On following dreams and maintaining high standards

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 Nysa, an accounting and finance student from 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? 18

Had you ever been to university before? No

Arrival Day

Tell us a bit about your life growing up

I grew up in a small town called Kolhapur in India, which is the kind of place where everyone knows everyone. To me, school felt like a second home. I was usually one of the top students (ngl, I liked being in the teacher's good books), but of course there were a few exceptions here and there — can’t be perfect all the time, right? Still, I always worked hard and made sure to enjoy time with friends too. Somehow, I managed to keep that balance without losing my mind.

The idea of going to university was always in the picture for me, but what really stuck was the 'where.' I visited London for the first time when I was in sixth grade, and I completely fell in love with the city — the buzz, the history, the double-decker buses, even the weather in a weird way. Ever since that trip, I just knew: I had to come back, not as a tourist, but as a student. And that little sixth-grade dream slowly turned into a real plan.

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

The first time I stepped onto campus, I didn’t have to drag any luggage around — thankfully! I’d just dropped by to explore a bit, to finally see the place I’d been dreaming about for so long. Coming from India, I hadn’t had the chance to visit earlier, so just being there felt surreal.

I was buzzing with excitement and couldn’t stop smiling. At the same time, there was this quiet moment of realization: this is it. I’d actually made it. That thought filled me with so much joy, like something I’d been working toward for years had finally come to life. But there was a bit of sadness, too — knowing I’d be so far from home, trying to build a new one from scratch. Still, in that moment, it felt totally worth it.

Which hall of residence did you live in?

IQ East Court

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

When I first walked into my studio, my first thought was, “Well… this looks a lot smaller than it did on the website.” But hey, it was going to be my little sanctuary for the year, so I just rolled with it.

I started unpacking right away — I had six massive suitcases (which honestly feels a bit ridiculous in hindsight). My parents jumped in to help, mostly cleaning the place while throwing non-stop taunts about my overpacking. Classic family banter, but it made the whole thing more fun.

It took us around 4–5 hours to get the basics in place, and then we headed out to hunt down bedding and kitchen stuff. It was hectic, but there was something really comforting about all of us doing it together.

Tell us about meeting your first new flatmate

Since I was staying in a studio, I didn’t have any flatmates, which honestly stressed me out a bit in the beginning. I knew I wouldn’t be bumping into people in the hallways or having those random kitchen chats that everyone talks about, so I was worried about how I’d actually make friends.

But I didn’t let that stop me. I started going to mixers, society intros, and events — basically anything that gave me a chance to talk to people. It wasn’t instant, but slowly, I started connecting with others, especially from my course. It took a bit of effort to put myself out there, but it was so worth it in the end.

What did you do in the evening?

That evening, I went out to explore a bit of London with my parents and we had a really nice dinner together. It was emotional — the kind of dinner where everything feels a bit more meaningful than usual. Somewhere between dessert and the bill, I got the talk — you know, the “you’re a big girl now, and wise enough to make your own decisions” one. It was funny, a little teary, and definitely one of those moments I’ll always remember.

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

That night, I felt great. I was genuinely excited for everything that was waiting for me — all the firsts, all the new experiences that were just around the corner. It felt like the beginning of something I’d been dreaming about for so long.

I didn’t even realise how tired or stressed I’d been throughout the day until I finally lay down and just… crashed. It had been a whirlwind, but in the best way possible. I went to sleep feeling happy, hopeful, and ready for whatever came next.

Freshers Week

Describe freshers week at Queen Mary in one word:

Spirited

What did you get up to?

My first week was… chaotic in the best way. I went out quite a bit — more nights out than I’d planned, and definitely spent way more money than I should’ve (London prices really know how to humble you). But honestly, I was just soaking it all in.

Surprisingly, I didn’t really feel homesick. I think being out so much and constantly surrounded by people helped keep those feelings at bay. It wasn’t a difficult week at all — in fact, I’d say I was living my best “spoiled brat” life: going out, eating good food, meeting loads of new people, and crashing into bed without a care. Reality hadn’t quite hit yet… but I wasn’t complaining.  

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

As the first day of classes got closer, I knew it was that moment of switching gears from freshers' fun to "okay, now back to business." It was time to actually start doing what I came here for: uni.

In the days leading up, I was trying to get everything in order: figuring out where my classes were, skimming through lecture slides, memorising professor names (or at least trying to), and jotting down anything that seemed important. It definitely felt like the fun part flew by, but I was also ready to get started and see what this whole degree life was really about.

The First Week of Classes

What was your very first class/lecture like?

My very first class definitely felt overwhelming. As someone who had always been an overachiever in school, I still had that pressure in the back of my mind — the need to do well, to keep up, to excel.

But I quickly realised that university was a whole different game. The way things worked, the expectations, the pace — it was all new. It was challenging, but in a good way. It pushed me to adapt, to think differently, and to let go of the idea that I had to have it all figured out from day one.

Did you meet any memorable people in your classes?

In the first few days of class, I made it a point to push myself out of my comfort zone and talk to whoever sat next to me, even if it was just small talk. Looking back, I’m so glad I did that, because that’s how I met some of my closest coursemates.

About a month into uni, I met a guy called Jay at an accounting mixer. We hit it off instantly. From that point on, lectures and seminars were so much fun with him around. We both had similar academic goals and were pretty serious about doing well, so we pushed each other in a healthy way. Having someone who shared that mindset made everything feel a little less stressful and a lot more motivating.

One Year On…

How did your feelings about your classes change with time?

Classes did get a bit easier over time, mostly because I got used to the structure and built a routine that worked for me. But one thing I quickly learned was that staying motivated to actually attend classes was a challenge in itself — especially by second semester, when a lot of people just stopped showing up.

I also realised that uni isn’t like school where everything is spoon-fed. For me, it became clear that about 80% of the real learning had to come from my own studying, and only around 20% came directly from lectures and seminars. It’s definitely been a learning curve, but figuring that out early helped me stay on track (most of the time, at least!).

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

Looking back, I’d say my first year at Queen Mary was great — full of new experiences, lessons, and moments I’ll always remember. But if I’m being honest, present-day me sometimes wishes I hadn’t gotten too comfortable too quickly. That early comfort zone can be tempting, but it also makes it easy to stop pushing yourself.

One of the biggest things I learned is just how much the people around you matter. When you’re far from home and family, the friends you choose become your whole support system. I’m not still close with everyone I met during freshers, but ironically, my closest friends now are people I met that very first week — despite everyone saying, “You won’t stay friends with your freshers week crew.” Never say never, I guess!

At the same time, I’ve learned to keep myself open to new connections — no point repeating the “too comfortable” cycle again. Overall, it was the kind of year I had hoped for in many ways: full of growth, learning (both academic and personal), and definitely a few reality checks along the way — all in a good way.

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

If I had to give any advice to incoming first years, I’d say: have fun — seriously, YOLO. But also remember why you’re here. Keep your goals in sight, even while you’re enjoying the ride.

Be open — to new people, new experiences, new versions of yourself. Some of the best moments and friendships come from the most unexpected places. But above all, don’t get too comfortable too quickly. Uni is about growth, and growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones.

And finally, choose your people wisely. The friends you surround yourself with truly shape your uni experience — and one day, they’ll be the heart of all your best uni stories.