9.1 Your first few days at Exeter

As you’ll have seen throughout this course, there’s lots of information online to guide you through your early days with us - but there’s nothing like meeting people face-to-face on campus and we’re all really looking forward to meeting you over the next few weeks. Our induction programme is designed to help you form supportive peer groups and friendships that will help you to feel at home, but we understand that it can take some time to build your confidence and make those connections. Welcome Week can feel exciting and terrifying in equal measure!

Don’t worry if you feel a bit overwhelmed and homesick during your first few days and weeks on campus - it’s completely normal and I can assure you that even the most confident people around you are having to overcome a few nerves! Together with all of the other support services, academic staff, the Students’ Guild, and our amazing students, we’re going to do all we can to help you to settle in to life as an Exeter student as quickly as possible. 

If you’re not sure about anything, and you can’t find the answer anywhere in this course or elsewhere online, please don’t hesitate to ask. As the phrase goes, there are no stupid questions! It's not too late to join a Peer Support programme to be matched with a current student who can help you navigate your first year and connect you with other like-minded people.

If you see someone looking a bit lost, go up and say hello. And if you’re feeling a bit lost yourself, try starting up a conversation with someone nearby (asking for directions to somewhere is always a good starter) - you never know, it could lead to a life-long friendship. At the academic induction events you’ll get to meet the other students on your programme, but there are thousands of other students across the university. Even if it sometimes doesn’t feel like it during the hectic first few days, your future best friends are somewhere out there. It’s now your job to find each other! So explore, try new things, talk to everyone, learn to say hello in a different language, and begin what we hope will be some of the best months and years of your life.

Academic Induction

As part of your on-campus academic induction, there will be welcome events hosted by your department in Welcome Week. These events will appear on your personal timetable and you can also see the schedule of activities under your department's section on the HASS 'New Students' website.

It’s extremely important that you attend these events – they are your main chance to meet some of the people who will be supporting you, including educators and student reps. You’ll also get insights into the characteristics of your particular programme, and important information about what to expect. Time will also be dedicated to activities that help you get to know other students on your programme.

Academic Welcome Fair

If you are studying on Streatham Campus, you are invited to an Academic Welcome Fair on Monday 16 September in the Great Hall. You will be able to meet many of the student support teams in person, as well as academic societies and other students on your course. It is a drop in event and you will find details in your timetable.

There is a Quiet Hour scheduled at 9:30-10:30 for students who would benefit from visiting the Fair without the crowds and accompanying noise. This slot will not be in your timetable, so if you would prefer to attend during this time please remember to make a note of it. 

If you are studying on St Luke's Campus, you are invited to the St Luke's Campus Fair on Thursday 19 September, outside in the Quad.