Keeping spirits high from Monday to Sunday

No two weeks at LSE are the same, but having a rough routine definitely helps me stay grounded. The basis of my schedule is shaped by lectures, classes, and catered meals (I live in Bankside House), but I always try my best to add some variety and fun to my week! 

Monday

I actually don’t have any lectures or classes on Monday, so the day is really up to me to shape. I usually catch up with a friend and explore somewhere local. Near Bankside, we’ve got Gail’s, LEON, and the Tate Modern just around the corner, so those are easy spots. My other favourites include the BFI lounge, the reading room in Tate Britain, or the big Waterstones in Marylebone.

That said, Mondays are also for spontaneity - I once ended up getting impromptu piercings thanks to a great 2-for-1 deal. No regrets!

Tuesday

My lectures are spaced out on Tuesday: one at 10am, one at 4pm. I usually spend the day on campus, either in the Library or the Centre Building. After the 4pm lecture, my friends and I often head to Tuns, the student bar, to unwind over some pints.

Tuesday nights are also popular for society events, so I might stick around to help run one for the PRIS team or check out an interesting talk or career panel. 

Wednesday

On Wednesday, my day starts early with a 9am class. After that, my classmates and I love to go to the Denning Learning Café in the SAW building for a meal deal and much-needed coffee. Around 1:15pm, I meet my lacrosse teammates at the Globe and we head to training at The Hub in Regent’s Park.

Once I’m back at Bankside, I’ll have just enough time to shower, have dinner, and get ready to head out for a Wednesday social with Lacrosse which often ends up in Sway (our standard club event). 

Thursday

I let myself sleep in a little before heading to campus for a block of lectures. Thursdays are my ‘catch-up’ days - ideal for finishing readings, discussing lecture ideas with friends in the library, or prepping for Friday classes. 

Evenings are usually cozy. I might curl up with some fiction books or watch a film. Very relaxing and much needed. 

Friday

Friday is easily my busiest day. I meet my classmate at Bankside Reception at 9:30am to walk to our 10am class, and from then on it’s lectures and classes until around 5 or 7pm (depending on the week).

It’s a marathon, so I try my best to squeeze in any coffee breaks and sunshine I can find. Once I’m back at Bankside, I grab dinner and then socialise either with a chilled pub night, walks around the city, or something fun like a Comedy Club, which are both great, budget-friendly ways to end the week.

Saturday

On Saturdays, Bankside offers brunch from 10:30am - 1:30pm, so I’ll spend some time chatting away with friends, or get a pastry and head out. Saturdays are perfect for exploring, and the best time to go on any excursions for the weekend or even just a day trip. One of my highlights was a visit to Hampton Court with the Heritage Society which was a breathtaking experience. Since there’s no catered dinner, I’ll either cook in the shared kitchen or find a good student-friendly meal deal nearby (apps like FirstTable and NeoTaste are lifesavers).

Sunday

Sundays are chill and perfect for exploring London’s markets. I love heading out to Peckham, Dalston, Shoreditch, Spitalfields, or Portobello Road to see what’s new. There’s always something new happening if you keep an eye on social media.

In the evening, I might cook or meal-prep lunches for the week. I always freeze a few for a rainy day. 

Final Thoughts

Life in halls has this great mix of structure and spontaneity. Between lectures and classes, societies, nights out, and London as a city, there is always something to do. The most important thing is to have your own rhythm and pretend like you’re living in a sitcom - it always works for me.