{"id":180563,"date":"2025-08-28T05:48:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T03:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/jeg-ville-virkelig-oenske-jeg-havde-48-timer-i-doegnet\/"},"modified":"2025-09-15T16:09:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T14:09:04","slug":"student-of-social-sciences-i-honestly-wish-i-had-48-hours-in-a-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/student-of-social-sciences-i-honestly-wish-i-had-48-hours-in-a-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Student of social sciences: \u00bbI honestly wish I had 48 hours in a day\u00ab"},"content":{"rendered":"

We had a really good start-of-term, and I think the first semester was a good setting for a strong academic and social community. I experienced it as a safe space where it was okay to learn, make mistakes, and put yourself out there. The social aspect is incredibly important. You really learn a lot from each other, and it was clear from the beginning that it wasn\u2019t just about going to class \u2014 it was also about being part of something bigger.<\/p>\n

\n

First-year reflections<\/p>\n

University Post has spoken to a handful of students now starting their third semester. In this series, they look back on their first year at the University of Copenhagen and share some of their highs and lows.<\/p>\n

Read the other portraits in the series:<\/p>\n

Student of pharmaceutical sciences: \u00bbWe\u2019re not just training for the pharmacy counter\u00ab<\/a><\/p>\n

Student of German: \u00bbI\u2019ve found joy in following my true calling\u00ab<\/a><\/p>\n

Student of physics: \u00bbI was surprised by the high level from day one\u00ab<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

There was also a good balance during intro week: Lots of fun and goofy antics, but without being exclusive \u2014 say, for example, if you don\u2019t drink alcohol. The friendships, both within the class and with the tutors, have continued into our daily lives. It means a lot to always have a friendly face to say hi to on campus. I really feel like we\u2019ve hit upon something special in the core group in my class.<\/p>\n

READ ALSO<\/strong>: Starting at the University of Copenhagen? Here\u2019s what I wish I\u2019d known <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Always second-guessing<\/h3>\n

I was extremely uncertain when I had to choose a degree. I considered Political Science in particular, but also Danish, Philosophy, and History. But Social Science attracted me because it\u2019s more flexible. I have many interests, and this way I can combine them. I have the option of taking a minor, which means I can build a broader academic profile. I think I\u2019ll end up choosing Philosophy.<\/p>\n

But the uncertainty still lingers. There are still days when I wonder if I should have chosen Political Science instead. But I feel at home in the Social Science environment, and I value its freedom. If I were to switch, it would be to get a more quantitative and process-oriented approach \u2014 but for now, I\u2019m happy diving into political theory and getting a bit of everything.<\/p>\n

READ ALSO:<\/strong> Student of German: \u00bbI\u2019ve found joy in following my true calling\u00ab<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

More than just lectures<\/h3>\n

I have a student job on a research project at the department called Anatomy of Empires<\/em>, where I look at state formation and political control in different historical societies. It\u2019s really exciting to dig into, and it also gives perspective on how varied the world has been \u2014 and still is.<\/p>\n

You shouldn\u2019t plan your life down to the minute. It drains you more than it helps.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In addition, I volunteer at Hippocampus, our little student-run caf\u00e9 on the CSS central campus. It\u2019s a fantastic place where you meet students from other programmes, play board games, drink coffee, and take a break from studying. It offers something different from the academic side of things. I can only recommend that new students join a student club \u2014 it gives you both a community and a place to belong at UCPH.<\/p>\n

Balancing act<\/h3>\n

The hardest part of university is finding a balance. Going to classes, being social, earning money, working a student job, and still finding time to read and immerse yourself. I had more time in the beginning before I started working, and I can really feel the difference. Now that I both work and study, I often feel like there aren\u2019t enough hours in the day. I honestly wish I had 48 hours a day.<\/p>\n

I also wish the student grant was higher, so you could just focus on studying. Because it\u2019s a privilege to be introduced to all this material and all these thinkers \u2014 but if you don\u2019t have time to piece it together into a coherent understanding of the world, it can quickly feel fragmented.<\/p>\n

READ ALSO<\/strong>: Save more, live more: Student budget hacks for Copenhagen<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

I think it\u2019s about prioritising. What\u2019s important, and what can wait? And then trying not to stress too much about everything. You shouldn\u2019t plan your life down to the minute. It drains you more than it helps.<\/p>\n

Speak up!<\/h3>\n

If I could change one thing about the programme, it would be more focus on oral participation. We have class-based teaching in half of our courses, but it\u2019s still often the same people who speak up. I miss more students being willing \u2014 or daring \u2014 to join the conversation, and I wish there was time and space for it. It makes a huge difference when you feel like you\u2019re part of the teaching, not just a passive recipient.<\/p>\n

Maybe I just like the sound of my own voice, but it\u2019s also about the fact that as students, we can actually help shape the teaching and the community. But it requires a format that invites that \u2014 and teachers who have time to give genuine feedback.<\/p>\n

Find a corner you can call your own<\/h3>\n

This coming semester, I\u2019m looking forward to digging deeper into the academic engine room. We\u2019re going to take Microeconomics, which I hope will give me some new tools \u2014 and maybe also lay the groundwork for discussions about how economic models are used to better understand society.<\/p>\n

I can definitely see myself as a secondary school teacher or as a teacher in the [traditional Danish, ed.] folk high schools. But I\u2019m also open to all sorts of things. What matters most to me is ending up in a place where the work is meaningful and surrounded by good people. I believe you can do a lot with this degree if you\u2019re curious and dedicated.<\/p>\n

My best advice to new students would probably be to go to all the social events you feel up for. Make the university your home. Find a corner you can call your own \u2014 a reading nook, a caf\u00e9, or a student club. And remember that giving something to others as a volunteer is also a gift to yourself.<\/p>\n

This article was first written in Danish and published on 19 August 2025. It has been translated into English and post-edited by Mike Young.<\/em>
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A year in, and Anders Clemens Dahl Karlsen has found his footing on the Social Science programme \u2014 but it can be overwhelming: How do you actually prioritise between reading, work, friends, and everything else?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":106,"featured_media":179554,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3792],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-180563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student-life","expression-news_article"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nStudent of social sciences: \u00bbI honestly wish I had 48 hours in a day\u00ab \u2014 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Clemens Dahl Karlsen encourages new students to get involved socially and find a place at the university where they feel at home \u2014 whether it\u2019s a reading nook, a caf\u00e9, or a student club."},{"acf_fc_layout":"Standfirst","subject":"First-year reflections","text":"Efter et \u00e5r har Anders Clemens Dahl Karlsen fundet sig godt til rette p\u00e5 Samfundsfag. Men han kender ogs\u00e5 presset: Hvordan prioriterer man egentlig mellem l\u00e6sning, job, venner og alt det andet?","use_post_excerpt":true},{"acf_fc_layout":"Byline","is_author":false,"contributors":[{"use_registered_user":false,"user":false,"contributor_name":"As told to","contributor_title":"Martin Juhl","contributor_image":false}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"Content","content":"<p>We had a really good start-of-term, and I think the first semester was a good setting for a strong academic and social community. I experienced it as a safe space where it was okay to learn, make mistakes, and put yourself out there. The social aspect is incredibly important. You really learn a lot from each other, and it was clear from the beginning that it wasn\u2019t just about going to class \u2014 it was also about being part of something bigger.<\/p>\n<div class=\"factbox\">\n<p class=\"factbox-header feature-color\">First-year reflections<\/p>\n<p>University Post has spoken to a handful of students now starting their third semester. In this series, they look back on their first year at the University of Copenhagen and share some of their highs and lows.<\/p>\n<p>Read the other portraits in the series:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/student-of-pharmaceutical-sciences-were-not-just-training-for-the-pharmacy-counter\/\">Student of pharmaceutical sciences: \u00bbWe\u2019re not just training for the pharmacy counter\u00ab<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/student-of-german-ive-found-joy-in-following-my-true-calling\/\">Student of German: \u00bbI\u2019ve found joy in following my true calling\u00ab<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/student-of-physics-i-was-surprised-by-the-high-level-from-day-one\/\">Student of physics: \u00bbI was surprised by the high level from day one\u00ab<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>There was also a good balance during intro week: Lots of fun and goofy antics, but without being exclusive \u2014 say, for example, if you don\u2019t drink alcohol. The friendships, both within the class and with the tutors, have continued into our daily lives. It means a lot to always have a friendly face to say hi to on campus. I really feel like we\u2019ve hit upon something special in the core group in my class.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ ALSO<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/starting-at-the-university-of-copenhagen-heres-what-i-wish-id-known\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Starting at the University of Copenhagen? Here\u2019s what I wish I\u2019d known <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Always second-guessing<\/h3>\n<p>I was extremely uncertain when I had to choose a degree. I considered Political Science in particular, but also Danish, Philosophy, and History. But Social Science attracted me because it\u2019s more flexible. I have many interests, and this way I can combine them. I have the option of taking a minor, which means I can build a broader academic profile. I think I\u2019ll end up choosing Philosophy.<\/p>\n<p>But the uncertainty still lingers. There are still days when I wonder if I should have chosen Political Science instead. But I feel at home in the Social Science environment, and I value its freedom. If I were to switch, it would be to get a more quantitative and process-oriented approach \u2014 but for now, I\u2019m happy diving into political theory and getting a bit of everything.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ ALSO:<\/strong> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/student-of-german-ive-found-joy-in-following-my-true-calling\/\">Student of German: \u00bbI\u2019ve found joy in following my true calling\u00ab<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h3>More than just lectures<\/h3>\n<p>I have a student job on a research project at the department called <em>Anatomy of Empires<\/em>, where I look at state formation and political control in different historical societies. It\u2019s really exciting to dig into, and it also gives perspective on how varied the world has been \u2014 and still is.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>You shouldn\u2019t plan your life down to the minute. It drains you more than it helps.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>In addition, I volunteer at Hippocampus, our little student-run caf\u00e9 on the CSS central campus. It\u2019s a fantastic place where you meet students from other programmes, play board games, drink coffee, and take a break from studying. It offers something different from the academic side of things. I can only recommend that new students join a student club \u2014 it gives you both a community and a place to belong at UCPH.<\/p>\n<h3>Balancing act<\/h3>\n<p>The hardest part of university is finding a balance. Going to classes, being social, earning money, working a student job, and still finding time to read and immerse yourself. I had more time in the beginning before I started working, and I can really feel the difference. Now that I both work and study, I often feel like there aren\u2019t enough hours in the day. I honestly wish I had 48 hours a day.<\/p>\n<p>I also wish the student grant was higher, so you could just focus on studying. Because it\u2019s a privilege to be introduced to all this material and all these thinkers \u2014 but if you don\u2019t have time to piece it together into a coherent understanding of the world, it can quickly feel fragmented.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ ALSO<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/save-more-live-more-student-budget-hacks-for-copenhagen\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Save more, live more: Student budget hacks for Copenhagen<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I think it\u2019s about prioritising. What\u2019s important, and what can wait? And then trying not to stress too much about everything. You shouldn\u2019t plan your life down to the minute. It drains you more than it helps.<\/p>\n<h3>Speak up!<\/h3>\n<p>If I could change one thing about the programme, it would be more focus on oral participation. We have class-based teaching in half of our courses, but it\u2019s still often the same people who speak up. I miss more students being willing \u2014 or daring \u2014 to join the conversation, and I wish there was time and space for it. It makes a huge difference when you feel like you\u2019re part of the teaching, not just a passive recipient.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe I just like the sound of my own voice, but it\u2019s also about the fact that as students, we can actually help shape the teaching and the community. But it requires a format that invites that \u2014 and teachers who have time to give genuine feedback.<\/p>\n<h3>Find a corner you can call your own<\/h3>\n<p>This coming semester, I\u2019m looking forward to digging deeper into the academic engine room. We\u2019re going to take Microeconomics, which I hope will give me some new tools \u2014 and maybe also lay the groundwork for discussions about how economic models are used to better understand society.<\/p>\n<p>I can definitely see myself as a secondary school teacher or as a teacher in the [traditional Danish, ed.] folk high schools. But I\u2019m also open to all sorts of things. What matters most to me is ending up in a place where the work is meaningful and surrounded by good people. I believe you can do a lot with this degree if you\u2019re curious and dedicated.<\/p>\n<p>My best advice to new students would probably be to go to all the social events you feel up for. Make the university your home. Find a corner you can call your own \u2014 a reading nook, a caf\u00e9, or a student club. And remember that giving something to others as a volunteer is also a gift to yourself.<\/p>\n<p><em>This article was first written in Danish and published on 19 August 2025. It has been translated into English and post-edited by Mike Young.<\/em><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"ArticleEnd"},{"acf_fc_layout":"Newsletter","lang_select":"en","identifier":"Newsletter","headline":"Get an email with upcoming events and top University of Copenhagen stories","button_text":"Sign up here","class":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"OtherStories","headline":"","hand_picked_posts":false,"references":false,"category":false,"theme":false,"number_of_posts":"4","style":"default"}]},"taxonomyData":{"category":[{"term_id":3792,"name":"Student life","slug":"student-life","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":3792,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":160,"filter":"raw"}],"post_tag":[],"post_format":[],"expression":[{"term_id":15,"name":"News Article","slug":"news_article","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":15,"taxonomy":"expression","description":"","parent":0,"count":11492,"filter":"raw"}],"translation_priority":[{"term_id":5468,"name":"Optional","slug":"optional-en","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":5468,"taxonomy":"translation_priority","description":"","parent":0,"count":674,"filter":"raw"}]},"featured_media_url":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/anders1-1280x853.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/180563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/106"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=180563"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/180563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":181223,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/180563\/revisions\/181223"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/179554"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=180563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=180563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=180563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}