Exam season in Korea can be intense. Whether it’s endless lecture slides, group presentations, or late-night library sessions, your brain often ends up feeling like a sponge, squeezed dry. While studying is important, what many students forget is this: your brain needs time to recover, too.
During one particularly overwhelming exam week, I realized something that changed my entire approach: sometimes, the best way to study better… is to stop studying for a while.
Let me introduce you to the two healing places I always go to when I need a proper mental reset. Not to review notes. Not to write reports. Just to breathe, relax, and feel human again.
1. Hangang River – A Breathing Space in the City
Nothing resets my mind like the calm, open view of the Han River. My go-to spots are Yeouido Hangang Park and Banpo Hangang Park, especially around sunset. There’s something magical about sitting on the grass or walking along the riverside path while the sky turns orange and pink.
You’ll see people doing their own thing, some biking, others laying on picnic mats, and a few just sitting with their headphones in. I like to bring a podcast or a slow playlist, sip something cold or warm (depending on the season), and just watch the river flow.
It helps me zoom out from my stress. The stillness of the water, the soft chatter in the background, and the steady rhythm of life all around me give me peace. Sometimes, after spending even just an hour there, I feel mentally lighter and surprisingly more ready to face my to-do list.
2. Healing Cafés – Not the Study Kind!
During exam periods, most students rush to quiet study cafés, but for healing, I go the opposite way. I search for healing cafés, the kind that play soft music, have dim lighting, cozy furniture, and don’t expect you to open a laptop.
There’s one I love near my university with big windows, plants in every corner, and soft jazz playing in the background. I sit by the window with a warm drink (usually a lavender tea latte or a seasonal ade), and I let myself do nothing. Sometimes I read a book unrelated to school. Sometimes I just people-watch or write a few random thoughts in my journal.
These moments feel small, but they make a huge difference. It’s a gentle reminder that I’m not a machine and even during exam week, I deserve to enjoy life a little.
What’s Your Spot?
So these are my two favorite places to heal during exam season: the Han River and cozy, healing cafés. They help me slow down, breathe deeper, and return to studying with a clearer, calmer mind.
But that’s just me. What about you? Do you have a special place you go to when it all feels too much? Maybe it’s a park bench, a quiet corner in the library, or even your rooftop. Whatever it is, don’t forget to go there. Because healing isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity, especially when your brain is working so hard.
Let’s survive exam season not just with grades, but with our mental health intact.
myHUBS 
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