So here I am, about to set off home to the Isle of Man for the weekend. Can’t say I’m not ecstatic to get a cup of tea which I haven’t had to make, or food for that matter.

Apart from a little bit more rain compared to what I am used to at home, I couldn’t have imagined a friendlier environment.

So this is my first blog entry and it only seems right to speak about my move to Belfast and what I was up to the first two weeks. So here's goes...

Coming through adjustment, especially being the only student in my school to do so that year, was a pleasantly surprising but simple process which led me to where I initially wanted to be in the first place – Queen's.

Hey guys, so here's my second blog on my Autumn Adventures which include Halloween, Dublin and the Christmas markets!

Throughout sixth form, I always used to hear the same comments by teachers – ‘this is sixth form now, the spoon feeding is over’ which more or less translated to stop being lazy and do the work yourself this time round.

On the 8th of December, I visited the Naughton Gallery at Queens for the first time. It was a refreshing new experience as I had never actually visited a gallery before although it was on my ‘to do’ list.

So, despite being so far away from my ‘home-home’, I can now call Belfast a new ‘(temporary) home’.

Making the decision of what course and what university to attend is a life changing one. It can be a daunting task but also an exciting one.

When people ask me what degree I’m doing, and I say ‘law’ I suddenly get the daunted look or the ‘wow’ expression.

I’ve just arrived back at Elms Village from my Christmas break to shouts of “what’s the craic?” and “what about ye?” from flatmates.

It just is. But trying to put it into words is hard. Sometimes, you don’t know what you’ve got till its gone (they paved paradise, and put up a parking lot).

Chances are before you came to uni you spent as much time researching the nightlife as you did your possible courses. If you haven't experienced what's on offer in Belfast then fear not. Here is my guide to Belfast's bars and clubs.

Hiya! (as they say in Belfast)! After a whirlwind first week of jet lag, pub crawls, curry and lots of craic – I have time to reflect on the first leg of my journey.

So, leaving home and becoming independent is expensive. Before starting university, you do not realise how much you rely on your parents at home, even just by them putting food on the table and paying for rent and electricity.

Challenging. Rewarding. Unique. I first discovered the Study USA opportunity through the British Council’s Facebook page and flyers posted around the PFC at Queen’s.

Moving away from the familiar comfort of home and recognisable streets of your home town is a pretty scary experience. However, bringing the right things with you can take some of the anxiety away when you arrive.

My name is Shona McCotter and I’m a student here at Queen’s studying International business with Spanish.

Ever since GCSEs you've been told that the gap between the next level of education is bigger, which normally leads to a mini breakdown before you pull yourself back together to take on the next challenge...

Over the past couple of months I've been lucky enough to represent the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) at the Northern Ireland Science Festival and an event at Trinity College, Cambridge

Sometimes that student loan doesn't seem to stretch quite far enough so here's a few money saving tips for Belfast and beyond!

"The skills I have learned here, and the academic culture around me, make me think more critically. My experience as a PhD student at Queen’s, will no doubt benefit my CV and my future career."

I am in the second term of the International MBA programme and have really enjoyed Queen’s University Belfast so far. I hope my experience will help you to gain an insight of life and study here.

My first year of university has come to a swift end. This time last year I was finishing off A level exams, desperately hoping I’d get those top grades so I could pack half of my life in a suitcase, and move here to start as a fresher at Queen's.

Sometimes, you might have had a long day of lectures and the last thing you want to do is cook yourself a nutritious meal but honestly, when you make an effort, it is so worthwhile so here’s some quick and easy recipes for you to knock up!

One of the advantages of being a PhD student is that there more options with what you can do with your time with regards studying and research.

Now the stress of exams has disappeared and the essay deadlines are no longer looming, I have had the time to relax and more importantly reflect on first year as a whole, even if it went by so quickly it felt like it didn’t actually happen.

Moving to uni is a little daunting for everyone, and crossing over the Irish Sea can make it seem even more so, but follow these tips and it will be a doddle!

My name is Jack Brennan. I’m a physicist by trade and a member of the Centre for Doctoral Training concerning Photonic Integration and Advanced Data Storage… that’s a pain to say all the time, or ever, so it’s CDT PIADS for short.

When you come to Queen's, not only do you get a great education, but you get schooled in the weird and wonderful culinary specialities you’ll only find in Northern Ireland, says undergraduate Peter Moor, from Huddersfield, England.

Yes, you are independent enough to leave home and you are #adulting so hard right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t miss your mum, says undergraduate Alisha Ratcliffe, from Manchester, England.

Forget omnipresent chains – these indie gems in Belfast offer a great cup of coffee, and some fantastic food, says undergraduate Peter Moor, from Huddersfield, England.

You can't stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf, says guest blogger Lucy Rutherford from Queen's Surf Club

Dance lets you find yourself, and lose yourself at the same time, says guest blogger Rachel Darragh, President of the Dance Society at Queen's

December is an expensive month, but you can still feel festive on a student budget, says English undergraduate Alisha Ratcliffe.

The sky is not the limit, says guest blogger Rafal Kacprzyk, President of Queen's Skydiving Club

Working abroad is a life-changing experience, but that doesn't mean it isn't a lonely one, says International Business with French undergraduate, Francesca Morelli

Contrary to what you see on Instagram, she doesn't spend her weekends eating baguettes at the Eiffel Tower, says International Business with French undergraduate, Francesca Morelli