Day-to-day at UCL: Campus Chronicles & Student Life

UCL Spanish and Philosophy BA second year student Joe Hurley shares his University schedule, and how he makes the most out of it. 

Moving to university, and moving to university in London particularly can prove to be a daunting yet exciting challenge. One of the biggest adjustments students have to make is adapting to a very different day-to-day schedule, which is why I want to give tips in this blog on how to make the most of it.  

Contact hours are the main reason why we have to change schedules at uni- we go from having at least 20 hours at school to having as little as half this amount. Whilst it seems hard to fill the remaining time up, the daily schedule UCL offers to its students allows for an ideal balance between independent study, social life, and extra-curriculars.  

As a Philosophy and Spanish student, I normally start the week on Monday as follows: I first go to my 10am lecture for aesthetics, and then the seminar for that module at 2pm. The time in-between gives me plenty of opportunity to decide whether to head to either the Student Centre, Main Library or Science Library and go over my lecture notes before I meet my friends on the steps of Portico to eat lunch (assuming the weather in London wants to be nice to me!). The aesthetics seminar is the best way for me to clarify my understanding of the set reading which will become useful for writing my essays later on in the term. Finally, I finish my Monday classes with a Spanish seminar on translation at 5pm, and having a class so late in the evening was in itself challenging for me at first. However, with some help from UCL’s volunteering society I was able to find a commitment working as a mentor for disadvantaged students after their school day, enabling me to gain valuable experience as a volunteer before my final class.  

Wednesdays are also great for those interested in picking up or continuing a sport, as classes for everyone end at no later than 1pm. With up to 80 different sports to choose from, there is no doubt you can find something that aligns well with your interests and timetable. This year I decided to get into running with UCL’s Athletics Society, and I really enjoyed being able to meet completely new people whilst also do more exercise on top of working out at Bloomsbury Fitness, UCL’s sustainable on-campus gym.  

Overall, navigating day-to-day life at UCL is rewarding despite the initial challenges. By balancing academics, social activities, and personal interests, you can easily make the most of your university experience. Embrace the opportunities, stay organised, and most of all; don’t forget to take advantage of being in London, a city full of culture and countless places to explore! 🙂