A day in the life of a final year Psychology student

Hey there! I’m currently in my final year studying BSc Psychology. Outside of classes, I work as a tutor and spend way too much time organising my life in my Notes app! I wanted to give you a real snapshot of my day—no lectures on this particular day, but still a busy one filled with studying, meetings, and a bit of life in between.

Spoiler: every day looks a little different, and that’s one of the best parts.

Morning 🌅

I woke up at 8am - early enough to feel accomplished! From there, it’s the usual: breakfast, shower, and getting ready for the day. I left home around 9:40 to catch the 9:51 train. Uni isn’t too far, just a quick switch, and I’m usually there by 10:25am. Pro tip: if you are commuting, trains are a great place to catch up on readings or podcasts (or just zone out for a bit). It’s also very handy to have a train station on campus! I listened to music and organised my day using the Notes app on my phone – I’d be lost without it! By 10:30, it’s straight to the library (at this time it’s also convenient to find a seat haha 😊). I used this quiet time to work on my dissertation. Whether it’s essays, research, or just trying to stay ahead, these couple of hours are golden. Breaking it into manageable chunks keeps it from feeling overwhelming.

Afternoon and Lunch

I stayed in the library until 12:30pm. I find switching up study spots helps me stay focused, so I never spend too long in one place. For lunch, sometimes it’s a quick bite in the library café or grabbing something from Spar, other times it’s a packed lunch with friends if we’re all free. If not, it’s a good opportunity for a solo recharge. Today, I got a meal deal from the nearby Tesco, quickly ate and made to the other side of campus for my dissertation meeting just in time! Once a week, I meet with my dissertation supervisor and group from 2 to 3pm. We discuss our progress, get feedback, and help each other stay on track. After the meeting, I stayed on campus for another hour. It’s a good window to cross off admin tasks (emails, forms, etc.) and make any changes to my dissertation while the feedback’s fresh. Around 4pm, I wrapped things up and head home. Commuting gives me a chance to decompress, especially after a full-on day (though some days have been longer!) Once I’m home around just before 5pm, it’s time to unwind a bit – chill, cook and have dinner.

Evening and Part-Time Work

From 7 to 8pm, I delivered a tutoring lesson to one of my A-level Psychology students. It’s one of my favorite parts of the day. It’s great having an income from doing something you love, and gives me a slight break from uni work too. If you're thinking of taking on part-time work during uni, I 100% recommend — it boosts your CV and gives you financial breathing room, and it's completely manageable with the right balance.

After tutoring, the evening’s mine. I bought tickets for the Psychology Ball, an annual event organised by the Psychology Society, which I’m looking forward to! I then scrolled on my phone (for longer than I should), and planned out the next day. Sometimes I’m super productive; other days, it's straight to bed—and that’s okay too.

Final Thoughts for Future Students:

Uni isn’t just about attending lectures and hitting deadlines. It’s about building a lifestyle that works for you. Every student’s routine is different, and that’s the beauty of it. Some days will be busier than others, but once you find your rhythm, it becomes manageable (and even enjoyable). You might even enjoy those 10am library sessions!

If you’re thinking about studying Psychology, I can honestly say it’s been an amazing experience. The range of topics, and the supportive academic environment have made it a degree I’ve loved studying. And beyond academics, uni is also about growth, friendships, and finding what works for you.

So, don’t worry if your days don’t look like anyone else’s. That’s kind of the point!