Starting the Day Right

My alarm goes off at 7:00am, and while it’s tempting to snooze, I know a good start sets the tone for the day. Breakfast is quick and simple, either scrambled eggs or overnight oats, depending on how organised I was the night before. After eating, I head out for an early gym session at the PEC. It is close to my flat and a great way to wake up both mentally and physically. 

The PEC is only a short walk away from the main campus

Walking to Class - Living Close to Campus

Back home by about 8:45am, I quickly shower and pack my bag with the essentials: laptop, notebook, pens and my student card (forget it once and you’ll understand why it’s basically your passport to student life). I check Google Calendar to map out my day, helping me stay on top of classes, deadlines and anything social I might have planned. 

Then I head for class. I’m lucky to live in a flat just a few minutes from campus, which makes walking to class very convenient. Most of my classes are no more than a five-minute walk away, which is ideal for those busy mornings, or when I want a lie in. My language classes are in the charming University Square, while my business lectures are over in the Business School, which is a more modern space. The contrast between the two reflects the best part of my course, I get to study both business and a language, so no two days feel quite the same.

Language Classes

My mornings often start with a language class around 9:00am - 10:00am, which could be oral practice, grammar, reading comprehension or filière (a kind of deeper dive into cultural and professional uses of the language). Each session lasts an hour, which keeps things engaging without becoming overwhelming. I really enjoy the language component of my degree. Learning how to communicate in French, while also understanding the culture, feels incredibly rewarding. 

Coffee and Study Break

By 11:00am, I am usually ready for a coffee, and if the sun is out, I will walk through the Botanic Gardens and grab one from the Coop van. It’s a great excuse for a study break, and the gardens are one of my favourite places to sit and relax, whether it is with friends or solo, reading a book or listening to music.

Taking a break in Botanic Gardens with friends

Lunch and Afternoon Business Lectures

At around 1:00pm, I’ll either head back to my flat for lunch or grab something nearby. If I’ve meal-prepped, it’s usually something quick I can heat up, but if I’m feeling spontaneous (or lazy), I’ll stop by the Social in the Students' Union or one of the restaurants in the Botanic area. There are lots of options, and everything is within walking distance, which makes life easier.

Lunch from Social Cafe

My business lectures usually begin around 2:00pm. They tend to be heavier, usually three-hour lectures, but they’re broken up with short breaks and group activities to keep us going. These can cover everything from marketing to business organisations and in second year, we got to choose some of our business modules too, which really helped tailor the content to what I actually enjoy. 

Afternoon Business lectures

Study Sessions

After classes, around 5:00pm, I usually take an hour or so to get some studying done. My go-to spots include the McClay Library or quieter areas around the campus. When I study, I always have a “Focus” playlist on Spotify in the background to help me concentrate. My top tip for studying such different subjects is to break up your study blocks, do the business notes first, then move onto language revision with flashcards to avoid burnout and keep things fresh in your mind. 

One of my study playlists on Spotify

Evening Time

My evenings really depend on how busy the day has been. If I’ve got a quieter night, I’ll sometimes walk through the city centre. Belfast is really walkable, so it is easy to get around on foot, but public transport is also super accessible if I want to head into town without the walk. That said, checking the weather is a must. Belfast has a habit of going from blue skies to heavy rain in minutes, so having an umbrella on hand is important. 

Some nights, if my friends and I feel like treating ourselves, we’ll go into the city centre for dinner. There are loads of great spots to eat, whether we’re in the mood for something casual or somewhere a bit nicer. It’s always a good way to catch up and take a break from uni life.

Later on, I usually wind down with a hot drink, check what I’ve got on the next day, and then relax with a bit of Netflix or a book. By around 10:30 or 11:00pm, I’m ready for bed. 

Find out more

International Business with French

Queen's Business School

Things to do in Belfast

Martyna Abelkyte International Business with French | Undergraduate Student | NI/Lithuania Hello, my name is Martyna Abelkyte, I’m 20 years old and originally from Lithuania, but I’ve lived in Northern Ireland for most of my life. I’m currently studying International Business with French and really enjoy the mix of business topics and language learning.  I love exploring new places, travelling, going to the gym, and getting involved in student life. You’ll usually find me walking through the Botanic Gardens on my way to class or grabbing a coffee in between my lectures!