Are you thinking about doing a Master’s in Groningen but would like to know more about what a typical day looks like? Then this is exactly the right blog for you! Currently, I am in the second year of my double-masters in European Economic Law and Public International Law at the UG. Of course, every day is different and everybody has their own ways of structuring their day, but over the years I have managed to find a good daily routine for myself. Although every student day looks different, I have tried my best to outline what an average day in my life as a Master’s student looks like.

9:30: Wake up and Breakfast 

On a typical day, I will wake up between 9:30/10:00 and get my day started. After a rather minimalistic breakfast (I’m not a huge breakfast guy), I’ll hit the shower, put on some energizing music and let the day begin. After I’m done with my morning routine I’ll jump onto my bike and head to the city centre, where I have most of my classes. Depending on traffic and weather, it usually takes me 5 to 7 minutes from door to door.    

11:00-15:00: Classes and Lunch

As a Master’s student, you will definitely have quite a few more classes than during your Bachelor's. Although the number of class hours may vary depending on your programme, I have around 10 hours of class spread out over 4 days of the week which I think is quite average. Usually, my classes take place in the (early) afternoon and go until 5 pm at the latest. As the distances between classes are short, it will usually not take me too much time to go from one lesson to the next. These means I often also have some time to grab a quick lunch or eat something I brought from home.   

15:30 - 16:30: Committee Work/Coffee break

After I’m done with my classes for the day, I usually still have some stuff to do for my study association. This is obviously purely voluntary and I know a lot of Master’s students who prefer to fully focus on their studies. However, engaging in voluntary projects is a great way to meet new people and build up your CV. If you want to know more, just check out Danique’s and my blog on why you should join a board or committee. Of course, there are also days where I don’t have anything extra to do which means I have some extra time for a long coffee break or for a quick gym session. 

16:30 - 19:00: Studying 

Before I call it a day, I usually go to the library for a couple of hours to do some reading for class or work on papers and assignments that are due. Usually, I’ll find a spot in the university library (UB) which is located right in the city centre. When coming to do a Master’s in the Netherlands you should definitely not underestimate the study hours you are expected to put in outside of the classroom, especially when you get closer to your exams. However, if you maintain a good routine and regularly study you have nothing to worry about.   

19:00 - 20:00: Dinner

After a long day of studying, I love to treat myself to a good meal. Like most other students I try to eat something simple, cheap and delicious. Needless to say, this combination of criteria often results in pasta. But there are also other easy student recipes that you can check out. Besides cooking at home, there are also dinner options available in the university as well as various places in the city where you can sneak a cheap meal. Often I will also meet up with some friends to cook together as it saves money and is fun at the same time. 

20:00 - 01:30: Free time/Sports

My evenings are reserved for free time activities such as hanging out with friends, going to the gym or simply bingeing some Netflix. If you are into sports, you should definitely check out ACLO, the largest student sports association in the Netherlands. Members of ACLO can access various gyms and join different sports teams for a low fixed price. In case you are more of an artsy person you should have a look at USVA, the university's very own cultural association. Here you can either stand on stage yourself or join the audience for music or theatre performances. 

What does your typical day look like? Let us know in the comments below! Also, if you are interested in pursuing a Master's at the UG, you should check out the Master's week!