Three students sit outside chatting with the sun behind them.With endless reading lists and a ton of assignments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Maybe your days feel a bit too long, and you can’t seem to make time for anything other than studying. That’s when it’s extra important to carve out little moments to reset. Here are some great tips for how to recharge your energy.
Find a spot by the sea
Pick a favourite place where you can breathe in the salty air, read a book, or simply tune in to the sound of the waves. Oslo has plenty of perfect seaside spots like Sørenga, Aker Brygge, and Tjuvholmen. For stunning sea views, head up to Akershus Fortress. Or how about a bike ride to Panter’n on Bygdøy? Try a few and find the one that suits you best!
Chill at a café, bar, or outdoor terrace
Sit down with something nice to drink, read a book, or maybe do a little journaling. Or just people-watch for a while. Check out a local pub and invite some friends to watch a game. If you're looking for more peace and quiet, pop into one of the big bookstores – they almost always have a comfy chair or sofa you can sink into.
Go to the movies – during the day!
There’s something a little rebellious about going to the cinema in the middle of the day! Head to your nearest movie theatre, pick something you actually want to see, and drop into your favourite seat in a near-empty room. After a couple of hours, you’ll step out into the daylight again, feeling refreshed from the little escape.
Treat your self!
Book a massage at one of SiO’s fitness centres – loosen up those tight muscles and enjoy that jelly-like feeling afterwards. Or take a relaxing swim at Athletica Domus and float in the warm 33°C pool. Take a deep breath... and enjoy.
Be a tourist in your own city
Take a day or a weekend to explore Oslo like a visitor! Walk through Slottsparken and Homansbyen, enjoy nature and art in Vigelandsparken or Ekeberg, wander the little streets from Barcode down to the fjord, cross the Opera House, and keep walking to SALT. Discover green hideaways like Prindsen and the Botanical Garden, or head up to Frysja and walk back to the city along Akerselva – Oslo’s longest stretch of calm. Stop by neighbourhoods like Torshov, Sagene, Bjølsen, and Nydalen along the way. End the day in Løkka with a coffee at Supreme Roastworks or Tim Wendelboe – and enjoy happy hour at Rebell! Oslove <3
Home alone with no plan
Have an evening where you ditch the textbooks and don’t think about studying at all! Don’t make any plans – just go with the flow. Enjoy a night where you can do whatever you want: rewatch old movies, cook something tasty, dive into a book marathon, bake cinnamon buns if that’s your thing, take a moonlit walk, flip through old magazines – or simply do whatever feels right for you.
Get outside!
Whether you’re into walking, running, or biking – there are so many options! Here are a few scenic routes in Oslo:
Akerselva
Alnaelva
Sognsvann
Maridalen
Frysja
Vettakollen
Grefsenkollen
Going solo? That’s a great time to listen to that new album you’ve been meaning to check out, catch up on podcasts, enjoy an audiobook – or just take in the sound of your own footsteps, your breath, rushing rivers, and rustling trees.
Check out some videos for more inspiration for your next trip!
And here you’ll see Stine and Patrik hiking to Vettakollen:
We hope you picked up some ideas on how to recharge during your busy student life – and that you’ll remember to take a break when you need one. You deserve it.