I started Exeter University with all the knowledge and advice I thought I could possibly need. It was only after the first few weeks I realised it was all generic. “Join Societies” and “make the most of it” is good advice, but they don’t tell you how to actually make university life work. Most of what I now preach to Freshers are things I learnt first hand myself. First year is for figuring out the practicalities of university as well as lectures, nights out and making friends. So, if you’ve made it through your first couple of weeks at Exeter, here are five things I wish I had known.

1. You don’t need to buy everything

One of my biggest pieces of advice is that you don’t need to buy everything in your first year. I can say from personal experience that there is a lot of panic buying when you first arrive. It’s very tempting to arrive with a trolley full of kitchen and bathroom supplies, only to barely use half of them.

My rule of thumb is: if I don’t use it at home and can live without it, I probably won’t need it at university. I always have a stain remover pen with me, mainly due to how clumsy I can be whilst things like a rice cooker and an air fryer are always popular in a house. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stock up on the necessities. It’s always a good idea to start the year with more toilet paper, washing up liquid and toothpaste than you think you need.  Use the first few weeks to figure out what works for you, rather than preparing for every possible situation.

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2. Build you own University Routine

Creating a routine at university is a lifesaver, there's more to balance than you realise and making a practical routine makes your everyday life much easier.

If you have breaks between lectures, find a few places to go. I very quickly learnt the convenience of having the café in Peter Chalk right next to where most of my lectures are held. Nearly every building on campus has a café or quiet study spot, so go ahead and try them all until you have a favourite. If you’re spending the day studying in town, the Undergrad and Taste of South Street are great places to have a coffee and hopefully make progress on your assignments. It may not seem important right now, but they will quickly become part of your everyday life.

3. There's more than Freshers Week

September can seem like a permanent cycle of nights out, events, meeting people and constantly being busy. There's plenty of advice to “say yes to everything”, but once classes properly start, remembering you can say “no” is just as important.

There can be a bit of a shock going from constant fun to a quieter, .more focused routine. That doesn’t necessarily mean the fun is over. Whilst university is not one long Fresher’s week, your social life will continue to develop after the first few weeks. Saying no to the odd night out or event won’t ruin your social life.

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4. Making Friends Takes Time

Exeter can often feel like a huge, cliquey web of everyone knowing each other from school or back home. As someone who didn’t come from one of these schools I felt like I had already started my university journey on the back foot. It’s easy to assume everyone has already found their friendship group. Remember you aren’t the only person who feels like this!

People you meet in Freshers' Week won’t necessarily become your closest friends. Many friends are made throughout the duration of the year, whether on your course, in a society or just by chance. If you haven’t met “your people” in the first couple of weeks university can feel lonely but try not to judge your entire university experience in September. There is no deadline for friendships!

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‍5. You don’t need your life figured out

Finally, you will inevitably meet people who seem to have their whole life planned out.  They somehow know exactly what societies they want to join, what career they want, where they want to live after university and exactly how to get there.

Whilst it’s great to have a plan, it completely normal to not have university or graduate life figured out yet. September creates this false sense that everyone knows exactly what they are doing. In reality, university is the best place to be when you are still figuring yourself out.

Stay open to any opportunities that present themselves to you, change your mind when you want to and don’t worry if your university experience doesn’t look like the movies.

You have three whole years; you don’t need it all figured out in the first three weeks.

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