How to unwind after submitting your dissertation

You did it! Months of work have come down to this and you’ve finally finished probably the biggest piece of writing you will do at university, and that is amazing!

With the stress of all that work, what you need now is to relax. Here are some ideas for unwinding after submitting your dissertation.

Clean

Okay, hear me out. I know this doesn’t sound all that fun, but what made me feel the best after finishing my dissertation was doing all the washing up and laundry I’d been ignoring and tidying my bedroom. Put away your clothes, take out the bin, vacuum or sweep the floor. It’s not the most exciting thing in the world, but the feeling of having everything done after you’ve been putting it off for ages is great. 

Go for a walk

Fresh air is one of the best ways to relax, and there are some beautiful places to walk around Lincoln. Sydney has written about some of the best walking spots to clear your head here! Even just going outside for 10 minutes can be so good for your mental and physical health, especially after a stressful time. Personally, I love a walk around the Arboretum or Lincoln Castle but there are plenty of other places to go to too.

Cook your favourite meal, or order in

Treat yourself! Pick your favourite food or just something you’ve been craving for a while and cook yourself an amazing meal. If you’re tired or don’t feel like cooking, then find something easy to throw in the oven or microwave. Or, if it is within your budget, get a takeaway and don’t worry about cooking at all! To make it even nicer, you could also get your favourite drink and/or dessert to have as well.

Movie or games night

If you’re feeling up for it, arrange a movie or games night with your friends or housemates. After working hard, it’s always nice to relax and socialise with friends. Choose a movie you all love or have wanted to see, or each pick a game to play throughout the evening and maybe learn some new ones too. Get together some blankets, snacks and popcorn to enjoy and have a good time.

Look after yourself

You’ve probably been looking at a computer screen a lot recently. Take a break from electronics and look after yourself. Try a face mask, listen to some music, light a candle, RELAX. You’ve earned it. If that’s not your thing, binge watch a TV series you’ve been wanting to see or anything else that you like doing to chill out. Even something as simple as having a cup of tea and a nap could make you feel much more relaxed.

Remember to be kind to yourself. Once you’ve submitted your dissertation, try to avoid reading back through it looking for mistakes. The best thing you can do is forget about it, at least for a little while, and do something else.

You’ve done brilliantly and you should be so proud of yourself!