Latest blog posts from students

Why I came to Exeter on Exchange, without Instagram

Convincing someone who loves to travel to leave the country is relatively trivial. Those who have already hit the road generally have a hunger for exploration, a desire to see the world and/or present it on their Instagram accounts.

I’m not really a pictures person.

I do love new experiences and looked forward to being a part of british culture, a place that’s always on time and incredibly polite. As much as adventure calls, embarking on this exchange was still expensive and time consuming. I couldn’t justify it as just an opportunity to see something new and share images; I justified it as an opportunity to slow down time. (more…)

   January 24th, 2018    Life on Campus, Preparing for University, Year Abroad

5 steps for choosing the perfect dissertation topic

There is one moment of momentous importance that occurs in every student’s life. One of many, I should say. But a vital one nevertheless. Yes, choosing a dissertation! That moment when you’re faced with pages and pages of titles and description. And it is an important moment. Especially as a major part of your final (or Masters) year will be spent researching a topic and writing a massive dissertation on it. So it’s important that you’re really interested in that topic. When you love what you do, you never hesitate to put hours of work into it.

For many, including me, there’s no clear topic of choice. I had no idea what I wanted to do so I came up with a 5-step process to help narrow down my choices. (more…)

   January 16th, 2018    Exams and Assessment, International, Postgraduate, Studying     , ,

Friendships at university

One of the things I was told multiple times before going to university is that “it’s what you make it”. Which seems kind of obvious, to be honest, and I was a bit bemused by it at first. Of course it’s what you make it, I thought. Everything is. (more…)

   January 8th, 2018    Cornwall, Freshers Week, International, Life on Campus, Miscellaneous, Preparing for University

Our study tips

With exams just around the corner we thought we’d put our study tips together to help those of you who need a bit of advice.

  • Jasmine – Plan your revision and think like your lecturer
  • Josh – Write it down, and you’ll actually get started
  • Thesia – Know How You Study Best 
  • Niki – Feed your brain
  • LP – Be prepared and check your bag the night before

Good luck everyone!

(more…)

   December 27th, 2017    Exams and Assessment, Higher Education, International, Miscellaneous, Studying

Merry #Exemas!

When the notorious Christmas adverts of John Lewis and all the major British retailers start appearing on TV, you know that CHRISTMAS IS COMING. End of term is approaching, Christmas decorations are being set up and you’re drowning in deadlines and exams. Such a magical time… Or is it? Well, even though you might feel overwhelmed, there are things to be thankful for, including Costa’s Gingerbread Latte and Pret’s Mince Pies. (more…)

   December 23rd, 2017    International, Life in the South West, Life on Campus, Undergraduate

Tis’ the season for Christmas events

Staying at Exeter over Christmas? Not sure what’s out there to enjoy? We’re here to help!

Winter in the UK can be really cool (No pun intended)! Especially during Christmas, when everywhere you go, its festive and beautiful. There is music in the air, people singing carols, lovely lights blinking merrily, people all wrapped up warm and shopping at the Christmas markets and the gorgeous Christmas trees with their amazing decorations! You’ve probably already experienced this on the campuses and in town.

But its not just Exeter. All over the UK, you have marvelous celebrations going on! Here are my top 5 picks for Winter Events – (more…)

   December 23rd, 2017    International, Life in the South West, Life on Campus     , , , ,

Deadline Life

For every student, December is a super exciting time of the year because it’s Christmas and you get to be home with your fave family members – your dog!! (I’m kidding, but am I really?)

However, being a Uni student means deadlines, especially towards this time of the year and as much as most of us love the holidays, our deadlines come first. The worst is having assigned essays over the break – the last thing that you  want to be thinking about whilst having an amazing time with family and friends is writing about how Katherine Philips was a repressed homosexual due to social construct in the Renaissance (that was what I wrote about in my first Christmas break – a really interesting topic, but not interesting enough when you’re surrounded by good food and music!) You might just end up winging it by smashing out that essay in the last few days of break WHICH IS NOT A GOOD IDEA, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS!!

(more…)

   December 21st, 2017    Exams and Assessment, Postgraduate, Studying, Undergraduate     

Dear UCAS applicants

Dear UCAS applicants,

How’s it going? I have to admit that I’ve erased most of my UCAS time from my mind. It was NOT FUN. Ultimately, it just becomes a short period of time in your memories. All you can really do is your best, submit and then drop it all out of your mind. There is a point where it’s out of your hands and that’s the point where (for most of you) this is your final year, and you need to focus on your work.

However, there is a bit of advice I’d like to give you.

(more…)

   December 19th, 2017    Careers, Cornwall, Exams and Assessment, Higher Education, International, Lectures and Seminars, Life in the South West, Life on Campus, Miscellaneous, Penryn Campus, Preparing for University, Studying, Undergraduate

Why I chose the University of Exeter in Cornwall

Cornwall – I’ve said it before that people often marvel at how far away it is for me in terms of university choice – it’s even more astounding because I’ve come from a country so far away, which means added travelling and stress. Why not somewhere more central like London where there are huge stores and big events (e.g. concerts at the O2) Or just cities in general like Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, etc.? Why not in the actual Exeter itself? (more…)

   December 8th, 2017    Cornwall, International, Life in the South West, Life on Campus, Penryn Campus, Preparing for University, Undergraduate

Top 5 Instagram Spots in Exeter

Top 5 Instagram Spots in Exeter

As someone who loves photography, here are my top 5 spots in Exeter to Instagram.

1. Exeter Quay

The Exeter Quayside is a ten minute walk from the city centre, and one of my favourite spots Exeter. Watch the swans, or enjoy the student favourite ‘On The Waterfront’  for delicious pizzas. During the summer, the quayside is the best place to canoe or kayak, or cycle down to the Exeter Canal Cycle Route.

(more…)

   December 8th, 2017    Exploring Devon and Cornwall, International, Life in the South West, Miscellaneous, Undergraduate

How I ended up in Cornwall, and why I love it

I didn’t really decide to come to Cornwall – I originally applied for Streatham campus. I received an alternative offer between trips to visit family in Europe and a holiday in Scotland.

I did, luckily, find the time to come spend a night during the few days reserved for clearing students to come have a look. My brother and I grabbed a late train to the South West (by the skin of our teeth) and watched the countryside speed by with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. We landed in this strange land of rolling hills that dip into the ocean and bright yellow dairy only slightly ambivalent anymore about whether I should accept this offer or not. I know I made the right decision: Cornwall grows on you. (more…)

   December 8th, 2017    Cornwall, International, Life in the South West, Miscellaneous, Preparing for University, Studying, Undergraduate

Thanksgiving 2017

One of the things that I noticed when I first moved to the UK was the fact that there is no such thing as a Thanksgiving tradition. As November rolls around, shops and high streets begin their transformations into Christmas wonderlands, radios start playing Christmas tunes and it’s as if November has been skipped over and December has started a month early! As one can imagine, for an American, this is quite an unnatural phenomenon! No more fall colours?! No autumn decorations?! Where are all the pumpkin-spiced food items in shops? What about the paper turkeys hanging in shop windows?! Why are people already wearing Christmas sweaters? (Fun fact: we say sweaters instead of jumpers in the USA.)

Luckily at uni, I am not the only student coming from abroad. About a week or so into November, I was packing up my bag after a lecture while speaking to a friend (who also spent many years in the States), about how this year was going to be the first of my nineteen years not celebrating Thanksgiving. Naturally, I was disappointed that I would not be able to join my family in Los Angeles to eat Turkey and pumpkin pie this season. We both concluded that this was an absolute scandal and something needed to be done! Before leaving the lecture room, it was decided that Thanksgiving was going to become a University of Exeter tradition.

(more…)

   December 7th, 2017    Cornwall, International, Life in the South West, Life on Campus, Miscellaneous, Penryn Campus

Off to the moors!

In and around Exeter, there are several stunning places to visit. One of the places much featured in literature and films is Dartmoor. From Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1902 novel Hound of Baskerville featuring Sherlock Holmes to the 2012 film War Horse, this somewhat mysterious, sometimes spooky and all-time gorgeous place keeps inspiring people through the ages.

(more…)

   December 5th, 2017    Exploring Devon and Cornwall, Life in the South West     , , ,

Thinking about doing a work placement?

Studying a four-year degree with Work Abroad or Industrial Placement? Planning to move onto this programme? Keep reading, this post may be your lifebelt.

Work placements are a great way to kick-start your career, realise your potential and find the path that is right for you. I’m currently on a ‘Sustainability with French with Work Abroad’ programme, though I’ve recently become more interested in work placements in the UK simply because I think it’s quicker and easier to find opportunities in my field in the UK. (more…)

   December 4th, 2017    Careers, Undergraduate

A day trip to Teignmouth

What if I told you that you are only 40 minutes away from this beautiful view?

Yes, go ahead, go buy your £5 return tickets to Teignmouth now! Before I moved to Exeter, I never expected to be so close to so many amazing hidden gems in the UK. Teignmouth is a small (but stunning) coastal town in Devon with long sandy beaches and great local food. It’s the perfect weekend getaway for those who need a break from deadlines.

(more…)

   December 2nd, 2017    Exploring Devon and Cornwall, Miscellaneous

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