Tom Banks

BA Liberal Arts with English

What has been the highlight of your time at Exeter?

For me, the highlight has been the people. From the friendships you build, to the variety of lecturers you get to meet, the course-mates you hang out with, there’s such a diversity of people in a university environment, and it’s great to be encouraged by others who are as motivated as you.

What will you miss the most about University?

Again, the people! But also the sheer amount of variety that you get from just a standard day. Being involved in a range of activities outside of course hours is a great way to meet others, relax, have a laugh and develop time management skills.

What did you enjoy about your particular programme?

Liberal Arts was perfect for me because I wanted to keep studying a breadth of subjects; having the option to diversify my module choices from the very start meant that I got a far more personalised university experience than friends who were restricted by compulsory modules in their chosen discipline, and so missed out on cross-disciplinary study.

What advice would you give to current and future students?

To remember that you don’t have to know exactly what you want to do in the future! Be patient, enjoy the experience, and make the most of first year to figure out what your strengths are- and how to grow in areas where you’re weaker. And make the most of societies and career events- you’ll wish you’d used them more by the time you graduate!

What are your plans now that you have graduated?

I’m going to be spending another year in Exeter working for the charity UCCF, before hopefully going to work overseas.