Hi, I’m Emily – a first year Zoology student at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus, and in this blog I will give you a run-down of what a day in my life is like. I’m hoping this blog might give you an idea of how my usual day might run, whilst studying and living at a smaller campus like Penryn. I look forward to every day at university, as each day is so different! I hope to show the fun and sense of community that I’ve experienced at the Penryn Campus, and even though I have not been living here for very long, I have loved every minute so far!
7:00-9:00am
Most mornings I try to get up early, so I am ready and organized for the day ahead. I start my day with a healthy breakfast and usually chat to my flat mates, which is a great way to start the day! I live in Glasney Village, meaning it’s a quick 5-minute walk up to the main campus. I’ve really loved living on campus in my first year as it means I’m not stressed about making it to my lectures on time.
Walking up to the main part of campus in the morning is always a great start to the day as it is usually quieter and it is really lovely to walk along the bottom path which is covered by trees. Around this time of year, there are snowdrops and daffodils popping up all over campus, making it a bright and colourful walk.
9:00-12:00am
This morning, I had a practical in the lab from 9:00 to 12:00. I enjoy how varied my course is, as you get to do lots of different practicals for each module. Moreover, having smaller group sessions like in the lab means you have the opportunity to ask as many questions to your lecturers or demonstrators as you need – they’re always happy to help.
After my practical I grabbed a quick coffee from the Sustainability Café on campus with some friends. This is my preferred café on campus as it sells all vegan produce and there is a really nice outside seating area, where you can get beautiful views of the campus and Penryn when the sun is shining. It’s a great place to catch up with friends or to get work done. There are many other cafes on campus, such as Koofi, which sells great pizzas, the Café Bar which sells coffee and a cookie for £5, among other things, and the ESI café. It also helps that all the cafes on campus are student budget friendly!
It’s not only the familiar cafes that give the campus a real sense of community. Being on a smaller campus also means you get to know the support services well, such as at Glasney Lodge (where you can collect post and get help with any accommodation issues), the Student Help Desk, and the Library team, making it much less daunting to ask for help. I have used these services many times, especially in my first few weeks when I was getting used to university life. The staff are really helpful and accommodating, making it easy to ask any questions. Glasney Lodge is open 24 hours a day, providing 24/7 support and security – they can also help if you forget your keys and need to get into your flat!
12:00-2:00pm
Before lunch I had an animal diversity lecture. This was in the Old Chapel, which is my favourite lecture theatre as it has beautiful stained-glass windows. After my lecture, I went back to my flat to make lunch. I then walked back to campus to meet with a friend, and we had our lunch in the walled garden, one of my go-to places on campus. Here, there are hammocks and picnic benches to eat lunch or catch up with friends – a great spot for when it’s sunny. On other days I’ll go to The Stannary, where you can get hot food for lunch and there is a large canteen area where you can sit if it’s raining outside – not that it ever rains in Cornwall of course.
I have had my lunch a few times from The Stannary and the meals there are really delicious. There is a range of options to choose from, including hot food and pre-made sandwiches as well as vegetarian options. They also put on special menus during holidays, such as at Christmas, Holi, and St Patrick’s Day! The variety of places on campus to study and relax with friends means there are so many new places to explore in your first few weeks.
One of the best things about the Penryn Campus is how green it is! There’s nature everywhere and some beautiful places to walk and explore, such as the Italian gardens and lime tree avenue. There is such a great community feeling, especially when it is sunny, as everyone is out and relaxing with friends on the many grassy areas and you often bump into people you know. There is a lively atmosphere around campus, which makes it such an enjoyable place to study and live.
2:30-5:00pm
I had no more classes for the rest of the day, so I decided to go into Falmouth. I walked to Penryn train station from campus, which is a 15-minute walk, and then a 10-minute train journey to Falmouth Town station. You can also get the U1 bus down into Falmouth, directly from Penryn Campus, which takes around 20 minutes. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can walk (which I recommend on a sunny day), taking 50 minutes! I love how close everything is and how easy the transport systems are to navigate.
I went to one of my best-loved cafes in Falmouth, Leroy’s, where the owner’s dog (Leroy) is always there to give cuddles! I got some work done for an assignment I had coming up, as I find it’s easier to get work done with a change of scenery. I finished my work and then took a walk around town and visited some charity shops.
Falmouth is a lively town, with colourful bunting up all year round and friendly locals – it is easy to fall in love with living here. You always bump into people you know, which also enhances the community feel and meant in my first few weeks of university I immediately felt at home.
5:30-6:00pm
After a long day of working, I decided to walk down to Gylly beach to watch the sunset. This is only 5 minutes from Falmouth Town train station and is one of the best ways to unwind. There are many picturesque walks nearby, such as the walk to Swanpool beach, which is just around the corner, Maenporth beach, Castle beach, or further on to Pendennis Castle, which is a great place to watch the sunset or have a picnic with friends.
I knew before coming to university that I never wanted to go to a big city, and so I really love how close Penryn Campus is to the sea. One of my favourite things since starting Exeter University has been the Expedition Society, who go on walks on either a Saturday or Sunday. As well as meeting an amazing group of people, I have explored stunning areas with the society, including the South West coastal path and different nature reserves, such as Kennall Vale, which we walked to from the Penryn Campus. Some of my favourite places in Cornwall are St Ives, Penzance, and Marazion, all of which are easy to get to by public transport.
6:30-7:00pm
Following my quick trip to the beach, I got the next train back to Penryn and made it back up to campus. I then made my dinner and caught up with my flat mates on how their days went.
Another great reason for living in a smaller university town is that all the main supermarkets are close by- super handy for when I’ve forgotten an ingredient for my dinner. The closet supermarket is Asda, just a 15-minute walk from campus, and they also make home deliveries to Glasney Village, which is a popular option. There are also a Lidl and a Sainsbury’s in Penryn, which you can either get a bus to or take a 20-minute walk.
9:00-11:00pm
After dinner I headed back down into Falmouth with some friends to go to a jazz night at Chintz. This is a really great place to chill with friends in the evening, with live music downstairs, outside seating and a cosy pub area upstairs.
You might think there is less nightlife in a smaller place like Falmouth, however this could not be further from the truth! There are loads of other options like the Cornish Bank, which hosts live music and comedy nights. There are many cosy pubs, including Beerwolf Books (which also has a bookshop), The Moth and Moon and The Games Room. There is also Phoenix cinema, showing lots of new movies. Conveniently, there are late buses running to campus as well as plenty of taxis, so you are able to get home safely.
I also enjoy having nights in with friends. We enjoy a movie night or hosting dinners, and it’s a really good way to get to know people better, especially at the start of university. I also appreciate a night alone where I can go to the gym on campus or run around Penryn. I also enjoy switching off and relaxing in my cosy room, with a nice warm drink and do some drawing and listen to music, especially on cold, dark winter evenings. While there’s always something to do and someone to see, it’s so important to take time to look after yourself at university as it can be busy and tiring. As my day comes to an end, I like to unwind with some reading before I go to bed.
I cannot wait to spend the next two years studying at the Penryn Campus and getting to explore Cornwall more! And there you have it – a day in the life at university!