Exam season can make every day feel the same: lecture notes, past papers, highlighters, a growing to-do list - and nothing’s really sticking.

At that point, taking a short break and doing something different can actually help more than just pushing through. Even a small change of pace can make it easier to come back and focus.

Here are a few simple ways I reset during revision.

Tiny resets that still count

Not every break has to involve going out. Small, easy resets at home can still make a big difference during exam season:

• • Making a proper snack and taking time to enjoy it 
  • Putting on a favourite playlist and looking away from screens
  • Doing a quick tidy of the desk or room  
  • These little pauses help break up the day and stop revision from becoming one long, stressful stretch. They also fit easily between study blocks without needing lots of planning.

Step away for an hour

One of the easiest ways to reset is to physically step away from the desk. A short walk around Botanic Gardens, past the Lanyon building or around the River Lagan gives a quick change of scenery without taking up the whole day. Even a little time getting fresh air can help.

If it’s raining (it’s April in Belfast, so it probably is), a slow wander under cover can still do the job. You could drift through campus buildings, step into the Naughton Gallery for a quiet change of pace, or spend a bit of time in the Seamus Heaney Centre, where it’s calm and reflective. Just walk around, breathe, and give the brain a break from screens and notes. 

Try a new coffee shop

Exploring a new coffee shop is a great way to step away from revision and let your mind wander for a bit. It takes you out of the usual routine, gives your brain a break from notes, and a sweet treat as a reward.

Brew & Ferment on Botanic is worth a visit, they do student coffees for around £2.50. It’s the kind of place where you can sit for half an hour, watch the rain outside, and people-watch.

Oh Donuts’ new shop on Stranmillis is another good one. Pop in for a donut and coffee, find a window seat, and do some people-watching. It’s perfect and just right to get a treat to send you back to studying refreshed.

Terrace on the Malone side and Sojourn Coffee Belfast are also cosy spots to try if you want a little change. Sometimes, the act of finding a new café and trying something different on the menu is enough to break up a long day of revision.

Creative breaks on campus and nearby

Creative activities are another easy way to step out of revision mode for a while.

Queen’s Students’ Union runs regular events that work well as study breaks, from relaxed socials to craft and activity-based evenings. Some events include SU Activity Hour: Strawberry Sensation, Paint Your Mood, and Button Craft. Because they’re on campus or close by, they slot easily between library sessions without needing much planning.

Alongside this, Queen’s hosts events like “From Waste to Wardrobe: A Creative Upcycling Experience” and “Art in the A.M.”, which give students the chance to slow down, make something with their hands and chat to others in a calm setting. Workshops like these are ideal for stepping out of revision mode and then heading back to work feeling lighter.

Switch off with games at Reboot

For anyone who finds it hard to relax by “just sitting still”, a games session can be the perfect reset. Going to Reboot for an hour with friends between study days gives the brain something completely different to focus on.

There are plenty of games to choose from, a bit of harmless competition, and just having fun, even though it’s only for a short time. Afterwards, it’s often easier to go back to revision with a clearer head. 

A change of pace

After hours spent hunched over a desk, a bit of movement is often the fastest way to wake up tired muscles and clear that "brain fog" that sets in during long revision sessions.

Playing a sport with friends can be a great way to blow off steam. Booking a court at the PEC for a game of squash or badminton is always fun. If you fancy a change of scenery, you can also book indoor tennis courts over at the Ozone in Ormeau Park.

Mindful activities off-campus

Simple creative activities can be just as helpful for taking your mind off revision. Things like sketching, casual crafts, or relaxed drop-in workshops are easy to try in your room, a common space, or somewhere quiet on campus.

If you’d prefer something a bit more structured, places like the Golden Thread Gallery run relaxed creative sessions where you can just turn up, make something, and switch off for a while. Their workshops are low-pressure and a nice way to spend an hour without thinking about deadlines.

These kinds of activities don’t need to take up much time. A short creative session between topics can help break up the day and make things feel more manageable.

Giving yourself permission to pause

The most overlooked part of a study schedule is knowing when to stop and feeling guilty for taking rests. No one can revise non-stop, and pushing through when you are tired enough to take any more information usually means taking in less. Short breaks like a walk, a café visit, or a quiet creative activity make the time spent revising much more effective.

It’s easy to think every minute should be working, but giving yourself time to pause is part of looking after yourself. The aim isn’t perfection; allowing space to rest is part of looking after both results and wellbeing.

Sometimes stepping away is exactly what you need to keep going. If revision isn’t working, don’t force it - take a break, reset, and come back to it when you’re ready.

Written by Priyal Gupta

BSc Computer Science