A Week in the Life of a Year 3 Graphic Design Student at Norwich Uni Arts:

Hi there!

I'm Charlotte, a year 3 Graphics students here at Norwich Uni Arts... and after sharing my 'a week in the of a year 2 graphics student at NUA' post last year - I figured it's time for a year 3 one!

Monday: Mondays are my independent study days, and one that I do choose to stay at home for - especially now that it's winter and enjoy the comfort of my own home a lot more. I therefore start my Mondays with a cosy morning, getting my lunch ready, having a shower and tidying my room. And then after lunch spend the rest of my day doing uni work from home.

Tuesday: Tuesdays are my full studio days, so 9:30-4:30 I'm in uni working in the graphics studio. During this time, we have the opportunity to speak to our tutors about our work and get feedback. We can see them a few times throughout the day which is really helpful as I can spend the day experimenting and making adjustments and keep going back to them for their thoughts and suggestions.

Wednesday: On Wednesdays at 11:30, we have a talk in the lecture theatre - usually from someone within the industry, talking about their journey to where they are now and showing us what they have worked on during their time as designers. These are extremely inspiring and really boost my motivation if ever I'm feeling the creative-block kick in. Meeting people who have worked on such famous and recognisable projects is also a fun claim-to-fame to use against friends at non-creative universities. After these talks, we have independent study again... however since I am on campus already for the talks, I often stay there for the rest of the day getting work done in either studio or sometimes even the student cafe which is super cozy and provides my endless stream of hot drinks throughout the day.

Thursday: Thursdays are also an independent study day this year. I sometimes stay home and sometimes go in on Thursdays depending on if I need to use any of the campus facilities before our Friday crits. For example, if I need to print or scan or make something then I go in. It's quite nice to be flexible on Thursdays - it's the only day in my week where I don't have a specific preference for how I get my work done that day.

Friday: Studio and Crit day! So we have our crits on Fridays - and for anyone who doesn't know; a crit is a one hour session with just a handful of other students (around 4-10) and two tutors - where you take turns to show the work that you have been doing throughout the week in order to receive feedback from your tutors and peers. These used to be incredibly daunting, however are now a totally normal part of my week! And a lot less stressful than I used to find them haha!

Saturday: Saturdays are usually spent either working as a Student Ambassador at the university open days doing either campus or accommodation tours (super fun and a highlight if my week for sure!). However, open days are not every weekend and we don't have any more now for a while - so I spend half of the day walking around town and browsing the shops, and half of the day doing some uni work.

Sunday: Sundays are my 'reset days' - I get up early, go to the shops for my weekly food shop, I change my bedding and wash my hair and spend the day prepping for the week ahead. Often ending the evening with a visit to our local pub quiz (and not doing very well!) 🤣

(And if course - Mon-Fri evenings involve watching the soaps with my housemates to ensure we are up to date with all of the drama from the cobbles and the dales!)

So yeah - that's my average week really. I'd love to know what others get up to each week at other unis on different courses? Is your week pretty similar? Maybe very different?

And for those of you not yet at uni - please feel free to ask any questions that you may have! :smile: