I believe that it’s really important to create a routine that works for you, as well as strike a balance between study, work, rest, and fun. 

06:00: My day starts off with an alarm that I’m still learning to love. 

I’m really not a morning person, but I’ve found that making my bed straight away, enjoying my breakfast, and taking my time getting ready sets me up for a much more positive, relaxed, and structured day compared to hitting that snooze button until the very last minute! I’ll check up on messages and emails, as well as complete a Duolingo Spanish lesson.

07:30: The commute begins.

I’m lucky to live in Crumlin, which is half an hour away from Belfast. Depending on my plans that day, I’ll get the bus into Belfast City Centre and walk up to Queen’s, getting my steps in along the way, or I’ll drive to Antrim Train Station, using their Park & Ride to get to Botanic. 

09:00: I need coffee to get me through the day.

I’ll bring my own cup to the Thomas J Moran Graduate School and use the supplies there, but if I want to treat myself, the Junction in the School of Law and Coop in Botanic Gardens are really great spots close by. In town, my new favourite order is a vanilla latté with a shot of marine collagen from Black Sheep Coffee, just beside Belfast City Hall - get the glow and thank me later!

10:00: Class begins.

One of my favourite classes this year was Theories of Human Rights. It was split into two parts; the second of which saw us divided into groups and assigned a question on a particular topic. We discussed it between ourselves, and the tutor was always on hand to help develop our ideas before we presented our findings. I especially loved studying contesting histories, which I chose to write about for the module’s exam, achieving my second highest mark of the year!

My highest mark was awarded for a paper I’d written on the ticking time bomb exception as a justification for the use of torture against suspected terrorists - I’ve found that this year has allowed for deeper exploration of very niche areas of interest, as well as more self-directed and in-depth reading and study on the things that interest me.

12:00: Class ends.

I head straight to the Graduate School; a beautiful space that I feel so privileged to use. I’ll write up my notes and then get ahead with work that I need to do for that week. It’s great to always be ahead of the game, and chip away at my dissertation - exploring the roles of visual commemoration in campaigns for truth and justice in the context of legacy issues and the Troubles. This is another project of niche interest, with self-directed study and self-management.

I find setting weekly goals helpful to hold myself accountable, as well as checking in with my supervisor. It’s important to take study breaks and time away from your desk though: walking through Botanic Gardens is a favourite.

18:00: I arrive home.

Some days, I’ll get changed and head straight back out for a walk, spin class, or gym session, which I find great at clearing my head. Other days, I’ll have Teams calls with my QUB Student Action for Refugees Committee. As Captain, it’s difficult to find days and times that suit everyone, but regularly checking in and preparing our projects really does pay off.

We’ve achieved incredible things this year, which you can read more about in my piece for the School of Law’s page. One of them is Anaka’s GCSE Volunteering Programme, which I set time aside for every week, using Zoom to help friends from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds with GCSE English study and exam prep. 

20:00: I believe it’s really important to unwind after a busy day.

After a hot shower and dinner, as a family we can be found around the TV, checking in with each other and chatting about our week.

Friday evening: My boyfriend Caoimhín and I have set aside our Friday evenings to visit the Avenue Cinema. Their pizza, popcorn, pints, and cocktails are the perfect companions to great films!! 

Weekends: Caoimhín and I love to go to Cliftonville matches, but we’ve also travelled to Dublin for the Bohs and Glasgow for our beloved Celtic! We’re also big Zach Bryan fans, so a weekend in Dublin for his show in Phoenix Park was just incredible. We also love to travel, and count ourselves lucky to return to the Farnham Estate to get away for a few nights. We’ve also been to Amsterdam and Rome, and we’re planning our next holiday for after my dissertation submission. Can’t wait!

Work: I’m very lucky to have worked for Stena Line throughout both my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Working on a boat may not be the typical student job, but I have really loved my time sailing to Scotland and back, with a flexible schedule and supportive managers. I’m also very lucky to have started working as a Press Officer for Cathy Mason MLA, dividing my time between her Assembly Office in Stormont and her Constituency Office in Downpatrick.

No two days are ever the same; visiting the Balmoral Show, Erenagh Excavation Site, and Ballykinlar GAA Site are some of my favourite memories, alongside helping out constituents across South Down. Working in press and social media is also great for working from home or on the go, and I cannot wait to see where the role will take me next!

Celebrating: I believe it’s really important to celebrate achievements, and reflect on the past to see how far you’ve come. I had the pleasure of speaking at the Queen’s Sanctuary Celebration Panel Discussion, chatting about my degree and balancing the work alongside my role as QUB STAR Captain. I’m so grateful for these opportunities, and for all the friends that I’ve made along the way. 

I hope you find something useful in reading about a typical day for me, building a routine that works and achieving that balance between study, work, rest, and fun!

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Órnait Maguire International Human Rights Law | Postgraduate Student | Crumlin, Co. Antrim Is mise Órnait, and I’m studying for my Master’s in International Human Rights Law here at Queen’s! I have loved my time here as both an undergraduate and postgraduate student, and I am really grateful to be able to share the moments, memories, and experiences that have shaped it and made it so special. Studying International Human Rights Law has opened up so many possibilities and opportunities for me, and helped me to learn more about myself and my passions. As Captain of Queen’s Student Action for Refugees, my last few months have been filled with so much fun, growth, and friendship, as we helped to make our campus a more welcoming and understanding place and celebrated the incredible achievement of becoming a University of Sanctuary.