Morning Classes and Tutorial Prep

Most mornings start around 7.30am. I drag myself out of bed, make breakfast, and try not to feel guilty that the weekend disappeared in a blink. By 9am, I’m in my EU Law tutorial. The tutor uploads the questions beforehand, so my main job is just to be prepared and answer when called on. Honestly, it’s not as dramatic as it sounds. Most of the time we’re just working through the questions, trying not to panic if something tricky comes up. That little moment when I actually know the answer? Feels like a tiny victory every time.

Tutorials wrap up around 10.30am. I usually head to the library or find a quiet spot to work on my coursework on my laptop. I always thought final year would be pure chaos, but there’s actually a lot of downtime. It’s like the university trusts us to manage ourselves, and sometimes that’s terrifying, but also kind of empowering.

At 1pm, I sit through my EU Law lecture. Just an hour long, and by 2pm I’m free for the rest of the afternoon. These unexpected gaps give me time to catch up on readings, prep for seminars, or just grab a coffee and scroll through Europe travel blogs, because let’s be honest, planning trips is half the fun.

Studying with sunlight and silence

Part-Time Work at the Japanese Restaurant

By 6pm, it’s time to swap textbooks for an apron. I work as a waitress in a Japanese restaurant until 10pm. I take orders, serving dishes, clearing tables, washing dishes...basically running around like a human conveyor belt. Sometimes I stare at the laptop on my desk and think, why did I even sign up for this job? But then I remember why I do it.

Being an international student from Asia, I’ve crossed several seas to be here, and the pay makes it worth it, especially when £1 = over RM5!  Not only does it cover my living costs, but it also gives me the freedom to travel across Europe while I still can. Weekend trips that feel spontaneous? Totally doable now. Once I graduate, work schedules and expensive flights will make it much harder. So yes, it’s exhausting, but also incredibly satisfying in a practical, “I earned this” kind of way. Whenever there’s a brief lull at work, I can’t help but drift off thinking about my next European trip instead of the coursework on my laptop.

Too pretty for a work shift

Nighttime Assignments and Reflections

After work, I drag myself back to my dorm around 10.30pm. The night isn’t over. I spend another hour or so working on coursework on my laptop before finally crashing around midnight. Long days? Definitely. Worth it? Absolutely.

Final year isn’t just about lectures or deadlines; it’s about learning to juggle responsibilities, manage your time, and make the most of the opportunities you have. Every tutorial I prep for, every lecture I attend, every shift I finish at the restaurant. It all teaches me discipline, resilience, and planning for the future.

The perk of a part-time job

Why I Love This Chaos

It’s a strange mix: light timetables, self-directed study, part-time work, and travel dreams. But it works. Being a law student at Queen's isn’t just memorising statutes or cramming case law. It’s about thinking critically, handling responsibilities, and still finding space to enjoy life, whether that’s surviving a busy shift, completing an assignment, or catching a cheap flight to explore a new European city.

So yes, my days are long, often tiring, and sometimes messy. But this balance of law, work, and life makes me feel like I’m actually living my final year, not just surviving it. And honestly? That’s exactly what I wanted from this experience.

Find out more

Take a Virtual Tour of Queen's

Student Tips for Balancing Part-time Work with Studying

How to Manage Part-time Jobs or Internships Alongside Your Studies

Pei Ying Tan Law | Undergraduate Student | Malaysia Hi! I’m Pei Ying, but people call me Miki. I’m from Malaysia and this is my final year at Queen’s, finishing up my LLB Law degree. Outside of studies, I am a content creator who loves sharing little moments of daily life through photos and videos, and exploring Belfast one corner at a time. Belfast itself feels like a built-in filter. Living in Elms Village (BT9) has been such a fun start, and I can’t wait to see what each season here will bring. Hopefully my stories make the journey a bit easier for new students too!