From India to London 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 Suryansh, an astrophysics student studying his Masters degree.

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

How old were you when you started your first year at Queen Mary? 21

Had you ever been to university before? Yes, I did my undergraduate in India

Arrival Day

Tell us a bit about your life growing up

I was born and raised in India, frequently changing schools due to my father's transferable job. Over the course of my schooling I attended seven different schools, which made it difficult to form long-term friendships. I was never particularly active in extracurricular activities and found the school environment restrictive. Sitting in the same classroom for six to seven hours a day felt confining, and I never truly enjoyed it.

University, on the other hand, was a completely different experience—one that felt liberating. I still remember the sense of amazement in my first year when I realized I could step out of a class if needed. Of course, I’m not advocating skipping lectures, but for someone who struggled with rigid structures, this newfound flexibility was refreshing. I had always wanted to go to university, but I was never certain where I wanted to end up. Now, looking back, I truly appreciate the freedom and opportunities it has given me.

What was it like to say goodbye to your parents?

Leaving home was a mix of emotions, exciting yet bittersweet. My parents were, of course, proud and happy that I was taking the next step in my academic journey, but there was also a lingering sadness, especially because I was going so far away.

There wasn’t a grand send-off, but the moment was meaningful in its own way. At the airport my mom held back her tears, though I could tell she was emotional. My dad, being the more composed one, focused on practical advice, reminding me to stay disciplined, take care of my health, and make the most of the opportunity. My mom, on the other hand, kept reminding me to eat properly and not skip meals, as if I’d forget the concept of food once I left home!

Despite the emotions, there was also a sense of reassurance. They knew I was stepping into something I had worked hard for, and I knew that no matter where I was, home would always be just a call away.

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

I just came with two suitcases due to the luggage restrictions on my flight. Instead of taking a cab from the airport, I took the train straight to the nearest station to my hotel, where I was staying until I could move into my university accommodation. It felt like a practical choice, cheaper and a bit of an adventure navigating public transport in a new city right from the start.

Which hall of residence did you live in?

Aspire Point

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

I don’t have many things in my room. I remember people coming in and saying it looked exactly the same as when Aspire Management handed it over to us. I didn’t rush to unpack because, honestly, there wasn’t much to unpack in the first place. I like keeping things minimal, so my room has always been pretty simple, just the essentials.

Tell us about meeting your first new flatmate

The first flatmate I met was quite reserved. We exchanged a few polite words, but I could tell they weren’t the chatty type. It wasn’t an awkward encounter, but it also didn’t give me the instant feeling that we’d become close friends. At that moment, I did wonder whether my university experience might feel a bit isolating if all my flatmates were like this.

Over time, though, I realised that friendships at university don’t have to come from just the people you live with. I met so many great people in my classes and through different activities, and that made settling in much easier. Even though my flatmate and I weren’t particularly close, we coexisted just fine, and for me that was enough.

What did you do in the evening?

That evening, I didn’t do much. There was an arrival event happening, but I wasn’t really in the mood to go. Everything still felt a bit overwhelming, and I preferred to take some time to settle in.

Instead, I just took a quiet walk around campus, trying to take it all in. I remember feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. London was this massive, buzzing city, and I was finally here. It felt surreal. I did think about exploring more, but I decided to take it slow. I figured there would be plenty of time for that. Though, funny enough, I still haven’t properly explored London to this day!

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

I had a lot on my mind. The day hadn’t been particularly stressful, but it also wasn’t everything I had imagined. I thought there would be this overwhelming sense of excitement, like a movie moment where everything just clicks, but instead, it felt strangely quiet.

I wasn’t questioning my decision to come to university or stay in halls, but there was definitely a feeling of uncertainty. Everything was new, the place, the people, the routine I was about to build. It felt like standing at the edge of something big, not quite sure what lay ahead.

At the same time, there was a sense of possibility. I reminded myself that it was just the beginning and that things would fall into place.

Freshers Week

Describe freshers week at Queen Mary in one word:

Silent

What did you get up to?

The first week felt like a blur, so much was happening at once. I met more people than I could keep track of, constantly introducing myself and forgetting names almost immediately. Some conversations stuck, while others faded just as quickly as they started.

I didn’t really spend much on London shopping or fancy restaurants. In fact, I was quite conscious about money, so I mostly stuck to the basics sorting out groceries, getting my university essentials, and figuring out where everything was.

As for flat bonding, there weren’t any special activities that stood out. My flatmates and I were polite to each other, but there wasn’t an immediate sense of connection. I wouldn’t say I felt lonely, but there were moments when I wondered if I’d find “my people” here. Homesickness wasn’t a huge issue, but there were small things I missed, home-cooked food, familiar conversations, and just the comfort of knowing everything around me. It was a strange mix of excitement and uncertainty, but I kept reminding myself that this was just the beginning, and things would settle in time.

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

As the first day of classes approached, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. It didn’t feel like it had arrived out of nowhere, but there was still a bit of shock at how quickly time had passed since arriving. I had been looking forward to starting my degree for months, but suddenly, the reality of it hit me. I remember feeling a bit unprepared, like I was still settling in and figuring everything out. But at the same time, there was this rush of anticipation, this was what I had worked toward, and I was finally here.

I wouldn’t say I was rearing to go, but there was definitely a sense of readiness.

The First Week of Classes

What was your very first class/lecture like?

The subject as a whole is definitely challenging, and there are moments when it feels intimidating. But the first lecture was just an overview of what the course would cover, which helped ease some of the nerves. The good part was that I already knew the basics, so it wasn't all completely new. It gave me some confidence going forward, knowing that I had a solid foundation to build on.

Did you meet any memorable people in your classes?

I still haven’t met anyone closely in my class yet, and it feels like everyone is content with their own company, myself included.

One Year On…

How did your feelings about your classes change with time?

Classes have definitely gotten both easier and harder in different ways. As the material builds up, it’s challenging to keep up with the depth and complexity, but at the same time, I feel more confident navigating it now. The basics are becoming second nature, but the advanced concepts can still be tricky.

I think I’ve taken it mostly in stride, but there are definitely times when I still need help, especially when things get more complicated. It’s not always easy, and there are moments of doubt, but I try to remind myself that it’s okay to ask for help when I need it.

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

My advice for current or incoming first-year students would be to embrace the uncertainty and change. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially in the beginning, but remember that everyone is in the same boat. Don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t fall into place right away, give yourself time to adjust.