Hi, I’m Siham! I’m a physiotherapy student, and I’ll be bringing you along for a typical day in my life as a Physio 1 student.

Every day at RCSI is different, which makes it exciting. One aspect I enjoy is the flexibility to adapt my schedule depending on the week. Some weeks are quieter, giving me the chance to plan ahead, attend social events and make time for other activities. Other weeks are busier with exams, lectures and practicals, so I focus on my studies.

Balancing everything can be hectic at times, but it is part of the experience and I would not change it.

06:30-08:00: Waking up, getting ready

My day usually starts at around 6:30am. After waking up, I take a few minutes to stretch before having breakfast. If I am up earlier and my lectures start later, I fit in a quick gym session. Otherwise, I put on music while I get ready. I aim to leave my student accommodation at around 8:00am and arrive at RCSI by 8:20am. Once there, I meet my friend for a quick chat before heading to our morning lectures.

09:00-12:00: Morning lectures

We usually have several lectures in the morning, with few or no lectures in the afternoon. Most afternoons are spent in practical sessions, where we apply and reinforce what we learned in the morning. I find this helpful, as it gives us the opportunity to put our knowledge into practice.

My modules this semester are Anatomy 1, Physiology, Neuromusculoskeletal 1 and Clinical Movement Science. My favourite module so far is Anatomy. I find it interesting to learn how the different structures in the human body work together and how even the smallest, most intricate structures play an important role in everyday life.

12:00-13:00: Lunch time

I usually have a meal prepared from the night before. If not, RCSI offers good, affordable and fresh food at the college cafeteria, 1784. You can make your own salad or wrap, or choose a specific meal such as burgers or fish and chips, which change daily.

13:00-16:00: Practicals/anatomy lab

After lunch, I usually have one or two practical sessions in the movement lab. Every Thursday at this time, we go to the anatomy room to reinforce and apply what we have learned in lectures. If we finish early, I go for a walk around St Stephen’s Green, grab a coffee or sit outside RCSI to enjoy some fresh air. It is important not to let academic stress, responsibilities and a busy schedule take away from enjoying the little moments throughout the day. For me, going for a walk and getting fresh air is the perfect way to clear my head, take a break and reset before continuing with the rest of my day.

17:00-18:00: Gym time and home time

After my walk, I either head to the gym or go straight home. The gym is usually busy at this time, so you may find yourself working in with someone between sets. I enjoy the atmosphere, especially when I am in the mood to socialise, as it is a chance to catch up with people from different years and programmes. If you prefer a quieter workout, going at a different time might suit you better.

After the gym, I walk home to shower and have dinner. One of my favourite parts of the walk is passing St Patrick’s Cathedral. Seeing it lit up at night is a lovely way to end a busy day.

18:00-21:00: Dinner and studying

I make dinner at home and study for two to three hours, catching up on lectures from the day, preparing for exams and reviewing material for the following day.

22:00: Winding down

I usually watch an episode of a TV show or read a chapter of a book before bed.