A Week in the Life of a Student Studying English Language and English Literature

• Author: Katherine Moore Osorio, English Language and English Literature BA, School of Humanities and Social Science

Hello everyone! 

I’m here to give you an idea of a typical week for me as an undergraduate English Language and Literature student. 

A bit about me!

I’m an international, mature student at the University of Brighton and I’m about to start the final year of my course! 

Starting University, be that straight from high school or after many years of completing your AS Levels (like me), can be a huge change and it’s sometimes hard to know what to expect. Coming to university in your 30s after having lived and worked is a very different and unique experience that has its challenges but also many benefits. 

I’m originally from Venezuela, I came to the UK at 15 years old and completed my AS Levels before leaving the country. I lived in Colombia for a few years, where I worked as an English teacher and even ran a team of teachers and tutors at a leading English Academy. But there was still something missing, I always wanted to attend university and get a degree in English Language and Literature, a subject I thoroughly enjoyed in my AS Levels. After some hard work and lots of research, I found the right university. The University of Brighton was the right fit for me because it offered me learning tailored to my interests, taught by experienced lecturers. The course content and modules are interesting, modern and dynamic. 

At the University of Brighton, the weeks vary extensively depending on the course you are on; however, they will typically start at 9 am and can run until 6 pm at the latest. The variation in course schedules provides time for catching up on assigned and extra readings, socialising, and exploring Brighton, providing an ideal study/work-life balance! 

Monday | An easy day: time for reading and preparation 

My week starts with a lecture in the newly refurbished Mithras House, where modern, spacious and comfortable classrooms are used to contextualise the content from lectures and seminars.  

After my morning lecture, I take time off for lunch. All buildings on campus offer a space for a café or even a canteen in bigger buildings, where there’s a great variety of food from pastries to hot meals and plenty of space to sit and relax with classmates. I usually bring a packed lunch as microwaves are available for students and staff and it’s a great way to save some money! 

After a much-needed energising break, I take time to catch up on the week’s readings and prepare for seminars as there is only one timetabled lecture. Finally, it is home time. Once there, I read one more chapter in preparation for the next day and then relax!

Tuesday | One module: back-to-back 

Tuesday is one of my longer days where I have a lecture followed by a seminar for one of my modules. There is a break in between that gives me time to go over my notes from the lecture, prepare any other questions and, of course, eat!! 

Lectures are face-to-face sessions, done on campus, and come with PowerPoint slides available beforehand and readings that I must prepare before attending.  

Seminars are the space for students to clarify any doubts and discuss the topics presented in the lecture. They are usually small depending on the course and, most importantly, very student-centred.  

I relish the opportunity to bounce off ideas with my classmates and lecturers, it is incredibly useful in preparing for my assessments. 

Wednesday | Day off… Kind of!

This changes every semester, but I don’t have any scheduled classes on Wednesdays. Although it may seem like a day off, it’s a welcome break where I can sleep in a little bit and do the rest of the week’s reading calmly from the comfort of my flat.  

During, the assessment preparation period, this is the day I prefer to schedule tutorials and dedicate time to essay writing.  

This is also a day to work on some TLC and attend events hosted by either the University or the Students’ Union.  

Thursday | Tuesday copy and paste

Thursdays are like Tuesdays; a similar routine but with a different module and classes in a new building, which is a nice change and mixes things up! 

I like to keep busy, so this is also a day I dedicate a few hours to working with the Students’ Union as the Student Voice Assistant. 

My role is very interesting as it gives me an insight into the Students’ Union and the work they do to make students’ lives better. I help in updating the databases for Course Reps and answer their queries. Every now and then, I also get to help the officers in other tasks and events that the Students’ Union organises.  

I also represent my School, the School of Humanities and Social Science as a Super Course Rep, which means I attend the SESEC meeting twice a year. This is an important meeting where members of the school, students and Students’ Union representatives work together to ensure students’ voices are heard to guarantee the best experience possible during their time at university. 

Friday | Longest day of the week 

Fridays are the longest day of the week for me as I have three learning sessions spread throughout the day. I start with a 9am lecture, followed by another lecture for a different module and then have a four-hour break before my last seminar in the afternoon. During this long break, I like to book a private study space in the library. I use this time to review my notes and prepare for the last session of the day. I also catch up on my current reading and prepare the reading for the following week, I do this by downloading material, looking up books I need to check out of the library and making copies if necessary, so I have everything ready before the weekend! 

An Undergrad in your 30s 

This week is just a sample and though there are a lot of contact hours, the range of different types of teaching helps contextualise all the learning. Some days do run from 9-6, like a workday, however, time off is equally essential, and doing activities in social groups, clubs and societies for your physical and mental health is always facilitated and promoted by the University. 

I was nervous about joining university at this stage in my life, but I was pleasantly surprised to find so many other mature students in their 30s. This gave me a boost of confidence and provided me with a group of friends who understood exactly how I felt on this journey. I’m so happy I came to the University of Brighton to follow my dreams, here I have found support and experience and it has given me the confidence to know I will excel in my studies in my final year at the university!