With student life at Queen’s being so full of fun things to do, I never find it hard to fill my time between lectures with fun Queen's society and club events, as well as wider social events in Belfast. This blog covers what I get up to on a typical busy week day at university. 

7.30am

After waking up and a quick stretch, I had a shower to get myself ready for the day. I made breakfast with my flatmates and ate out on the fire escape, enjoying a bit of fresh air and making the most of a day when it wasn't raining! We had bagels with fruit and fresh coffee - so yum. As I live only 10 minutes from the main Psychology building, I get an extra few minutes of sleep each morning, which makes me feel so lucky! I live in private housing with two of my friends, and we put lots of effort to decorate the house together at the start of the year so it feels so cosy. Getting to live with friends in our own house has been my highlight of second year.

8.30am

My day was looking busy with lectures and lab classes in the afternoon so I prepared a salad to bring with me. I always try to bring a packed lunch with me rather than buying out! It’s such an easy way to save money and means I end up eating a few more vegetables than if I bought lunch out. I packed my bag for the day bringing my laptop, a planning journal (which I use to keep on top of my studies and social plans), my pencil case, an umbrella in case the weather turns as Belfast can be quite rainy, my lunch and some snacks for the day. 

8.45am

I left the house to walk to my 9am lecture at the David Keir Building. My walk to lectures passes the Lanyon Building, which I always love looking at because it’s so old and beautiful. It always makes me feel so happy walking past the iconic Queen’s building. It’s so easy to get around the university campus as most of my classes are within a 10 minute walk from my house.

9am - 11am: Psychology Lecture in the David Keir Building.

This lecture was from the Core Psychology module of Developmental Psychology and covered the development of gender identity and self identity in children. I took notes on my laptop and built upon the material that was available from the lecturer on the digital platform of Canva. I am extremely passionate and interested in Developmental Psychology, so this lecture was incredibly relevant and interesting.

11am

I had an hour break in between the morning lecture and the afternoon lab, so I used this time to meet my friends at Blue Train Coffee and Depot. As Blue Train is right next to the university, full of beautiful art and has the friendliest staff, it’s a firm favourite with students and is my personal favourite place in all of Belfast. There is something so relaxing about sinking into the big sofa at the back of the shop, drinking a delicious coffee surrounded by eclectic mismatched but beautiful furniture.

12pm - 2pm: Psychology Lab Class back in the David Keir Building.

This is a weekly class that covers practical applications of theoretical data analysis learnt earlier in the week in Statistics lectures. The opportunity to open SPSS on the computer and work through data analysis step by step with the small group supervision from PhD students and lecturers is really beneficial for research methods exams and research report based assignments. I ate my packed lunch in the mid-way break in the lab at the Psychology student common room. 

2pm - 4.30pm

I studied at the McClay Library, using this time to read relevant scientific journals for an upcoming assignment, creating notes that I will use to write the literature review for the report. As the main library for the university there are so many different spaces to choose from, from whisper zones, group study rooms where you can freely talk and large silent study areas. I chose to study in the silent zone by the windows overlooking the Botanic Gardens, with such a nice view I feel a little connected to the wildlife while I study. 

6pm

After nipping home to drop off my bags and get changed into activewear, I headed to the Queen’s PEC to meet a few friends for the Legs and Kegs run club. As a new Queen’s sports club, Legs and Kegs run a social 5km run each week (the Legs) and finish with a pint after (the Kegs), and I really love going each week with my friends as I always meet new people. We finished the run at Lavery’s pub and had a social pint there. Run clubs like these are such a nice opportunity to meet new people and always have such a social, friendly atmosphere.

8pm

After a shower back at home, I made a quick dinner of pesto pasta with rocket and feta. Just adding a few extra toppings can really elevate a simple university meal. I chose my outfit, did my makeup and hair ready to go out to a Surf Club Social. I love that the university socials don’t need you to be hugely dressed up so you can easily go in jeans. 

9pm

I went over to the Queen’s University Students' Union for the Surf Club Social which was being held there. It was a mixer event with lots of the members of the club and it was such a fun night. With a very relaxed vibe at the outside terrace area of the SU bar, it was a great opportunity to catch up with friends, play some cards and meet some other students who had similar interests as me.

12pm

I went home and got into bed, ready to sleep after a very busy day!

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Niamh Rind Psychology | Undergraduate Student | Wales, UK Hi, I’m Niamh, a Psychology student from Cardiff. I love studying at Queen’s and love to share my passion for the University by working as a Student Ambassador. I’m the social secretary of the Queen's Surf Club and am always busy sea swimming, hiking and doing social runs.