Hey, I’m Lauren. I’m a UK student currently studying MA Graphic Design and Visualisation. I know, little me can’t believe it either!

As a student balancing studying, working and of course partying, sounds tricky. That’s why I am going to give you a little insight into my tips and tricks of not just surviving university but having the best time while you study here at Loughborough!

Firstly, if you are fresh out of graduating from your degree, I just want to say congratulations! You made the right call joining Loughborough for your masters, I am sure you are going to have the best time. Remember, your time at university is more than just studying, it’s about becoming who you want to be. This, for some, can feel a little daunting but trust me, it is a lot of fun. You’re not on your own. You’re making these first steps into adulthood with course mates, flat mates and anyone else you meet on the way.

If you find yourself a little lost and struggling to meet new people, we have a whole bunch of exciting societies and clubs to get involved with – from anime and creative writing to fighting robots and hiking – many of my friends were made this way.

My course

I chose to pursue a master’s degree after deciding to combine my previous degree in production design with graphics, and I quickly learnt that there was such a wide range of creative backgrounds in my class. I didn’t study my undergraduate degree at Loughborough, so I was a little worried about fitting in. However, I have never met such a positive, welcoming and inspiring group of people.

My first little bit of advice is the more ‘you’ you are, the better your journey will be. The University staff, specifically School of Design and Creative Arts (SDCA) staff, are always here to help and encourage you to be yourself! As a university, Loughborough has the most incredible opportunities so make use of them!

As an SDCA student, I can safely say there is so much to get involved with, from competitions like Christmas card designs, collaborations with the wider community and exciting trips to places like the London Design Museum and the Birmingham Design Festival. With these opportunities comes networking, which can be crucial when looking for work experience or post graduate jobs.

If you choose to work while studying

As a student who has a part-time job as well as a heavy workload for my course, I encourage you to make sure you are transparent with your employer about how often you are available for shifts. At the end of the day, you are here to study, so your priority must be that, and every reasonable employer understands this. I know first-hand that sometimes, working is needed for being able to afford essentials (and having fun). However, not giving yourself any time to relax can lead to burn out. The University recommends working no more than 15 hours a week. Hospitality, if you can deal with late nights, is a good option, as many contracts are flexible and zero-hours.

However, if you find yourself struggling to balance things, our wellbeing team and learning staff are fantastic at giving advice and help.

Now, onto the fun bit

With studying hard, comes partying hard. It is important to let your hair down occasionally, especially when you have just handed in your assignments! I fully recommend a night out at the Student’s Union (SU) – Wednesday nights are Hey Ewe. I’m not much of a clubber but as soon as Love Story starts, I am on that dance floor.

If you prefer quieter events, we have quiz nights at JC’s, craft events like sip and paints, as well as many others to keep an eye out for those. Don’t forget about the local town which includes a cinema, lots of cosy pubs with the Organ Grinder offering board game nights, and surrounding open spaces like Queens Park or Beacon Hill, where you can find highland cows and lovely picnic spaces. If you enjoy day trips, Loughborough is only ten minutes away from Leicester, where you can find the Space Centre, or thirty minutes away from Nottingham, where you can find every shop under the sun.

Finally, remember, your time at university will fly by! Studying is important of course, but university is more than that. It’s about having fun, it’s about becoming independent, and it’s about becoming who you want to be. So, go out there, take every opportunity and go and experience the start of this exciting chapter. I’m nearly at the end of my time here at Loughborough but I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.