Ever wondered what a day in the life of a PhD student looks like? Hi, I’m Charlotte – a first-year Chemistry PhD student! While no two days are the same because, let’s face it, science loves surprises. Here’s a glimpse into what a typical day usually looks like.

My day starts with a train ride to campus – prime time to get stuck into a book or just relax and mentally prepare for the day ahead. If you’ve ever commuted, you know there’s something oddly calming about zoning out while the world speeds by. Once I get to campus, I dive into emails and check my daily plan. Sorting through emails might not be the most exciting, but it helps me stay organised and on top of things. I also make sure to review the experiments I have planned, any meetings I need to attend, and any random admin tasks that may have popped up.
The lab is where the real fun begins! I start by weighing out reagents and setting up my experiment to run. While the reaction gets going, I check if anything else in the lab needs doing, whether it’s restocking solvents, dealing with the store’s deliveries, or prepping and analysing previous samples.
When my experiment is up and running safely, it’s back to my desk to catch up on reading or analyse any raw data I have. As a first year, I’m always trying to get ahead on papers and learn as much as I can about the research I’m doing. I also take this time to book any characterisation machines I need for the week, e.g. booking a slot on the TEM microscope, to at the shape and size of the nanoparticles I’m producing.
After a while, my reaction might need some adjustments like changing the temperature or degassing with nitrogen, so it’s back to the lab. Once the reaction is adjusted and safe I’ll take a quick lunch break. Lunch with my friends is an important part of my day, lab life can get intense sometimes and it’s nice to step away, fill up on good food and chat.
After lunch, it’s back to the lab to finish the reaction. I clean up the fume hood and glassware while my reaction product cools. I also prepare samples for further analysis—whether that’s for spectroscopy, microscopy, or another technique.
At some point in the afternoon, I take a much-needed sweet treat break. Whether it’s a chocolate bar or a pastry, it’s a chance to recharge and if I’m being honest, I also sometimes rely on a sugary energy drink to keep me going – the caffeine is very much needed to get through long days of intense research.
Once I’ve refuelled, it’s time to do some sample analysis. I run tests and gather raw data that will hopefully show my reactions worked as planned. Some days, the data is great; other days, it can be a confusing disappointment but that’s all part of the process. The best days are when you take a risk with an experiment that you doubt will work and end up with some amazing, unexpected results!
After the lab, I head home to unwind. But before I relax, I hit the gym. It’s a great outlet for any pent-up energy or emotions from the day, it helps me stay physically fit and helps massively with my mental health. Then I like to cook myself a delicious meal and spend time with family and friends. Finally, I get ready for bed, I love to wind down with a bit of reading and skincare (or maybe some TikTok scrolling – no judgment).
And that’s a wrap! That’s a glimpse into a typical day as a first year Chemistry PhD student. It’s a lot of work, but seeing my research come together makes it all worth it. There’s always something new to learn, some new challenges to overcome, and a lot of caffeine to get through it!
If you’re also navigating the PhD life, how does your day stack up?