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8.00AM — Rise and Shine!

I am privileged to enjoy a relatively leisurely wake-up time, as this semester I have zero 9.00AM classes! As an English student, you’ll have about 8 contact hours per week; this is time spent in lectures, tutorials and seminars. While other degrees have much denser timetables, English enjoys a higher proportion of independent learning. This allows us time to complete all of the necessary reading: with most modules covering a new text every week! 

Typically, I commence my day at around 8.00AM: my perfect equilibrium between shut eye and astir productivity. 

9.00AM — Into the Kitchen

At this hour, I can usually be found in our shared kitchen. Today is no exception — freshly showered, I stand in front of our hob, frying myself some eggs. Currently, I reside in student accommodation, where I share a kitchen and living space with five lovely flatmates. Like many, university was my first experience moving away from home and living separately from my parents — a transition I was in equal parts anxious and excited for. On days where homesickness strikes, idle chatter with my flatmates always picks me back up. This morning, I spend a few minutes conversing with my neighbour before heading out. 

9.30AM - 10.30AM — Queen’s Book Club council, an inside scoop

As Vice-President of , I have delved into the operation of running a society. My primary role consists of organisation: I write a myriad of different admin and informational emails for the society; I book rooms in the Seamus Heaney Centre; and I attend meetings with the President, where she delegates additional tasks and we discuss pressing matters. 

Leaving my apartment just before 9.15AM, I walk to the city centre. I live just off Queen’s main campus, giving me effortless access to all of the most central spots. Today, I meet our President in , and we speak over caramel lattes about an upcoming collab with another society, and next month’s order of books. Thanks to the support of the , the society can afford to give away twenty free books per month to our members. 

10.30AM - 11.30AM — The Students' Union

Having trooped quickly home to pack some lunch — I head to the , which serves as both my sweet treat run and meeting point for my course mate. While I wait for her, I check my Queen’s email. There are always innumerable events being organised on campus for AEL students. For instance, I sign up for a Build-a-Bear Event happening in a few days.

We are fortunate to have a SPAR located inside the SU, which we visit together before heading to our lecture. Studying English, the vast majority of your lectures will be conducted in and around the Lanyon building — you will be at the very heart of Queen’s campus. You’ll likely feel as self-important as I do, breezing through the Black and White Hall every morning, smiling knowingly at the occasional tourist with a total sense of: “yes, I actually go here.” 

The very convenient Students' Union Spar

12.00PM - 3.00PM — Adventures in Shakespeare

My current timetable dictates that I spend three consecutive hours studying Shakespeare on a Tuesday. The module Adventures in Shakespeare takes us through iconic plays in the canon. This week, the lecture is on Romeo and Juliet. The lecturer covers thematic points such as bodies, spaces, and social roles, as well as an analysis on the use of the soliloquy. Following this, my friend and I head across the quad to the Peter Froggatt Centre, to begin our two-hour tutorial on the same topic. As we have an assignment due in ten days’ time, our tutor focuses briefly on detailing the rubric and offering counsel. Then, we dissect key moments as a class, sharing our insights and raising queries.

Wandering across the Quad to the PFC

3.00PM - 5.00PM — The McClay

At 3.00PM, our tutorial concludes and I part ways with my cohort. Whenever possible, I take myself to the library right after my tutorials end, as this is when I feel at my most productive. Before my work begins however, I wander into , located inside the library, and treat myself to a cherry iced green tea, a monthly special that I cannot get enough of.

I then visit the student lounge, a casual space to prattle with friends or eat lunch. I make light work of a pulled pork bap, then steer myself towards a favourite spot in the library. 

In truth, I think of the McClay as something of a second home. Be it assignments, applications, readings or research; I operate best in quietude, and rely on the library to provide that space. The silent reading rooms on the ground floor are the perfect fit — I especially enjoy seats by the window — as you will occasionally spy a squirrel weaving by!

Today, I sit in silent room A, beginning my session with a review of today’s notes. Following this, I initiate my preparation for the upcoming Shakespeare assignment: a prose analysis on a soliloquy from either Richard III or Romeo and Juliet (I select Richard III). With the tutorial fresh in my head, I briskly identify a key argument that could underpin my analysis, then peruse JSTOR (a popular research platform for university students), for some secondary criticism. After gathering a selection of sources, I plan out the essay: creating a list of bullet points that detail all that I will mention. With this accomplished, I close my laptop and begin to pack my things.

7.00PM — Attending ‘The Literific’

Another facet of university life that I treasure is being an active member of , the debating society at Queen’s. Established in 1850, it is by far the oldest society on campus, and holds weekly meetings that I rarely miss. This week, we have not only our regular Thursday event, but also tonight’s special collaboration with the .
 
Living within touching distance of campus is an utter blessing, something I appreciate markedly this evening: with the time to return home with my baggage, whip up a bite to eat and have a brief phone call with my mother. Just before 7.00PM, I amble back to campus to where the debate is being held. While ordinary Literific debates occur in the McMordie Hall, tonight we are in the striking chamber of the Canada Room. The debate is thoroughly enjoyable, with lively speakers and thought-provoking rationales.

9.00PM — A drink in Lavery’s  

It is something of Literific tradition to convene at after a debate, and I find myself there, discussing the motion with friends — some would say this is where the real debate happens!

A jaunt to Lavery's

12.00AM — Another day over!

Thank you for reading, I hope that this blog has conveyed the pleasure of studying at Queen’s and the excitement of living in ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ. To prospective English students, I wish you luck in your selection, and hope to see you on campus! For information on why I chose to study , see: Why I chose Queen¡¯s. 

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Elizabeth Noble English with Creative Writing | Undergraduate Student | Ireland Hello there! My name is Elizabeth, I am a current first year, studying English with Creative Writing at Queen’s. So far, my time in ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ has been an absolute whirlwind, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. From studying the course of my dreams, to joining eight societies in the first semester, I certainly know how to keep busy! I feel very proud to be the Vice-President of Queen’s Book Club, where I work to foster a passion for reading in students of all backgrounds. My degree has been a true pleasure thus far, with new literature to sink my teeth into each week, and the opportunity to hone my craft as a writer under the guidance of published authors. I have truly found a home here, and can often be seen dashing across campus, attending various events and retreating to the library.