Here’s what third year students really care about

Third year feels scary to even think about, especially for many students knowing it’s their final year. Somewhere between moving out of student halls, figuring out second-year friendships and suddenly having a dissertation to think about. 

The luxury of not having a 9am

Due to the intensity of the module content and the dissertation prep, timetables start to look suspiciously more manageable, and suddenly a morning that begins before 10am feels like a personal achievement. 

There’s a newfound appreciation for slow mornings, an extra coffee and getting ready without having to sprint out of the door with half your breakfast in hand. Of course, this doesn’t mean you’re any less busy. It just means you’ve become slightly better at protecting your sleep. And, of course, not having a 9am or an early morning commitment, does mean that the mornings are free for doing whatever you want. If a lay in is what you need, thats perfectly fine. 

Treating ourselves to the M&S Gods 

Then there’s the M&S obsession. What started as an occasional sweet treat has somehow become a weekly ritual. A quick trip for a bougie lunch turns into a basket full of snacks, a new favourite pasta dish and a bottle of wine that definitely wasn’t on the shopping list (or budget). As their slogan suggests, it’s not just a cheeky treat, it’s M&S. 

There’s something quite comforting about having your favourite food in the fridge, knowing you’ve got a little treat waiting for you after a long day in the library. Student luxury doesn’t have to be extravagant, sometimes it’s just a particularly good meal deal from your favourite shop. 

Everyone seems to be in their active era 

Maybe its maturity and self care, bit I’ve noticed everyone seems to be running. Whether it’s a morning jog, a spontaneous 5k or convincing your housemates to join you for a run on your day off from lectures, being active is taking over our calendar. 

Myself included, I yearn for the mornings where I have no lectures scheduled and I can have a mental break by going out for a jog (followed by an obligatory coffee and a few minutes bragging that I’ve had a more productive morning than others). 

Cycling everywhere also seems to be a third-year personality trait. In York, it feels as though everyone is either cycling across campus or parking their bike outside the library before a few hours of locking-in. 

We’re all chefs now 

In first year, I struggled making plain pancakes. So take everything with a pinch of salt (literally and metaphorically) and trust you will learn how to make semi-decent or even socially acceptable meals. 

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Which brings us to meal prepping. A concept that once sounded like very distant and very grown-up, has suddenly become part of the weekly routine. Sunday evenings are for planning meals, doing a food shop and making sure there’s something in the fridge other than leftover takeaway. Whether it’s pasta for the next three days, a big batch of curry or overnight oats ready for the morning, there’s a real sense of achievement in having your meals for the week somewhat together. Even if it only lasts until Wednesday.

Casual meet-ups over a big night out 

Socialising also takes on a slightly different meaning. Gone are the days when every plan has to involve a big night out or a full evening of getting ready. Third year is all about the casual meet-up. A coffee between lectures, a spontaneous brunch date, having friends over just to keep you company doing regular tasks at home or a quick catch-up that somehow turns into three hours. Plans become less complicated or fixed, and there’s something lovely about knowing you can see your friends without having to organise an entire event around it.

Of course, its still good to go out, have a boogie and still not be able to manage your alcohol intake, but it seems to be a more rare occurrence that you’re out clubbing.

Perhaps the biggest change, though, is learning to enjoy staying in. Cosy nights at home start to compete with nights out, and honestly, sometimes they win. Think fresh pyjamas, a coffee made exactly how you like it, a comfort film playing in the background and absolutely no intention of leaving the house. There’s a certain satisfaction in coming home after a busy day, lighting a candle, making something nice for dinner and settling into an evening that is exactly what you want. 

Its officially time to lock in

It’s been two years of saying ‘this semester I will lock in’ or ‘after January I’ll lock in’ and now it’s serious. 

This final year brings a different kind of academic motivation. Assignments start to matter a little more, deadlines feel closer and the reality of what comes after university becomes increasingly difficult to ignore. Library sessions become more intentional and frequent, to-do lists get longer and suddenly spending a whole afternoon being productive feels quite satisfying. There’s a balance between making the most of your final year and knowing when it’s time to put your head down and work. 

The final year

For many students, our courses end after three years and we graduate. So we need to soak up all the moments of being at uni before it disappears and we enter what parents call ‘the real world’. 

It’s appreciating the friendships that have stuck, becoming more comfortable in your own company and realising that the best parts of university aren’t always the biggest or loudest moments. Things change year by year, I never ever thought I would be spending more money on coffee than cocktails in my final year but these changes are all important to your own self care.