Exec Corner: A day in the life of a third-year student

Every year there are articles written to first-year students trying to prepare them for the new experience of living on their own. These usually give advice such as eating healthy, stay on top of the work, attend class and don't party too much. That is all good advice, but by third-year we know what needs to be done or else we wouldn't have made it this far.

We got past the stage of going out every night and going to class the next day hung-over and wearing the same clothes from the night before. Although we all ignored the helpful advice we were given by Profs, past students and parents, we figured it out for ourselves and in some cases may have learned the hard way.

I am in 3rd year Business Administrative Marketing program, and this year it is mandatory to bring your laptop to class everyday. If I miss a class, it feels like I have missed a week of information. On the same note if I miss a class, it feels like I am letting down my group, because every single class we have group projects we are working on throughout the year.

On top of this huge workload we all have part time jobs, social lives, and for some us relationships that deserve attention. Once and a while as well some of us enjoy going to the gym and participating on sports teams. These things all consume valuable hours in a day. Now these things are necessities.

Some students I know work two part time jobs and may have other commitments as well. Whatever it is when I calculate the hours there just isn't enough time in the day to do all these things. This is why planning and organizing our time is so important. Although many of you reading this article may not be in 3rd-year Marketing, I am sure you can all relate to what I am talking about. For those first-year students reading this article here's a heads up to what you're getting into. And maybe you will now understand why you are given that advice in first-year.

Now along with the tough things with regards to third-year there are many good things as well. By third-year you have a solid friendship base and everyone in your section/course you know because you probably had classes with them in the past.

By third-year you're comfortable with where everything is in the school and around London. The friends you keep this year you will probably remain in contact with for many years to come. Finally the teachers also have a good relationship with most of the students as well. This allows the teachers to be more easily approachable.

All in all after this year is all said and done once we get into the work force the hours will only compound themselves. So this year is really just better preparing us to be better bosses, employees and co-workers. When I look at it that way it makes all this stress and hard work worthwhile.