Highs, lows and the drive to keep going

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 Hetvi, a Business and Management 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 Vadodara, Gujarat, India, with my parents and my sibling, who’s eight years older than me. Looking back, those days were golden—filled with late-night stories, shared meals, and a sense of security I didn’t fully appreciate at the time. If I could go back, I wouldn’t change a thing.

In school, I was that student who genuinely loved learning—call it nerdy. I also loved going out, making hundreds of friends and participating in every possible extracurricular. When I decided to pursue humanities for 11th and 12th grade, I had to switch schools to get the best education. Walking into that new school without knowing a single soul was terrifying, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. I made a best friend for life and many more who made the transition easier. Those two years taught me that stepping out of your comfort zone is the fastest way to grow.

Inspired by that experience, I decided to study abroad. After months of research and countless applications, I set my heart on the UK. I’ll never forget the day I got my acceptance letter from Queen Mary. I was in the middle of preparing for my board exams, overwhelmed and exhausted. Seeing that email was like a burst of sunlight—I was thrilled and terrified all at once. The reality of leaving home hit hard, but so did the excitement of everything waiting on the other side.

What was it like to say goodbye to your parents?

Saying goodbye to my parents was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It wasn’t just leaving a place, it was leaving the people who made that place feel like home. My parents threw me a small going-away party, filled with my favorite food from the city and all the people who mattered most. It was a mix of laughter and bittersweet moments, making it both easier and harder to say goodbye.

There were definitely tears—my mom tried to hold them back, but when she hugged me at the airport, neither of us could keep it together. My dad’s eyes were glassy, though he put on a brave face, cracking last-minute jokes to make me smile. The one thing they told me before I left stuck with me: “Try everything you want to, but be safe.” They believed in me more than I believed in myself sometimes, and knowing they trusted me made stepping onto that plane a little less terrifying. Everything I manage to succeed in now, I owe to that belief.  

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

Stepping onto campus for the first time was surreal. My emotions were overflowing, just like my luggage. My close relatives in the UK came to drop me off and help me settle in. By the time everything was in place, I was caught between excitement and this deep homesickness that I couldn’t quite shake.

After lunch with my relatives, they dropped me back at my dorm. Sitting alone in my room, my mind was racing: how would I make friends? Should I go out or finish setting up my stuff? My hands were a bit shaky, my heart thumping faster than usual. Eventually I decided to go to the kitchen for a drink, and that’s where I met two of my flatmates. Talking to them was a relief—they were just as nervous and overwhelmed as I was.

Which hall of residence did you live in?

Creed Court

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

As soon as I got to my room, my relatives helped me unpack the essentials: bedding, toiletries, and some snacks to get me through the first few days. But after hanging out with my flatmate that first night, I didn’t get much else done. I was too caught up in the whirlwind of new faces and unfamiliar places.

The next day, though, I spent the whole day settling in and setting up my room. I was excited to make it feel like mine, to put up photos from home, string some fairy lights, and organize my books just right. Decorating felt like the perfect way to calm my nerves and create a little corner of familiarity in this brand-new world.

Tell us more about meeting your first new flatmate

Meeting my first new flatmate was a mix of awkward and reassuring. I was in the kitchen, nervously rummaging through my stuff for a drink, when she walked in. She looked just as unsure as I felt, which, oddly enough, made me relax a bit. She smiled and introduced herself with this slightly shaky voice, and we started talking about the usual—where we were from, what we were studying, how overwhelming everything felt.

She was friendly but not overly bubbly, which was kind of perfect because I don’t think I could’ve handled too much energy at that moment. We quickly found out we had a lot in common; both of us were trying to pretend we weren’t as nervous as we actually were. Talking to her felt easy, and by the end of the conversation I was already picturing us becoming good friends.

For a second, though, I worried that maybe this was just small talk and we’d drift apart once classes started. But then she suggested we go out that night and try to meet some more people. That little gesture made all the difference. It was like a sign that I might just be okay here—that despite the homesickness and uncertainty, there were people like her who could make this new place feel a bit more like home.

What did you do in the evening?

My flatmate and I ended up heading out together, just wandering around and taking in the buzz of everyone else trying to find their footing too. We stumbled upon an unofficial freshers’ event at a University pub that was packed with students, with their music a bit too loud and laughter spilling out into the street. It was chaotic in the best way.

We got a couple of drinks to shake off the nerves and ended up chatting with a group of students from different courses. A couple of hours and a lot of introductions later, I was feeling lighter, almost excited. It wasn’t some perfectly planned arrival event, but it was exactly what I needed—to forget for a bit that I was miles away from home and just live in that moment. For a first night away, it was honestly better than I could’ve hoped for.

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

When I went to sleep that night, I was surprisingly at peace. Sure, there was still a hint of homesickness, but beneath that, I felt certain about every decision I’d made. I lay there and realized that, even though nothing had gone the way I’d imagined, it had turned out better.

The nerves were still there, of course, but they weren’t as overwhelming as before. Instead, there was this quiet confidence that maybe I really was right where I was supposed to be. I didn’t regret a single thing: not leaving home, not choosing Queen Mary, not deciding to live in halls. If anything, the unexpectedness of it all made me more excited for what was coming next. As I pulled the blanket up and closed my eyes, I felt ready nervous, sure, but ready for the adventure ahead.

Freshers Week

Describe freshers week at Queen Mary in one word:

Unforgettable

What did you get up to?

Freshers Week was a blur of excitement and new experiences. Every day felt like a fresh start—waking up with energy, ready to explore London and meet new people. We went out a lot, and I ended up spending quite a bit on shopping and dining out, but it was all part of the experience.

There were some flat bonding activities too, like cooking together or just chatting in the kitchen. It was these moments that made the whole week feel special. While I was having fun, there were moments when homesickness crept in, especially when I was alone in my room, but they didn’t last long. The excitement of everything else—new friends, new places, and the rush of university life—kept me going. Looking back, it wasn’t always easy, but it was the perfect introduction to this new chapter of my life.

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

It almost felt like it came out of nowhere. Freshers Week had been such a whirlwind of excitement that I hadn’t given much thought to the academic side of things. When it finally hit, I was a bit overwhelmed. The transition from the fun and social atmosphere to the seriousness of university classes felt like a huge jump.

The first week wasn’t easy at all—I found myself falling behind a bit as I tried to adjust to the new schedule, different teaching styles, and just the sheer amount of information coming at me. But as soon as I got into the rhythm of things, I started catching up. I found my pace, settled into a routine, and before long, I was back on track and doing great. While it was a rocky start, I realized that this was all part of the process of adjusting to university life, and it gave me a lot more confidence moving forward.

The First Week of Classes

What was your very first class/lecture like?

Not gonna lie, my first class was difficult. Everything felt new and overwhelming, and I could tell the academic expectations were much higher than what I was used to. But I’ve always seen difficulties as challenges, so I didn’t shy away from it. I threw myself into it, meeting up with lecturers for clarification, reading all the pre-readings before class, and making sure I caught up on anything I missed. It wasn’t easy, but the effort I put in paid off, and I ended up feeling much more confident and prepared as time went on. It was definitely challenging in a good way.

Did you meet any memorable people in your classes?

I met a lot of people in my classes, and while it was mostly fun, it did get a bit competitive at times, but in a healthy way. Everyone was eager to do well, and that pushed me to give my best.

When it came to group presentations, though, that’s when things got tricky. I was assigned to work with a group that, honestly, wasn’t as focused as I would have liked. Some of my teammates, let’s call them Alex and Sarah, needed constant follow-ups and reminders to stay on track. It was frustrating at times, but I knew how important the marks were, so I took it upon myself to manage the group’s timings and ensure we were all aligned on the requirements. It was tough to juggle everyone’s different schedules, but I tried my best to keep it all together. In the end, the effort paid off and we ended up delivering a solid presentation, but it definitely taught me a lot about handling group dynamics and staying organized under pressure.

One Year On…

How did your feelings about your classes change with time?

Classes definitely got harder as time went on, and I quickly realized that the workload wasn’t going to get any lighter. The material became more complex, and the pressure started to build. But over time, I figured out a method that helped make it all more manageable. I found that if I kept up with everything on a weekly basis—whether it was completing assignments, staying up to date with readings, or reviewing my notes—things didn’t feel as overwhelming as I had initially feared.

It took a little while to get into this routine, but once I did, it really paid off. I felt like I had a better grip on things, and it prevented any last-minute panics. That being said, I still need help from time to time, whether it’s asking lecturers for clarification or reaching out to classmates for support. But overall, I’ve learned how to take things in stride and manage the workload, and it’s been a big relief knowing I have a system that works for me.

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

My first year at Queen Mary was definitely the best year so far. It was a whirlwind of new experiences, and I realized that the second and third years were only going to get more difficult, so I made the most of it. I enjoyed the freedom, explored new things, and met incredible people. While I missed a few classes along the way, I always kept my academics as my top priority.

I didn't keep all the friends I made in the first week, but I’m so grateful for the ones who stuck around. These are the people who have become my real support system. And along the way, I also met new people, forming connections that I’m excited to carry into the next years. I learned a lot about managing my time, prioritizing what's important, and how to enjoy the journey while staying focused on my goals. It’s been an unforgettable year, and I’m excited to see what comes next!

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

If I had to give just one piece of advice to current or incoming first-year students, it would be this: never forget why you came to university in the first place. Whether it’s to excel academically, explore new experiences, or secure a job after graduation, always stay connected to that core reason. University can be an emotional rollercoaster with its highs and lows—there will be moments of excitement, frustration, confusion, and self-doubt. But remembering the purpose behind your journey will help you navigate those challenging moments. When things feel overwhelming, just remind yourself why you’re here, and let that drive keep you moving forward. That clarity and focus on your goal will be what ultimately gets you through the tough times and keeps you on track for achieving what you set out to do.