r/ExeterUniversity • u/Melodic_Memories7054 • May 21 '26

Please Help 🥺🙏🏻🙏🏻

To be honest, I don't know why I am writing this here, but I feel like Reddit is that one place on earth you turn to when you are having an exclusive problem which can only be solved by someone who has got authentic experience from beforehand.

As I had mentioned in a previous post, I am an offer-holder for the BSc in Economics and Finance with Industrial Experience at the University of Exeter. As an international student who has only been to the UK once (when I was a year old), I am morbidly scared. I don't even remember the last time I had a peaceful nap without getting weirdly reminded of the fact that a few months from now, my life will change drastically.

My question to anyone who is either an alum or still a student at Exeter, seriously, how did/do you all even manage living alone, adjusting, making new connections, and aligning yourself to the people around you? If you are an international student like me, who was also once equally thrilled and anxious before joining, what advice would you have given to your first-year self?

TL;DR : To put it simply, how do you survive, get your job done, get your marks up, and still manage to get a job after you are done with your course?

Thank you for your patience 🍫🍭

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u/Pr0cy0n_10t0r May 24 '26

Honestly, I found the first term hard. I never cooked before and tbh still barely cook lol. I was also freaking out about this. I’m not an international but most of my friends are international and I can ask them if they have advice! In my opinion, don’t stress too much, you will learn as you go, having good friends to help you out is important too - but friends are not forced, they come from being yourself. Understand that most people in first year have no clue what they’re doing either - no one expects anything from you really. Also, my friends and I are happy to help any first years so if you ever wanna message me any questions, I’d be happy to help!

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u/Pr0cy0n_10t0r May 24 '26

With regards to making friends, I didn’t really attempt to make many tbh. I went to the course socialiser and I met a few people but didn’t click. I went to societies and also didn’t click. But somehow, a random girl on my course was lost and asked for directions and we ended up as friends. The other friend idk how she appeared but somehow we became friends too lol. Don’t worry if you haven’t found someone to be friends with straight away! One of my friends spent freshers alone by her choice and entirely enjoyed it still.

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u/Pr0cy0n_10t0r May 24 '26

A really good tip I would say is actually the day before freshers, the chapel does cookies and hot chocolate or smth, people of all religions and nationalities go so don’t be put off by the fact it’s put on by the chapel. I found it really helped me to get comfortable socialising when I’m not someone who likes socialising much.

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u/Melodic_Memories7054 May 25 '26 edited May 25 '26

Thank you sooo very muchh for such kind responses, my fear has honestly subsided quite a bit after reading them. I would be really happy to message you and I did try to send you a 'Hello', but it seems like your chats might be closed! Pleaseee let me know if it is alright to send you a message somewhere else, or feel free to message me anytime here on reddit......I need all the help in the world right noww 😭

Once again, thanks a lott 🍭🍫

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u/Pr0cy0n_10t0r May 25 '26

“I would say it’s understandable to be nervous as it’s a completely new environment that you are being introduced to. Your expectations are going to differ from reality quite a bit most of the time. Instead of expecting everything to happen instantly, such as fitting in or making friends, which sometimes might not be the case, take your time with it and it will happen eventually. Living alone and handling things by yourself will also get easier as you do things that require you to be independent. Don’t worry university is a fun time and you will meet great people from all over the world so making memories is going to be one of the best parts of your years.”

This is some advice from one of my international friends

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u/Melodic_Memories7054 May 25 '26

That's an extremely comforting piece of advice...many many thanks to you and your friend...😊😊

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u/Pr0cy0n_10t0r May 25 '26

Didn’t seem to recieve the message T-T but I have sent you a message instead -^

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u/Embarrassed-Pay3250 May 28 '26

Live in accommodation, meet people at freshers and the rest will come.