A Peek Beyond Lectures and Seminars

If you are enrolled in a postgraduate programme at LSE (like me), it's likely that your programme lasts for about a year. Everybody talks about how fast the year is going to go, and you know it's going to fly by, but you can't really fathom how fast until you’re in the middle of it. 🕰️

There are so many things to do and see. Plus, if you're an international student like me, you also need to get used to a new country and a new education system. At this time, LSE halls have truly been a saviour. With so much going on and never enough time, at least I’m not worrying about learning how to pay utility bills just yet. 🧺

When you're juggling so much in a short span of time, there's hardly anything typical about a week, because no two days look the same. Especially since your timetable changes every term. Sometimes I have assignments due, job applications to write, holidays coming up—or I just don’t feel like working on a particular day. And that’s okay (I’m being honest here - and will be for the rest of the blog so you can be honest with yourself too!). 🌿

That said, I’ve tried to piece together a rough sketch of what my week generally looks like, give or take a few adjustments here and there. I mean, are you really doing the postgraduate life right if your discipline and plans aren’t occasionally derailed by something spontaneous (like a day trip) or something annoying (like a faulty Wi-Fi connection)? 😅

Monday 🛒

Luckily for me, I never had any lectures or seminars on Mondays, so I rarely went to campus. You might think, “Wow, long weekend!”. Hm, not so much. When you're at a rigorous university like LSE and living alone, there's always something on the to-do list. 

Since most people were out at work, I used Mondays to my advantage. I’d usually go out to do my weekly grocery run. One of the perks of living in LSE halls is that most grocery stores are just a short walk away. With fewer crowds, I could browse and shop at my own pace without having to queue up (which honestly saved quite a bit of time). After coming back home, I meal-prepped for the week and also cleaned my room while chatting with family and friends back home.

In the evening, I’d log into Moodle and get through a few readings for Tuesday or Wednesday’s lectures, until it was dinner time. 📚

Tuesday 🎓

Now, I had most of my lectures scheduled on Tuesdays, which meant waking up early and walking to campus while the cold and crisp London air hit my face. Walking from Sidney Webb House (my hall) either with friends or alone was always a treat because I got to cross the Thames and encounter so many scenic views. And if I had a little extra time, I’d try a new route or cross a different bridge (there are so many!).

Tuesdays were usually my busiest day on campus. Apart from lectures, I prepared for upcoming seminars while the readings and lecture notes were fresh. Additionally, LSE hosts a variety of events, so I’d usually find a spot in the Marshall Building or Library to study until it was time to attend one. By the end of the day, I would usually be pretty tired and would get the bus back home. 🚌

Wednesday 🍜

Wednesdays were slightly less intense than Tuesdays, but I was still on campus for lectures, seminars, or the occasional extracurricular meeting.

My flatmates and I often went out on Wednesday evenings for a chill dinner at a budget-friendly place nearby. It became our midweek ritual and helped us reset for the rest of the week. These dinners transformed our relationship from just being flatmates to actually being friends, which actually got me through some of the tougher weeks. If you can, try having small, meaningful traditions; it really helps build lasting bonds. 🤝

Thursday 🗓️

Thursdays were usually another “off-campus” day for me. I used them to finish up readings or tackle any formatives or summatives due that week.

As President of the Hall Committee at Sidney Webb House, we also had our weekly meetings on Thursdays to discuss and plan upcoming events, which, naturally, turned into general catch-up sessions too. 💬 

Friday 🎉

I had very few seminars or Fridays because I scheduled most of them earlier in the week, so I could unwind a little before the weekend. After coming home, I’d either do my laundry or start setting up for an event the hall was hosting, usually scheduled over the weekend, so everyone could attend. We hosted all kinds of events, from low-key pizza and board game nights to festive celebrations like Diwali with fun activities, or Christmas Market walks (with free hot chocolate!). It was a lovely way to engage with the community and relax at the end of the week.

If there wasn’t an event planned, I loved to go for a walk with friends from the hall, along the Thames, or just sitting at Queen’s Walk and catching up. If it was too cold, we’d gather in the common room to chill or play a game. 🎲

Saturday and Sunday 🌆

Now, weekends always had a two-part rhythm: one day out and about, and one day focused on job applications. London is a big city that's always buzzing, so there's much to explore. Moreover, since most LSE Halls are centrally located, iconic places like Spitalfields Market or South Bank are just a walk away. My friends and I even made a bucket list and made sure to tick off a few new places every weekend, whether it was a museum, a cute pop-up, or a viral food spot.

However, as a PG student, the job search is real. I unquestionably devoted one full day to it, often using the study or printer rooms in the hall to stay productive (a blessing, honestly, because sometimes my bedroom desk just doesn’t cut it!). 💼

P.S. There’s also yoga in the halls on the weekend! While it wasn’t really my thing, it might be yours, so keep an eye out (what did I say about there being something for everyone?) 🧘

Of course, my days weren’t always this neat and tidy. Sometimes, I finished two days' worth of work in one. Other times, I couldn’t even finish a single reading on time. Sometimes, I just didn’t feel like grocery shopping, and that’s okay. I’m being transparent because life as a PG student, especially an international one, is not always typical, and you shouldn't expect it to be. 

If you're reading this, you’re probably starting your PG journey at LSE soon. Your week in halls will likely look different from mine, and all this might feel a little overwhelming. But that's completely okay. We all start from somewhere, and it is okay to do something that works for you at your own pace. 🚶

However, one thing that I can say with conviction: living in halls is an experience of a lifetime. It's your safe space in the massive and bustling city of London to be yourself, be social and meet new people, just like yourself. As  PG students,  there is often this lingering feeling of not doing enough or telling yourself that you don't have the time to attend a social event. But trust me, joining in once in a while will lift your spirits. You can be as involved (or as low-key) as you want. That comfort and choice make halls feel like home. 🏠

Sounds exciting, huh? And it will be all the more once you begin. Good luck on your journey and hope you find some version of your “typical” soon! 🌟