November is one of the busiest months in an academic year, particularly since it is a time of catching up with coursework and meeting assessment deadlines. With the post-Halloween colder days making even waking up early a hassle, it is a little important to stay positive throughout all the tiring activities.

Here is how one of my weeks looked like as an undergraduate student, juggling a few commitments and trying to get through with a can-do attitude.

Monday

I spent most of my morning trying to get my presentation slides on colonialism done, which was due the next day. Once I had almost finished that up, I continued reading a play I was supposed to have read before the afternoon lecture: The Witch of Edmonton. I fairly got through most of it. Then it was time to get ready for uni. 

The Shakespeare and Co. lecture was informative and helpful as always, managed to stay attentive and take notes. Then it was time to join the SVC committee meeting with HAPP, since I am volunteering as one of the Course Reps for Anthropology level 2. The session went smoothly and covered various issues, also coming up with solutions!

Find out more about becoming a course rep

Once it ended, I had just enough time to grab a quick bite of food before heading to my Greek level 1 class. This is an extra class I have always wanted to take and this semester, my class schedule finally had space to squeeze it in!

My last endeavour for the day was to attend the second ‘Intro to Myth’ event with the Lore Society, where we introduced Norse and Celtic mythology in the SU Cube room. This was led by our amazing committee members, Alysha and Orion. By the end of it, we stayed back to discuss our next event.

Tuesday

The day started with snoozing two alarms before I finally found the energy to get up. I still had to finish up the presentation slides. I completed it, sent it to my tutor, and then rehearsed talking points. So, the Key Debates in Anthropology tutorial went well with two of us presenting and then discussing a couple of questions in relation to the previous week’s lecture (on how Anthropology was a discipline built on colonialism and if it was possible to ‘decolonise’ the subject). 

Then, I went to the sitting area (next to Hope Cafe) in the McClay to have my packed lunch. After that, I headed to the CS Lewis Reading Room on the first floor of the library to finish reading The Witch of Edmonton before the upcoming tutorial. Around 3pm, I headed to PFC (Peter Froggatt Centre) to attend the AHSS International Student Ambassador Welcome session. Once this got over, I caught up with the second half of the Shakespeare and Co. tutorial to hear insights about the play we were studying before finally leaving the campus!

Inside the CS Lewis Reading Room

Wednesday

Wednesdays are usually my day off! Yay! I slept in, had coffee and relaxed, and I doomscrolled (see, I am being so honest with you guys). Then I had my lunch, went for a quick grocery run to stock up on chicken, fruits, honey, etc. I had only one Teams meeting: Course Rep training session with the SU! Once that was done, I quickly went to a friend’s place to help her with packing (she was off to Edinburgh for a short trip).

When I got back, I prepared some chicken curry for dinner (also for the coming days) and called it a day! Basically, no coursework was touched.

Thursday

Woke up and had some coffee as usual, then rushed off to my first 10am Romantic Poetry lecture. Got drenched in the way, utterly and completely. I was almost dripping while I walked to the lecture hall.

Anyway, the lecture-workshop went well. It was delightful to learn about ecocentrism and close-reading John Clare’s poetry.

This was immediately followed by a second lecture for my Anthropology module where we learned about feminist anthropology, and how it was different from women’s anthropology. I quickly stopped at the McClay after that to renew a book I had borrowed. Then, I walked back to my place. Not surprisingly, I got drenched again. The prediction had said the rain would slow down around afternoon – that did not happen haha! Anyway, I reached back, put on some dry clothes, had lunch, and prepared for a short interview. The interview on Teams lasted for just about fifteen minutes.

BLOG: Belfast Weather Essentials

I was then supposed to go watch a literific debate which a few of Lore Society committee members were participating in. But since there were heavy disruptions of buses and being in no mood to walk forty minutes in the rain again, I decided not to step out. I then spent some time creating a poster on Canva for our upcoming event in the Taylor Swift society before going to sleep!

Friday

Okay, the end of the week it is! The day started off with me going to Lanyon North from where I would shadow a Queen’s campus tour. It was slightly drizzling as we walked to the Thomas J Moran Graduate School, the McClay, the PEC, and let’s say, a few more spots in and around campus. This was a fun experience, and I loved interacting with my peers throughout the walk.

After this, I chilled at the Hope Cafe again, had a chocolate protein bar and some grapes, then had a lovely walk in the Botanic Gardens again. I am not sure if this was just me, but I felt very cold during the day, and soon went to take refuge in the PFC couches before my next class.

The next tutorial was in the University Square for my Romantic Poetry module. We got a lot of annotations and thoughtful discussions done about two poems: 'To the Snipe' by John Clare, and 'To Autumn' by John Keats. It is always quite fun to look at varying perspectives. 

Anthropology and English at Queen's

Then, I went to the Union Spar shop to get a quick snack. I ate half a can of sour cream pringles in the SU foyer (I do realise this is unhealthy), met a friend, talked to them and went out for dinner, before my day was over.

Yes, finally, it was Friday night, and my week was officially done! It was chaotic, also lonely and slow at times, but all the same, contained many lovely moments of joy and laughter!

Find out more

More blogs about studying at Queen's

Information for students from India

Magdalene Natasha Charles Anthropology and English | Undergraduate Student | India I'm an undergraduate student pursuing Anthropology and English at Queen's. Originally from Chennai, India, I've now moved to Belfast for my studies. In my free time, I like to write poetry, and I've self-published my own collection ('Subdued Cries' on Amazon). I'm an aspiring novelist and I hope to inspire people through my writing journey. I also journal, and am fond of frolicking (or taking calming walks) through parks and gardens. I'm extremely passionate about reading and my current favourite is The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I'm constantly looking for ways to improve my personal and professional skills, and hope to gain meaningful experience during my time here at Queen's.