I have known that I wanted to major in English Literature at university, since high school. I have always loved reading and writing, which is why I applied to King’s College London to study English literature. I am currently halfway through the first semester of my first year at KCL as an English student, and let me tell you, it has been intense. I thought it would be interesting to describe to you a day in my life as a literary student in London, and maybe make some of you want to major in English Literature in the future.
I have been trying to stay organised and have a routine in order to not fall behind in clsses. I usually wake up around 7 AM and read for about an hour. Since I have lots of readings to do for my classes, I rarely find the time to read books that I want to, so I dedicate part of my morning to doing so (I know very cliché for a literary student). I then finally get up around 8 AM and get ready. I know that a lot of students literally take 10 minutes to get ready but I personally like to take my time. I make my bed, open my window, make and eat breakfast, do the dishes, take a hot shower, brush my teeth, get dressed, and put makeup on. It typically takes me about an hour and then around 8:50, I grab my bag which I prepared the night before with my computer, notebooks (I take handwritten notes), pencil case, and earphones. I fill my bottle of water, grab my keys, and leave my flat.
On my way to the library, I like to stop at Pret and get a hot drink (the Popcorn Bar hot chocolate is my favourite). I like to change my study spots, but I love going to the Maughan library, which is the most beautiful library I have ever seen. I usually get there around 9:15 AM and start studying right away. I try to work from 9:15 AM to 12:30 and do one module per study session. So, for example, I do my American Literature lecture and the readings. After studying for a few hours, it is typically time for me to go to my seminar. After my seminar is done, I let myself have a lunch break. I usually have my lunch packed, so I like to eat outside in front of the library on one of the benches. I give myself half an hour to eat and then dedicate another half an hour to watch an episode of Young Sheldon, which I have been obsessed with lately. After my break, I work for a few more hours, from 2:30 PM to 4 PM, doing either assignments or a lecture from another module.
At 4 PM, I stop studying, pack my things and leave the library. Lately, the sun has been set pretty early, so when I get out of the library to go home, it is already dark outside. Because of this, I like to walk back through Somerset House which is lit up and decorated for Christmas. When I get back home, it is usually around 4:30 PM, so I eat a little snack, make myself some hot chocolate and grab the book I was reading in the morning. I end up reading for the rest of the evening, and then I make dinner around 7 PM and eat with my flatmates before going to sleep around 10:30 PM.