Xiaohongshu
Second-year Media student and Content Creator, Inkar Mustafina, looks back on the past term at UCL.
Term 1 was such a rewarding journey of personal growth, making new connections, and self-expression for me. I got more involved in clubs and societies, went to lots of events, and took on creative projects alongside my studies. It was quite the ride.
Between chasing deadlines and navigating new roles, here’s an honest snapshot of my term:
Editing for Pi Media
At the start of this year, I joined Pi Media as an Online Lifestyle & Culture Editor. This milestone was a surreal full-circle moment, as last year, I contributed to Pi’s online outlet as a writer. As an editor, I now get to guide the writers from the other side of the mechanism.
One of my favourite parts of the role has been going to Pi's weekly newsrooms. Every Tuesday, the editorial team meets to chat about article commissions and the society’s progress overall. This environment is definitely new to me, but I find the process really fun and feel deeply inspired by the team.
Funnily enough, I applied for the same position last year but didn't get selected. Looking back, I was totally not ready to take on a leadership position - but imagine if I had given up and skipped out on re-applying this year? This journey has been an important lesson about perseverance. A tiny setback could’ve cost me an amazing experience!
Becoming Head of Media for Kazakh Society
Another highlight of Term One was getting involved in Kazakh Society. Eager to contribute to my community, I volunteered to join as their Head of Media. Through this, I developed genuinely useful skills in media and got to know other like-minded people. UCL’s status as a global university is truly well-deserved: I was amazed at the (seemingly infinite) rows of cultural societies at the Welcome Fair!
As a sentimental soul, I am no stranger to feeling blue and missing my family back home. Connecting with my cultural network in London has therefore been a gift. If you're an international student, I would highly encourage you to find your community here at UCL, especially if cultural heritage is an important part of your identity. Personally, I couldn’t be more grateful for my home away from home. I would definitely recommend getting involved in a cultural society like mine, or joining the International Students' Network to meet other students who have moved to London from overseas. Look out for the International Festival, taking place from 23rd-28th February, for a full celebration of UCL's cultural communities.
Personally, I couldn't be more grateful for my home away from home.
Going to On-Campus Events
Committing to a society membership is not compulsory to have a good time on campus. Throughout Term One, I went to a range of events run by the Students’ Union, many of which were completely free. From participating in artsUnlocked workshops and Project Active classes to exploring different neighbourhoods with Discover London, I threw myself into a wide range of activities and events.
My favourite events came at the start and end of the term. Welcome Week was incredible: between the fairs and the taster sessions, it was a lovely opportunity to meet new people and set the tone for the year ahead. In December, I really enjoyed the Winter Festivities in Malet Place. I watched some brilliant musical performances by UCL Music Society, ate some delicious freebies at Print Room Café, and danced in the snow. I even filmed some highlights and created a reel that was shared across the Union and UCL's Instagram accounts!
The Students’ Union offers a range of open-to-all events and activities that require minimal commitment (and are often free). I’d recommend checking out the What’s On calendar on the Union’s website to avoid missing out on upcoming events.
Working as a Content Creator
Creating content for social media is a major hobby of mine, and last term I started working part-time at the Students’ Union as a Student Content Creator. This job involves producing videos and written material for the Union's various different channels, including their social media and website. How cool is that?
This role has already exposed me to many exciting adventures, from covering events run by the Students’ Union to researching the latest TikTok trends. Being a Content Creator has allowed me to bloom as a creative, and has really advanced my understanding of digital storytelling. I feel like I’m constantly learning - about media and myself!
I encountered the job posting not long before the start of the academic year and knew this opportunity was not to be missed. I would definitely recommend keeping an eye on JobShop to stay ahead on UCL’s part-time job listings. The university offers a range of casual employment opportunities, which could be a great route to earn extra income and gain valuable experience alongside your studies.
Studying Towards a BA in Media
What with UCL's busy extracurricular life, it’s crucial not to get too side-tracked from the reason we’re here in the first place. As such, I try to balance my studies with my other responsibilities. This term, my appreciation for the East campus grew massively. I love Bloomsbury’s business, but there is something so awe-inspiring about UCL East and its mixture of tranquil alleyways and futuristic layouts.
In terms of the curriculum, I can’t say the submissions were effortless. It’s easy to get in your ahead about lacking knowledge or skills in certain areas, but what would be the point in studying if we were all experts by default? This past term, I’ve been trying to use any setbacks as learning experiences. At the end of the day, all of us students are in the same boat, working towards similar goals. I find this sense of community incredibly important, especially during the assessment period.
It’s easy to get in your ahead about lacking knowledge or skills in certain areas, but what would be the point in studying if we were all experts by default?
Going into my second year of studies, I mistakenly thought that my horizons wouldn’t budge beyond what I established last year. But that couldn't be further from the truth: in reality, every day is another chance to make new friends and throw yourself into exciting opportunities. Today, I enter Term 2 with an open mind. I can’t wait to see what these next few months have in store for me!