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A Week in the Life of a Year 2 Graphic Design Student at Norwich Uni Arts:

As an ambassador, a question that I get asked regularly is “so what is your timetable like for the average week?”, so I have decided to create a post about my average week for all of you to see! Of course, I'd like to point out firstly, that being at university does mean that it's on students to study independently as well as attend timetabled sessions, so what you're about to read may differ a lot from person to person, however I still thought it may be a great way to gain an insight into student life at a creative uni. Also, this was written when I was in Year 2, a year 3 version will be posted soon!

Monday
On Mondays, I'm timetabled in for 'studio work' from 9:30 - 16:30 with a one hour lunch break. These are super chilled, it's a time for you and your course mates to go into the studio spaces (which of course you can still do even if you're not timetabled in) to crack on with your current project, with the opportunity to get feedback and advice from your tutors throughout the day. Sometimes on Monday afternoons, we are given workshops to help us improve our skills within the Adobe Suite. At the moment on Monday mornings as well, I have the opportunity to speak with other tutors in order to get feedback and guidance on the written aspects of the course.

Tuesday
Personally, I'm not timetabled in on Tuesdays. So a Tuesday for me does look different each week. Mainly, I do aim to still go into uni to make the most of the resources and the facilities, as well as surround myself with a good working environment to keep me motivated throughout the day. I usually go to uni from 11:00 - 17:00 on Tuesdays. Occasionally however, I do take Tuesdays as my 'home day' - a day to catch up with some uni work from home, sort some laundry and just generally do work from the comfort of my student house.

Wednesday
On Wednesdays I attend the weekly 'talk series' - a series of lectures given throughout the entire academic year from guest speakers. These can be from a wide variety of graphic designers - all with experience in the industry, helping us to gain a better insight into all of their individual journeys to how they ended up where they are today, and also getting to see their projects from the past and present and getting to hear what exciting brands they're working with. Attending these talks is optional, however I have never missed a single one. Not only are they extremely insightful, but I also find that they keep me motivated within the course I study and help to give me an aim to reach for within my creative practice. These talks are from 11:30 - 12:30, so I usually stay in uni afterwards until around 4 or o'clock to make the most of the day.

Thursday
Thursdays I have what is known as a 'crit'. This is a one hour time slot where you and approximately 5 other people will be sat around a table with your course tutor, as an opportunity to show what you've been working on that week and where you've got to with a project. They may seem scary at first, but they're a brilliant way to get to see what work other people in your class are producing that you may not necessarily be friends with, as well as get extra feedback and guidance from both your tutors and your peers. Again, because these are only an hour, I use this opportunity to stay in uni to make the most of my time and the printing facilities etc.

Friday
Like Tuesdays, I'm not timetabled in at all on Fridays. I do however come in again still, I just find it really nice to be on the campus with friends who you may not necessarily live with or are even from different courses and still sit around doing work together.

Saturday
Uni buildings are open on Saturdays, however I tend to usually spend my weekends fully at home as I spend so much time in uni during the week. I do know people who would rather have a midweek day at home and then go to the university library on a Saturday to do work instead. Saturdays for me are more about going to a coffee shop or a park with friends to do some chilled uni work or meeting up with people for lunch or cinema trips and cooking a nice evening meal.

Sunday
Sunday is my 'reset day'. I get up, I go to the supermarket for my weekly food shop, I get back and have a shower, change my bedding, do my laundry etc and then just chill. Unless for whatever reason I'm behind on a task or I feel I need to be cracking on with a project, I do try to use Sunday as a full day off, ready to start the whole process again on Monday!

I know this is extremely lengthy, so congrats to anyone who made it this far in the post! But as I say, it's something I get asked a lot so I thought I'd do this for anyone else wondering about it who also happens to stumble across this post. But please do remember that my week could not only look very different to someone else's on my course, but also it would be very different for someone on a different course. I hope it gave a better insight and that it is somewhat helpful.

Charlotte, Year 3 Graphic Design :smile: