Hello! I’m Prisha and I’m in my third and final year studying BSc Zoology. Coming from a slight introvert, here is my honest take on my expectations vs the reality of socialising and making friends around Penryn Campus.
Many people might think there isn’t a lot to do in Cornwall, but I am here to tell you otherwise. If you are the slightest bit concerned that you’ll struggle to make friends at a smaller campus like Penryn, then this blog is for you. After three years here, I can confidently promise you there is nothing to worry about. In fact, there is everything to be excited about!
Expectation 1: “I’ll have to find ‘my people’ straight away”
Reality: Friendships happen naturally over time
I think there’s often this pressure before uni to find your “group” instantly. But in reality, friendships build over time, and from lots of different places. If you’re thinking about studying at the Penryn Campus, these are three ways I found that you can make friends without even really trying:
- Accommodation
In first-year, living in student halls is such a helpful starting point. Most first-year students here live in university accommodation (either Glasney or The Sidings), meaning you’re surrounded by people who are all in the exact same situation – new place, new routines, slightly unsure of everything.
You might not become lifelong best friends with everyone you live with, and that’s completely normal. But it’s such a great way to have people to go to welcome events with, cook with, or just sit and chat to in those first few weeks when everything feels new. I still remember one of the first days of Fresher’s Week where I went to see some llamas with my flatmates, and now I still live with three of the people I met in my first year living in the Glasney Student Village!
- Societies
If I had to give one piece of advice, it would be this – join a society.
For me, that was SU Gig Rowing. Being part of this has really ended up shaping my entire university experience, and I now can’t imagine my life without it.
Joining a society means you see the same people regularly, which makes it so much easier to build friendships naturally. You’re not forcing conversation; it just happens because you’re sharing an activity.
Through rowing, I met people from completely different courses and years, which made my social circle so much wider. I’ve made friends studying textiles and photography at Falmouth University and also some vets (over 40s) and masters (over 60s) rowers from the local Flushing and Mylor Pilot Gig Club! Joining a sports society has also given structure to my week throughout my three years here, and gives me something to look forward to outside of academics.
Whether it’s sport, music, or something really niche, there’s something for everyone, and it’s one of the easiest ways to feel settled quickly. You can find out about all the societies on offer via the SU website.
- Your course
As a BSc Zoology student, I’ve found that my course has been such an important part of my social life. Studying the same course already put you in a big group of people who have similar interests and share similar values to you.
You naturally bond with people who are going through the same assignments, lectures, and slightly stressful deadlines as you. But it goes beyond that: lab practical, group work, and especially field trips bring you together in a way that lectures alone can’t.
Travelling to the Isles of Scilly in first year and Costa Rica in third year have not only given me amazing learning experiences but also bonded me with some people in ways that I would never have thought. I think surviving an army ant infestation just before bedtime in Costa Rica might’ve been the trick! (If you would like to read more about my wonderful fieldtrip to Costa Rica, click here.)
Spending time outdoors, working in groups, and sharing experiences (like counting snails around campus for and Ecology & Conservation module) makes it so much easier to form friendships.
By third year, some of them are my closest friends, not just course mates
Expectation 2: “There won’t be much to do in a small town”
Reality: There are too many options to choose from.
Whether you prefer to have a peaceful stroll, café hop, or spend an evening listening to up- and- coming artists, there really is always something for everyone. Falmouth town, only a short bus ride from Penryn Campus, has a few quirky spots where you can indulge in some live music, if that’s your scene. A popular one is The Cornish Bank, well-known for hosting a mixture of events including music festivals, open mic nights, queer nights, film screenings, art exhibitions, and lots of gigs. They put on a mix of free and paid events, so even on a budget you can enjoy a night full of good music!
Another venue is The Chintz Symposium – a lively and colourful cocktail bar, which also hosts a variety of gigs and events. It has such a fun atmosphere, and it’s one of those places where you’ll probably bump into someone you know. Whether it’s live music, themed nights, or just sitting with friends over a drink after a long week of lectures, it’s become a favourite social spot for lots of students for good reason.
I also think that even if you aren’t outdoorsy before coming down to Cornwall, once you’re here, it’s hard not to admire all that nature has to offer. You’ll find yourself heading to Gyllyngvase beach every time even a small ray of sunlight passes through the clouds (the closest beach for most students to walk to from town). If you’re lucky enough to car-share, I recommend Grebe beach, along the Helford passage. It’s my personal favourite for a rocky beach with calm waters for a swim, and perfect for a beach BBQ any time of year. As well as all the beaches, don’t forget the endless coastal paths to wander along. Stretching across the whole of the county, each path has something unique to offer.
And for all the animal lovers out there, something a little different nearby: The Flicka Foundation Donkey Sanctuary. Trust me when I say it’s such a wholesome (and free) afternoon out. It’s oddly therapeutic wandering around with friends, meeting the donkeys, grabbing a snack from the café, and escaping uni stress for a few hours. I’d say it sums up studying in Cornwall quite perfectly – relaxed and slightly quirky.
Expectation 3: “There’s nothing to do when the weather is bad”
Reality: Cornwall is still fun in the rain
Before moving to Cornwall, I had this image in my head that student life here would only be fun when the sun was out and shining. And whilst the sunny beach days are amazing, I quickly realised that Cornwall somehow still manages to be fun even when the weather is not on our side.
Some of my favourite memories here have actually been on the gloomiest of days. Falmouth becomes so cosy when the weather’s bad. Suddenly, people are tucked away in cafés sipping warm drinks, wandering around independent shops, or hiding from the rain in pubs playing cards for hours longer than planned. I for one would first get the tastiest hot chocolate from Stones Bakery (in both Penryn and Falmouth!) then head over to Retro, a quaint little shop filled with antique books, accessories and so many other random old trinkets.
One thing I love about Falmouth is how many cosy little spots there are to discover. Rainy afternoons are perfect for café hopping with friends and finding new spots even after living there for three years! The town has so many independent cafés that all have completely different vibes, and it’s become one of my favourite ways to spend slower days.
Even the beaches are still fun in bad weather. There’s something dramatic and exciting about stormy sea walks while the waves crash loudly against the shore. It slightly makes you feel like you’re in a film. Occasionally, my friends and I will walk along the local beaches in the wind and rain purely because we can. I highly recommend you try it out sometime.
I think living in Cornwall teaches you not to wait for “perfect weather” to enjoy yourself. Wind and rain is part of what makes Cornwall, ‘Cornwall’. If everyone stayed inside every time it rained, nobody here would ever do anything. So instead, you learn to throw on a waterproof, embrace slightly salty windswept hair, and make the most of it anyway.
Final Thoughts: Expectation vs Reality?
If I had to sum it up:
Expectation: A small campus, limited social life, harder to meet people.
Reality: A close-knit community, endless ways to socialise, and lasting friendships.
Studying at the University of Exeter in Cornwall has changed my perspective., Iit’s shown me that you don’t need a big city to have a full social life. Sometimes, a smaller place makes it even better.
So if you’re feeling unsure about coming to Penryn, take it from someone who’s been there:
You’re not going to struggle to make friends.
You’re going to wonder why you ever worried in the first place.