Starting life at Exeter University: Top tips

Claire Small
Authored by Claire Small
Posted Wednesday, February 17, 2021 - 8:44am

Many people comment that their university years were some of the best years of their life. However, at first, it can feel a bit intimidating and most likely quite overwhelming. Don’t worry, here are some tips to get you started.

Make friends

The people you become close to at university could ultimately turn into your friends for life. This task should be your top priority. But choose wisely, these are the people you are going to spend a lot of your time with, so make them ones you want to be around. Don’t be afraid to look outside your familiar zone, though; you'll meet some interesting characters. You never know, you might become friends with people you never considered before. This is the time to broaden your horizons.

Your room

You’re going to spend a great deal of time in this small domain of yours, so make sure it’s comfortable. At first, it’s going to look very barren and sterile, so don’t be disheartened. Bring some pictures from home, maybe even a plant (extra tip - plastic ones don’t die!). Remember that you will most likely share this space with someone else, so don’t go too overboard with the decorating. Not everyone in the world gets along with every person. As for your roommate, in the off-chance that you don’t gel, talk to the admissions centre, you can always do a room swap.

Pack well

Exeter is near the beach, so make sure you pack swim gear. It gets cold though during winter so you’ll also need warmer clothes. Don’t forget that it can rain a lot too, so prepare for that as well. Don’t worry if you have too much stuff for your tiny wardrobe. You can take advantage of one of the storage options nearby, so your gear will always be handy when you need it. It’s better to be over-prepared than under, right?

Attend events

At the beginning, join as many events as you can, not only will you have the chance to make new friends (see above), but you’ll also find some cool things to do in your free time. Parties, sporting events and club gatherings are great places to get inspired and pick up a new hobby. Don’t forget to join the social media pages to stay up to date with all the happenings.

Go with the flow

Remember, everyone around you is also starting university for the first time. Everyone is going to be nervous and unsure. The best tip of all is to go with the flow. Embrace the new experience, don’t be afraid to try new things and most of all, have fun! These next four years could be the best or worst of your life. You decide what you’d prefer.

 

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