Hello! I’m Remie, a third-year Psychology student from Thailand here at the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus. Balancing academic life, a part-time job, and a social calendar can be quite the juggling act, especially as an international student with a 20-hour paid work cap each week. In this blog, I’ll walk you through a typical week in my life, sharing insights into my course schedule, including lectures, seminars, and dissertation prep. I’ll also touch on my role as a content creator with the Guild’s marketing team and as a student content ambassador for the University. So, let’s dive into what a week looks like for me!
As a third-year psychology student, my weeks are filled with engaging and intensive seminars, with contact hours that vary depending on the module. Unlike earlier years, where lectures were more common, my days on campus now mostly involve interactive seminars that allow me to have deeper discussions with my classmates and get hands-on experience of applying the concepts we’ve learnt about. This year, my modules include Organisational and Workplace Psychology, Evolution of Life and Behaviour, and Statistics and Research Methods. I’m really enjoying each of these and the topics they cover —from understanding human behaviour in professional settings to examining how evolution is believed to have influenced our psychology.
As well as going to seminars, I also spend a lot of time in the week working on my dissertation, which is a qualitative interview study that explores the wellbeing of female university students who use dating apps. I’ve found doing this research really interesting, as I get to investigate a topic that is both academically relevant and relevant to student life around me! I spend a lot of time reading recent research papers, transcribing interview notes, and mapping out themes, and have regular check-ins with my supervisor who provides valuable feedback and guidance.
I follow a pretty structured routine each week, starting with a solid night’s sleep. I’m usually in bed by 9 p.m. and up at 6 a.m., which gives me time to head to the gym before diving into classes and other commitments. I like to keep my workouts varied, alternating between swimming and gym sessions at St Sidwell’s Point Gym. This routine keeps me energised, and I’ve found that starting my day with exercise not only boosts my mood but also helps me stay focused and motivated throughout the day.
In addition to my studies, I work part-time with the Student Guild’s marketing team as a content creator. This role allows me to get creative, from planning social media posts to editing videos from recent events, and even filming promotional clips for campaigns. It’s a great way to connect with the Exeter community, showcase all the exciting things that happen on campus, and practice my skills in digital storytelling—a perfect balance to my academic work. I also take on ad-hoc shifts with the Students Guild when I have time, which adds some variety to my week and lets me dive into new projects or events as they come up. A few examples of these shifts are Flatmate Finder sessions, movie nights and open days for prospective students.
Last year, I was actively involved in several societies, including the Multicultural Society, which kept me busy and helped me meet lots of new people. This year, I’ve chosen to be more flexible. Rather than committing to any particular society, I attend events as they come up, like the South Asian Society’s potluck last month, where I met new friends and enjoyed delicious homemade dishes.
Some dishes included a Chicken Biryani, Samosas and loads of Indian desserts! At Exeter, we have over 300 societies, so there’s always something going on, which is perfect for trying new things without a fixed commitment. These gatherings create a welcoming space to socialise and unwind, making student life at Exeter feel even more like home.
Here’s a snapshot of my week: a structured, time-blocked plan that helps me balance my Psychology studies, part-time work, gym sessions, and downtime. Between morning workouts, dissertation research, content creation, and catching up with friends, each block of time serves a purpose. This approach keeps me organised and lets me make the most of each day—whether I’m focusing on productivity, socialising, or simply taking time to recharge.
Monday
- 06:30-07:30 am: Morning swim
- 07:30-08:30 am: Shower + breakfast
- 09:00-12:00 pm: Studying on campus
- 12:00 pm: Lunch with friends on campus
- 13:00-15:00 pm: Dissertation meeting with my supervisor
- 15:30-16:30 pm: Workplace and Organisational Psychology lecture
- 17:00+ pm: Dinner with flatmates at home + wind down time before bed
Tuesday
- 07:00-08:00 am: Morning gym
- 09:00 am: Studying on campus
- 13:00-17:00 pm: Guild Student Content creator shift in the office
- 18:00+ pm: Dinner party with friends
Wednesday
- 06:30-07:30 am: Morning swim
- 07:30-08:30 am: Shower + breakfast
- 09:30-11:30 am: Workplace and Organisational Psychology seminar
- Afternoon: Cleaning my room and running errands in town
- 18:00+ pm: Dinner plans with friends
Thursday
- 07:00-08:00 am: Morning gym
- 09:00+ am: Studying on campus
- 14:30-15:30 pm: Statistics group work session
- 17:30-21:30 pm: Guild movie night shift
Friday
- 06:30-07:30 am: Morning swim
- 07:30-08:30 am: Shower + breakfast
- 09:30-12:30 pm: Evolution of life behaviour seminar
- 13:00-15:00 pm: Lunch + hangout with friends on campus
- 15:30-16:30 pm: Statistics and Research methods lecture
- Friday evening: Night out with friends
Saturday
Saturdays are usually my more relaxed day of the week: I don’t stick to a strict schedule but still aim to get plenty of studying done and spend time catching up with friends. Realistically, though, Saturday mornings might start a bit slower, especially if Friday night involves a fun night out with friends. Sometimes, that means starting the day with a good breakfast or a coffee to recover and recharge, letting myself ease into the weekend at my own pace.
While I try to keep the day productive, I give myself permission to take things slower. I might spend a couple of hours in the library or at a cafe, catching up on readings or working on an assignment. But I’m careful not to overcommit, Saturday is a chance to unwind from the week’s structure, let my mind reset, and enjoy a more flexible pace. By the afternoon, I’m usually meeting up with friends, whether it’s for a relaxed brunch, a walk around campus, or just a chat to reconnect. This slower, more flexible approach on Saturdays helps me recharge so I can jump back into the week ahead feeling refreshed.
Sunday
Sunday is my big reset day: a time to wind down, get organised, and prepare for the week ahead. I start the day by catching up with my parents and friends back home, which always lifts my spirits and gives me a sense of connection. These chats are a comforting part of my Sunday, helping me feel grounded and ready to tackle whatever the week might bring.
Afterwards, I get into full reset mode: deep cleaning my room, doing laundry, and tidying up my space. There’s something so satisfying about starting the week with everything fresh and in order. I’ll also make a list of anything I need to restock, and by the afternoon, I’m off to do my grocery shopping. This little routine of planning out meals and grabbing essentials keeps me organised and ready to take on a busy week without having to scramble for supplies mid-week. Sunday is also my time for a bit of self-care, whether it’s setting aside an hour to watch Netflix, doing a face mask, or even just cooking up a cosy dinner that I can prepare for the rest of the week. By evening, I’ll sit down with my planner, go over the week’s schedule, and jot down any important tasks or goals. This weekly reset helps me go into Monday feeling refreshed, organised, and ready to make the most of the week.
My weeks are definitely busy, but I make it a priority to relax whenever possible to avoid burnout while still making the most of all Exeter has to offer. You’ll often find me in the Washington Singer building, home to the Psychology department. This space has become my go-to spot for classes, group discussions, and catching up on coursework between seminars. There’s a comfort in having a dedicated place that feels like my academic “home base,” where I can focus, grab a coffee, and catch up with classmates between sessions.
When it comes to studying, I love heading to the Law Library. The large windows let in so much natural light, especially on sunny days, and it’s such a calming environment to dive into my reading. Sitting by the windows gives me a refreshing dose of sunlight, which really keeps my energy up and boosts my productivity. Even on my busiest days, that light and atmosphere make the long study hours feel more enjoyable.
Of course, every week has its own unique rhythm, and this outline just captures a general flow of how I structure my time. Staying open to changes and mixing up my routine from time to time keeps things interesting and helps me avoid feeling overwhelmed. I’ve found that planning in advance is one of the best life hacks for managing a busy schedule, whether it’s setting out my to-do list for the day or mapping out my goals for the week. Naturally, contact hours and lecture times shift from term to term and module to module, so my schedule stays flexible enough to adapt as things change over the academic year.
I hope this gives you a glimpse into my life here at Exeter! Balancing studies, part-time work, and social life is definitely a juggling act, but it’s all part of the student experience, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Whether you’re looking for inspiration on how to organise your own week or just curious about life as an international Psychology student, I’m glad to share what makes my time here both productive and meaningful. Thanks for following along!