Hints & Tips
Freshers' Week…
Health
When you move away from home to university for perhaps the first time your health is not necessarily the first thing on your mind. However it is important you take the necessary precautions to ensure that your experience of both Freshers' Week and your time at university is as comfortable as possible.
It is important that you register with one of the Student Health Centres during Freshers' Week, or as soon as you can. Do not leave this until you are feeling ill! See the pages on health and welfare for more information.
Money
It would be a good idea to bring enough money to last you for at least the first fortnight. Spend it wisely, as you will need to pay for food, university materials and transport. Your student loan will not enter your account until at least the first day of term, which is the Monday after Freshers' Week.
Finance always causes the most grief for students and it is vital that you realistic about your means from the start. Take the time to consider the resources you have available to you and construct a realistic budget. Don’t think you’re loaded when your student loan comes through or deceived by the overdraft which may available to you. It may appear to be lot of money but it has to last you all term and potentially for the duration of your time at Exeter. Remember that you will eventually be graduating with a great deal of debt and early financial irresponsibility will have a serious long term negative impact on your financial health.
Making friends
The people you meet at university often become friends for life. If you are living in halls of residence, when you arrive you could leave your door open whilst unpacking as a way to socialise. Sports and societies are a great way to meet new people and you will meet many people on your course once you start studying.
Our multi-faith Chaplaincy also offers you a space to meet other students in your faith community. It hosts a range of faith-based student societies as well as activities and events that cross faith and denominational boundaries. For more information see the pages on the Chaplaincy.
Insurance
You will need to take out contents insurance for wherever you’re living. Make sure your policy covers any expensive items you own such as laptops, mobiles, mp3 players and phones as well as other possessions which will not necessarily be always in your room.
TV license
If you are planning to watch television in Exeter then no matter where you are living, you will need a TV license. This includes watching television in your own room in a hall of residence: each room will need a separate TV license. For more information see www.tvlicensing.co.uk.
Join a society, take up a sport
Sports clubs and societies are a great way to meet new people and take part in a whole range of activities. It can also afford you solid experience to put on your CV and allow you to develop a range of valuable skills which will benefit you both at university in Exeter and in the future.
See the Students’ Guild website for more information on societies, activities and events.
…and beyond
Remember your friends and family
Your family will inevitably be concerned about how you are getting along, so it is worth getting in touch regularly if only to let them know you’re ok. Stay in touch with your friends from home when in Exeter and your friends from Exeter when you’re at home: you do not have to live in two separate bubbles.
Be careful
There will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy yourself but it is very important that you take care of yourself and act respectfully and diligently towards yourself and others.
If you are to be drinking alcohol during your time in Exeter, then www.drinkaware.co.uk can provide you with invaluable information about alcohol and knowing your limits.
Enjoy yourself
It is possible that you are not just in Exeter for the academic qualification. Make new friends, experience new surroundings and most importantly, ensure that you make the most of your time in Exeter.
