Arriving at Exeter, I was thinking the same thing that many think when starting university. How on earth would I find my people? I was incredibly lucky to have amazing flatmates in my first year that I instantly clicked with. They made the transition to university so much easier, and my favourite memories from them come from the little things we did together - cooking, going out, watching films and just spending time together. I don’t think I was ever really alone!

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But even with great flatmates, I still felt like I hadn’t completely found “my people” yet. I think that’s something that can be easily overlooked when you first arrive at university. You can have plenty of friends and still feel like you’re looking for a community where you really belong. I didn’t play any sports, so I felt I was missing the “obvious” social route that a lot of students find through sports societies and teams.

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I realised I couldn’t necessarily rely on the “typical” university social routes to find my people. I needed to actively look for communities based on shared interests, experiences and values. For me, this was The 93% Club in my second year. I initially joined simply because I liked what the society stood for and wanted to step out of my comfort zone, but it quickly became much more than that. I met people I probably wouldn’t have crossed paths with otherwise, and getting involved in events and activities gave me a reason to keep coming back and getting to know people.

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Now, I’m the Social and Welfare Officer for the 93% Club, which is something I never would have imagined when I first arrived at Exeter. Being part of a committee has given me an even stronger sense of belonging. I’ve gone from simply attending events to helping to create the kind of community that I was looking for myself.

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I also started volunteering at ESOL classes, helping people in the wider community of Exeter to learn English. This gave me another completely different community and purpose at university. It was the perfect way to meet people outside my usual friendship groups while doing something that felt genuinely worthwhile. It reminded me that university communities aren’t just about having people to go out with. They can also come from shared interests.

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My biggest piece of advice to anyone coming to Exeter is not to worry if you don’t immediately find the picture-perfect friendship group. I don’t think I know anyone who did. It took me until second year and getting involved in things that genuinely interested me, to find my community. Finding your people isn’t one big event but rather a gradual process.

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Give yourself time, and don’t be afraid to try things even if you’re nervous about going alone. Join a society, volunteer, go to an event or talk to someone on your course. You won’t become best friends with everyone you meet but sometimes one conversation leads to another and eventually you realise you’ve built a community without even noticing.

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Looking back as I go into my final year, my standout memories at Exeter aren’t necessarily the biggest events. They are the everyday moments: laughing with my housemates, meeting new people through The 93% Club, volunteering at ESOL and now helping to organise events for a community that means a lot to me.

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If you’re starting Exeter and worried that you won’t find your people straight away, I’d say to give it time, keep putting yourself out there, and don’t be afraid to try something new because lots of people are doing the exact same thing. Don’t assume that everyone else has already found their group, it’s an ongoing process for everyone! Your first year doesn’t have to define your entire university experience so give yourself some time.

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Your community might be closer than you think, you just might not have found it yet.

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