Week in the life of a 30-year old 1st year MA Architecture Student & Former University Lecturer living in London, England
Written by Sidra Khokhar @siddy28k, Edited by Aliya @archistudentnotes
This ArchiWeek we have a week in the life submission from Sidra Khokhar, a 30-year old 1st year MA Architecture Student studying and living in London, England. Sidra also runs a blog ‘The Terracotta Think-Tank’ which you should check out after reading this post!
Would you have tackled the week any differently?
Monday
My Monday starts off with early admin work, getting dressed, and then tubing it to university for a morning lecture in Critical Methodologies, which by the way is insane in terms of food for thought!
Each Monday is a new theme and paradigm in architectural and social history which is incredibly mentally stimulating! This is usually followed by a trip to the Bartlett Library where I pick up books that I have shortlisted to read through. I have a target of reading at least 3 books bi-weekly! I end the day by writing down in my Reflection Journal for the day about all my learnings from the morning lectures and book readings.
Note from Aliya @archistudentnotes: 3 per nooks every 2 weeks is impressive! As a Part 3 Student I definitely need to start reading more and I might just take this on as one of my goals!
Tuesday
My Tuesdays are usually spent exploring historical sites in London.
As an international student who is doing her MA in Architectural History, a hands-on experience of historical sites is imperative for my personal growth and academic learning. Each week I tick off a site from my list of historical sites.
The site visit includes making notes for future potential research, site photography/videography, and site sketching. I am an avid watercolorist!
In the evenings I work on my blog entry and I conclude my day by writing in my Reflection Journal.
Wednesday
My Wednesdays are mostly focused on my professional growth as a researcher and academic in the field of architectural education.
I usually spend my mornings working on existing research proposals and drafts that I have formulated with my peers from Pakistan and try to make progress on the manuscript that I have shortlisted for future submission.
In an academic year, I aim to finish at least 2 manuscripts each with unique research domains. I conclude my day by writing in my Reflection Journal.
Mid Week Plug
Enjoying this weeks ArchiWeek? Interested in sharing your own week?
Thursday
Thursdays as a postgraduate student of Architectural History is mostly about the Research and Dissemination module which is the practical version of the Monday module about Critical Methodologies.
This is usually followed by an evening lecture or talk organized by the school (of course this is subject to the organizing department's timetable!) Later during the day I write down in my reflection Journal about my learnings from the day.
Note from Aliya @archistudentnotes: I love the commitment to writing in a reflective journal each evening - I am currently trying this by writing my own ArchiWeek each week and it is a great tool to not only record your days but also find ways that they could of gone better.
Friday
On Fridays, I try to venture out and explore local libraries or architecture/design exhibitions.
This is an excuse for me to familiarize myself with what is happening in the local architectural, art, and design community through the eyes of the artists presenting their works. In the evenings I work on my blog entry and I end the day with an entry in my Reflection Journal.
NOTE FROM THE WRITER
I am an Architect, Educator, Researcher, and now a Student of Architectural History at the Bartlette.
My academic and professional experience ranges from Pakistan to Australia and now Europe. In my free time, I also run a blog by the name of The Terracotta Think Tank where I talk about architectural developments and issues in the Pakistani and international forefront.
And that’s the week!
Thank you so much to Sidra Khokhar studying in London, England for this weeks submission! A really productive week studying at university whilst making time everyday to learn something new, work on personal projects and the bit one for me - to reflect on the day! Something we should all be doing more of.
Remember to check out their blog and their Instagram for more insights into their journey!
Any tips or advice or questions for our writer, please leave them in the comment section below!
If you’re interested in sharing your own ArchiWeek, your own reflection - click here!
