You did it! You got into university and you’re searching the internet for anything related to Freshers’ Week at Exeter. Hopefully, if you’re on this website, you’re already thinking about getting involved in student media, or maybe you just want to know how to buy club tickets.
As a tired third year, who completed (yes I see it as a task one can complete) Freshers’ Week in both 1st and 2nd year, I promise you won’t see me in the clubs every night this September, but I do still have the tried and tested answers to what you’re probably wondering.
Whether you’re looking for club tips, to learn the support systems at Exeter, or want to know what’s going on this Welcome Week, I’ve collected all the big sister advice I can think of (including mental health and sexual health support systems in Exeter). Hopefully this one should help…
#1 Don’t buy the wristbands, and prepare yourself for early club entry
It’s a well-known fact after day 2, but often freshers think they need to spend £40 to get themselves into the clubs in Exeter during Freshers. You really don’t. Instead, you need to learn early how to buy club tickets. For the next 3+ years, FIXR will be your closest friend and your biggest enemy. Most of the clubs in Exeter sell all their tickets on FIXR, often starting with very early entry. Clubs here, particularly Timepiece (TP) are as much a pub as they are a club. You pay to enter, but the outside space, is an amazing hub, especially if you like chatting to lots of different people. Timepiece has a huge outdoor space, a pub, and three clubbing floors.
Under no circumstances, should you end up in Revolution.
Check out the Instagrams of Logic, Timepiece, 4Play and Sync or Swim to find out what’s really going on. Try to go to Cavern, Timepiece, Fever, and Bomba, if you want a good night out. Under no circumstances, should you end up in Revolution.
#2 Meet as many people as you can personally handle
Everyone has a different social battery, and sometimes the evening rolls around and a night out sounds like hell. Even if you’ve bought the ticket, you can always opt out. Don’t let pressure from others stop you from a lovely night in.
#3 Get their socials
No matter who you meet, if you think you might want to ever see them again, I recommend asking for their contact details. It’s so easy to meet lovely people and find they get lost in the ether. Also, don’t be afraid to send the first text, everyone’s keen to meet others, so don’t overthink it.
#4 Have a flat night in
Before I knew it, it was 2am and I had made strong friendships (the kind Dolly Alderton could write a beautiful book about).
As I said before, not every night during that first week needs to be spent in a club. The best night I had in my Fresher’s Week was the one where my housemates and I all sat down for drinks and games in the kitchen. Before I knew it, it was 2am and I had made strong friendships (the kind Dolly Alderton could write a beautiful book about). It was that night that I realised I just needed to be myself and the friends would come.
#5 Remember to eat
It’s easy to forget the very simple things when your life gets thrown upside down. In all the chaos, remember to do an online shop before you arrive, or pop to the shops when you first get there, so you have plenty of food. We have a new column coming soon, which will give you some fantastic recipe ideas for getting through! Get snacks too for when you’re in a rush.
I also found it helpful to make myself comfort foods. Meals my family and I eat regularly at home. For me, that was always fluffy pancakes. My housemates can attest to the obsession! Find whichever food makes you feel at home, and maybe share it with new company.
#6 Go to events run by societies you’d like to join
Exeter Uni students live and breathe societies. It’s how you will make your closest friends and it’s how you get back into your favourite sports or hobbies.
Key Guild event dates:
Monday 16th Meet our societies- Forum
Tuesday 17th Find your passion fair- Great Hall (come meet us at the Exeposé stall!)
Wednesday 18th Meet more societies- Forum
On these, dates, pop along to the stalls and find some societies you might be interested in joining. The people behind the stalls (including me!) are just uni students too and would love to chat to you about why we love our societies, and how they could benefit you.
We’ll be hosting socials if you’re interested in coming along. Keep an eye on our Instagram (@exepose) for more info…
On my Freshers’ Week, I went to society socials, those groups which quickly became my whole life. From Sailing and Windriders, to Xmedia, to Body Soc, to Swift Soc, societies are how you make long lasting friendships at Exeter, don’t be afraid to get involved.
#7 Remember to have fun and be yourself
Freshers’ Week is for you to get comfortable in your surroundings. If you’re more into walks down to the Quay and pottery painting, see if you can find someone to do that with you, or go along to one of the Guild’s organised events.
Honestly, there is no harm in coming into your new home exactly as you are.
It’s easy to feel like you should reinvent yourself for university. That you need a new wardrobe, hair style and personality, maybe even a new nickname. Honestly, there is no harm in coming into your new home exactly as you are.
#8 Nobody has made their best friend in week one
University never stops giving you the opportunity to meet new people. Just because you didn’t join a society in week one, doesn’t mean you can’t get involved. Equally, you don’t have to be besties with every housemate, or live with them next year. Your people will appear, don’t be discouraged if it takes a few weeks.
#9 Be safe
Freshers’ Week comes with a lot of pressure. Will I fit in? Will people like me? And the anxiety of it all can lead to people drinking too much, or feeling pressured to do things you aren’t necessarily comfortable with.
If you’re looking for support this Freshers’ Week, or are concerned about preexisting mental health struggles, email wellbeing@exeter.ac.uk, or go to the Student’s Guild support page. They will be able to support you, but you do need to ask for help loudly.
Keep sending emails and be honest in meetings with counsellors about your mental health, this will ensure you get the support you need and rightly deserve.
If you’re looking for Sexual Health support, the NHS website is incredible for finding important information, and the Sexual Health walk in clinic on Sidwell Street (high street) is great if you need the morning after pill, condoms, STI tests, or anything else.
For more info on Freshers, keep an eye on our website, and grab a copy of our Freshers print edition in the Forum. Welcome to Exeter!! I hope to see you at one of our socials, and don’t hesitate to send me a message if you are interested in getting involved with Exeposé.
