Reading Week Without Regret: How Post-Secondary Students in Ontario Can Find the Right Balance

By Tracey Ropp & Erin House

Reading Week Is Here — and the Feelings Are Mixed 

Reading Week (sometimes called break week or conference week) often arrives with a sense of relief for post-secondary students. No classes. Fewer deadlines. A pause in the usual academic pace. 

Some students head home. Some travel. Some finally sleep. Others arrive at Reading Week with no plans at all — just the hope that it will feel restorative. 

And yet, when we work with clients, we often hear that Reading Week brings more than rest. Alongside relief, there can be apprehension, pressure, and a quiet worry about how the week should be used. 

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. 

Why Reading Week Can Leave Students Feeling Guilty or Disappointed 

In our work with university and college students, we often notice a predictable emotional pattern around Reading Week: 

• Excitement beforehand 

• Uncertainty or stress during 

• Guilt or regret afterward 

Students tell us they end the week thinking: 

• I should have caught up more. 

• I should have worked ahead. 

• I should have rested properly. 

• I shouldn’t have wasted time. 

Part of the challenge is expectation creep. Reading Week can feel like “a whole week,” but in reality, it’s still just seven days — days that include life responsibilities, fatigue, and limited energy. 

Trying to do everything often means feeling like nothing was done well. 

 A More Helpful Way to Think About Reading Week 

A shift we often explore with clients is moving away from the idea that Reading Week has one correct purpose. 

With intention, Reading Week can serve more than one goal: 

• Rest and recovery from the first half of the term 

• Gentle preparation for what’s ahead 

• Emotional and mental reset 

• Practical academic support 

The goal is not perfection. It’s alignment — using the time in a way that reflects what you actually need right now. 

How to Plan a Reading Week That Feels Balanced (Not Overloaded) 

Rather than asking, “How do I use Reading Week perfectly?” we suggest asking a few more grounded questions. 

1. Check your expectations 
What are you realistically capable of this week, given your energy, mental health, and other responsibilities? 

2. Clarify your priorities 
You don’t need to prioritize everything. Choose a small number of focus areas, such as rest, one academic task, or reconnecting socially. 

3. Reflect on your wellbeing 
Ask yourself: 

• What do I need more of right now? 

• What would help me feel steadier heading back into classes? 

4. Name what would feel genuinely supportive 
This might include sleep, unstructured time, movement, or time away from screens — not just productivity. 

5. Identify one “catch-up” and one “get-ahead” task (if needed) 
If academics are weighing on you, choose: 

• One thing to catch up on 

• One thing to gently prepare for 

  Anything beyond that is optional, not mandatory. 

6. Put it on paper — simply 
You don’t need a complicated system. A calendar, weekly outline, or blank sheet of paper is enough. Aim for a mix of: 

• Rest 

• Responsibilities 

• Flexibility 

Seeing it laid out can reduce mental load and help expectations feel more manageable. 

Heading Back Without Regret 

When Reading Week is approached with clarity and compassion, many students tell us they return to classes feeling more grounded — not because they did everything, but because they did what mattered most. 

If you’re feeling unsure about how to balance rest, mental health, and academic demands, support can help. In our work as counsellors, we help students sort through expectations, reduce guilt, and create plans that actually fit their lives.  Psychotherapy services are covered under most private and post-secondary health insurance plans, as well as BSWD funding. Contact us with any questions. 

If you’d like support navigating stress, burnout, or academic pressure, we invite you to book an appointment with one of our private practices. We’re here to help you move forward with more confidence and less self-criticism.   

The ideas shared in this post are for general reflection and informational purposes. Everyone’s needs are different, and this content isn’t meant to replace personalized or professional support. If you’d benefit from one-on-one guidance, consider reaching out to us, or another qualified professional. In our independent private practices we offer counselling and psychotherapy virtually to individuals living in Ontario, Canada.