Hey guys! In case you don’t know, my name is Zara and I am a third-year psychology student. As someone who has been here a while, I feel comfortable saying there have been many major change moments during my time at University. Moving here in the first place is the first major change you’ll experience and they don’t stop there, because the reality is that while studying you’ll probably move around once a year during your degree, and so will need to move house and get used to a new home, housemates, distance from town and uni, food shop location etc. several times during your undergrad degree. These differences all sound small, sure, but they really do change the way you live day to day in a huge way and it can feel weird having to manage all that change so frequently while in uni. Yes, it is also exciting, especially if you really want the change: for example it was great when I moved right next to the big Morrisons (which is a 15-minute walk from the uni too)! But even so, change is a challenge for almost everyone – I don’t know many people who absolutely love change. That’s why I’m going to talk about some ways to manage change in university life. This will be relevant for both UK and international students, because whether you are from Staffordshire or Sweden, Exeter needs to also become a place you call home. The four things I will talk about are keeping the flavours and feels of home alive, discovering places that feel cosy and warm, joining societies in the University related to your interests, and reaching out for support when you need it.
The first thing is keeping the flavours and feelings of home alive. That looks quite different for everyone because home will look very different if you are from Cornwall compared to if you are from China. Even if you are from Exeter, moving to uni will probably feel unfamiliar because you probably won’t have lived away from home before. Every home has a specific smell, décor and vibe that has been created over time and is so unique to each family. Sure, there are general aesthetics, but there are lots more that are unique rather than similar between houses. Living away from home for the first time can be overwhelming, and it can be hard to lose all sense of home in one swoop. That is why it is really important to keep at least *something* constant, whether it is stuffies (cuddly toys) gathered over years of careful curation, specific candles that just smell like watching TV in your living room with your dogs and cats, plates and bowls that match the family set or bedding you have used for years, it’s really important to keep in touch with home in some way. That also applies to food, I know soooo many people have specific comfort meals because it’s what they eat at home on the regular with their families. That will also look different for everyone and varies more when you consider whether you are an international student or a UK student. If you are an international student, there are SO many shops in Exeter that sell international food. Exeter may be small but you are not short of options when you want to get spices, instant noodles, pulses, drinks or whatever else you need that reminds you of home. Some of the main ones are Mesopotamia, Yonk Asian food, 186 Oriental, Heera International Food, plus many more you can check out. At the end of the day, even if it is potato smilies and chicken nuggets, it is important to keep some consistency to not feel too homesick and to help you adapt to the many changes of student life whilst keeping in touch with the comforts of home.
The next biggest thing is finding your ‘spots’. This could be a lunch spot, a study spot, a coffee spot, a reading spot, or just some space that you feel comfortable and cosy in that isn’t your home. For most of my friends, this is campus (I am writing this from the new social space in the Washington Singer building which is lush). Everyone seems to have a favourite space to study and another space to unwind, I know many people like to study in The Loft which is above Devonshire House, and many people like Devonshire House too – it is a great place to chat and it was redone a few years ago so the capacity is (I think) bigger. The Law Library is a huge open space where (sorry law students) everyone seems to congregate and do a work-yap hybrid. There is also the new multifaith building which has a nice space to sit, do puzzles, play board games and chat. In almost all the buildings on campus there is a hot water tap and I think every building also has a microwave, which is really nice because then you can bring your own food and don’t have to buy lunch which for me is a win. There are huge social study spaces like the one in the Newman Building (AKA Peter Chalk, don’t ask me why it has two names I couldn’t tell you, I think they are separate buildings that are connected? No idea, most people use them interchangeably), Devonshire House, the library and a couple others. There are also smaller ones in other buildings as well as computer labs and computers you can use on campus. Basically, there are lots and lots and spaces that you could pick for your ‘spot’ and it’s a good idea to pick one to with your friends so there is a common space for you, or a familiar space, that will help you call Exeter home. I sort of dot around everywhere now I’ve been here for a few years, but at first I almost exclusively went to the Law Library. I love Peter Chalk for the walks in Reed Hall whilst on a break but I also love Amory as you don’t have to climb Forum Hill to get to it, which is great when I feel lazy and/or sleepy. I am more tactical now, but it was useful at the start to have a space I went to every time and saw familiar faces.
The third thing is joining a society. Whether it’s a cultural one or a sports one, doesn’t matter, just JOIN ONE. I cannot stress this enough, it is SO helpful for making friends and building a community. If you don’t already know, Exeter has a ridiculous amount of societies on offer ranging from hobby ones like crochet or Exsoc (Expedition Society, which I am a trip leader for!) to cultural ones relating to nationality or religion to subject-specific ones like history or law, not to mention sport or performing arts or music and so many more. The University of Exeter has too many societies to pass up on them and being a member of one (or a few) can really help with change and adapting to life at Exeter. All of my friends are from societies, and society meetings give me a chance to catch up with many that I may have missed in the business of the week. I am so lucky to be in a University where I am totally spoiled for choice, and in such a green and lush region where hiking societies like Exsoc can run cheap trips around Devon and Cornwall (cheeky plug). In a few weeks, I will be running a hiking trip to Exmoor which will be super fun and I am paying 25 quid to do it which is cheaper than if I were to do it on my own, so I can explore and unwind on a budget. I’d never have done it if not for my society.
If you’re based at an Exeter campus, the Students’ Guild offer excellent advice around moving with lots and lots (and even more) resources to help you manage moving in and out of your home, which will be really useful when the time comes. They have resources about how to check contracts, how to find a student home, when to start looking, what sort of accommodation would suit you best and so much more. The Guild has spent a lot of time finding out what students need to know, from the basic and somewhat obvious to the perhaps not so basic and not so obvious, so no matter how much or how little you know, the Guild will have what you need to know on their website. If you’re based in Cornwall, check out the FXPlus website for help and advice.
Finally, reaching out. Exeter offers excellent wellbeing services if you are ever struggling to adjust. Almost every university student will experience homesickness from time to time, but hopefully, with the right kind of support, it’s something you can overcome and look back on knowing it was just a small blip in what was a great time at uni. Wellbeing check-ins are really easy to book online via the Student Information Desk (SID) which is followed up with whatever you need according to what you are struggling with whether it is CBT, talk therapy, or counselling, someone is there for you and you do not have to go through anything alone.
So there you have it! I really hope you took something away from this, and I hope to see you on campus soon!