Wondering what life is like as a uni student in London? In this blog, Student Ambassador Olivia gives insight into a typical day at St Mary's University.
When I first came to university, I expected my weekdays to be full of only studying. You know, an endless cycle of lectures, reading, and coursework. I quickly found that this is far from the case at St Mary’s University. With a vibrant campus life and lively local areas, there's always something to do. Even on lecture days!
If you've ever wondered what life is like as a uni student in London, here's what a typical day looks like for me as a Creative Writing student at St Mary's.
Morning in the halls: living on campus
Whenever I have a morning lecture, I like to wake up on the earlier side – usually around 7am – although this isn’t necessary as my on-campus is a short walk away from the lecture hall. Waking up early gives me the chance to have a slow morning!
I live in one of the . These halls are renovated Victorian homes with single and double rooms and shared bathroom facilities. The houses are beautiful, and I absolutely love the cosy, home-like feel and layout.
I have a single room, with a bed, desk and chair, wardrobe, dresser, noticeboard, and a sink. I made sure to bring photos from home to decorate the board with, and this is something I love to wake up to each morning. I really tried to make the space my own and somewhere that I enjoy spending time.
I typically make my own breakfast every day. All halls have a communal kitchenette that has microwaves, kettles, a toaster, and mini fridge. I often bump into my housemates here, where we chat and share stories. That's one of the benefits of living in the halls – you meet people, most often outside of your course as soon as you move in.
After breakfast, I pack my bag, and with about 10 minutes to the lecture, I walk to the classroom. The Waldegrave Houses sit right on the edge of campus, providing easy access to the heart of the university while also being a quiet get-away from campus life.
AM lectures: academic life at SMU
As a student, I have three classes a week. They're generally three hours each and consist of both a traditional lecture and a seminar. I love this structure because we get to learn material and immediately build on it through discussion during the seminar.
Most of my lecturers also take advantage of the London location, frequently taking us on field trips to museums. I always enjoy getting to experience what we are learning first-hand!
Though this schedule format is common for courses in the Liberal Arts department, schedules in other departments and years vary.
One of my friends studies , and she also has class three times a week. Her classes, however, are split into two different sessions, lectures and seminars, with a formal break in between.
Your schedule is available to view in your student calendar at the start of each semester.
Lunch in the Ref: dining at SMU
After our lecture ends, my friends and I head to the (Ref), the campus dining hall, for lunch.
The Ref is open for breakfast (8-10am), lunch (12-2pm), and dinner (5-7pm) from Monday to Friday.
On weekends, it's open for brunch (11am-1pm) and dinner (4.30-6.30pm).
All students who live in halls have a meal plan included in their rent. The meal plan works via a points system, meaning each day you are allocated a certain number of points to use in the Ref.
- Monday-Friday: 10 points per day
- Saturday & Sunday: 14 points per day
Just this year, they also added the option to access a week’s worth of points (78 points) at the start of the week. This meal plan option works better for my schedule. If I miss a day on campus, I can use those points another day.
I find the Ref a reliable and accessible place for meals. They always have a rotating hot-food menu, a salad bar, sandwiches and paninis, hot and cold drinks, and dessert. Having a meal plan has alleviated the stress, time, and money for cooking meals and buying groceries. Instead, I get to focus more on my studies and social life.
I love sitting down for a meal with my friends. One of the beauties of SMU’s small student population is that there really is a tight-knit community. I rarely step into the Ref without bumping into a friend or classmate. These interactions really make me feel at home.
Afternoon: independent study time
After lunch, I make some time to get a head start on coursework or catch up on some reading.
Each week, my lecturers post a reading list on Moodle, the online learning platform at SMU, for students to gain background information before the lecture. This generally takes a couple of hours to complete for each class, so I try to start it early.
I most often study in the . With social spaces and quiet areas, a plethora of books and resources, and study rooms you can book, it's the perfect place to do your coursework. The library team offers a Student Hub during term time to help with things like citations and research, as well as to signpost you to other .
If I need a change of scenery, the Dolce Vita café is another great place to study. This on-campus café is not included in your meal plan, but they do have tasty drinks and treats to choose from. During exam season, I end up treating myself to one too many iced lattes.
Also during exam season, or whenever I need some extra help with my studies, I book meetings with my This might be one of your lecturers or another member of academic staff. I most often see my tutor for advice on assignments, but they can help you with anything relevant to your time at university.
Afternoon: exploring the local areas
Morning lectures are my favourite, because it means I still have the whole afternoon to go out and have fun.
St Mary’s University is located in the middle of four vibrant towns:
- Twickenham – a hotspot for local culture, history, and scenic walks.
- Teddington – home to a variety of independent cafés, charity shops, and restaurants.
- Kingston – a 25-minute bus ride away with arcades, cinemas, and a strong shopping scene.
- Richmond – a 25-minute bus ride away where you can walk along the Thames River, stroll through Richmond Park, or do some shopping either at well-known or independent stores. Richmond is also the last stop on the District Line, giving you easy access to the London Underground.
At St Mary’s all these places are right on your doorstep – there really is always something to do!
Teddington is my personal favourite because my friends and I love to go thrifting. There is also a great record store/café, that sells new and used vinyl and serves coffee.
After an afternoon off campus, I usually come back for dinner in the Ref to save money instead of eating out. Dinner is when I get to catch up with friends from other courses, as we don’t get to see each other during the school day.
Evening: St Mary’s societies and clubs
Many meet in the evenings during the school week. Between competitive sports clubs and cultural, academic, or interest-based societies, there is something for every student. And if by chance there isn’t, you can start your own society.
I am a committee member of the Humanities and Liberal Arts society. We host events on campus, attend shows at local theatres, and visit museums in London. This society has been a great way to meet likeminded people while pursuing my interests.
Wrapping up a day at St Mary’s
Eventually, the time comes for me to return to my accommodation for the night. Living in the halls has been my first time living alone, so it's the perfect place to develop my own habits. One thing I have gotten in the routine of doing is making peppermint tea with the hall's kettle before bed each night. You learn a lot about yourself living on your own, and it can be the first time where you have full control over your day-to-day.
That said, your time at St Mary’s is what you make it. Whether you want a cosy day in your accommodation, a busy day with societies and sports clubs, or maybe a day out in the local area, there is so much to choose from.
Student life at St Mary's
If Olivia's day has given you a feel for life as a uni student in London at St Mary's, there's plenty more to discover before you apply. Browse our , take a of campus, or come and see it for yourself at one of our . With a Gold-rated student experience (Teaching Excellence Framework, 2023) and a close-knit community right in the heart of London, there's no better place to find your people – and your path.