Boost Week 2024

Boost Week runs from 8 - 12 April, 2024 with events across St Lucia, Herston, Gatton and Dutton Park campuses. Join us for a week of fun activities, good vibes, and motivation to tackle the rest of your semester head-on.

View Boost Week program Enter the Boost Week competition View Boost Week tips

Boost Week is all about taking time for yourself, practicing self-care, and nurturing your well-being.

We’ve created a competition to give you inspiration and practical ideas on how you can do this while studying!

For this competition, you’ll complete 9 quick tasks that’ll give you a chance to pause and prioritise your well-being. Then, you’ll need to provide your contact info to go in the draw to win an epic prize pack, including a $50 gift voucher! Plus, if you're feeling up for it, there are 2 bonus questions for extra entries.

The competition will run from 9am Monday 8th April and close at 6pm on Sunday 14th April. Don’t miss out!

Learn about the competition

Hot tips to get you through the semester

What can I do if I don’t have a lot of time?

We know that things can get hectic while you are studying, which can make it hard to prioritise your wellbeing. Stress can have a cumulative effect, so we encourage you to always schedule in some ‘you’ time. If you have:

How to start a gratitude journal:

There is no “right” or “wrong” way to start a gratitude journal. A few thoughts to get you started:

How much time do you have? Keep it short with bullet points and aim for one or two statements a day. If you want to spend more time on it, set aside some time each week to reflect on your week in more detail. Don’t just list the who, or the what, but also think about why you are grateful.
When? Try to keep this one consistent to help you build the habit. Before bed, or on your commute – what will work for you? Set a reminder or alarm on your phone so you don’t forget.
Where will you record your notes? Digital or old-school notebook, think about what will be easiest for you (and also keep you motivated).
Try a few different approaches to see what works for you. Be specific, and keep an eye out for recurring themes, people, places or things – these are your happy place.

A few prompts to get you going:

Write down 3 things that you achieved today, no matter how big or small
Who is someone that helped you today? (Think about letting them know, too!)
What 3 personality traits, skills or abilities are you most grateful for?
Think about a challenging situation or person that you have encountered – what have you learned from them?
What is your favourite time of the day and why?
What 5 things make your life easier each day?
What are you looking forward to this week?
What self-care have you participated in today?
What is a routine or habit that you have enjoyed today?

Here are some motivational tips to finish the semester strong:

Reflect on progress: Take a moment to look back at how far you've come. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Acknowledge the effort you've put into your studies and recognise your growth.
Break down tasks: Sometimes the workload can feel overwhelming. Break down your tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Focus on completing one thing at a time. Progress, even in small increments, is still progress.
Stay connected: Reach out to classmates, faculty staff, and friends. Share your experiences, challenges, and victories. Connecting with others can provide emotional support and remind you that you're not alone in this journey.
Set mini-goals: Create short-term goals for the remaining weeks of the semester. These could be related to assignments, projects, or personal development. Achieving these mini-goals will boost your motivation.
Visualise success: Imagine yourself acing that exam, submitting a stellar paper, or acing a presentation. Visualisation can reinforce your determination and help you stay focused on your goals.
Self-care matters: Prioritise self-care. Get enough rest, eat well, exercise, and take breaks. A healthy mind and body are essential for academic success.
Remember your "why": Revisit your reasons for pursuing higher education. Whether it's personal growth, career aspirations, or making your family proud, keep your purpose in mind. It will fuel your motivation.
Celebrate small wins: Don't wait for major achievements to celebrate. Treat yourself when you complete a challenging assignment, attend a productive study session, or conquer a difficult concept.
Seek support: If you're feeling overwhelmed, seek help. Talk to academic advisors, counselors, or mental health professionals. They can provide guidance and strategies to cope with stress.
Stay positive: Mid-semester blues are common, but a positive mindset can make a difference. Remind yourself that challenges are temporary, and you have the resilience to overcome them. Remember, you're capable, resilient, and deserving of success. Keep pushing forward—you've got this!

Take some time to reflect

It has been a busy semester so far, with lots of new material, some challenges, and hopefully a lot of successes. Now is the perfect time to stop for a moment, and reflect on your semester, taking note of the small (and big) wins, and working out your goals moving forward.

Why is self-reflection important?

Reflecting is a key skill for learning. It can be easy to fall into a routine which may not be effective or efficient simply out of habit. Pausing to think about your progress and skills in a positive way can help you to recognise what is working well, and what might need to change. It can seem really odd (and even a bit selfish) to spend dedicated time thinking about yourself, but the capacity to reflect, review and evaluate, is essential in both your professional and personal life.

Some questions to get you started:

What have I achieved this semester? What new skills have I learnt? What am I most proud of?
What are my strengths? What do people always say I am good at?
What problems have I encountered this semester? How have they affected me? What could I change/do differently?
What do I enjoy doing? What makes me happy?
What interests me? What am I passionate about?
How am I caring for myself?

Where to from here?

Once you have an understanding of your skills and achievements, and have identified any potential barriers, it’s time to think about setting some goals and making some changes. Don’t be afraid to start small and seek advice or adapt as needed.

A note on goal setting

As a university student, setting clear and achievable goals is essential for your academic journey. The SMART framework provides a structured approach to goal setting, ensuring that your objectives are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Let's break it down:

1. Specific Goals

Be crystal clear about what you want to achieve. Ask yourself: