A day in my life at King’s: classes, coffee and commuting

Hi! I’m Ariadna, an MSc Neuroscience student at the IoPPN, based on the Denmark Hill Campus (with the occasional visit to Guy’s Campus).

Moving to London felt exciting and, honestly, a bit overwhelming at first. But over time, I’ve found my rhythm (and people). So, come along for a typical day in my life to see what a Postgraduate student’s life at King’s really looks like.

My days start early, around 7.00. I’m not naturally a morning person, so I keep things calm: a quick skincare routine and a coffee on the go.

I live a bit outside central London, which means… yes, the commute is real. But surprisingly, it became one of my favorite parts of the day. 

On the train, I usually read or do a bit of writing before class. It helps me to ‘lock in' and feel ready for the day. If you’re travelling into central London like me, Student Services Online has tips about discounts available on public transport.

I like arriving early at campus (today I’m on Guy’s campus) so I’ve got time to grab breakfast with friends who are early birds. It sounds simple, but those small routines really set the tone for the day.

Time to get to my lecture. I often find earlier lectures are a bit quieter, so there’s no problem getting a good seat today.

Between classes, you’ll find my friends and me outside having what we call our ‘girl gossip moments’, a mix of laughs, venting and just catching up. Then, it’s back to lectures.

Time for a break. At lunchtime, I usually bring food from home. London can get expensive, fast, so trust me and pack your lunch sometimes – your bank account will thank you.

But if you’re in a rush, a little tip from me: King’s Food is always my go-to choice to grab lunch when I can’t pack my own. It’s super good and significantly cheaper than anything outside campus. 

After eating, my friends and I hang out in the KCLSU lounge, which is honestly one of the best spots to relax. Sometimes it’s coffee and chatting, other times it’s a competitive round of pool or ping pong. Those moments helped me more than I expected, especially on days when I felt a bit lonely (which is completely normal, by the way).

On my course, workshops typically take place on Friday afternoons. I actually enjoy them so much. A workshop on a Neuroscience course is usually a discussion about current research, or getting advice on how to master our assignments. They’re much more interactive than lectures, so things get more relaxed and fun

By this point in the day, everyone’s a bit tired, so quick coffee runs are essential (here is when my innocent addiction starts to show).

After classes, the day shifts again. I’ll usually take a bus to my favourite Pilates studio. It’s my reset button. If you live far from central London, look for studios with showers, as it makes life so much easier before heading home.  Then it’s dinner, maybe a bit of work, and an early night.

Okay, maybe sometimes on a Friday, I switch the workout session for the morning and head to a pub or a new place to eat with friends. This way, I get to explore London and have fun getting to know my classmates. Balance and flexibility really are key.

It can seem like doing a master's full-time in London takes up your entire life. But it falls far from that. Usually, I’ll have about three ‘full on’ days a week. The rest are slower: studying at home or in the library with friends.

One true tip I would give as a conclusion is: keep yourself organised and stay informed. Then, the rest falls into place. Check out the Welcome to King’s app to find out everything to get you started like a pro. From campus tours to information about events and more!