.png)
Moving away from home to a new country and new strangers and becoming a postgraduate student has been a journey of unlearning most of my beliefs and finding new ones. After my undergrad, I thought I had a good idea of how uni life can be, but I was in for exciting surprises here at the University of Exeter!
The year has been one of quiet milestones and loud ones, manifestations coming true, new bucket list goals, deep reflection, resilient growth, friendships, loneliness and self-confidence, but surely of unforgettable experiences.
Changing Rhythms of Uni Life
Postgraduate study feels different, although the fun and the pressures of being a student, meeting deadlines, maintaining a fun social life and rediscovering yourself remains the same, there is a new perspective to what each means as a Postgraduate student. Although Undergrad was time consuming and extensive, it was vast in breadth and less collaborative. It was a time of exploring what college life brought along, until Covid hit and everything for the final year was moved online, bringing new challenges every day.
However, during my time here as a Postgrad student, I’ve found myself asking more reflective questions, interacting more with my peers, sharing ideas, and engaging myself in deep and self-driven research. I enjoyed the lectures, workshops and seminars, which have sparked very collaborative and intelligent discussions in the classrooms often. I can’t emphasise enough on the positive influence of having interactive and collaborative tutors, onbringing me out of my shell and being comfortable in sharing my ideas despite the results.
Small Wins and Big Memories: Favourite Moments from this year
Some of my most unforgettable moments are not the grand events, but the small wins that were a reminder of my personal growth. The joy from submitting my first ever assessment was a reminder of belonging and being in the right place. The University events and socials led me to learning new skills as well as connecting with amazing people. The cultural celebrations at Uni strengthen the belief that we all rejoice in celebrating each other’s cultures. Whether it is a Student Guild’s daytrip or the various Give it a Go workshops that happen at the Greenhouse all week, these little joys have added to my big basket of memories.
I have had the privilege of witnessing my first ever snowfall and northern lights here at Exeter, and I am forever going to cherish these moments. Easily my favourite moments from the year were watching our beautiful campus change colours every season, sitting for hours at the Reed Pond during autumn, watching the snow cover the entire city in white, seeing the dazzling lights on river Exe on night walks.
Favourite Places in and Around Exeter
There is a long list of beautiful fun places to explore in and around Exeter, which are all true really, Exeter is just that place! But amidst these beautiful suggestions, there are few of my personal favourites that I’ve kept going back to throughout the year, and they’re easy on the pockets too.
Whether you’re looking to work from a quaint café or spend some time people watching to fight the impending loneliness that hits you in the middle of the day, The Quay will never shy away from embracing you. A warm hot chocolate at the Riverside Café in chilling winters or a fun brunch at Mango’s, there is always a place waiting to take your load off. Another most visited place of mine that remains away from the bustling city vibes is the walk from St. David’s station to Miller’s Bridge along the River Exe, always filled with a few furry friends and the most loving residents of Exeter. A warm bubble waffle on a sunny day at Guildhall will surely bring a smile to your face. Or simply find yourself marvelling at the stunning beauty of the Cathedral and soak up the sun at the Cathedral Green.
Accessibility to most of the beaches and other cities makes it quite easy to travel in and out of Exeter, also bringing in plenty of room for day trips. Pro tip is to keep an eye out for the Students’ Guild and Residence Life trips; they bring all the fun people together.
Plans for the future?
My time at Exeter has intensified my desire to purse a career in creative marketing and advertising and my learnings on the course have made me feel more confident in my skills. I am now exploring opportunities that will help me bring together my skills and academic background to creative, engaging and collaborative spaces.
My year at Exeter has not only taught me academic value, but it has shaped me into the person I’m becoming and has richly transformed my perspectives and experiences. The University and this city provided the perfect environment for learning painful lessons through soft transformations. I am eternally grateful for my journey here and how my experiences have changed me and brought me closer to myself.
Author: Ridhi Baid