What does a normal day of a university student entail? Of course, not every day will be the same but hopefully this blog by Rhiannon will help show you the basics.
One thing for certain is there is no typical day for a university student. Your first year will be completely different to last. It will all depend on what course you decide to take and what path it will lead you down. Every day will be different.
Some of you might think that university students spend most of their time watching Netflix, others might think that we spend our lives with our heads in books. Truth is, neither are correct. It’s true we have a lot of free time between lectures and seminars, but it’s best to use that time to your advantage. What your daily schedule looks like will depend on the degree you are studying. It will be different for every student. You may start your day off being busy in the morning or being busy in the afternoon or you might even be at university from 9 till 5. Unlike school where lessons are scheduled throughout the day, your university timetable will be scattered throughout the week. You might have seminars in the morning and lectures in the evening, or a full day completely free. How you manage your time is completely up to you. This allows you to have more independence and control over your own schedule. But do not let this fool you into thinking it’s all fun and games – you need to manage your time and use those extra few hours to your advantage. Doing this will benefit you in the long run!
Lectures can be quite a daunting experience when your first start university. You will often find yourself sitting in an old-fashioned amphitheatre-like hall peering down at your professor. But you will not be the only one. Lecture halls are usually filled with anywhere between 50 to 200 people who are also taking the same degree as you. It’s a good idea to plan a weekly schedule so you know when and where your lectures are. It can become confusing trying to remember where you need to be and at what time. Making yourself a schedule can help you feel more organised and prepared.
There is more to university than just attending lectures. Student life involves juggling group presentations, exam revision, joining clubs and societies, living in student accommodation, and maybe working part-time too. Here are a few ways to stay afloat whilst being a student.
There is a wide variety of extra-curricular activities available at university. The best advice anyone can give you is to attend the Freshers Fair on your first week. This is where every society comes together with their own stand to explain who they are and what they have to offer. From astronomy to aerobics and politics to poetry – whatever you are interested in, universities have hundreds of clubs for you to get involved in. But if you can’t find the one you’re looking for you can even start one of your own! Joining a society is a fantastic way to meet new people, enjoy something you’re interested in or try something completely new. They can be great way to unwind and relax, especially after a long day or learning!
After all your lectures and seminars are out of the way for the day, how you spend your evenings is up to you. If you have joined a society or club, a lot of them take place in the evening to avoid clashing with lectures. But if you decide that societies are not for you, don’t worry, there are loads of other evening possibilities in store. Evenings can be spent enjoying the sights and sounds of the city outside your university walls. Depending on where you choose to study, there will be so many different experiences on offer. Whether you choose to visit a museum on the local history or go out on the town, there’ll be endless opportunities. Students are renowned for taking advantage of the local night life.
Pubs, bars, and restaurants always have student offers on, so take full advantage of the discounts you might have! But not all students ‘live it up’ every night. Some prefer to have quiet nights in in their accommodation listening to music or catching up on their newest Netflix series. Some even use this time for more studying in the library. But always remember, as important as your degree is, you need to have time away from studying every now and then. Your mental health is important, so always balance your studies and time away to relax and destress.
There you have it – a day in the life of a university student. Of course, not everyone’s experience will be the same. But if you’re going to take anything away from reading this, it would be to know your schedule, be organised and have fun! Find a balance to bests suit you and enjoy your time at university. Make memories that will last forever whilst accomplishing something that can take you further in your chosen career.
