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Day in the life of a third year student at De Montfort University

Hiya!

I just thought I’d share with everyone what a snapshot of my day is like as a student at De Montfort University. Mondays are by far my most productive day, a fresh start to the week, packed with lectures, study sessions, and a bit of downtime to balance it all out. I am a third-year student studying Health and Well-being in Society, and in my penultimate block before finishing my undergraduate degree.

Before 9am

My day kicks off in my studio flat accommodation. I set three alarms: 7:15am to mentally prepare myself, 7:45am to actually wake up, and 8:00am as my final warning if I’m feeling extra sleepy

Realistically, I’m up by 8am most days. After getting ready, I usually skip breakfast, I leave my flat around 8:40am and make my way to the Edith Murphy building, (less than a 15 minute walk) arriving just in time for my 9am lecture.

My first lecture of the day runs from 9am to 11am. I’m currently studying an optional module on Gender, Health, and Healthcare and this is one of the most interesting and thoughtful modules I’ve taken. The discussions are modern, relevant, and keep me engaged, even on a Monday morning.

11am till 2pm

After my lecture, I have a long break from 11am to 2pm. The longest break I’ve ever had between classes. Initially, I thought this gap would be an inconvenience, but it’s turned out to be my most productive window. Each week looks a bit different depending on what I need to tackle. I use this time to reply to emails, catch up on coursework, and work on my internship tasks (I’m currently completing an internship with a team at DMU). Sometimes, I even squeeze in a meeting or work away at my dissertation

Being a DMU Food Ambassador has its perks. I get vouchers for on-campus food hubs. So, I’ll sometimes treat myself to a hot chocolate while working away. There’s something about being on campus that keeps me focused. If I went back to my flat, I’d probably end up slumping on my bed for a 'quick' 30-minute rest that would undoubtedly stretch longer. I usually grab lunch on campus too.

2pm onwards

My second lecture runs from 2pm to 4pm. After that, I head straight back to my accommodation, usually getting in around 4:15pm. By this point, I’m ready to switch into lounging clothes and unwind whether that's scrolling through my phone, watching YouTube or TV, or catching up with my boyfriend, friends, or family.

Around 5:30pm / 6pm, I will go to the gym downstairs in my accommodation. It's very convenient, just being downstairs and this is usually for an hour and I will head back up and have a quick shower

Around 7pm I'll start cooking dinner. I’ve made it a habit to wash up immediately afterward, it’s way too easy to let dishes pile up, and trust me, it’s a habit worth sticking to and then I get myself organised for the next day. Right now, with assignments and my dissertation deadline looming, I spend my evenings writing and reading. I try not to work too late, never past 11pm so I have time to unwind and switch off from study mode before bed. My goal is to fall asleep before midnight, ready to tackle the next day. As my Mondays are followed by 9am lectures on Tuesdays.

Monday is usually the only day where I have a routine, the rest of the week tends to vary with part-time work, plans with friends, and commuting home. As much as I enjoy spontaneous plans, I do like having a routine, but I find it hard to stick to one right now since I don’t have any full-time commitments and my week varies all the time. That said, the flexibility does have its benefits.

If you have any further questions please do ask!

-Maddie, Third year Health and Well-being in Society student at De Montfort University