From India to IKEA (and beyond!)

Welcome to First Year Diaries, our student blog series where we look back on the many different experiences of first year at Queen Mary. This entry was written by Aarushi, a Law student from Delhi, India.

The photos used do not represent the people in the stories.

How old were you when you started your first year at Queen Mary? 20

Had you ever been to university before? Yes

Arrival Day

Tell us a bit about your life growing up

I was born and brought up in Delhi. I’ve spent my entire childhood in the same city, which provided a lot of stability and a sense of community as I grew up. In school, I was an all-rounder; I was academically focused but equally involved in extracurricular activities. I was part of the school dance team, which taught me discipline, teamwork, and confidence in performing under pressure.

University was always part of my plan. I come from a family of lawyers, so the idea of pursuing law was ingrained in me from a young age. Being exposed early on to legal discussions and the impact of the profession made the path feel both familiar and purposeful. That background, combined with my interest, naturally led me to choose law at university.

How did it feel when you got to campus for the first time?

Stepping onto campus for the first time felt like the beginning of a completely new chapter. My cab was packed with suitcases and bags, and as my parents helped unload everything onto a trolley and walk me to my room, the reality of moving away from home really sank in. It was the first time I was going to live on my own, and that brought a mix of emotions.

I was excited to start this new journey and experience university life, but at the same time, I felt nervous about managing everything independently and a little sad about being away from my parents. There was also a strong sense of anticipation; I was eager to discover what this new phase would bring and who I would become through it.

Physically, I remember feeling restless and full of energy with so much excitement. Everything around me felt unfamiliar, yet the welcome from Queen Mary was incredibly warm, which helped ease my nerves.

Which hall of residence did you live in?

Maynard House

Did you start unpacking as soon as you got to the room?

Yes, I started unpacking almost immediately. I’ve always been a very organised person, and I knew that getting everything set up early would help me feel more settled once my parents left. Before unpacking, I made a short video of my room for memories.

After that, we unpacked together and arranged everything so the space felt comfortable and familiar. Having my parents there while I organised my room made it easier.

Tell us about meeting your first new flatmate

I met my first flatmate in the kitchen on my very first day. I was still taking everything in and trying to process the fact that I was actually living here now. She walked in, smiled, and very sweetly asked if she could give me a hug, which I wasn’t expecting at all, but it instantly made me feel at ease. It was such a small gesture, but in that moment, it meant a lot.

She was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and we ended up introducing not just ourselves but also our parents, who were still there helping us settle in. That interaction immediately took away a lot of the nervousness I had been feeling about living with new people. It was the first moment I genuinely felt that I might be able to feel at home here.

Looking back, that meeting set the tone for my initial days on campus. It reminded me how powerful simple kindness can be when everyone is starting from the same place.

What did you do in the evening?

In the afternoon, I went to one of the arrival events organised by Queen Mary: the IKEA trip. It was incredibly helpful because I was able to buy so many useful things I needed for my room on the very first day. It was a great way to know other people, and I ended up making some of my first university friends there.

In the evening, I went out with my parents to explore London and have a final dinner together before they flew back to India. London looked absolutely stunning, and it felt surreal to realise that this was now the city I would be living in. At the same time, there was a quiet nervousness in the back of my mind about them leaving and about being on my own for the first time.

That dinner is still one of my most special memories; it was a mix of excitement, gratitude, and a little sadness, but it marked the moment I truly began my independent life here.

How were you feeling when you went to sleep that night?

That night was the first time I had ever slept alone in a completely new place, which did feel a little scary at first. I remember double-checking that my door was locked and feeling a wave of sadness about my parents having left. It was a strange mix of quiet and unfamiliarity.

But on the other hand, I was completely exhausted from the day with all the moving, meeting new people, attending events, and exploring the city. So, I ended up having a really good night’s sleep. When I looked back on the day, it had gone far beyond my expectations. The university had given us such a warm welcome with several activities and events, which made the transition feel much easier.

My parents had helped me settle in properly, everything was organised, and I felt ready to start this new chapter. More than anything, I was excited about the journey ahead and the independence that came with it.

Freshers Week

Describe freshers week at Queen Mary in one word: FANTASTIC

What did you get up to?

During Freshers’ Week, I met so many new people that it honestly became impossible to remember everyone’s names and where they were from. Every day was filled with fairs, stalls, and events; I collected loads of free stuff, pamphlets, and information about university services, which actually helped me understand what support was available.

I went out a few times for nights out, which were really fun. I remember dancing with people I had only met hours earlier and already feeling part of a community. At the same time, I was quite mindful of my spending. Most of my meals were at Curve, so while I did go out occasionally, I wasn’t overspending.

One of the most special moments was having dinner with my flatmates and doing grocery shopping together, which helped us bond.

There were moments when I felt a bit homesick, especially in quieter periods, but the constant schedule of events and activities meant I was rarely alone for long. Overall, Freshers’ Week was an incredibly positive experience, busy, slightly overwhelming at times, but full of energy and new friendships.

How did you feel when the first day of classes was looming?

The first day of classes was something I was genuinely looking forward to. I had come to university to study law, so finally being in a lecture hall and engaging with the subject felt like the real beginning of my journey. It didn’t feel sudden at all, as by that point I had settled in.

The First Week of Classes

What was your very first class/lecture like?

My very first lecture did feel a little overwhelming at the start. It was a new subject, a completely different style of teaching, and there was a lot of information being introduced very quickly. The pace was faster than what I had been used to, and it took some adjustment to understand how much independent reading and preparation was expected.

However, it was overwhelming in a positive way. It challenged me and made me realise that learning at university required a deeper level of engagement. I remember going back to my room afterwards and revisiting my notes, looking up the cases that had been mentioned, and trying to understand the concepts more thoroughly.

Did you meet any memorable people in your classes?

One of the most memorable people I met in my classes was Anya. We realised quite early on that we were both from the same country, which immediately gave us common ground. In the middle of a new and unfamiliar academic environment, that shared background made conversations feel easier and more natural.

We first started talking during a lecture break. What began as a casual conversation turned into a genuine friendship. We had similar mindsets about studying, staying organised, and making the most of university, so we often compared notes after lectures and discussed difficult concepts together. Having someone who approached the course with the same level of focus was incredibly helpful.

One Year On…

How did your feelings about your classes change with time?

As the term progressed, classes definitely became more challenging. At the start, everything felt relatively manageable because we were being introduced to foundational concepts. But as we moved into more complex topics, the workload increased.

By now, I do think I’ve grown into the pace of the course. Law is meant to be demanding, and over time I’ve developed better study habits, improved my note-taking, and become more comfortable with reading cases and academic materials independently. What initially felt overwhelming now feels like a structured challenge.

I wouldn’t say I never need help, there are still topics that require extra time, discussion with classmates, or clarification from tutors, but now I feel much more confident in handling the difficulty than I did at the start.

On the whole, what was your first year at Queen Mary like?

Overall, my first year at Queen Mary felt like a rollercoaster: full of excitement, challenges, new experiences, and memories that I know will stay with me for a long time. It was definitely better than I had expected.

I not only grew academically but also learned a lot about myself outside the classroom. I got some wonderful friendships and got involved in extracurricular activities, which helped me develop skills beyond my degree. One of my favourite things to do was explore London, discovering new cafés, walking through different neighbourhoods, and slowly starting to feel at home in the city. I also learned some important life lessons. The biggest one was learning to enjoy my own company and becoming comfortable being independent, rather than relying on others all the time.

I also learned the importance of managing my time and energy; balancing academics, social life, and personal well-being is something you don’t fully understand until you experience it yourself. While I’m still close to many of the people I met in the first week, my circle has naturally evolved. I’ve formed new friends through classes, societies, and social events, which have made my university experience richer and more diverse. While looking back, my first year was a period full of growth and discovery. It really wasn’t perfect every day, but it was definitely rewarding.

If you had any advice for current or incoming first year students, what would it be?

My biggest piece of advice would be to attend as many events as you can, both on and off campus. It’s the most natural way to meet new people, build friendships, and feel part of the university community. Getting involved also helps you discover opportunities you might not have considered before, whether that’s a new society, a skill, or even a different area of interest that could shape your future career.

University gives you access to so many different activities and networks in one place, so making the most of them really broadens your horizons. At the same time, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to do everything at once. Find a balance, take care of your well-being, and allow yourself time to adjust.