A cold Belfast winter. Plans? I had them. Spontaneity? I had more of that.

For me, everything leads to new opportunities - some are so in-your-face visible, and others? They are not so visible - barely a flicker to most, but if you do notice them, you can carve a whole path out of it. That, right there, defines me. I do what needs to be done, and I embrace what I never saw coming. But with the experiences I’ve had from both, I carry them well, let them age like wine, and keep them close.

Because for me, ageing is about discovering a new reality where my learning can have an impact. Nothing and I mean nothing makes you smarter or cooler than making a real-world impact. That’s my philosophy. That’s me, in the smallest set of words. So now that you know the way I function and thrive, maybe these blogs will start making sense. One would hope.

And as much as I tried to blend in (which Queen’s made super easy), the weather, well...nobody can make that manageable. But the morning classes? They almost make life cosy. There’s something special about choosing a course you really love. That makes cold mornings feel a little warmer.

Find out more about Indian student life at Queen's

Let’s start the week on a Wednesday - because, why not?

Small notebook, silly little pen, water bottle, and a few personal items in the bag. I head to my first class: Applied Research Methods.

There’s always this universal confusion for us students:

• Do I prep beforehand and then come to class to clarify things?
• Or do I go in with a clean slate and let the class do its magic?

For me, it’s always the latter. Why? Because there’s nothing like freaking out with someone who’s in the same boat. That’s where the Eureka! moments live - especially in psychology. You’ve seen something, noticed something, and it makes absolutely no sense. But then, boom! It pops up in class as a real-life example and it all clicks.

Applied Research Methods is full of those moments. You encounter scenarios, either naturally or to recreate them in a lab and start to see how they build the big picture: your dissertation. And it’s eerily cool. And more - because let’s be real, natural observation and experiments aren’t the only stars of Applied Research Methods, now, are they?

After class, a pit stop is non-negotiable.

Coming from India, I’ve noticed cultural shifts. Back home, no snacks in class. Here? The aroma of hot chocolate, coffee, or matcha literally hangs in the air. That’s how I got hooked.

Aleksandar’s - my comfort café. Hot chocolate and a croissant. And yes, I dunk it. Do not come for me. But if you haven’t tried dipping your croissant in hot chocolate and catching the drips with a tissue...you haven’t lived.

BLOG: 8 Must-Visit Restaurants and Cafes in Belfast!

On to the next class: Health Behaviour Change.

Now this was a surprise love story. I didn’t think I’d vibe with it. But it ended up being that paper - the one that changes you (a Friends reference). Not only did I love the module (and score well, humble brag), it inspired me to pitch ideas to a company. That one moment of curiosity turned into a fully theorised proposal of suggestions, rooted in the Behaviour Change Wheel, and fast forward - I’m now working on a small, funded research project.

Psychology doing what psychology does best: showing up in real life.

Evenings are sacred.

After classes, it’s chill time at the Psychology Common Room or the Students' Union. Wednesdays are SU days. There are so many events, and don’t get me started on the third-floor lounge and their mysterious boxes of free food.

Obviously, the Botanic Gardens and the Ulster Museum are must-visits. Personally, I’m a little obsessed with the gemstones collection at the Earth’s Treasure gallery; it’s my favourite corner to quietly get excited!

Botanic Gardens

And that, friends, is my Wednesday.

Thursdays?

They’re early. 9am lab class, Data Analysis. But don’t be fooled, for lab classes are the best thing to exist. That’s where I feel like a beginner-to-intermediate computer genius.

Learning SPSS, doing qualitative analysis using Word and Excel effectively, and realising your brain actually gets it - pure joy. And yes, I lean more toward Qualitative methods over Quantitative. Let the world know. Psychology is cool, but Quals? Quals are drama, chaos, and interpretative brilliance.

I chose to try IPA (Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis) over Thematic Analysis for my assignment. Risky? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely. I love working practically, doing something right after learning it and that module gave me just that. It made things stick.

Post-lab, while others head home or to the library, I go somewhere magical:

The Harty Room at the School of Music. For 10 weeks every semester, they host free concerts. Emphasis on free. From piano solos to Irish trad, experimental madness to good old Bach; you name it. Thursdays, 1:10 to 2pm, musical heaven.

I come back home, nap (mandatory), do chores, and revisit all the things I learned. My favourite part being the critical thinking banter I have in my own head. The arguments, the agreements; it’s all so entertaining.

Fridays are for free will.

I go through every email, scroll every Queen’s-related page, find events and articles, and register for everything that fuels my many, many fascinations. I don’t know what info will help me when but knowing what's going on in your uni helps in every possible way.

Weekends = Library Days.

Catching up on recorded lectures, reading recommended articles, and using the beautiful space of the Queen’s Library - with its whisper zones, chatter zones, individual desks, night loans, short loans, and a lounge that’s literally made for short naps.

Sometimes we even have Tea with the PVC (Education and Students). It’s so wholesome to have snacks and real conversations with management like Prof. Judy Williams. It’s one of those “only at Queen’s” experiences.

Find out more about the Thomas J Moran Graduate School

And then comes Monday, my true start to the week.

Psych is my love, but music?

Maybe a little more. So, I audited music modules. Yep. Three of them. Across two semesters. Being a postgrad from a different school and faculty didn’t stop me. The system made it seamless.

I started with Intro to Music from the BMus program and met the loveliest professor ever: Dr. Simon Mawhinney. He never made me feel like an outsider. Zero music theory background? No problem. He made me feel welcome in every conversation.

Auditing music modules

Also, shoutout to the Music halls! Some of them are actual concert halls, complete with pianos, reverb, tudor style and high, dreamy ceilings. Absolute vibes.

Tuesdays? Break day.

So, for those worried about not having time - you’re wrong. We have time to study, work, nap, party, reflect, read, rest, cry, audit modules, and even run for elections.

Which I did. And won.

I became the PG School Rep for Psychology through the by-election. My first time trying out administrative volunteering duties and now I’ve been in student council meetings and PG academic board. I also signed up for career-building workshops like the Future Ready Skills for international students and AIMday during the autumn semester. I did also get the opportunity to do PGTRES at the Movement Science Lab in Goalkeeping where I am currently working with Dr. Joost Dessing. 

To add on, I joined societies like Women in STEM, QUB NeuroSoc and QUB Mind Matters (Psychiatry Club) because they gave me community, new learnings, and events that made my weeks even better.

There are seminars, workshops, festivals, parties, celebrations - too many to list, but all of them are memory-worthy if you make the time organised by the SU and the University. These aren’t just social extras; they’re what you’ll look back on with friends and go, “Remember that time…?”

So yes, this was supposed to be a blog on a day in my life.

But how do you fit all that in a day? Even summarising a week was hard. This was my Winter and maybe I’ll return for a Summer edition later.

Things to do as a student in Belfast

Until then, choose your own adventure. Pick a day. Blend a few. Or make your own kind of day from mine. That’s what I did; I made each day happen in my own way.

And I loved it. Every single moment.

Signing off - Florence Diana Charles, your friendly Psych student!

Catch you in my next blog!

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MSc Clinical Health Psychology

Student Life at Queen's

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Florence Diana Charles MSc Clinical Health Psychology | Postgraduate Student | India Hi, I am Florence Diana Charles. I’m an interdisciplinary enthusiast who thrives in the in-between; where ideas blur and psychology just makes sense as it blends. I care about meaning: in people, in patterns, in how we think, feel, and grow. I’m endlessly curious, sometimes stubborn, and always trying, even on my busiest days. I don’t have it all figured out, but I’m here to keep learning, keep questioning, and keep showing up. Hope to see you around in my blogs!