Take a break: where to go and what to do to de-stress from exams

Exam season can feel like an overwhelming, exhausting, and stressful end to the academic year, so it is important to unwind in the days and weeks that follow, or even as a break from intensive studying during the term. I have found that by taking some afternoons off academic work, my mental health and overall productivity have improved. Here are some suggestions for both free and paid-for days off, that will allow you to enjoy some sunshine and de-stress during and after the pressures of term 3.

It’s worth taking advantage of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s TikTok Tickets scheme, which offers two £10 tickets for people aged 14-25 or full-time students

Free/low cost activities:
Both campus and nearby Leamington have a variety of sunny outdoor spaces. Jephson Gardens, the Pump Room Gardens, and Newbold Comyn are just a few spots in Leamington where you can enjoy a picnic in the sunshine with friends. If you’re lucky enough to have your own bike with you, Newbold Comyn has excellent off-road cycle trails and, if you fancy a refreshment, The Newbold Comyn Arms has a large garden to enjoy a refreshing drink. If you prefer to stay on and around campus, Tocil Wood and Nature Reserve is great for a blast of fresh air and some peace and quiet after long hours in the library.

If you prefer a more structured walk, consider the campus to Kenilworth walking route, which offers a free way to take a day trip to Kenilworth. When you arrive, enjoy Kenilworth’s wide variety of shops or book entrance to the castle – tickets are just £13 with a valid student ID card when booked in advance. Further afield, both the Kenilworth Greenway and Stratford Greenway provide generally flat countryside walks. Hire a bike to take along the Stratford Greenway and finish the walk with a drink and a snack at Bobby’s Café, a quirky spot in a converted train carriage.

Trickier to access by public transport (there is an infrequent bus service from Coventry Station), although well worth the trip, Ryton Pools Country Park offers accessible walking routes and a diverse range of wildlife. You can also access the ancient Ryton Wood from the walking trails. Ryton Pools is a scenic spot for a peaceful picnic, ice cream, a long walk, or a combination of the three, making it perfect for de-stressing.

To break up the day and have a little fun, I recommend checking out Treetop Golf, which features two indoor 18-hole mini golf courses set in an ancient jungle-themed environment

Activities with fees
If you love Shakespeare, the theatre, or fancy trying something outside of your comfort zone, nearby Stratford-Upon-Avon is the perfect location. Why not make an entire day trip out of your visit to the town? Rent a boat on the river to soak up some sun; grab dinner in one of the many pubs or restaurants – I recommend the Dirty Duck for good value delicious pub food or Wildwood Italian, which offers a great student discount – and finish the day with a trip to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. It’s worth taking advantage of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s TikTok Tickets scheme, which offers two £10 tickets for people aged 14-25 or full-time students. Although it claims to be “subject to availability and price band,” I have never missed out on this deal and managed to have front-and-centre stalls seats for every production I’ve seen. In the past year, it has cost me just £70 overall to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Pericles, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Othello, The Red Shoes, Twelfth Night, and Hamlet. If you fancy travelling further afield, the RSC also run this deal on their London and touring shows, such as Matilda the Musical and My Neighbour Totoro, however there is less available seating within the deal and tickets are limited to one per customer for Matilda.

As summer approaches, you may be in the mood for some new additions to your wardrobe and in need of holiday essentials. Taking a trip to the Bullring Shopping Centre in Birmingham is the perfect way to stock up for summer, as well as indulging in some well-earned retail therapy. Take the train to Birmingham Moor Street and explore the huge shopping centre to your heart’s content. To break up the day and have a little fun, I recommend checking out Treetop Golf, which features two indoor 18-hole mini golf courses set in an ancient jungle-themed environment. There’s also a variety of food and drink – the Pizza Cabana, The Thirsty Toucan Bar, and the Jungle Buzz Café.

Finally, if you’re still in the area on 28 June and fancy a day of live music, food and drinks, Leamington Spa is holding the Fake Festival. The festival will be held in Victoria Park and run from 11:45am to 11pm, featuring six tribute bands. This year’s lineup is: Oasish, Ultimate Green Day, Guns2Roses, New2, Kings of Lyon, and Blondied. Tickets are selling for £40 if bought in advance.

With so many fun activities to do on and around campus, the end of exam season cannot come soon enough for everybody!