Hi there, I'm Ghada Al Fakih, a Clinical Health Psychology Master's Student. In this blog, I'll take you on a reflective journey of writing and submitting my first assignment at Queen's University Belfast. Before I begin, I'd like to give you a short background about myself.

The early years

I am Lebanese but went to a French school until grade 9. Then, I moved to an American school where I completed my International Baccalaureate in Dubai, UAE. As an expat, my calling was to return to Lebanon, live with my grandparents, and experience life at the American University of Beirut for four unforgettable years. These years were highly memorable. Still, I decided to leap of faith and found myself pursuing my master's in Belfast. If there is one thing I am sure of, it is not regretting a single decision taken.

Follow Ghada on a typical day in her life at Queen's!

Moving to Belfast

Of course, moving to a whole new country, rediscovering yourself, and adapting to a new life is not easy at all. Can you also imagine the stress of navigating a whole new educational system? Luckily, we were provided with sufficient resources, especially for international students, which made this transition relatively smooth. As a perfectionist, due to so many different stressors that came together, I must admit my OCD and ADHD symptoms flared up.

My first assignment

That said, at times, this anxiety and the fear of not doing the right thing or even failing did creep up. I would repeat parts of the assignment several times before finalising it to ensure it's as "perfect as it could be." I know there's no such thing as perfect, but I needed to ensure I followed all the required criteria. I would say the anxiety of the assignment was mainly stopping me from starting my assignment.

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If there's one thing I learned from this experience, it's to not overthink and just get to work as soon as possible. As soon as I began, the creative and academic juices kept flowing. I must admit that I tended to approach the assignment quite last minute, which may have jeopardised my progress and results, but I got the work done.

When I completed my assignment, the sense of relief I felt was unmatched. I proofread it one last time, did small editing touches, and submitted it through Canvas, which was an effortless and straightforward task. One thing that worked for me was having some background study music that kept me focused for an extended period.

Check out Kathryn's revision weekend vlog!

Writing that first assignment was a rollercoaster of emotions. The initial fear and self-doubt were overwhelming, but once I took that first step, everything started to fall into place. The process taught me a lot about myself, my strengths, and my areas of improvement. It was a humbling experience that reminded me of the importance of perseverance and self-belief.

Thank you for taking the time to tap in and understand my experience submitting my first assignment. There is no wrong or right way to study and do your assignments, so do what suits you best. Take it easy on yourself, stay hydrated, eat nutritious food, and never hesitate to seek help. All staff and faculty are ready to offer their assistance. Remember, every step you take is a step towards growth, and every challenge you overcome is a testament to your resilience.

Find out more

Academic Support at Queen's

Postgraduate Study at Queen's

Lebanon Admissions Guide

Ghada Al Fakih Clinical Health Psychology | Postgraduate Student | Beirut, Lebanon Ghada Al Fakih is a passionate, hard-working, and selfless individual, devoted to helping others grow, while elevating surrounding vibrations with harmony and positivity. She is a well-rounded and accomplished individual with a strong passion for helping others. She is a valuable asset to any team and is sure to make a positive impact on the world. Ghada is pursuing her Master of Science in Clinical Health Psychology at Queen's University Belfast. She has a strong background in psychology and public health. She is a certified Emotional Liberation Breathing Practitioner and has completed a clinical psychology rotation at the American University of Beirut Medical Center.