Hello there, I’m Thu Phuong. The following is a typical day of my life while studying at Queen’s. I hope this will give you a clearer picture of what life is like in Belfast and provide useful insights into studying at Queen’s, especially for those considering this programme as your next academic journey.

8.45am - Waking Up at Elms BT2

This morning, I was gently woken by the sunlight across my room at Elms BT2. It’s summer now, and the warm weather paired with the bright light gives me a fresh kind of energy I don’t always get during the grey Belfast months. Living right in the city centre, just a 20-minute walk from campus, has been one of the best parts of my experience here. Elms BT2 isn’t just convenient. It’s safe, comfortable, and has quickly become my little haven. I hop into the shower, a routine that always helps me feel refreshed and grounded, then settle at my desk with a cup of coffee. It’s a dissertation day today, so I jot down my to-do list, just to make sure I can stay focused and clear on what I need to do.

9.30am - The Walk That Clears My Head

Instead of taking the bus, I start my usual walk to campus. It's become one of the simplest but most comforting parts of my day. There’s something special about summer in Belfast. The sun is out longer, the air feels gentler, and everything just seems a little lighter. I enjoy them all, as I know that rainy, grey days aren’t too far away. This walk always clears my head before diving into academic work.

10am - Dissertation Mode: On

By 10am, I’m settled into a seat near the window at the McClay Library, my go-to spot for focused work. I’ve already completed all of my modules, including Research Methods, Bilingualism, and Contemporary Issues in Applied Linguistics, this semester. So now, the dissertation has taken full control of my brain (and calendar).

Today, I’m working on my literature review. I’ll be honest, self-discipline isn’t always my strength, which is why I’m grateful my supervisor helped break the work into clear, manageable deadlines. Still, I’m cutting it close on this one, so the plan is to make real progress today. Even though it’s summer break and the library is quieter than usual, the quiet hum of pages flipping and keyboards clacking, luckily, keeps me in the zone.

12.30pm - Lunch with a Side of Gratitude

By lunchtime, writing makes me feel starving. I brought my meal-prepped lunch with me. Preparing meal prep is a Sunday habit I’ve kept up for weeks now. It saves me time, money, and decision fatigue. There’s a little dining area just near the entrance of McClay, and though I usually sit by the window to catch the sun, today’s a bit too warm, so I sit at a corner.

My lunch is simple with rice, pepper-grilled chicken, and fresh cucumber. While eating, I glance at my calendar. I’ve signed up to volunteer again with the English support class for asylum seekers and refugees. I still remember the first time I joined, I was nervous and unsure of what I could offer. But now it’s one of the most rewarding parts of my week. Sadly, I’ll need to skip this week to meet my writing deadline, but I’m already looking forward to returning next week.

1.30pm - Back at Dissertation

Lunch is done, and I return to my spot in the library, determined to finish what I started. The lit review is moving slowly, but it’s moving. I’d hoped to finish it all today, but I can feel that I’ll need one more long session. Still, progress is progress and I’m getting close to a solid first draft.

The Pantry inside One Elmwood

4pm - The Pantry Stop

Before heading home, I swing by the Pantry. It’s a Queen’s initiative I’ve come to appreciate more and more. It offers free essentials for students a couple of times a week. Today’s selection is especially good: peaches, bread, and potatoes. I smile as I realise I probably won’t need to buy potatoes for the rest of the month. These small things really help, especially as an international student trying to manage a tight budget.

5pm - Treating Myself

Just as I step out, I get a notification from Gong cha: a £1 discount. That’s all the encouragement I need. After a productive day, a treat feels well deserved. I order my favourite strawberry taro milk tea as always. I was drawn to it the first time just by its colour, but the taste? Sweet, smooth, and unexpectedly perfect.

Milk tea from Gong cha

6.30pm - A Familiar Comfort

Back at Elms, I keep dinner simple. Since I already treated myself to my favourite boba milk tea, I just make a bowl of spicy Samyang noodles. The heat, the chewiness, the slight thrill of burning lips...it pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the milk tea. As I eat, I put on Gia đình HaHa, a Vietnamese reality show that’s been gaining popularity lately. For me, it’s more than just entertainment, it’s a kind of emotional remedy.

The show captures everyday life in the countryside, where city dwellers take on rural routines from plowing fields, tending crops, cooking together, to fully immersing themselves in the rhythms of local living. Watching it helps me unwind and feel closer to home, especially during times like this when dissertation stress builds up and homesickness quietly sneaks in.

8.30pm - One Last Task

After dinner, I clean up and check off most of my to-do list except for one final thing. I’ve got to prepare documents for tomorrow’s Annual General Meeting for our Education Society.

Education Society AGM

Instead of working in my room, I take my laptop downstairs to the silent study room in Elms BT2. It’s quiet, has solid Wi-Fi, and even some desktop computers if needed. It’s a perfect space for late-night work without the distraction of my bed nearby.

10pm - Lights Out

Back in my room, I finally shut my laptop and lean back with a sigh. The day’s been full of work, yes, but also little moments of clarity and care.

Final Thoughts

They say no two days are ever the same, and I’ve come to realise that’s true. But the days I love most are the ones with a bit of sunshine, a lot of purpose, meaningful work, and small joys scattered in between. That’s a day in the life of a TESOL student at Queen’s. And it’s a life I’m learning to love, one gentle, messy, determined day at a time.

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MSc TESOL and Applied Linguistics

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Trinh Thu Phuong MSc TESOL and Applied Linguistics | Postgraduate Student | Vietnam As a Queen’s student from Vietnam majoring in TESOL and Applied Linguistics, I’m here to share the real university experience - insights into campus life, essential study tips, and every moment that makes it unforgettable. Join me for an inside look at what it’s like to live and learn at Queen’s!