If you’ve done any of these six things, you’re a certified silly Exeter fresher

You’re not you when you’re a fresher.


We’re wrapping up week two of the first term, so all the freshers are getting slightly more comfortable in their new environment.

The rest of us who are second year and above can only cringe at our fresher selves and feel nostalgic about our Logic Mondays and TP Tuesdays. But if you’re a first year, you’re still learning about Exeter uni life and will probably continue to be a little bit silly for another year or so.

Realistically, we’ve all done at least one of these. Yes, it may be embarrassing but it’s got to be done. As you get used to Exeter uni life, you’ll realise that nothing is that serious.

So, get your bingo cards out and check how many of these you’re guilty of.

1. Packing too many things 

I get it, you’re moving away from home, you want to be sure that you’ve got everything you need. However, that doesn’t mean you have to take the whole house to university with you. Keep in mind that you’ll probably end up buying more items while at uni – especially when you can’t resist a cheeky Pret in Forum.

The worst thing is, you’ll probably bring all that stuff and still manage to forget some essentials back home. You end up looking super awkward at Exeter St. David’s Station and people don’t really know how to react. Just travel lightly, I promise it’s worth it.

2. Upsetting your neighbours after a night out 

Sometimes, you come back to your accommodation after a great night out (probably Timepiece or Fever) and forget that other people live around you. It’s great that you’ve got an amazing social life, just try not to disturb other people’s sleep because of it. No party or event is worth the risk of getting in trouble with the university, or even the law. You can walk back to your Lafrowda flat without waking up the academic weapons in the floor above you.

3. Going to every freshers’ event

FOMO can be brutal, especially when you’re new and eager to fit in. That being said, there’s absolutely no need to buy tickets for every freshers’ party in Exeter. Some of them aren’t legit anyways and chances are, you’ll probably feel more drained as the year goes on. Plus, some of you are living in Birks and Duryard, so you’ll probably regret your decisions when you have to walk up Cardiac Hill the next day with a raging hangover. Coming from somebody who loves a good drink and party, you don’t need to be getting drunk every night to be cool. It’s okay to give it a rest; you’ve got lectures to go to in the morning. Also, have some mercy on your bank account and liver.

4. Overspending

Right, I’m all for treating yourself here and there, but remember that your maintenance loan instalment is supposed to last you a whole term, not two weeks. Sidwell Street and High Street won’t disappear just because you saved your money. So put that phone down, keep your card in your wallet and prioritise what you need. That £25 TP ticket from Overheard is not that important and it might be a scam anyway.

5. Joining too many sports clubs and societies

Seriously, no one’s going to judge you for only joining one or two societies. They’re both great ways of meeting new people and socialising, but that doesn’t mean you need to be occupied every minute of the day. Give yourself room for downtime. Uni lasts three or more years, there’s plenty of time to join a society if you want to. Besides, this is Exeter – a walk to uni is a workout in itself. Also, sports societies and societies can get spenny, don’t feel pressure to sign up to every single one.

6. Get locked out of your accommodation

Totally not calling myself out with this one. It’s so awkward when you realise you’ve locked yourself out and you have to pray someone in your flat is home to let you in. It’s even worse when you’re standing outside and make eye contact with people in the other blocks.  If you live in Duryard, Wilson the cat can keep you good company, if he wants to. It provides a good distraction, until you follow him onto Belvidere Road for no reason.

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