Follow along as Charlotte, our third-year Sociology with International Experience BA student, navigates her busy week balancing academic responsibilities with an active social life. From lectures on gender and identity to competitive football matches, Charlotte embraces all aspects of university life in London.
Monday
Mondays are my lecture-free days, so I like to use the time to get ahead on my reading for the week. This week, I also started planning an essay that’s due soon for my Gender, Education and Identity module. The assignment involves writing an autobiographical essay reflecting on my experiences in education and schooling, exploring how factors like gender and class have intersected to shape my identity.
To reward myself for staying organised, I treated myself to a coffee from my favourite café – it’s the little things that keep me motivated!
Tuesday
Tuesdays are for my afternoon lecture, which runs from 3 pm to 6 pm. I use the morning to do any prep work and make sure I’m ready for class. One of my favourite parts of the day is leaving campus in the evening and and walking down Regent Street to take in the sights of the city.
Wednesday
Wednesdays are all about football! I play for the University’s women’s football team, and this week we had an away game against Royal Holloway. A few of us met up beforehand to travel together, which is always fun. We’re such a close-knit team, and no matter what the score is at full-time, we always make the most of it. The football team is a great way to meet new friends and have fun while also being active. I like being part of the club because it gives me the chance to represent the University every week while participating in a sport I love. Plus, it’s free to sign up, and anyone can join!
Thursday
Thursdays start early with a 10 am to 1 pm lecture. Thankfully, living in one of the University’s central halls of residence means it’s only a 20-minute tube ride to campus – even during rush hour! I live around Shoreditch, which is in the east of central London. The tube station is only a 5-minute walk away, and there are lots of shops and bars nearby, which give the area its own buzz. It’s also a 15-minute walk from Spitalfields Market, which is great for trying new coffee shops!
After my lecture, I like to wander around central London and soak in the sights. In the evening, I head to football training with a team I play for outside of university, which is a great way to end the day.
Friday
Like Monday, I don’t have any lectures on Friday, so it’s my catch-up day. I spend it reviewing notes and ticking off tasks that have piled up during the week. I usually catch up on my lecture notes from my Thursday lecture on Friday mornings. I then spend the afternoon and evening doing some reading for my dissertation and working on my literature review. Because I get to choose my dissertation topic, the reading and research feel really exciting and aligned with what I’m passionate about.
One hobby I’ve picked up since starting university is cooking – I find it really relaxing! This week, I made a delicious curry for dinner, which I was pretty proud of.
Saturday
Saturdays are my day off from uni work. This week, I met up with friends for lunch, and afterwards, we headed to Stamford Bridge to watch Chelsea Women play Manchester City Women. The atmosphere at the game was incredible, and it was the perfect way to unwind and enjoy some time with friends.
Sunday
Usually, Sundays are for football matches, but we didn’t have a game this week. Instead, I had a ‘Sunday reset’ – tidying my room, cleaning, and generally getting myself organised for the week ahead. To finish the day, I made a hot chocolate and curled up to watch my favourite shows, which felt like the perfect way to recharge. Lately, I’ve been watching Grey’s Anatomy. I’m only on season 4, so I still have lots of episodes to enjoy!
About Westminster
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