Taking the leap into university life– with its academics, stresses, and change – is never easy. Where responsibility and time management are a must, many first-year students find it difficult to adjust to their new lives away from the comforts of home. Josefina Pérez, a first-year Bachelor in Behavior and Social Sciences student, shares with us why studying at IE University in Segovia has made the transition to her new life as a university student exciting and manageable. From her caring professors to the safety and comfort that Segovia offers, Josefina has found her home away from home. Plus, she shares with us her daily schedule, giving us insight into the schedule of an average student in Segovia.
Josefina’s Daily Schedule
8:30 –> I wake up and carry out my morning routine. It’s important to have one if I want to be able to focus for the rest of the day.
10:00 –> I later head to to class and make sure to arrive a few minutes early to ask the teacher questions about the homework and any upcoming projects. I always try to stay active and attentive during a lecture in order to take in all of the content explained and participate in the classroom discussion.
13:00 –> I normally go to the cafeteria and have lunch and catch up with my friends. Then, I head to the Student Hub and work from there with a few classmates on group projects. This is one of the best places on campus since it is comfortable for us to meet and work without many distractions.
16:00 –> Once finishing work on a project or any other tasks I may have, I normally go to the supermarket to buy a few essentials (and maybe something to treat myself) and return home. At home, I do some homework, review what was covered in class that day, and prepare any work I need to have ready for the following day.
21:00 –> At this time, I usually cook dinner, eat, and relax a little. I also take time to talk to my family to tell them about my day. Usually at this point I either quickly finish any work I have left or take a break and procrastinate for a while before finally going to bed.
When did you start your degree? Why did you choose this degree?
I started my degree in September 2018. I chose to pursue a Bachelor in Behavior and Social Sciences since I really enjoy learning about how and why people behave and how this is implemented on a larger level than just clinical psychology. I am particularly interested in learning how to work and deal with people in organizations, while still learning and cultivating other skills that will help me thrive in the future when looking for jobs and trying to figure out what I want to do professionally.
What do you like the most about living in Segovia?
This city is beautiful, small, and safe, yet there are always interesting places to go and visit nearby. You can walk outside at any point of the day or at night. Normally, I walk 10 minutes to and from university regardless of the time of the day. Although the city may be small, everything you need is close by and is no more than a 20-minute bus ride away.
What do you like most about studying at IE University?
The professors are all amazing. They all care about their students and pay attention to those who are striving to learn more and better themselves. The content learned in my classes is also very important, as all of it seems to have a purpose and it doesn’t feel like we are just getting busy work. Furthermore, IE University offers many amazing opportunities in the form of seminars, labs, internships, exchange programs, and extracurricular activities.
Are you involved in any extracurricular activities?
During my first year, I haven’t had the chance to get involved in many activities since I’m still trying to figure out how to manage my time, but I participate in both the Debate and Dance clubs. Both of them are loads of fun and give me a well-deserved break from studying and working on university projects.
What are you favorite subjects and why?
So far, my favorite subjects have been Fundamentals of Social Sciences and Fundamentals of Probability and Statistics, even though both of these classes are very different. The reason I like both so much is that they are taught by great professors who are truly passionate about what they teach and who care about their students. Furthermore, the way in which the teachers evaluate us in these classes is not by how much we can memorize, but rather by how well we can apply the concepts we learned in class to both fictional and real-life situations. I know that in these classes I can always go up to the teachers after class and ask them more questions or for any advice and they will gladly give it to me, as well as appreciate my participation in class.
