Tell us a bit about yourself, your role and your time at Exeter
Hi, I’m Rhys, I studied PPE here for my degree from 2020 to 2023 and really enjoyed my time in Societies and on committees so I decided to go for this role to try and enhance the student experience outside of the academic, course content that goes on.
My role is very varied and involved working a lot with the University on the employability side of things (but also getting to innovate and stand up new, internal offerings from the Guild) and working closely with the Activities and Campus Engagement teams, especially when it comes to society queries, concerns and events.
Favourite spot in Exeter (or on campus)
I do love the Reed Hall pond round by Reed Mews – it's nice and quiet, quite relaxed, and just far enough away from the road to not get traffic, and far enough away from most things on campus to avoid most of the noise (do watch out for sunbathing students in Term 3 though, as there’s always a few who flock down to the gardens around Reed Hall).
If you could recommend one thing the Students’ Guild offers for students to get involved in, what would it be?
Societies... it’s kind of in my job description but I do really think that societies add so much to the student experience, and certainly my time at uni would have been much worse off without them.
Top study tip?
Do a little bit regularly – it sounds corny but keeping on chipping away at things means that when the time does come to study for an exam or prepare for an essay, then you’re already much further down the road than you would have been.
What’s one thing at uni you couldn’t live without?
The Ram. Need I say more?
What’s your perfect day in Exeter?
Somewhere in between spring and summer – not too hot but nice and crisply sunny. Head down to either the quay or the beach with a group of friends, bring some light refreshments (no prizes for guessing of which variety) and watch the afternoon blur into the evening and then the night. Back round the house after for a film or something similar.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to students?
Find the little things that you enjoy and try to make the most of them. Whether it’s a society, something on your course, a sports club, or something else entirely, creating those little moments of real joy and fun leads to forming those lasting memories.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
Developing a new Employability Role within the Guild. I love societies, but the chance to start up a new focus, and leave a lasting impact on how the Guild operates for the benefit of students is something that I really want to do.
