Ask a current student at the University of Exeter

Speaking with our current students is a great way of getting a more detailed insight into what being a student at the University of Exeter is like. To ensure that everyone gets the most out of the experience, all users must meet our Community Guidelines, details of which can be found below.

Be kind – no hate or bullying 

Everyone is welcome. Debates and different opinions are fine, but not if they make others feel unsafe or threatened. Treat others in the community how you would expect to be treated yourself. Bullying of any kind is never acceptable. Personal attacks, comments about a person’s appearance, inflammatory remarks, profanity, or degrading comments about things such as race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender, or identity will not be tolerated.  Comments that make other users feel uncomfortable in any way are unacceptable. If someone is made to feel unsafe in our Unibuddy Community and reports content to our moderation team, the block request will be upheld.

Privacy and respect 

Speaking freely makes interactions in communities fun and interesting, however please be mindful of others. We are unable to monitor conversations in private groups or direct messages so mutual trust and respect is expected. We also ask you not to spam or post irrelevant links or promotions.

Other social media platforms 

We understand that you enjoy connecting on other social networks, but we do not recommend giving out your personal details such as your full name or location, telephone number or usernames for apps such as Whatsapp, TikTok, Instagram, and other social media sites. The University of Exeter can moderate Unibuddy Community, but we do not have the ability to act in any other platforms you use to make connections. It should be noted, however, that the University reserves the right to reject or withdraw an offer based on an applicant’s behaviour, which can include their actions on social media.  Full details can be found in our Admissions Policy.

Look after yourself and others 

If you are upset by something someone has posted, be sure to report it using the moderation instructions. We can then act and remove the comment. We can also remove the user from the platform if appropriate. You can also personally block other users, so they won’t be able to contact you again.  Of course, we want you to be yourselves, but we also want to ensure that every member of our university community feel safe and welcome.

Sharing information about yourself 

Unibuddy will give you the option to upload a photo and some information about you in your profile. This is not something you have to do, if you don’t want to. It is not a requirement and you'll still be able to use the platform if you choose not to. Other Community users will be able to see your profile and messages, so please only share information and comments that you feel comfortable with others reading.

Stick to the rules 

By logging on to the community and joining the chat, you agree with the rules outlined above. The University of Exeter is an inclusive community, where everyone has the right to be treated with respect, and we expect all staff and students, including applicants, to ensure this. For more information, please look at our Support and Report webpages. If you break one of the rules in our community guidelines, your access will be reviewed which could result in being removed from the Unibuddy Community platform with immediate effect and could also put your offer of a place here at risk. 

Moderation 

Messages posted in public groups are read and moderated frequently by university staff during usual working hours.    Our moderation team may delete messages if deemed inappropriate or offensive. This is done to protect you and other users. If you feel a message is not appropriate, please report it following the steps below.

All users can block or report inappropriate users within Unibuddy Community.

When you block a user, the admins (within Student Recruitment Operations) are alerted to this and able to take appropriate next steps. This can include completing the block so that user is unable to login or contribute further to Exeter’s Community.  All users can be reported and moderated, including University staff.

How to report a user who has sent you a direct message or who has communicated with you in a community group:

1. Log into Community
2. Go to your inbox and click on your message history with that user
3. On desktop/web browser, the user’s profile will be visible on the right-hand side of the screen. On Mobile, you can access their profile by tapping on the three dots at the top right of your screen
4. Select ‘Report user’. Please provide details of why you are reporting the user as this can help us identify the appropriate next steps to support you.

How to report a user within a group: 

1. Log into Community
2. Go to your inbox and click on the relevant group
3. Click on the name of the person that you need to report, either above a message they have posted in the group, or by going to the members list in the side bar on the web page. On Mobile, the members’ list is accessible by tapping the three dots at the top of the screen
4. Select ‘Report user’.  Please provide details of why you are reporting the user as this can help us identify the appropriate next steps to support you.

Accessing Support

We want to ensure that all members of our student community feel safe and well supported during their time with us at the University of Exeter.  We monitor our Unibuddy spaces during working hours, but if you feel in need of further support outside of this time, you can find further guidance below.

Emergencies in the UK

If there is an immediate emergency and you require the police, ambulance or fire services call 999.

In case of overdose you must seek immediate medical help by calling 999, even if you do not feel unwell.  The effects of an overdose can be delayed by hours (even days) and can be fatal.

If you're having thoughts about ending your life, then please tell someone.

Help and support is available for you right now and is there for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Reach out, as there are people ready to support you - you don't have to struggle alone.

Remember too that feelings change over time and these can too, so you don't have to decide anything right now.  Why not wait and find out about the help and support that's here for you?

24/7 Support

You can find your local Urgent Mental Health Line by visiting the NHS website: https://111.nhs.uk/triage/check-your-mental-health-symptoms.  Alternatively, you can visit the A&E department of any hospital, where you will be assessed and treated by the relevant health team.  

Helplines and Online Support

Togetherall is an online, anonymous community that provides 24/7 peer-to-peer and professional support (from experienced clinicians who are always online), plus a range of courses and tools to help you self-manage your wellbeing. You can find out if you are eligible here:

Shout is a free text service for anyone who is in crisis and needs immediate help.  It can be accessed 24/7 from anywhere in the UK.  Text 'Shout' to 85258 to start texting with a trained volunteer. https://giveusashout.org/

Samaritans provide a 24/7 confidential listening and support service where you are able to talk through your troubles and concerns in a safe and non-judgemental space. You can call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.

https://www.samaritans.org/

Papyrus provide confidential help and advice around mental health and suicide to young people and anyone worried about a young person.  Their opening hours are 09:00-00:00 (midnight) every day, including weekends and bank holidays.  You can call 0800 068 41 41, text 07860039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.

https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

Student Space is a website created by mental health charity Student Minds to support students, and it offers 24/7 text messaging support here: 

The Stay Alive app is a pioneering, award-winning suicide prevention app created by Grassroots Suicide Prevention.  It can be used by individuals navigating suicidal crises or experiencing suicidal ideation, or by those concerned about someone.  It can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store for smartphones and tablets.  The web version functions like a website and can be accessed from smartphones, tablets and desktop or laptop computers.  https://prevent-suicide.org.uk/stay-alive-app-grassroots-suicide-prevention/

Support for International Students

Befrienders Worldwide seeks to connect people to emotional support services worldwide using the 'Find Support Now' function on the top of the page, and also offers information about support for suicidal thoughts.

Togetherall is an online, anonymous community that provides 24/7 peer-to-peer and professional support (from experienced clinicians who are always online), plus a range of courses and tools to help you self-manage your wellbeing. You can find out if you are eligible here:

The Stay Alive app is a pioneering, award-winning suicide prevention app created by Grassroots Suicide Prevention. It can be used by individuals navigating suicidal crises or experiencing suicidal ideation, or by those concerned about someone. It can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store for smartphones and tablets. The web version functions like a website and can be accessed from smartphones, tablets and desktop or laptop computers. 

https://prevent-suicide.org.uk/stay-alive-app-grassroots-suicide-prevention/