Get out and about in Canberra

Mid-semester is your chance to really get out and explore everything this amazing city has to offer.

Canberra is home to lots of incredible museums and galleries, historic sites and attractions, so you’ll never run out of things to see and do! In particular, don’t miss a trip to the National Gallery of Australia, Parliament House and Questacon!

Don’t forget, there are also loads of awesome events to check out! Catch a free flick at Verity Lane Market, soak up live music at Blackbird or gather your smartest friends for trivia at Mooseheads! 

Take a well-earned vacation

The mid-semester break is the perfect time to take a trip, and Australia has plenty of fascinating and unique places to explore.

You could visit Sydney to visit iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Alternatively, you could visit nearby small towns like Gundaroo to uncover Australia’s amazing cultural heritage. If you love the outdoors, why not visit a few national parks — you can even camp at some!

Mid-year is also your chance to see the snow! Check out nearby Corin Forest, just 45 minutes from Canberra, or go all out with a trip to one of Australia’s impressive ski resorts.

Catch up with friends

Between university, study and work, it can sometimes be challenging to stay social during the semester. However, staying connected to friends and family is vital to our overall health and wellbeing. 

Make sure you use your mid-semester break to catch up with friends. You could go out for coffee, host a picnic, invite them along to a fun event or even go on a trip! 

If you’re still building your social circle, mid-semester is a great opportunity to get involved and meet new people. For example, you could join a club or society, sign up for a local sports team, find a volunteer role, go to an art class or attend some UC events.

Earn some extra cash

Did you know that international students can work unlimited hours during study breaks? That makes mid-year the perfect opportunity to pump up your savings ahead of the next semester.

If you’re already working a part-time or casual job, you can ask your manager or supervisor to consider you for more shifts. If you’re looking for a job, you can find great part-time roles for students on job sites like Seek or Indeed. 

You can even visit UC’s CareerHub to find cool roles on campus! Plus, if you need a bit of help getting your resume in shape or just want some additional support, you can find it at Careers UC.

Prepare for next semester

While it’s important to rest, don’t forget to use some of your break to get ready for semester two.

Importantly, make sure you enrol in your subjects, buy your textbooks and pay any necessary fees. You could even clean up your study space and replenish stationery or other supplies. 

It’s also a good idea to reflect on last semester’s studies. Think about what worked and what didn’t work, and consider how you might improve for the future. For example, if you found yourself cramming for exams until the last minute, you might want to set aside some additional revision time in your semester two schedule. 

Relax and unwind!

Of course, make sure to relax! After all the hard work you’ve done throughout the semester, don’t forget to set aside some time to unwind.

You might want to go out on a hike, hit the gym, go out for dinner with friends, catch up on sleep or just chill at home with your favourite show. Making time for relaxation is a fantastic way to relieve stress so you can return refreshed and ready for semester two.