By Grace Abou Dib, Advanced Computing MSc student.
I think a brief context would be beneficial before sharing details of my typical day at the Department of Informatics at King’s College London. I am Grace, an international student from Lebanon who’s very much into Tech and also being active in communities. I did not take some time off between my undergraduate and postgraduate studies which means that I have been a student for quite some time. Along the way, I learned that the best and most optimal way to always stay on track, never miss a deadline and fulfill all of my responsibilities is to have a proper routine accompanied by thorough planning of what my day would look like beforehand.
How do I usually start my day?
I usually start my day early, even when I need to sleep in I make sure to wake up by 9:30 A.M because I’m more productive during the day. If I have an early class, I would get dressed and leave the King’s residence in Stratford in which I’m staying for the year. I’m enrolled in the MSc in Advanced Computing, one of several specialised informatics programmes Kings offers. Unlike undergraduate study, PGT programmes move fast. You’re expected to dive deep immediately, which is thrilling and occasionally overwhelming in equal measure. I tend to have a mix of very technical and more theoretical modules which, in my opinion, further strengthens my understanding of concepts while also provides some sort of use cases to apply those.
Given that most of my courses are given on Strand, King’s main campus, I have a coffee break at The Shack with my friends after class, and we’ve had some memorable times there. It is true when they say, that during our time at university, we learn equally from outside the classroom than we do inside; and the things we’ll cherish most later on, are the moments we’ve shared with the members of our community. I would say that I did not know a lot of people at King’s at first, but thanks to my role as Student Representative for my program, I made more connections and friendships in general; and that made me appreciate my time at King’s even more.
Internship
I am also fulfilling a part-time internship at a FinTech firm as a Machine Learning Engineer where I am gaining experience in this space that is tremendously growing. It is worth noting that I got this internship through networking and mainly due to the fact that I’m a King’s student, which further proves the solid reputation of King’s among employers. So, typically I would complete my modules for the day, go to the office where I would work for a few hours and then go back home.
Since most of my modules also apply the flipped classroom approach, I would need to prepare for the next day’s modules and I usually do that in the evening after having some rest. I focus on taking clear notes of the main ideas in the videos or textbooks in order to have a clear high-level view of the chapter which makes my final revision more organised and structured.
Here’s the reality of PGT life: it’s intense, but it’s not all-consuming if you manage it well.
Some evenings I’m studying until midnight. Others, I’m exploring London, meeting friends, or attending the various talks and events the department organises. Industry speakers, research seminars, and workshops happen regularly, exposing you to where the field is heading. The program is designed to be demanding but not impossible to combine with other commitments. Time management becomes more crucial than ever.
What makes King’s Informatics special isn’t any single component but rather the combination of many elements at once. You’re learning from researchers at the forefront of AI, computer vision, cybersecurity, and data science. You’re in London, with access to Europe’s largest tech hub and countless opportunities for internships, networking, and cultural experiences. You’re surrounded by motivated, diverse peers who push you to think differently.
A year might feel simultaneously endless and impossibly short. You’ll cover more ground than you thought possible. You’ll learn, experiment, build and research, and all those would demonstrate your real capability. You’ll form connections that extend well beyond graduation.
Is it challenging? Absolutely. Is it worth it? There’s no doubt.
Well, that’s my typical day as a PGT student, I hope I was able to give you a better understanding of what your life at King’s might look like. So if you’re considering Informatics at King’s, know this: you’ll work harder than initially expected, learn faster than you thought possible, and emerge with skills that position you at the cutting edge of technology’s most exciting developments.
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