Aliya’s ArchiWeek 24.1
Aliya’s ARCHIWEEK 24.1
Written and edited by Aliya @archistudentnotes
Hello and welcome to Aliya’s ArchiWeek.
The very real week in the life as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant, Part 3 Student and University and Private Tutor.
Whether you've just come across my area of the internet and this is your first introduction to me (Hello, feel free to read more about me here) or you’re a long time follower of me and archistudentnotes, I hope you enjoy reading my week in the life. I hope it’s helpful to you in some way and you learn something from my experiences.
Let’s get into it.
MONDAY
Happy New Year to all! It is Monday the first of January - I am sure we all love that the year starts on a Monday - just feels right, right?
I wake up in a Premier Inn at stupid o’clock (8am) which is not great considering the late night of 3am and I feel pretty tired but this is nothing new to be honest. I start the normal procedure of wasting hours on social media (doom scrolling, racking up at least an hour before my partner even wakes up -_-) but stop as it is of course, new year, new year me season.
I start to check how much time I actually spend on social media… I am not going to share the HOURS I spend weekly or even daily scrolling. I recently stopped scrolling as much on Instagram, but have of course replaced it with TikTok which is arguably worse. 20 second videos if you’re lucky, with no necessary information - absolute time waster.
SO, I need to replace everything. I already have time limits on Instagram so start by adding one to TikTok and then go the whole hog and add to every app on my phone so by 10pm every night my phone is completely greyed out. I am 100% okay with this. I then look for a replacement and find the app ‘Impulse’ - definitely recommend. If you ever played the brain training game on Nintendo DS, it's basically that - loads of games and tests designed to train your brain (instead of ruining it - TikTok, Instagram, I am looking at you.)
By this point it's a couple of hours later, my partner has woken up and I am hungry so we order some McDonalds (Healthy eating starts when work starts), and just chill all day watching movies/tv until dinner when we order some insanely good Chinese food to finish off a very relaxed first day of the year.
TUESDAY
I wake up, open up my new Impulse app to better my brain, play some games and then somehow end up on Instagram and see that Sana from @toscaleblog has shared a post by David Larbi. What a find! I explore his Instagram and thankfully find a reel on 75hard which leads me to his podcast before I scroll far too long on his feed. It is called ‘Mindful Moments with David Larbi’ and it is insanely good. Released once a week, starts with a mini mediation and then gets into the podcast. I focused on the 75 hard episodes which really made me think about my own goals and everyday habits I should install.
That then made me think about archistudentnotes and ArchiWeek - how ArchiWeek does not ‘just’ have to be an account of a week in architecture but also a week of overcoming challenges, sticking to a routine, building up habits etc etc. So I went back to Instagram (anyone surprised) and started a new account just for ArchiWeek, kept separate from the tips and tricks to help architecture students and assistants to really focus on the week. Goals, lists, inspiration, reflections. Still very new in my head, but I think it could be good.
Very productive morning! Drove home in the afternoon after a very nice break with family and friends over Christmas, put a wash on, got some groceries, did some work that I had neglected and then started writing this and editing the archistudentnotes.com website! I will finish in about 15-30 mins and then get back to chilling, maybe watch a movie and get ready for a day of work tomorrow.
WEDNESDAY
It’s the first day of work, 2024. I get up at about 6am and get the day started with a run/walk following the 5K Runner app that I have attempted to complete many a time. I record my session on the app as well as the Nike Run Club app as a friend had suggested a January walking challenge.
I get home, get ready and I am out again walking to work, today listening to the Part 3 with me Podcast. I start off with something easy that I already know a fair bit about - Episode 1 - Differences Between the RIBA & ARB. I have recently gotten into audio books as it is a great way to ‘read’ whilst doing something else like walking. I am hoping that this podcast is a good way to absorb some info during times I would be doing or thinking about something else - walking, commutes etc.
In the office after what feels like a productive morning. Although I like my office and the people I work with, I am very glad to have had the day off yesterday, it did not feel like the holiday was long enough and others in the office felt the same. I checked my emails, thankfully didn’t get any since contractors/clients/planning officers mostly finished for the holidays before we did. (This was ideal considering I didn’t remember to put my out of office on -_-.)
The day goes by, I get on with some 3D modelling for a private house project that I have been enjoying.
MID-WEEK PLUG
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THURSDAY
Had a later night last night so my sleep was not great! Got about 6 hours interrupted, woke up just before 8 and basically just got dressed and left for work. This may seem normal and even ideal for some, but for me, I like to start the day off doing at least 1 productive thing - whether it's a run, time on the exercise bike, yoga, Part 3 Study or writing, archistudentnotes stuff - whatever. I work a lot more efficiently in the morning, I like to take advantage of it and it makes me feel accomplished.
Not today though! Walked into work listening to some music (that's how I know I am tired - not a podcast or audiobook insight..) and got on with the day. Continued on with the 3D modelling for the private house project, did some light admin, finished work, got home and chilled. Let's hope for a more productive day tomorrow!
FRIDAY
Ah Friday. Feels nice after a 3 day week! I got myself up and out for a run/walk following the 0-5K app, got dressed and headed back out for my walk to work. Today listening to F*ck being humble by Stefanie Sword-Williams - an excellent read (or listen if you're into audiobooks). I was listening to be more confident in my personal life but it has definitely helped me think about my architecture career in different ways too - Would 100% recommend it!
Into the office I went for more, you guessed it, 3D modelling. Today I decided to finally get to grips with creating a mesh in ArchiCAD to reflect the levels shown on the existing topography. This was tedious but oh so worth it, we inherited the design of this project from previous architects which I have then 3D modelled and made edits as and where necessary. Being able to see the accurate levels against the proposed house was helpful in seeing why certain design decisions were made. A few more edits will be needed and I need to spend a good chunk of time sorting out layers but the project is heading in a good direction.
Today also involved an informal programme meeting in the office spearheaded by our Partner who made notes on the work we were on and its progress. Impressive but I guess necessary for one person to know everything that is going on in the office. I was 4th on the round and of course I started to get nervous about ‘presenting’ my progress. I have found that I am not nervous about anything in particular other than appearing nervous which is a rather annoying cycle… I did however make notes a couple of days ago so I was more than prepared, had one thing added to my list and then it was on to the next person.
Breathe. I really need to get this under control.
ANYWAY. The work day finished and my chilled evening began!
Thank you for reading and well done if you have made it this far!
I hope you enjoyed this weeks ArchiWeek! Click the link below for more weeks in the life of Aliya, Part 2 Architectural Assistant, Part 3 Student & University and Private Architecture Tutor as well as guest posts! If you enjoyed this weeks ArchiWeek consider subscribing to get all future ArchiWeek submissions straight to your inbox.
