{"id":12665,"date":"2023-02-02T11:10:57","date_gmt":"2023-02-02T11:10:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.york.ac.uk\/student-voices\/?p=12665"},"modified":"2023-02-22T14:39:46","modified_gmt":"2023-02-22T14:39:46","slug":"week-in-the-life-of-a-1st-year-chemistry-student","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.york.ac.uk\/student-voices\/2023\/02\/02\/week-in-the-life-of-a-1st-year-chemistry-student\/","title":{"rendered":"Week in the life of a 1st-Year Chemistry student"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So for my year, the Uni split the Chemistry cohort into two separate groups for laboratory<\/a> (lab) work, so there’s enough equipment<\/a> for people to complete their lab work properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every week on a Monday, my lab group gets assigned a practical, and we spend 9am \u2013 4<\/strong>.30pm<\/strong> (ish) working through the practical. We’re not just let loose, though! Our assigned graduate teaching assistant (GTA) \u2013 a PhD\/post-doc student \u2013 gives us a helping hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though it feels like it should be a highly stressful environment \u2013 and sometimes is because of the chemicals\/procedures used \u2013 lab days are also very social, as you get to catch up with your lab partner and other students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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titration results<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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chemistry in action<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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my lab bench<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s practical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week, I also had a \u2018Structure & Bonding\u2019<\/em> college workshop with my teaching college<\/a> from 1 \u2013 2pm<\/strong>. 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! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also designate a Tuesday as my laundry<\/a> day because it’s normally my least-busy day. If I don\u2019t force myself to do it, I’ll end up having no socks at the worst possible moment!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wednesdays look a little different to the rest of the week for all<\/em> uni students here at York, as classes usually finish before 1\/2pm<\/strong>. This is for what most people call, \u2018Socials Nights\u2019 \u2013 people generally go out with a society<\/a>, or to a sports game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week, I had a maths workshop from 9am \u2013 11am<\/strong>, followed by an \u2018Acids & Bases\u2019<\/em> tutorial<\/a> (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 \u2018Atomic Structure & Introduction to Quantum Theory\u2019 <\/em>lecture<\/a> from 12pm \u2013 1pm<\/strong>, then I spent the rest of the afternoon catching up on work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a>
A classic night out in Salvo’s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I spent my early evening at a Debate Society<\/a> training session from 5pm \u2013 7pm<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some friends and I went to Salvo\u2019s (Club Salvation<\/a>) for Socials Night, after doing pre’s (pre-drinking before going to a club) at Wetherspoons \u2013 thank goodness for their cheap pitchers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> at Alcuin for a quick coffee that\u2019s super close to the Department of Chemistry.<\/a> This Thursday went like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n