Studying - Students' blog | University of Exeter

5 Mood Boosting Tips

5 Tip to improve your mental health (especially this month)

March can feel like a funny old month, especially after the post winter holiday exam season, it can feel like you’re already day for another break. But with University Mental Health day being the 9th March and International happiness day later this month, I thought I would bring you a blog adding to the ‘Top 5 tips series’, on improving your Mental health. Though they may feel obvious, I hope that this blog serves as a reminder to do the things that make you feel your very best.

1. Move your body in a way that feels good. Exercise.

Especially when I haven’t done some form of exercise in awhile, this is one that I always seem to deny will actually help me feel good. That is of course, until I actually do it. For everyone exercise looks different. For me it normally comes in the form of an impromptu dance party, a long walk – even if it’s just walking to and around town/the quay-, a feel good YouTube workout or sometimes, I’ll even put on my running shoes and head out with a feel good playlist playing in one ear.

Whatever it is you choose to do, hype yourself up and give it a go. Because those endorphins and the great sleep you’ll get afterwards, really will do wonders for your mood. (more…)

bfa205 March 15th, 2023 Health and wellbeing, Life on Campus, Lifestyle, Preparing for University, Studying, Undergraduate cornwall, exeter, first year, fresher, freshers, life in the south west, life on campus, medical school, medicine, mental health, penryn campus, preparing for university, second year, settling in, societies, student life, studying, undergraduate, university of exeter, wellbeing

Addressing additional learning needs – Finding the right learning support at university

By Joe, a University of Exeter graduate (2022), Penryn campus

I was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 10 and through most of my school years it was ignored, which in turn made it much harder to achieve the grades that my peers were getting. Due to my dyslexia, it took me much longer to read and absorb important scholarly materials, and I wasn’t getting extra time in exams, which further limited my chances of getting higher grades throughout my GCSEs in particular when I had multiple subjects and coursework to complete.

However, since leaving the independent school system and joining Exeter University, my dyslexia has been taken much more seriously. (more…)

Author December 6th, 2022 Exams and Assessment, Health and wellbeing, Studying Learning support; dyslexia; university

What is ‘Studiosity’?

You may or may not have seen and heard the word ‘Studiosity’ banded around over the course of your academic studies at Exeter, but what actually is it and how can you benefit from it?

It is well known that the transition from A Levels to undergraduate studies can feel quite overwhelming, especially when it comes to writing longer essays and producing a much higher quality of work for your modules. This is where Studiosity comes in! A service provided by the university, accessed via the Exeter online platform ELE (where all your modules and the relevant work for them are listed), with two main functions. (more…)

Anisa Marsh June 4th, 2021 Exams and Assessment, Higher Education, Lectures and Seminars, Studying

Language Learning at Degree Level

Deciding to pursue a foreign language at University can seem like a huge step to take from A Level, and you may be doubting yourself already, but the truth is language learning is a beautifully chaotic process whatever stage you are at and I would encourage you to embrace ever step of it – and take the plunge!

I currently study BA Sociology and Spanish at Exeter so I can give you some good advice to help you prepare for learning any language at degree level. (more…)

Anisa Marsh May 13th, 2021 Preparing for University, Studying, Undergraduate

Preparing yourself mentally for University

As the start of your first (and second, third!) years at university quickly approach, it can be so easy to get completely swept up in all the practical preparations, to-do lists and general chaos of organising all your belongings into piles ‘to take’, ‘to charity shop’, or to put in the vague ‘undecided’ category that you convince yourself you’ll come back to later… It’s no surprise then that people often forget to take a moment to think about how to prepare themselves mentally for the transition from A Levels or gap years to the academic and social life of university. Here’s where I’ll do half the work for you by prompting you to think about some ways you can prepare before even arriving on campus and generally just make the most of your time studying for a degree. (more…)

Anisa Marsh April 12th, 2021 Higher Education, Lifestyle, Preparing for University, Studying, Undergraduate

Life as a mature student – the answers to all the questions you might have

Hi everyone, I’m Jess and I joined the University of Exeter in September 2018 at the ripe age of 21 (when a lot of students actually graduate). I am now in my final year studying Classical Studies and Philosophy and I’ll be graduating at 24!

Are you considering starting university and you’re over 21? Worried about how you will settle in? Then below you’ll find 5 answers to the questions you’ve been thinking of asking! (more…)

Jessica Applegate March 23rd, 2021 Higher Education, Life in the South West, Life on Campus, Mature students, Preparing for University, Studying, Undergraduate

5 most common worries about going to university… and why you don’t need to be

Coming to university can often be a scary and unfamiliar journey…but fear not you have nothing to worry about – you’ll absolutely love it! Here are 5 common worries that you need not fret about: (more…)

Annabel Rachel Bugbird March 1st, 2021 Careers, Food and eating, Higher Education, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Studying, Undergraduate

Studying from home

An endless supply of tea, easy access to peanut butter toast and the option to work in your pyjamas; studying from home can be great, especially when it means avoiding a soggy commute to the library and helping to reduce carbon emissions.

However, speaking from experience, it can come with procrastination pitfalls; Netflix, sleeping and baking to name a few. If you are used to studying with friends home working can also feel a little dull and lonely. That said, when you’ve got a 3,000-word essay to write there’s no better place to get it down.

Not convinced? I have nine tried and tested tips guaranteed to help you get the most out of studying at home. (more…)

Hannah Maria Rudd August 10th, 2020 Exams and Assessment, Health and wellbeing, Higher Education, Preparing for University, Studying

A Beginner’s Guide to Societies at the University of Exeter

This blog was written based on experiences prior to Covid-19.

Hi Everyone, my name is Isla and I am headed into my final year at Exeter University. I’ve been part of 4 Society Committees and attended some amazing society events in Exeter, but when I arrived as a fresher the societies process seemed quite daunting. What societies are there? How can I sign up? How can I afford to pay for society events and membership?

Well, here is my beginner’s guide to Societies at Exeter Uni… (more…)

Isla Zena Lamparelli July 17th, 2020 Freshers Week, Health and wellbeing, International, Preparing for University, Studying, Undergraduate Clubs, fresher, freshers, international, music, societies, Sports

Life in Lockdown – How I Survived and Thrived

At first, I was afraid… I was petrified… then life somehow returned to a slightly updated version of ‘normal’. It’s nigh on impossible to write a blog in the ‘mid-covids’, (if that’s what we can call it?) without referring to the ‘C’ word. What an extraordinary time we live in, and for all of us, almost nothing will be as it was for the near future at least. As I was thinking about writing this blog, I was wondering what to focus on, apart from the obvious. But I made a quick list of achievements, even the little things, that I had got done amongst, not going to lie, many weeks of uncertainty, and sheer panic at times. It was an impressive list.

The foremost ‘problem’ I tried to solve, was – and I think I wasn’t the only one – how on earth to keep studying and working towards a goal, when the global goalposts have shifted out of all recognition? Keep calm and carry on was NOT top of my list!

So, this blog will highlight something about my life as a (very) mature student, (!), what I have been doing to keep myself sane, and most importantly what I have learned as a student and now as a post-grad at Exeter, not only academically, but the life skills which have come in very useful indeed! (more…)

am1292 July 16th, 2020 Health and wellbeing, Higher Education, Miscellaneous, Preparing for University, Studying

The algorithmic gaze and its impact on our sense of human identity

Jo Sutherst is a PhD student in the College of Humanities, based in Exeter. Her research is self-funded and is investigating the effects of algorithms and the selfie on identity. Her supervisors are Professor Gabriella Giannachi and Professor David Houston Jones.

My Research

Through my research I am hoping to determine the impact of our engagement with the selfie and the algorithmic filters that can be used to edit and ‘perfect’ our self-image. The selfie can be understood as a product of recent advancements in digital image-making and online image sharing platforms. It is a socially accepted global phenomenon that serves as a means of self-representation.

I will use practice elements involving lots of selfies of me (eek!), which I will then use to research the role of the process of producing, editing and sharing selfies as a method for constructing and communicating identity in a contemporary digital world. The images will be shared on social media so it would be great to have you along for the journey. (more…)

Jo-Anne Sutherst July 8th, 2020 Distance Learning, Health and wellbeing, Higher Education, Postgraduate, Studying

Typical Week as a 2nd Year Medical Sciences Student

Welcome to my blog! I’ll be sharing my typical week as a 2^nd year Medical Sciences student.

The timetable varies quite significantly in 2^nd year depending on the modules you take. Some have fewer contact hours compared to others. For my second term, I chose the ‘Introduction to Neuroscience’ and the ‘Medical Genetics’ modules (I enjoyed the content of both modules to its entirety so I highly rate them). Of course, these were integrated onto my timetable alongside the core modules (Disease, Diagnostics and Therapeutics (DDT) and Principles of Medical Research (PMR)). (more…)

Author June 26th, 2020 Lectures and Seminars, Life on Campus, Lifestyle, Preparing for University, Studying, Undergraduate

Life as a first-year Flexible Combined Honours student – English and Economics

Hi everyone, my name is Haowei and I am from London. I have just completed my first year as a Flexible Combined Honours (FCH) student studying English and Economics.

Whenever I introduce my degree to people, I’m often faced with responses like “what’s Flexible Combined Honours?” or “I didn’t know you could do that, that’s such a cool degree!” Hopefully this blog will clarify what Flexible Combined Honours is and give you an insight into my experience as an FCH student this year. (more…)

Haowei Shi June 18th, 2020 Higher Education, Lectures and Seminars, Studying, Undergraduate

A Typical Week at the University of Exeter as a 2nd Year BA English Student

Hi, my name is Isla and if you haven’t read any of my blog posts before, lovely to virtually meet you, otherwise, welcome back. I’m going to break down my usual week at Exeter uni as a 2^nd year English student… (more…)

Isla Zena Lamparelli June 12th, 2020 Freshers Week, Health and wellbeing, Lectures and Seminars, Life on Campus, Lifestyle, Preparing for University, Studying, Undergraduate

How to study productively and efficiently at home

Hi, my name is Isla and I am currently studying for my BA English degree at Exeter University. With the current pandemic and studies disrupted, tackling that pile of coursework you’d rather avoid, combined with health concerns and a distracting home environment is daunting. It’s easy to say ‘I just study better in the library’ but there are methods and tools out there to help you create the best study space you can at home.

Managing my studies around a busy timetable (I am part of three society committees, a subject representative and have a job alongside my studies) has encouraged me to find any resources I can to help with working at home productively and efficiently. I’m going to share with you some of the tools and study methods I use to keep up with work and still have time for Netflix and a social life (well more of a Zoom/Facetime life now). (more…)

Isla Zena Lamparelli June 9th, 2020 Distance Learning, Exams and Assessment, Health and wellbeing, Lifestyle, Preparing for University, Studying, Undergraduate