The academic term has officially begun! We hope you have had a great Freshers’ Week and are now ready for the exciting academic challenges ahead of you. Over the coming weeks we will be sharing weekly blog posts with helpful hints, tips and advice to help you feel at home and what to do if you need support. Let’s start by introducing the Students’ Guild – who they are and how they can help you during your student journey. We will also give you a heads-up on private accommodation in the city and tell you where you can go for advice about the essential repairs and improvements works happening at some of our on-campus residences.
What is the Students’ Guild?
You are probably aware of the NUS right? You may have visited your friends or family at university and they’ve talked about the ‘Students Union’, well we have the Students’ Guild which is the students’ union for Exeter-based students. The Guild is central to student life and their services include: Representation (of students), Entertainment, Societies and student Groups, Advice, and Fundraising and Volunteering. The Students’ Guild is led by elected Guild Officers who represent the needs and views of the student body and all have specific roles.
Students’ Guild Societies
Now as the Fresher’s Week is over it’s a good time to take a look at the Students’ Guild societies for information on how you could be joining a society and taking part in themed picnics, theatrical workshops, quiz nights or a sporting adventure, for example. The University has over 250 societies so you are sure to find your own tribe.
Students’ Guild Advice
We all need advice at some point and so it’s reassuring to know that the Guild Advice is there to help. They can provide you with an expert advice on academic, finance, welfare or accommodation related questions. Click here to get further details on how to get in touch.
Accommodation for next year
No doubt you will soon hear from 2nd and 3rd students that if you want to secure a nice house near the University campus you should start looking for accommodation sooner than later. It is also likely that you will start seeing students’ houses being advertised in the city and if you speak to letting agents they will be encouraging you to start looking early.
The Students’ Guild will be hosting the Accommodation Fair later this term; an event which aims to help first year students find accommodation for their second year and advise them of the various options available in the city. The event invites landlords who advertise through Studentpad, letting agents and private providers to show what accommodation they will have available. The Fair will take place on the 28 November 2019 and we will keep you updated on our website and through this blog on further details.
It is entirely up to you when you are ready to start your house search and when you think you are ready to commit and sign a contract. Be aware right from the outset though that a house contract is not something you can simply cancel if you change your mind later.
We asked 2nd year Student Warden, Nat for a reflection on her house hunting experience and whether it is really worth rushing into it. Take a look as it may save you some unnecessary stress and worry and help you to make the right decision:
Question: What would be the benefits of securing accommodation quickly?
Answer (Nat): “The benefits would be that because it is sorted quickly, it is easier to relax knowing that you have a good group and a house for next year and knowing that you will not have to split as a group or rush to find other accommodation. However, this appears to be the only benefit, and oftentimes even groups that secure accommodation quickly might not work out, with members dropping out of contracts and then having to find a replacement housemate throughout the year. So even though you’ve secured accommodation quickly there is not necessarily a guarantee that it works out perfectly.”
Essential Repairs and Improvements Works
Call in to the next student drop-in session and ask us your questions about the works.
On Wednesday 2 October, from 15:30 to 16:00, we are holding a drop-in session in Peter Chalk 1.1. If you’ve got any queries about the exterior works or shower room works call by for a chat.
A representative from the construction company undertaking the works and relevant university staff will be on hand to answer your questions. Don’t worry, if you can’t make this session we will be holding another later in the month. If you’d like to get in touch in the meantime you can email us at residencefeedback@exeter.ac.uk
We hope you are enjoying term so far and look forward to meeting some of you at the next drop-in session.
Many thanks from your Essential Repairs and Improvements team.
Just a final word from the Accommodation Team to remind you how you can get in touch with us:
- In person – at our drop-in sessions in the Forum, Streatham Campus. These run Monday to Friday 10:00am to 4:00pm throughout the rest of term one. Just head to the SID desk and ask to be added to the Accommodation queue.
- Online – log an enquiry through SID Online or through the web or app version of iExeter
- By email – via sid@exeter.ac.uk
- By phone – via SID on 0300 555 0444.
Have a great week!
Accommodation Meridith