Hey everyone, it’s Lucy! I have officially finished my first year studying BA History at the University of Exeter, which is super exciting! As I am no longer a fresher, I now feel very qualified to share some tips about uni life. Preparing for university can be a daunting time, and you might not even know where to start. So hopefully I can provide some advice and help ease some nerves. Packing tips, guidance on getting involved in freshers’ activities, helpful apps to keep up to date, an outline of what to expect on moving-in day – The Ultimate Beginners Guide.
Let’s start off with some packing tips:
Now, if I’m being honest, I tend to be a criminal overpacker. I would box my whole house – bricks, roof tiles and all – into a suitcase and carry it around with me if I could! But as that’s not possible, nor necessary, I’m going to share with you some things I was definitely grateful I had with me, and some things that have really just been collecting dust for the last nine months.
Your room will be your haven at uni. For me, it has been my safe space this first year, somewhere to chill and get away from stress. Moving to university is a big change and can sometimes feel like an upheaval in your life. It’s important to have an environment where you feel comfortable and at home. I think decorating your room, making it your own, can really help with this. Cushions, photos, fairy lights (just make sure these are battery powered) – I really appreciated having these. The shopping spree to get this décor is an exciting time, something of meticulous planning and consideration. However, the things I brought from my room at home have often been the things I was most happy to have. Especially in the first few weeks, when I was feeling out of place or homesick, these are what gave me the most comfort.
Something to bear in mind when packing for uni is the weather. Although it may be nice for a few weeks when you arrive, it will get very cold, very quickly. University accommodations sometimes feel the brunt of this, and when November hits you may feel like you’ve been swept to the perils of Antarctica. The heating tries its best, but I’d recommend blankets, maybe even a hot water-bottle. You will have a reading week at the end of October, so you can swap over your clothes for more wintry ones if you plan to go home for this. Though, it’s always worth bringing a jacket and scarf in September, just in case.
When packing, ask yourself whether you use it regularly at home, if you don’t, you probably won’t use it in Exeter either. I should probably take my own advice, as I definitely didn’t need those trainers I hadn’t worn in two years, and I probably didn’t need to take every book in my TBR (To Be Read) pile. That said, it is a good idea to bring at least one book, or something you enjoy doing in your spare time, whether that’s art supplies, crochet, video games…. It’s often overlooked that you do spend a bit of time alone at uni, especially in your first year. The University of Exeter has an incredible sense of community and hosts a range of activities and events, making it easy to make friends. However, I know first-hand that, when it’s quiet, and not much is going on, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of doom scrolling or just lying in bed aimlessly. In times like that, it’s easy to feel lonely or homesick, so it’s important to have a distraction, something you can channel your energy into even when you are by yourself.
Whether you are sharing a bathroom with others or have your own en-suite, there are some essentials you will need. The university team will thoroughly clean before your arrival, but you will still obviously need basic cleaning supplies to use over the year, so don’t forget your tile cleaner, mirror cleaner, etc. Two sets of towels are also a necessity. I can’t tell you how many people forget to bring two towels and the amount they have to spend on doing constant washing because of it. On that note, don’t forget laundry detergent (although you can obviously buy this when you arrive)! In my opinion, perhaps most important is a shower mat. I have my own en-suite but I’m still eternally grateful that I have one of these! It feels clean and comfortable, and makes the wet-room floor look nicer.
Basic utensils, plates and glasses, might seem like simple things nobody would ever forget, but I have witnessed otherwise. I won’t name names, but one of my own flatmates forgot to bring glasses, and spent the first few weeks drinking out of a measuring jug! Unless you are planning to be Gordon Ramsay, you probably don’t need every utensil, pot, and pan under the sun, but again, ask yourself what you would usually use if you were cooking at home. Two things I would highly recommend are Tupperware and a bottle opener. Tupperware is a uni student’s life saver! Whether used for meal prep, storage, keeping food fresh, or even just protecting your leftovers from hungry flatmates, it’s essential. Bottle openers are essential simply because everyone forgets them, and that can cause some very annoyed freshers. Having one might just make you the hero of the flat! Now, I’m going to give you a word of warning, as I know this was hugely shocking and was the topic of much heated discussion when I got to uni, your flat might not provide a toaster! You read that right, a toaster! It’s a tragedy, but something you should be prepared for. It’s also something you could come together and buy as a flat for your first bonding experience.
My last recommendation would be to bring some board games or cards. Some of my favourite experiences at uni have been down to a pack of cards! They will encourage flat bonding, will be something to do at ‘pres‘ (pre-drinks), and even if you are out at bars, it often turns into a night of card games. Now, I am terrible at card games, but also happen to be a very sore loser, which isn’t a great combo, yet I can’t deny that games have been prominent in making my first year of uni a lot of fun.
Hopefully my packing advice has been helpful, whether acting as reassurance over things you have already thought about, or prompting you to pack something you hadn’t thought of. It’s important to bring the things you will need, but don’t get too stressed over it. I wish someone had told me that coming to uni did not mean dropping off the face of the earth. Exeter city has every shop you could possibly need, and you can have packages delivered to accommodation receptions where it is easy peasy to collect them. If you forget something, there is no need to worry.
Helpful apps and where to get your tickets for Freshers’ Activities:
Something I found particularly stressful during the summer before university was not knowing what was going on and how to get involved in freshers’ week (or Welcome Week as it’s called at Exeter). I had heard people say you needed certain apps to get involved in Welcome Week activities, and that club tickets sold out in seconds. But I didn’t even know where to start. Now I have experienced freshers’ for myself, hopefully I can provide some information and tips to avoid you feeling confused or in the dark.
Firstly, following the University of Exeter on Instagram and TikTok can be really helpful to keep you in the loop. The University has individual accounts for different subjects and societies, so you can keep up to date with anything that is of specific interest to you. I’d recommend taking a look at the university’s main Instagram, @uniofexeter, where you can see what is currently going on at Exeter, and also watch some of the student videos, offering insight into various aspects of student life. I found TikTok particularly useful for familiarising myself with accommodation. By searching the name of the accommodation you can view room tours and flat accounts, gaining insiders’ perspectives.
Arriving at Exeter, I found some people had already managed to get in touch with their flat and course mates through Instagram and Snapchat. This is a nice way to get a head start getting to know people, and it may help ease the transition to uni. However, as someone who didn’t do this, I can reassure you that you won’t be at a huge loss. Everyone is keen to expand their circles and get to know new people, so don’t worry at all if you haven’t managed to make contact with anyone before arriving.
Getting club tickets for freshers’ week is notorious for being difficult. If you want them you should try and be quick. I remember frantically rushing the second they were released, made more stressful by the fact I was midway through airport security! FIXR is the app you will need for this. FEVER and Timepiece, as the two main clubs in the city, are the organisers you should keep an eye on. Fatsoma is another useful app, allowing you to get tickets free for certain events or entry times. There is definitely a pressure everyone feels to get tickets, and the worry you’ll be at some kind of disadvantage, for making friends or having the freshers’ experience, if you don’t. But you will realise this isn’t the case. First-years coming to university usually don’t know many people just yet, so plans can change quickly. Even when people have club tickets, they often end up prioritising drinks with flatmates and people met at course introductions instead. Plenty of bar trips and flat parties will be taking place, so if you don’t manage to get tickets, you are at no huge loss.
The Exeter Guild also hosts an abundance of activities and events during the first few weeks – outdoor movie nights, pottery painting, trips to explore Exeter, or even trips to IKEA. These are a great opportunity to meet people who share similar interests, and offer an alternative to the club scene. These will all be listed on the Exeter Guild Website and tickets will be available on FIXR.
A final tip on helpful apps, don’t forget to download the MyExeter app and authenticator before you arrive. Getting these set up in advance will ensure you get access to your timetable and any introductory sessions taking place during Welcome Week as soon as information is released.
A mini moving-in day outline:
The day you move into uni can be really nerve-racking. You have been waiting and waiting for that day, everything building up to it, yet when it comes you may feel unprepared. I know I certainly did! It’s important to remember that everyone is in the same boat. And the University is aware of this, aiming to ensure this day goes really smoothly for students, avoiding any extra stress. Here is a little outline as to what the day might look like.
Arriving at your accommodation, you’ll likely join a queue of cars, all similarly jam-packed with bags. Whether you have completed a short drive, an endlessly long drive, or even a flight, it’s comforting to see that so many people are experiencing exactly what you are. Lots of staff will be on site to greet and guide you, and you’ll be given a time, normally about half an hour, when you can park in front of your block. There are plenty of nearby car parks to move your car to once you have unloaded. Collect your key at the signposted desks, and pick up some leaflets, maybe even some well-deserved chocolate! Most blocks will have a lift to make moving in even easier, but word of warning: some don’t! I happened to be on the top floor of a block without a lift, and if you remember, I’m a criminal overpacker so that was definitely an experience. But if you need any assistance moving in, staff and student ambassadors are more than happy to lend a hand.
Once you’ve moved in, I’d recommend taking a trip into the city centre, taking a look around to familiarise yourself with the area, doing a food shop, and picking up anything you might have forgotten. Top tip, you can reserve your fridge space with some labelled tupperware if you are nervous that someone will nab your shelf whilst you are out. If you travelled to campus with family, it’s also a good idea to get some food with them so you can spend time with them before they leave, plus it prevents you having to cook on your first night. There are plenty of places for this in the city centre, but you also have the Ram Bar (in the forum), and iSCA Eats (right next to Lafrowda) on Streatham campus.
Don’t worry if you’re alone on your first night – maybe sit in your shared kitchen or common areas, or take a little walk to familiarise yourself with campus. Others will be in exactly the same boat and looking for some company too. Personally, what I found beneficial over the first few days was leaving my bedroom door open whilst I was unpacking and decorating my room. This gave me a good opportunity to meet my flatmates in a low-pressure environment, just saying hello and introducing yourself as they walk past will likely spark a conversation. Don’t be too shy to ask people what their plans are for the day, everyone is eager to meet new people and explore the city so chances are you’ll get an invite to any plans they already have or you can create some plans together.
When picking a day to move in, you will usually have the choice of a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. I moved in on a Saturday, so I may be biased, but this tends to be the best day to arrive. Whilst arriving on Friday, and potentially being first in your flat, means you might get first pick at the kitchen cupboards, I know people have found it a little lonely. As Sunday is the end of move-in weekend, it sometimes has less of an atmosphere – and the chocolates may have run out by then. But whatever day you move in, it’s not the end of the world – everybody should be allocated equal cupboard space in the kitchen, and you won’t miss out on any big fresher activities as most won’t start until Monday.
I hope this guide has helped ease some nerves about moving to Exeter University, and given you some advice on packing, where to find information, and how to get involved in freshers’ activities. Remember that everyone is experiencing similar feelings, and everyone at Exeter uni is here to help if you have any concerns. Try not to worry, and think of this as the start of something amazing!