Date Published: May 20, 2025
The end of exam season is a liberating time for students across the UK. With the pressure of GCSEs, A levels or end-of-year assessments behind them, they are finally able to breathe, relax and celebrate their achievements. It marks the start of a long-awaited summer holiday—a break from revision timetables, stressful deadlines and intense pressure. However, while the summer holidays are a valuable time for rest, they are also an opportunity to invest in personal growth, wellbeing, and continued learning.
Balancing rest and routine is key. Students don’t need to jump straight back into academic work, but it is important to create a rhythm that supports both relaxation and readiness for the next stage—whether that’s sixth form, university, or starting a new course in September. Here, we explore a number of practical and supportive ideas to help students maintain their mental wellbeing and gently stay on track over the summer months.
1. Prioritise Mental Rest
After months of academic stress, the first and most essential step is rest. Exam preparation places a considerable strain on students’ mental and emotional health, often leading to burnout. Encourage students to take a complete break from studying for a week or two following their final exam.
During this time, they should do what makes them feel relaxed and happy—whether that’s watching films, spending time outdoors, catching up on sleep, or simply doing nothing at all. This kind of rest is restorative and vital for resetting the nervous system after prolonged periods of stress.
Rest should not be seen as a reward but as a necessary part of the learning cycle. Without proper downtime, students may carry unnecessary stress into their next academic year, negatively affecting both their performance and wellbeing.
2. Encourage Healthy Habits
Once students feel rested, they can begin to reintroduce healthy routines that support their mental and physical wellbeing. These do not need to be overly structured but should promote balance and purpose.
Sleep and Nutrition
A consistent sleep routine and balanced diet are essential for cognitive function and emotional regulation. It’s common for teenagers to fall into late-night habits during summer, but encouraging regular sleep and nutritious meals will help support their mental health.
Light Daily Activity
Physical activity—even in light forms such as walking, yoga or cycling—releases endorphins that elevate mood. It also helps regulate sleep, boosts energy and builds resilience. Students who are more active during the holidays tend to return to school or college with greater motivation and lower stress levels.
3. Read for Enjoyment
Reading is an excellent way to maintain mental stimulation without the pressure of structured study. Unlike textbooks or set reading lists, the summer offers the freedom to choose fiction, biographies, poetry, or even graphic novels—whatever genuinely sparks interest.
Regular reading enhances vocabulary, comprehension and critical thinking, all of which benefit students when they return to academic life. Moreover, immersing oneself in a good book provides a calming mental escape that contributes to overall wellbeing.
Public libraries often run summer reading challenges, especially for younger students, while older students can explore lists of recommended reads in areas they are passionate about, including topics they plan to study further.
4. Explore Mindful Hobbies
The summer break is an ideal time for students to explore interests outside of academic requirements. Hobbies can build confidence, create a sense of achievement and offer joy and relaxation.
Creative activities like painting, journaling, photography, or playing an instrument all offer mindful, meditative benefits. Similarly, baking, gardening or learning a new skill such as coding or sewing can be highly satisfying and confidence-boosting.
Encouraging students to follow their curiosity helps nurture intrinsic motivation and fosters a sense of self-worth beyond exam results.
5. Stay Connected with Others
Social interaction is a powerful tool in maintaining mental wellbeing. Over the summer, some students may become isolated without the regular structure of school. Parents, carers and teachers can encourage them to stay connected through meet-ups, volunteering or even part-time work.
Group activities like summer clubs, local sports teams, or community programmes can also offer structure and support. For students moving to a new school or university in the autumn, building social confidence over the summer can reduce anxiety around making new friends.
6. Reconnect with Nature and Animals
Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve mood. Whether it’s hiking, visiting a local park, or simply spending time in the garden, being outdoors is a simple and free way to promote mental wellbeing.
Interacting with animals can also be calming and restorative. If a student doesn’t have a pet at home, they might volunteer at a local animal shelter or visit family and friends who have pets. Even a visit to a city farm or an animal sanctuary can provide a wellbeing boost.
7. Maintain Gentle Academic Engagement
While it’s important not to overload students during the summer, light academic engagement can help maintain a sense of purpose and prevent the ‘summer slide’. Activities might include:
- Watching educational documentaries
- Practising numeracy and logic through games and puzzles
- Keeping a journal to reflect on thoughts, goals, or experiences
- Exploring future career interests through reading or online resources
This type of learning should feel optional, enjoyable, and empowering—not like extra schoolwork. The goal is to reinforce the value of learning as a lifelong journey rather than a temporary obligation.
8. Acknowledge and Reward Effort
Celebrating the end of exams with a small reward is a positive way to reinforce effort and hard work. A treat doesn’t have to be extravagant—it could be a day out, a trip to the cinema, or even a simple family meal.
This helps students to link effort with outcomes and builds positive associations with academic achievement. It also signals to students that their hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed.
9. Prepare for the Next Stage Gradually
In the final weeks of summer, students can begin to gently prepare for the transition to their next academic step. This might involve organising materials, exploring course content, or attending taster sessions. For those heading to university, researching accommodation, budgeting or cooking can all help ease anxieties.
Creating a sense of readiness builds confidence and reduces the mental load of September’s return.
Final Thoughts
The post-exam summer break is not only a time to unwind but also a vital period for recovery and self-discovery. Supporting student wellbeing during this time means helping them find a balance between rest, activity and light learning. By building habits that nurture both mind and body, students return to school in the autumn refreshed, resilient and ready to thrive.
Author: Hope Marvin
