University life often moves quickly, and it’s easy to overlook the moments that shape you along the way. This blog offers a small snapshot of a week in my life as a Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) student, from lectures to conversations to the experiences that all blend together to help build my confidence and future career.

Monday

There are days at university when I really feel like I am Rory Gilmore, and they are always Mondays. You’ll find me in the library, camped out with buckets full of coffee, a sweet Danish from Costa (so the closest alternative is a brownie), and my laptop open just enough to look productive. My spot of choice? Around Norma the tree, because, well, if you’re going to study, you may as well romanticise it.

It's usually in these moments, fueled by caffeine and academic optimism, that I think back to how I imagined university when I was 18, and how surreal it feels to actually be living it now, let alone be halfway through my Master’s degree. As Rory Gilmore puts it, “I live in two worlds; one of which is in books.” Some days that’s marketing textbooks and journal articles, other days I immerse myself in rom-com novels. The best advice I can give is to strike an equilibrium between fiction and non-fiction. One expands your knowledge to help you outsmart your lecturers; the other opens your mind with beautiful, descriptive language that somehow makes its way into your essays – even if no one’s entirely sure what it means.

Tuesday

Tuesday quickly became one of those days that reminded me university is about far more than lectures and deadlines. Between seminars and conversations with Entrepreneurs in Residence, I was able to gain real insight into the world beyond books.

Having the rare opportunity to speak with people who have built their own businesses was incredibly valuable. It felt as if, suddenly, career paths felt less abstract and much more achievable. These conversations helped me sharpen my skills, ask better (and braver) questions, and start viewing myself as not just a student, but as a future marketer with my own unique skills.

Hearing honest reflections about successes, failures, and the non-linear nature of careers was oddly reassuring and, by the end of the day, I felt more confident in the direction I’m heading. It’s like LinkedIn, but fewer buzzwords, far more honesty and much better coffee. Moments like these are reminders to us students that professional growth doesn’t always happen behind a laptop. This was 100% a Tuesday canon event.

Wednesday

By midweek, my brain is itching for a reset. So, what better way to do so than to head into town and find a cute coffee shop, sip on matcha, and convince myself that changing location will magically unlock creativity (spoiler: it does).

I also headed to a yoga session in the evening at Sports Lancaster, because balance is important, and so is pretending you have your life together. Everything was sunshine and rainbows… until Pilates entered the chat. Who knew something that looks so peaceful could be so humbling?

Overall, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the session, I left feeling relaxed, refreshed and grateful for Sports Lancaster making wellbeing so accessible alongside academic life.

Thursday

When my eyes start to feel a little square from all the screen time, I swap spreadsheets for something far more grounding and volunteer at Lancaster’s local animal rescue, Animal Care. Spending time with rescue dogs, playing fetch and teaching old dogs new tricks, and most of all watching their tails wag is pure joy.

It’s the perfect reminder to live in the present, rather than overanalysing past exams or future deadlines. Consider this your sign to pause, watch the trees sway in the wind, and listen to the birds sing amidst the morning light. Rory would approve.

Friday

Friday consists of my new favourite module, Digital and Social Media Marketing, led by module director Mike Ryder. From learning about advanced digital tools used to monitor and analyse online campaigns to diving into our assignment brief on building our own website portfolios.

Learning how to market ourselves has been exciting. It’s made me think more intentionally about my personal brand and how I want to present myself in the digital world. Friday lectures have quickly become the best way to end the week, blending creativity and strategy in the best way.

By the end of the week, I’m reminded that no two days at LUMS are ever the same. Between lectures and downtime, this week was a perfect snapshot of student life: busy, rewarding and always with a sprinkle of creativity.

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Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by our bloggers and those providing comments are personal, and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lancaster University. Responsibility for the accuracy of any of the information contained within blog posts belongs to the blogger.