When I was applying to university, I remember vividly searching for what uni life is actually like. So, I thought that giving applicants a little look into a week in my life as a 1st-Year Chemistry student at the University of York (UoY) might be helpful! Although, no two weeks look the same, and everyone’s experience will be slightly different, I hope this blog provides a helpful insight into what to expect!
Monday
So for my year, the Uni split the Chemistry cohort into two separate groups for laboratory (lab) work, so there’s enough equipment for people to complete their lab work properly.
Every week on a Monday, my lab group gets assigned a practical, and we spend 9am – 4.30pm (ish) working through the practical. We’re not just let loose, though! Our assigned graduate teaching assistant (GTA) – a PhD/post-doc student – gives us a helping hand.
Though it feels like it should be a highly stressful environment – and sometimes is because of the chemicals/procedures used – lab days are also very social, as you get to catch up with your lab partner and other students.
I’m usually pretty tired after lab days, so normally I have a quiet evening on a Monday. Often I spend it completing my post-lab work (eg, data analysis or questions on the practical), and catching up on notes from the previous week.
Tuesday
On Tuesdays, the other half of the 1st-Year chemists have their lab day. So my Tuesday is normally pretty quiet, except for a practical work lecture to help with the next week’s practical.
This week, I also had a ‘Structure & Bonding’ college workshop with my teaching college from 1 – 2pm. We went through questions in small groups and then with a lecturer. This is always really useful because you can talk work through with other people if you get confused, instead of just staring at your laptop screen!
I also designate a Tuesday as my laundry day because it’s normally my least-busy day. If I don’t force myself to do it, I’ll end up having no socks at the worst possible moment!
Wednesday
Wednesdays look a little different to the rest of the week for all uni students here at York, as classes usually finish before 1/2pm. This is for what most people call, ‘Socials Nights’ – people generally go out with a society, or to a sports game.
This week, I had a maths workshop from 9am – 11am, followed by an ‘Acids & Bases’ tutorial (teaching in a group of around five). Tutorials are a great opportunity to go through questions in depth with a lecturer; I find them to be the most helpful way of learning. Next, I had an ‘Atomic Structure & Introduction to Quantum Theory’ lecture from 12pm – 1pm, then I spent the rest of the afternoon catching up on work.
I spent my early evening at a Debate Society training session from 5pm – 7pm. I find that doing a society that’s completely different from my degree really helps clear my head. It’s good to have a break from science sometimes, no matter how much I enjoy it.
Some friends and I went to Salvo’s (Club Salvation) for Socials Night, after doing pre’s (pre-drinking before going to a club) at Wetherspoons – thank goodness for their cheap pitchers!
Thursday
Like most 1st-Year chemists, I have a full day of lectures on a Thursday most weeks. So after Socials Night, I rely on some coffee to get through the day, having got in so late that it was becoming morning! I recommend The Kitchen at Alcuin for a quick coffee that’s super close to the Department of Chemistry. This Thursday went like this:
- 9am – 10am ‘1st Law of Thermodynamics 1’ lecture
- 10am – 11am ‘Separation Science + Mass Spectroscopy’ lecture
- 11am – 12pm ‘Errors + Uncertainty’ lecture
- Lunch break!
- 2pm – 3pm ‘Errors + Uncertainty’ lecture
- 4pm – 5pm ‘Physics + Quantitative skills’ workshop
To recover from the previous late night, I usually spend Thursday nights chilling with friends (probably chatting in the kitchen or playing Smash Bros). Or, if I’m feeling up to it, I go to the gym at the York Sports Centre, or catch up on lecture notes.
Friday
Fridays are also usually packed with lectures for me, which I don’t mind as I have the weekend to catch up with notes for them. My schedule usually looks like this:
- 9am – 10am ‘Becoming a Professional Chemist’ workshop
- 11am – 12pm ‘Stereochemistry’ lecture
- 12pm – 1pm ‘1st Law of Thermodynamics 1’ lecture
- 2pm – 3pm ‘Separation Science + Mass Spectroscopy’ lecture
- 3pm – 4pm ‘1st Law of Thermodynamics 1’ lecture
I then always go to volleyball training with some other Alcuin (my college) Chemistry students between 4pm – 5pm. This is always a great stress relief, as you can hit something as hard as you can and not get in trouble for it!
Most Fridays we go out again; this week it was Flares. Although I would prefer to go to Kuda or Salvos, Flares provides the perfect opportunity to get a 3am kebab from Salt & Pepper (the takeaway shop nearby) so it’s worth it!
Saturday
On a Saturday morning (or whenever we wake up), me and some friends normally go for a walk into town for a coffee and chat. There are soooo many cute coffee shops in town! We’ll then walk to get groceries (normally at Aldi). I take the afternoon to work out, do some uni work, and just generally chill.
I spent this Saturday evening doing pre’s at my friend’s uni dorm for their 19th birthday before going clubbing in Salvo’s.
Sunday
Aside from volleyball training 12:30pm – 1:30pm, I normally keep my Sundays very chilled out to try to recharge for the week ahead. This often means catching up with any friends / flatmates / family that I hadn’t spoken to so far that week, and doing any work I hadn’t got to yet.
I usually do my lab prep for the next week on a Sunday, so I don’t forget what I am meant to be doing in the lab. I build in some chill time for reading or watching films. If the weather is nice, my best friend and I will often go for a walk to de-stress, which is always great before another busy week!
Read more student experiences of studying Chemistry at York.
Leave a Reply