We also have a free semester planner (pdf, 197.6KB) you can download and print to help you keep track of due dates and identify busy assessment periods. Planning effectively for the semester ahead will help you to stay on top of your studies.

 If you are finding it difficult to start and stick to a task, check out the beating procrastination self-help resource (pdf, 234.9KB).

 2. Eat well, sleep well

Sleep plays a vital role in our daily functioning as well as our physical and mental health. A good night's sleep can improve your mental performance, mood, and energy levels, and decrease feelings of anxiety. 

Adequate nutrition and hydration are also important for maintaining your energy and cognitive function throughout the day, so make sure you factor in time for lunch and for snacking between classes or study sessions.

 Check out the Australian guide to healthy eating – a visual food selection guide representing the five recommended food groups. Better Health also has information on healthy eating, recipe ideas and lunchbox tips.

 If you're experiencing food insecurity, you can register to receive free food and other essential items at FoodHub. FoodHub is located on Level 3 of Wentworth Building and is open Monday to Friday, 11 am–2 pm.

 Struggling to sleep? Read our sleep tips (pdf, 198KB) to find out what you can do to improve your slumber and wake up feeling recharged.

3. Find what relaxes you

Studying can sometimes feel challenging, especially as assessment deadlines are approaching or during exam season. Integrating mindfulness and stress-relief practices into your routine can help you manage stress effectively.

Explore different relaxation techniques to help you figure out what works best for you. You may find that yoga, walking in nature, reading, or listening to music helps you destress during a busy assessment period. Or perhaps you like to head to the gym or play a team sport to let off steam.

Dedicating a few minutes a day to meditation, mindful breathing exercises, or journaling can also be effective in grounding your thoughts and emotions, offering a sense of calm amidst what can feel like chaos.

 Take a look at some grounding techniques (pdf, 348.3KB) and mindfulness practices (pdf, 995.1KB) you can try at home.

 Try out a 10-minute mindfulness meditation guided practice (mp3, 9.3MB)

 Visit Canvas to find out more about how you can practise self-compassion and self-care to benefit your mental wellbeing, release tension and improve your focus.

4. Nourish your relationships  

Healthy relationships have a positive impact on your mental health and overall wellbeing. Building a support network of friends, family, and mentors can provide you with encouragement and advice as well as emotional support during difficult times.

Surrounding yourself with meaningful and rewarding relationships with people who share your values and embrace your individuality can help you feel fulfilled outside of your studies.

However, all relationships experience ups and downs, and this can impact your general wellbeing. Having the freedom to express your thoughts, feelings and needs and being able to communicate well in your relationships is key to being able to resolve conflicts when they do arise.

 Identify what makes a relationship healthy and what does not with our healthy relationships self-help resource (pdf, 543.3KB).

 Is ongoing conflict with a friend or loved one affecting your health and wellbeing? Our relationship difficulties (pdf, 272.2KB) and effective communication (pdf, 353.5KB) resources have strategies that may help you navigate difficult conversations.

 If you have experienced sexual misconduct, domestic or family violence, bullying or harrassment, the Safer Communities Office is here to provide you with support. Staff are available 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday. You can make an appointment on the phone +61 2 8627 6808 or email safer-communities.officer@sydney.edu.au. For 24/7 support, call 1800RESPECT.

5. Reach out for support  

Remember, taking charge of your wellbeing does not mean going it alone.

• If you need wellbeing support, log in to your student wellbeing profile and complete a wellbeing support request.
• Student wellbeing services offer a range of free counselling and support services to help you during your time at University.
• Check out our free self-help resources, tools and activities on health and wellbeing, available for you to explore at your own pace.
• If you’re a local student and would like to connect with peers on campus, access TalkCampus for free and instant support for your wellbeing, with a Clinical Helpline available 24/7.
• If you're an international student, access Sonder for 24/7 safety and wellbeing support at your fingertips. 
• Head Set by the Student Counselling Service is an online resource that offers a variety of evidence-based information and practices in the form of podcasts, articles, and videos to help you manage your psychological wellbeing.

Hero image by Helena Lopes on Unsplash.