An Indian student living in London

Moving to the UK for my Master’s degree was one of the challenging and exciting decisions I have ever made. I have not only explored the city to my heart’s desire, but also had the chance to interact with some amazing people from different parts of the world and my own country.

This has also allowed me to learn a great deal more about myself. One of the more difficult things I had to learn to do was to form a routine that helps me be productive and make the most of my time in London.

In this blog, I will take you through a busy yet balanced day in the life of an international student studying at LSE...

My day in the life

I usually wake up by 9:00 AM to give myself enough time to rest as well as get things done in the first half of the day. I open my curtains to let in some light, and this has been particularly nice as London has been much sunnier lately. 

I make myself some breakfast, usually something light like an energy bar or sometimes just chai (Indian milk tea), as I am not much of a breakfast person. Alternatively, when I feel hungrier, I prefer making a proper breakfast, such as a sandwich, and grabbing a coffee on the way to the LSE library. 

Living in student accommodation has made my life much easier. My student accommodation, Lilian Knowles House, is very well connected to the bus and tube stations, so it's just a 5-minute walk to get to the bus stop to board my bus for LSE.

Public transport in the UK is pretty reliable, and it is very affordable to take. It usually takes me around 35 minutes to reach LSE, and the ride is always very comfortable at around 11 AM or so. You can also spot popular London monuments on the way, such as the Royal Courts of Justice and the Bank of England.

I usually pop in my headphones and listen to music, and enjoy the ride through sunny London. At other times, I am accompanied by my lovely friends from my accommodation, and we discuss our plan for the day or discuss day-to-day happenings around the world. 

My go-to daily ritual is grabbing an iced coffee from LEON — it’s the perfect caffeine pick-me-up before I dive into a long study session. On days when I’m in the mood for something sweeter, I switch things up with a cold chocolate; it adds a little fun to my routine and always lifts my mood.

Right now, I’m deep into submission season, which means I spend most of my university time at the library. The vibe is just right, as everyone is studying too, and that gives me enough motivation to make it easier to focus.

Though this also means I have to really struggle to find a good spot in the library, especially with everyone preferring to sit near the window. But with a little bit of exploring, I usually am able to locate the perfect spot for studying while also basking in the sun. 

This particular day, I was structuring my essay for my Social Policy class while also finding literature resources to support my arguments. Between researching and typing, I usually snack on fruit, stretch, or, on very sleepy occasions, take a short walk, and get a coffee.

Lunch is usually spent with friends. Sometimes we eat at Wright’s Bar, one of the more affordable food spots at LSE, but mostly I prefer packing my lunch from home. Talking about everything from assignments to what we miss from home helps us all give ourselves a breather from hectic days and also feel a little less homesick.

After finishing the things on my to-do list, at around 5 or 6 PM, I have recently become fond of trying to find newer green spaces around the LSE campus, as well as around my accommodation. A master’s programme goes by so fast that it is very difficult to find time to explore places, even if they are right next to you.

However, this particular day, I decided to explore Lincoln’s Inn, one of the four Inns of Court (professional associations for barristers and judges) in London. It is right behind LSE, and yet, I had never gone inside. It was extremely pretty, complete with the sky turning into a gorgeous orange-pink hue, which complemented the red brick buildings of Lincoln’s Inn.

Near Lilian Knowles, my new favourite hidden spot is Elder Gardens, a small garden tucked away behind Spitalfields Market, which is perfect for a quick way to be out in nature or hang out with friends. The best part – it’s only a 2-minute walk from home!

Walking instantly makes me feel so much more happier and alive after hours of studying, and hence I usually end up walking back home too. It takes me 45 minutes to get back to Lilian Knowles House, and I get to see all the monuments up close.

St. Paul’s Church is my favourite, and also one can people watch extensively, whether it be locals or tourists. These moments remind me how exciting it is to live in a place like London, where history meets the modern world. I also sometimes call home and talk to my family or friends, just to catch up on what they are doing as well.

After coming back, I usually either buy groceries or cook with a friend. This not only encourages me to eat healthier but also helps save money on eating outside. On this particular day, we ended up making pav bhaji, an Indian spicy mashed potato dish eaten with bread (find the recipe here!), along with some cupcakes from a nearby bakery!

We usually watch a movie or a show before sleeping, or at times, I also do these things alone. I also love having a quick hot shower before bed, as it helps me regulate myself and relax my body. Before I hit the bed, I try to plan the next day using sticky notes or to-do lists, so that I mentally have sorted out the next day! 

Being an international student isn’t always easy. There are moments of homesickness, cultural confusion, and academic pressure. But it’s also incredibly rewarding.

You will not regret a single moment of planning, as well as enjoying, and my advice is to fully embrace the experience as well as the new version of yourself you get introduced to. With the right people and the right mindset, you can make yourself a happy second home in a challenging place like the UK. You’ll find a new chosen family you will be eager to make your schedules around, and with every step you take for your future self, you’ll learn something new.

Say yes to new things, be patient with yourself, and create a routine that feels right for you. Because one day, this strange new place you thought was scary will turn into the perfect home for you ❤️

By Hritvi Acharya, resident at Lilian Knowles House.