With exams getting closer, we’ve been seeing and hearing that some of our VCE students are really tired.
It’s 9:30 at night. You’re exhausted and want to go to bed, but there’s a practice SAC, practice exam or revision sitting there that you were meant to finish earlier. You think, “I can’t stop yet. I need to get this done.”
Or maybe you do take a break but spend the whole time thinking about everything you haven’t done.
We hear you.
As exams get closer, it can feel like you should always be doing more. There’s always another practice exam you could do, something else you could revise or something you could improve.
But rest is important too. You don’t have to earn it by finishing everything.
When you catch yourself thinking, “I have to keep going,” ask yourself:
Does this really need to happen tonight? Would I be better off getting some sleep and coming back to it tomorrow?
And because spring is here, I have another assignment for you:
Go outside for a bit.
Feel the sun on your face. Notice the cool breeze, the smell of the air, the grass under your feet, the sounds around you or your hair moving in the wind.
If some of those things don’t feel good for your sensory system, that’s completely fine. Find what does.
The idea is simple. Give your brain a few minutes where it isn’t thinking about SACs, exams, homework or what you need to do next. Just notice what is around you and be there for a bit.
And please don’t make this another thing you have to do perfectly!
For our families, as exams get closer, sometimes our young people don’t need another reminder about what still needs to be done. Sometimes they need to hear:
You’ve done enough for today. It can wait until tomorrow.
And students, if you’re feeling exhausted most of the time, overwhelmed, struggling to sleep, not enjoying the things you usually enjoy, or your thoughts, feelings or experiences are becoming difficult or frightening, please talk to us or another adult you trust.
You don’t have to wait until things get really bad before asking for support.
Look after yourselves as we head towards exams.
And yes, the spring sunshine assignment counts.
Sam Akkerman
Wellbeing Team MHP
As our Senior students prepare to visit the Thornbury campus for their exams, we encourage you to plan — including taking a moment to consider the environment you’ll be entering.
In this article, our in-house gardener, Emily Hall, shares the thinking behind VSV’s campus gardens and how our physical environment is intentionally designed to support wellbeing. It’s a reminder that even small moments of connection with our surroundings can help you feel settled and supported when you visit us.
