A Post-School Year Recovery Guide

Jun 16

Finals are over. The textbooks are closed (or thrown dramatically across the room - it’s okay, I don’t judge!) Your brain has now officially switched from “Must. Remember. Everything.” to “Wait, what day is it again?” But, here’s the thing: after months of non-stop stress, relaxing can feel almost… wrong. Like, you should be doing something productive. If this is the case for you, then don’t listen to that voice! You’ve earned this break, and you absolutely deserve to enjoy it guilt-free! So, stick around, dear readers, to learn how to properly unwind and reward yourself after surviving another school year.

1. Do Absolutely Nothing (On Purpose!)

Give yourself permission to be completely “unproductive.” What does this mean, you ask? It means actually allowing yourself to rest, not just lying down while still mentally making to-do lists. Embrace your inner sea creature and try laying on your bed like a starfish, relax all your muscles and focus on your breathing.

This is completely different from laziness — it is essential recovery time. Your brain needs this idle period to process everything you’ve learned and to reset from all the hustle and bustle of finals. Start small if needed, as even only 15 minutes of intentional nothingness can work wonders. Bonus points if you don’t check your phone once!

2. Rediscover Your Hobbies

Remember hobbies? Those fun activities you used to enjoy before exam season started taking over your life? Now’s the perfect time to reconnect with them with zero pressure to be good at them! If you're creative, try doodling mismatched figures or baking lopsided cookies (that still taste good). Love the outdoors? Take a walk somewhere that isn’t the library and soak up the sun. Marvel at all the colors around you that aren't just highlighter yellow and textbook white.

Overall, the key here is to focus on enjoyment rather than achievement! This isn’t about necessarily being good at something - it’s more about remembering what fun feels like after months of serious studying. Whether it’s having your two-week Minecraft phase or playing an instrument, let yourself enjoy activities purely for pleasure.

3. The Art of Treating Yourself

You don’t need an expensive reward to celebrate your survival - small, intentional treats can be just as rewarding. For example, indulge in a classic sweet treat! Or, you can put on a show that you’ve been meaning to go through and make yourself cozy by relaxing on your bed, surrounded by multiple fluffy blankets and an assortment of snacks.

The small rewards in life can have a big impact on our mood. It’s not about the price tag - it’s about personal meaning. Additionally, I’ve always found that these tiny treats (like an iced coffee, a sweet cookie or even a self-care day!) help create a sense of psychological closure for me. Our brain craves clear transitions. Without deliberate rewards, you might find yourself stuck in academic anxiety and constantly feel like you should still be studying even when finals are over. A planned treat can act like a bookmark, telling your nervous system, “This stressful chapter is done, we can relax now.” This mental separation can help prevent burnout from carrying over into your next term.

4. Time to Socialize!

Now that you’re not buried in books, take some time to reconnect with friends and family. Try to avoid talking or thinking about your grades or the outcome, and focus on genuine connection. Humans are social creatures, which means that loneliness triggers the same stress response as physical pain. After finals, your brain is craving positive interaction to balance out all that isolation.

Ever noticed how a good laugh session leaves you feeling lighter? That’s your body flushing out tension. Laughter is particularly healing after stressful periods, so make sure to seek out the people who can make you laugh until your stomach hurts!

5. Reset Your Space (Without Turning It Into a Chore!)

A quick refresh of your environment can help signal that school mode is officially over. You can start small by clearing away any study snack wrappers and opening a window to let in that glorious fresh air. If you’re feeling up to it, change your bedding or rearrange your space to feel new again!

Make this process even more fun by playing your favorite music or popping on a nice audiobook while you tidy up. The goal isn’t a full, deep clean. Instead, it’s creating a space that feels peaceful and inviting now that it’s no longer just a study zone.

Remember, rest isn’t a reward - it’s a requirement. You wouldn’t expect a phone to work forever without charging, would you? (Unless you have one of those indestructible Nokia bricks from 2002!) The same goes for you. The world won’t end if you take a proper break. In fact, you’ll likely return to your next challenge with more energy and clarity. Now, go forth and relax so hard that you forget what a scantron looks like. You’ve earned it :-)

Shanelle F.