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The South West’s Best Student Publication 2025
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ISSUE 785 14 SEPT 2026 exepose.com @exepose
THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1987
Images: Flickr,
CLIMATE: Britain’s driest summer Page 10
Images: Flickr, Beth Casey, Athletic Union
LIFESTYLE: A Guide to Exeter Nightlife Page 16
SPORT: Student Athlete Spotlight Page 30
Front Cover Image: Toby Isbell
EXEPOSÉ Devonshire House, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4PZ
Editors Print: Beth Casey and Charlotte Isbell Online: Orlando McKillop and Ria Brown-Aryee Print Deputies: Poppy Fellows Online Deputies: Isabella Brooks editors@exepose.com News Editors Print: Poppy Fellows Online: news@exepose.com Features Editors Print: Janani Kandaramage Online: features@exepose.com Climate Editors Print: Freddy Purcell Online: Ella Clark climate@exepose.com Comment Editors Print: Isabelle Pearce Online: comment@exepose.com Satire Editors Print: Sebastien Broom Online: satire@exepose.com Lifestyle Editors Print: Rosa Terry and Sofía Tapia Online: Phoebe Andrews and Lucy Felton lifestyle@exepose.com
Editorial
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ND just like that, it’s the start of a new year. And for the both of us, it’s our last at Exeter. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to edit Exeposé’s print publication, and it seems a fitting way for us to round off our time at Exeter. Both writing for the paper in our first-year, we stepped up to the roles of Print Screen Editors in second year together and now will finish as CoEditors. We have a shared priority to deliver the news that students want and need to hear and know that this will keep us going through the busy year ahead. We also cannot talk about the Exeposé paper without mentioning our brilliant Deputy Editor Poppy, who puts up with every stress-induced brain dump and moment self-repeating delirium! In this issue, News speaks to Ruby Granger, an English graduate from Exeter on her take on the university’s staff cut proposals and covers results day and university acceptance rates. Features discusses how to manage homesickness, while Comment examines the increasing cost of Freshers' Week for new students. In Exhibit, Arts and Lit list the best places to read on campus, Screen provides advice on how to approach a film degree at Exeter, and music looks back on the
Print: Erin Rose Morris and Lucy Cornwell Online: Amber Gordon artsandlit@exepose.com
Print: Cristina Ferrin Online: Amelie Marah and Eve Buckley music@exepose.com Screen Editors Print: Beth Casey and Charlotte Isbell Online: Annabelle Atkins and Beth Donovan screen@exepose.com International Editors Print: Audrey Yuen and Suhaib Shaukat Online: Anna Tolkacheva and Lola Milroy-Tompkins international@exepose.com Sci-Tech Editors Print: Beth Casey and Charlotte Isbell Online: Julia Szewczyk and Sarah Hope sci-tech@exepose.com Sport Editors Print: Beth Casey and Charlotte Isbell Online: Lottie Townsend sport@exepose.com Social Media Executive: Sam Jordan Chief Photographer: Ethan Ford Podcast Producers: Melissa Swift and Sebastian Stanwell-Wise
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editors@exepose.com The opinions expressed in Exeposé are not necessarily those of the Exeposé Editors nor the University of Exeter Students’ Guild. While every care is taken to ensure that the information in this publication is correct and accurate, the Publisher can accept no liability for any consequential loss or damage, however caused, arising as a result of using the information printed. The Publisher cannot accept liability for any loss or damage to artwork or material submitted. The contents of this, unless stated otherwise, are copyright of the Publisher. Reproduction in any form requires the prior consent of the Publisher.
SPA AWARDS
2023 Best Publication 2025 Best Publication in the South West Images (top to bottom): Pickpic, Needpix.com, Public domain vectors
COMMENT
CAN YOU AFFORD TO BE A FRESHER? Page 13
SATIRE
TOURISM ON SIDWELL STREET
Beth and Charlotte
Page 14
ARTS AND LIT
SPOTLIGHT ON EXETER THEATRE Page 19
University News: Home and Abroad
Arts & Lit Editors
Music Editors
best of summer concerts. In Climate we discuss the recent heatwave-ridden summer, and Sport includes its first of many Athlete Spotlights, this time on the leaders of the Ladies' Cricket Club. If you can't get enough of Exeposé, you can check out our podcast and website which is updated on a weekly basis! Thank you to all our new editors, writers and general helpers who have worked hard to make sure this edition is available for freshers! We hope you have an amazing week and make the most of all that is on offer. In the future, if there's an important issue at the university or in Exeter that we've missed, please email us at editors@exepose.com.
Record number of A-level Exeter's degree apprenticestudents accepted into uni ships ranked 'Exceptional'
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VER 262,000 students have received places to study at university, and increasingly, students from disadvantaged backgrounds have achieved offers. This has been an increase of three percent since last year, suggesting perhaps a bettered quality of education, or shifting mindsets of 18-year-olds who have decided to apply to higher education and obtain degree-level qualifications. Over 440,000 domestic applicants have been accepted into further education from all age groups. The number of international applicants who have been accepted has also risen by two percent. The acceptance rates have differed by region, with 18-year-olds applying across the country. London, unsurprisingly, was high at 51 percent, but in Northeast England this was only 29 percent, and we must raise the significance of education and economic disparities faced across the country when we read figures like this. Furthermore, with so many students being accepted into university, such as 70 percent of applicants in Wimbledon, there are questions surrounding whether university is the only path, and whether it is healthy, and certainly appropriate, to push a binary of those who are students, and those who aren't. Is this narrative creating a further domino effect of stereotypes, prejudice, and divide?
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HE University of Exeter has become the first skills provider in England to receive three “Exceptional” ratings from Ofsted, covering Leadership and Governance, Achievement, and Participation and Development following a review of its Degree Apprenticeships programme. The university also achieved “Strong” ratings for Curriculum and Teaching, and Inclusion—a significant leap from the “Good” rating it received in 2022. Ofsted praised the “transformational” impact of Exeter’s apprenticeships on both students and employers, highlighting how the university removes barriers to learning before apprentices encounter them—particularly benefiting those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Exeter now runs 22 degree apprenticeship programmes, the largest portfolio of any Russell Group university, spanning digital, engineering, healthcare, and finance. Apprenticeships are supported by over 500 employer partners including Amazon and IBM. Around 4,200 students are currently enrolled. This result comes as degree apprenticeships continue to grow nationally. The Department for Education figures show higher apprenticeship starts across England rose by 13.6 percent in a year to 126,660 between August 2025 and April 2026. This reflects student’s growing concerns over rising tuition costs and employer-based demand for workplace skills, pushing more and more students towards an option providing stability.
UK's first 'SuperUniversity' to launch
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FTER the Department for Education granted approval, the new London and South East University Group, also known as LASEUG or LASE, the UK’s first “super-university”, a merger of the universities of Greenwich and Kent, is set to open on the 7th of September and will have the thirdlargest higher education institution in the UK with more than 50,000 students. LASEUG will now have students across four campuses in London, Medway and Kent, and each university will maintain its own university name, staff and separate academic divisions, allowing students to study and graduate from their chosen university. Prof Jane Harrington, The University of Greenwich Vice-Chancellor and incoming Chief Executive of LASEUG, stated that this “means we are starting with a smooth transition, an extremely strong senior executive team and clear direction so that we can fulfil our potential as the UK’s first "super-university” and would be a “blueprint for others to follow”. This merger comes at a time of financial crisis for UK universities, with the Education Select Committee saying there is “a clear possibility of a university closing”. A representative from the Department for Education said: “We welcome this merger…We have already taken action to put universities on a firmer financial footing.”
USA students put greater trust in collge leaders
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N the USA, a survey has been conducted observing whether students are putting more faith in college politics, than a national one. Students from all political parties or dare I say just the two that exist in the States, have reported much more approval of their campus policies, than that of the federal government. Data from Gallup and Lumina Foundation has been collected, stating 55 percent of college students believe their institutions represent their best interest, whilst only 45 percent said the same of their government. Inside Higher Ed explored the importance of trust in governance, be that small, college-led power, or the federal and state governments representing over 400 million constituents, and it leads us to reflect on our own trust in these institutions. According to research done by Royal Holloway, over half of young people are becoming disillusioned with national politics, unhappy with UK democracy. Could UK students feel more positively about their campus government, their college leaders, and faculty members representing, and importantly advocating for their needs? In the US, it is Republican students that feel more strongly that their college governments are representing their needs best, 62 percent relative to 55 percent of Democrats. Universities and governments alike may reflect on this data and ask what is making them so trustworthy, and how can national governance win back the favour of young people to make them happy again?
By Poppy Fellows, Gracie Kelly, Ria Brown-Aryee, Poppy Fellows
14 SEPTEMBER 2026 | EXEPOSÉ
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Image: Ruby Granger
In conversation: student and alumni perspectives on the University of Exeter’s proposed staff cuts Charlotte Isbell and Beth Casey Editors-in-Chief In June, the University of Exeter announced its proposal to cut around 150 staff to save costs. The Exeter University and College Union (EUCU) shared that 85 percent of the job cuts will disproportionately affect Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Exeposé’s Online team covered the situation in July, with the conversation continuing until now. The news received much backlash from concerned students and lecturers. The petition ‘Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter’ has just under 40,000 signatures as of late August 2026. Many Exeter alumni expressed their concerns online, including former Tory MP Rory Stewart, actor and writer Stephen Fry and film critic Mark Kermode.
The petition ‘Stop Redudancies at the University of Exeter’ has just under 40,000 signatures
YouTuber and entrepreneur Ruby Granger was one of the most vocal Exeter alumni. Known for her StudyTube content and love for all things academia, Ruby graduated from the University of Exeter in 2022 with a degree in English and now has just under one million
subscribers on YouTube. She has since completed a Mst in English (1550-1700) at the University of Oxford and is preparing for her PhD in Victorian literature. On the 16th of July, Ruby posted a YouTube video titled In Defence of the Humanities Degree. The video has ammassed 109,000 views as of early September. In it, she speaks with a spokesperson of the EUCU and explores the public perception of humanities degrees, as well as including videos from Exeter lecturers and students. We reached out to Ruby to ask her more about her video and her perspective on the university’s proposed cuts as a former Exeter student. I started by asking Ruby about a quote she references in her YouTube video by author George Anders. He worked in Silicon Valley and believed that ‘The humanities subjects are valued by everyone except the media’, with so many employees being former humanities graduates—and respected because of this. In her video, Ruby explains that the myth surrounding humanities degrees as unemployable is just that—a myth. A Jisc report from 2025, analysing the ‘Average unemployment rate for graduates in the UK 15 months after graduating’, declares Computer Science as the degree with highest levels of unemployment—9.7 percent. In comparison, English Literature was at just 6.4 percent, lower than many STEM degrees including Maths and Mechanical Engineering. As a third-year English student,
I know all too well the knowing looks when I tell a STEM student I do English. ‘But what are you going to do with that?’ is a familiar response for any humanities students. And I joke about this too—it’s easier to accept and poke fun at the narrative than to challenge it.
And I joke about this too— it’s easier to accept and poke fun at the narrative than to challenge it
Ruby told me she had the same experience at Exeter. ‘If you study English, you know intrinsically that it’s important. I’d never done a deep dive on the economics of studying humanities… I knew it was important but more in a holistic way and for slightly woolly reasons. It was only after doing the research [for the video] that I kind of realised.’ She thinks that this clashing perception of humanities degrees versus the reality of their contribution to our economy persists because ‘it’s an easy narrative… it’s very easy to understand… because it doesn’t have this easy vocational connection where you map a career onto studying a humanities subject, it’s easy to spin the narrative.’ ‘Even as English students’, she tells me, ‘I didn’t think it was an economically sensible degree to choose.’ Ruby has been very vocal about her
love for her tutors at Exeter and her overall experience. I asked her what specifically she enjoyed and values about her Exeter degree and if there were any resources or opportunities she would recommend to freshers. She told me that ‘in terms of opportunities, being aware that we have an amazing archive at Exeter’ is important. Ruby didn’t realise until her second year ‘that there are so many incredible manuscripts buried under the university that you can go and see.’ She’d recommend this to ‘incoming English students specifically’ as well as all humanities students ‘because there are amazing humanities resources too.’ She was also keen to stress that ‘there are loads of internships you can do through the archives at Exeter; I did two research internships through the archives and they were so fulfilling, so incredible and managed by Professor Tim Kendall.’
There are so many incredible manuscripts buried under the university that you can go and see
She asked if Tim had shown me the original Lord of the Flies manuscript during my first year—which he did, during one of my first ever seminars— replying that ‘it’s those moments, a tutor going above and beyond’ that make Exeter so special. She shares stories about John
Plunkett’s magic Victorian lantern show in her final seminar before the Christmas holidays with genuine enthusiasm, as well as Pascale Aebischer who asked experts from around the country to speak with her students via online calls every week to learn from even more academics. ‘It’s that level of personality and interest that tutors at Exeter have’, which is ‘very hard to track or quantify’ but ‘is what makes Exeter so incredible—how involved your tutors are willing to be.’ She encourages all incoming humanities students to connect with their tutors as they ‘are genuinely interested in helping you to succeed’.
It’s that level of personality and interest that tutors at Exeter have [...that] makes Exeter so incredible
After completing her English degree at Exeter, Ruby later graduated from the University of Oxford with a Mst in English (1550-1700). Given that she was now outside of the Exeter institution, I was keen to hear whether she felt that there was opposition to the University’s proposed cuts elsewhere across the country.
Continued on page 4
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EUCU, University and student takes Continued from page 3 In November 2025, The University of Nottingham suspended all modern languages and music courses for new students and Lancaster University proposed to cut over 400 staff—a decision delayed by the threat of strike action. Will we see this trend continue? Ruby feels that ‘it’s the direction we’re going in, especially if the cuts at Exeter are allowed to go ahead. I think that’s why it’s so important to have this conversation; when a university like Exeter—a distinguished institution, highly respected… makes these cuts, there are other universities that might go down the same route. Everyone is talking about Exeter, there’s been a massive conversation about it, and that’s what scares me—if they get away with it when there’s been this much conversation about it, then what happens to other universities?’
When a university like Exeter — a distinguised instituion... makes these cuts, there are other universities that might go down the same route In July, a spokesperson from the University shared the following statement with Exeposé: ‘We understand that this is a worrying time for those who are affected by the ongoing consultation process—however these are proposals at this stage. Similarly, the University is not proposing to close any departments or disciplines. ‘We hope to achieve these changes through voluntary measures and all colleagues affected by the proposed changes will receive all the information they need throughout the process, along with every opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, and participate fully. The University will ensure that this process is fair and consistent throughout. ‘While Exeter remains in a strong financial position, rising costs mean we must take action now. These changes are intended to secure the University’s long-term sustainability.’ Ruby hopes that the university has
truly put conversation at the heart of these decisions. ‘It’s okay to have a conversation and it’s okay to have a proposal’, she says. ‘If you talk with tutors, you talk with these people who understand the value of the humanities, you talk with the faculties being affected, and you create a plan together through a conversation, that is a very different thing to what they’ve done up until this point. If they change the direction and draw on the amazing resources we have here, that feels effective. It’s not a decision [the university] can make on their own, and up until now they have. These people haven’t been consulted. None of it has been conversational. If they want to make it conversational, I respect that, and I think it’s a step in the right direction.’
It’s okay to have a conversation, and it’s okay to have a proposal We also discussed her conversation with an EUCU representative included in her video. Michael J Flexer—a lecturer in English and the director of Liberal Arts at Exeter—explained that ‘although [the proposal is for] 150 full-time equivalents, it’s going to be 200 individual people who lose their jobs’ because ‘as various people work four or three days a week’, that does not equate to 150 full-time staff. Ruby feels this shows how ‘these are decisions being made in a closed room’ with ‘no awareness of what’s happening outside.’ For her video, Ruby spoke with many Exeter staff and alumni. I asked her what their general reaction to the proposals were: ‘a combination of shock and disappointment’, she says. ‘Mostly because people had such a positive experience at Exeter and are so aware of how great the teaching is.’
People had such a positive experience at Exeter and are so aware of how great the teaching is She tells me that she’s unsure about the possible solutions. ‘Of the alumni that I’ve spoken to, people feel at a loss of what to do.’ For students to tackle the perception that humanities students
Image: Ruby Granger
People had such a positive experience at Exeter and are so aware of how great the teaching is
are of lesser economic value, Ruby says that ‘everything comes down to conversation. Conversation is the bedrock of the humanities anyway—it’s all about dialogue. It starts first with other people doing the same subject as you, you critically assess why this subject is important. Through the understanding which comes from that… you have the grounding to have those conversations with people who aren’t studying humanities. It’s about raising subtly that it isn’t that STEM is employable and humanities are not. Let yourself… understand exactly why it’s important—and that’s the first step to changing the narrative we have around it.’ In the topic of discussion and conversation, Exeposé also reached out to the current student body in a journo request, to gauge their reactions to the proposals. While an anonymous second-year Law student felt that their initial reaction to the cuts was unremarkable since ‘it wasn’t [their] department’, students from smaller disciplines had much stronger sentiments. A second-year Theology student noted particularly that the impact of staff cuts in small departments would be felt much more personally. ‘If any lecturers had to leave’ they wrote, ‘I know it would be felt by every single person. Their studies are so niche, it’s not as simple as another lecturer taking their place.’
If any lecturer had to leave... it would be felt by every single person.... it’s not as simple as another lecturer taking their place The divide between STEM and humanities students that Ruby mentioned was also outlined by an Art History and Visual Culture student, who described their initial reaction to the cuts as ‘genuinely shocked by outrage’, and felt frustrated that these cuts might occur. They then outlined why they feel the humanities subjects are so important. In line with the lack of a clear career map from humanities that Ruby mentioned, they described the impact of humanities as less specific than STEM, and much broader in society, and that those discussing the proposals are ‘taking away the literacy of future students by pushing them away from humanities subjects that help them understand the world we are living in.’ When asked if their perspectives have changed since the first announcement, many of the students who responded said their reactions had elevated, growing more ‘furious,’ ‘angry’ and ‘outraged.’ A thirdyear Film student stated, ‘it is terrible and remains so’ while a second-year English student responded, ‘the humanities are becoming sidelined when we need them the most in this increasingly inhumane AI society.’ On a similar note, the Art History student stated: ‘Cutting humanities staff is perpetuating the stereotype that humanities subjects aren’t important. In an age where people are faced with such a variety
Image: Ruby Granger
of audiovisual culture so to speak,’ they list social media and advertising as examples, ‘being able to understand and interpret what they are seeing and make an independent judgement is more important than ever.’ In the penultimate question of the survey, students were asked if they felt the cuts were the right move for the university. 100% of responses answered no. Given the option to explain their answers, one student acknowledged that they were not able to be fully informed on this matter, despite feeling strongly. ‘I remain confused and under-informed about the economic necessity of the cuts and the university financial security, so I may be misled in my opinion, and yet I still assert that the cuts are likely to be damaging.’
Being able to understand and interpret what they are seeing and make an independent judgement is more important than ever The Theology student previously mentioned noted not just the effects on the staff potentially losing their jobs, but also the staff left behind in the departments, arguing that there would be ‘no way the remaining 50-75 percent will be able to keep up with the increase in workload (especially after the immense pressure they’ve been under during the summer) and my education will suffer... the education I am paying almost £10,000 a year to have,’ they add to the end of the response. The second-year English student also outlined that the professors are what they believe to be the essence of university, and the main aspect that ‘sells’ courses on open days. They expressed their disdain for inflated salaries of management by arguing that those receiving higher salaries and raises are not ‘the product that the university is selling to its students.’ Along these lines, the EUCU have suggested that as an alternative to the proposed cuts, the university could implement a voluntary £120,000 pay cap for ‘16 key management personell.’ ‘These sound like brilliant ideas’ to Ruby, who doesn’t understand ‘why they haven’t been explored.’
Mia Taylor-Seal, your Education and Employability Officer, said, ‘You’ve told us that there is significant concern, anger and uncertainty about the proposed reductions. We hear those concerns, and we’re making sure the University hears them too. ‘Myself and the team, have spoken continuously and directly with senior University leaders, taking students’ questions, concerns and experiences into those conversations. Some of the things we’ve raised are around the potential impact on teaching, module choice, dissertation support, academic community, supervision and research continuity, including the particular concerns of PGR students whose supervisors could be affected. We’re also asking for clearer, more timely communication so students have the information they need throughout the consultation and have reached out to academic societies to see how we can support them and their members. ‘We’ll keep making the case that your education and academic experience must be protected as decisions are made. Alongside this, we’re working with other Students’ Unions and elected representatives to raise the wider pressures facing higher education. ‘We’re here to represent you throughout this process. So please keep telling us what you’re thinking and feeling so we can take your concerns directly to the University and make sure your voice is heard. Here is the form to share your thoughts: https://go.exeterguild.com/tell-us.’ If students feel they need to reach out for support, then please do not hesitate to at https://www.talkworks. dpt.nhs.uk/ for everyone, or specifically Exeter students at https://www. exeter.ac.uk/students/wellbeing/. As of the 4th of September, the university has announced that the consultation process has now ended and that ‘there will be no compulsory redundancies in any area where changes were proposed’. If students have more questions about the cuts, they should direct these to studentquestions@exeter.ac.uk.
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Students in India take to the streets to protest sation and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protests began in July, a direct result of this year’s Indian mediVER the summer, the streets cal exam. Sat by around two million of India were swarmed by people every year, the Indian medical masses of student protes- exam is one of the worlds’ toughtors, enraged at their government’s est exams, with only 130,000 medical places available. On top of this competitivity comes immense levels of stress; becoming a doctor in India marks the pillar of a good life, with families often remortgaging houses just to give their children the tuition necessary for this exam. What motivated protestors to take action this year was the leaking of these exams on Telegram, with the answers being given to the highest bidder. This led Image: Wikimedia Commons to a complete disqualification of test results this control over their future. Dubbed the year, a decision which led to 20 people ‘Cockroach’ protests, these students taking their own lives. Extra security were demanding change to the Indian has been given to these exam halls, education system, as well as compen- but this is nowhere near enough to
Ella Clark Online Climate Editor
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address the issues faced by these students. Enraged, protestors feel there Image: Melissa Swift should be compensation for the time and energy poured into these exams, with special consideration towards the families of those who committed suicide. Furthermore, they called for the resignation of Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, and after sustained pressure, he stepped down at the end of July. What makes this significant is this is the first time in the 12 years of Narendra Modi being Prime Minister that a minister has resigned as a result of backlash from students.
First time in 12 years a minister has resgined as a backlash from students This small victory was won through enduring such severe police brutality that the Indian government has been called out by international humanitarian organisations such as Amnesty International. In what can only be described as a savage attack, students have been beaten by the po-
Image: Wikimedia Commons
lice, and in some cases are victims to tear gas and pellet guns. For weeks these protests were not televised, with large numbers of media companies supporting the government, but word got out through social media, a powerful tool for these young protestors. It is through social media that opposition party, the Cockroach Janta Party or CJP, demonstrates its genuine strength by overtaking the traditional right-wing party BJP, led by Prime Minister Modi, in Instagram followers. The Cockroach Janta Party is organised by Abhijeet Dipke, a student
who studied in the USA, but flew straight home in attempt to fight against the education crisis in India. There has been a significant increase in access to education without an increase in jobs for these intellectuals to go into, meaning around 40 percent of young people leave education facing unemployment. It was this crisis that gave the CJP its name, responding to the Chief Justice of India’s description of the unemployed youth as ‘cockroaches’ and ‘parasites’. PBS news described the CJP and its movement as ‘India’s youth discovering the power of their own voice’, with the party starting a new campaign, ‘Fix the schools’ in the recent weeks. Whilst progress has been made, the wider student movement is far from disappearing.
description of the unemployed youth as ‘cockroaches’ and ‘parasites’
Exeter Cathedral to host inaugural ‘Harvest of the Sea’ Sofía Tapia Lifestyle Editor
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OR centuries, the UK has celebrated the harvest from the land, giving thanks for a successful crop yield and to the farmers that make that possible each year. This autumn, however, it will not be just the land that is recognised. For the first time ever, Britain will celebrate the harvest of the sea,
Image: Poppy Fellows
and it will be right here in Exeter. The inaugural National Harvest of the Sea will take place on Sunday the 11th of October at 6:00pm at our very own Exeter Cathedral. Despite Exeter not being a coastal city, its proximity to the sea and geographical location means the city still has deep ties to the fishing industry. Colin Faulkner, Chief Executive of Seafish (the UK’s public body supporting the seafood industry) explains that “it’s fitting that the event is taking place at the wonderful Exeter Cathedral, which is in a part of the country that plays an important role in the UK’s seafood harvest.” In partnership with Love British Food and British Food Fortnight (which are celebrating their 25th anniversary) and with the help of Seafish, the National Harvest Service looks to recognise the essential
role seafood plays in Britain’s food story. Fishing is one of the UK’s oldest industries, helping strengthen local economies and providing thousands of jobs. Its impact is not reduced to its quayside as the contributions of the sea’s harvest provide people from across Britain with healthy and nutritious food. Thus, it makes sense that the hard labour and efforts of the fishing and coastal communities should be highlighted alongside British farming and agriculture’s achievements.
Helping strengthen local economies and providing thousands of jobs. Adrian Bartlett, one of the organisers of the National Harvest of the Sea and Director of the Plymouth Fishing & Seafood Association, said he hopes “that this becomes a lasting national tradition—one that sits proudly alongside Britain’s harvest celebrations for farming and ensures that future generations understand the importance of our fishing industry, not only to our economy but to
Image: Flickr
our culture, our food security and the identity of our coastal communities.” The service will occur on the last day of the national food celebration British Food Fortnight, the same day as the companion National Harvest Service taking place at St Mary’s Church, Nantwich. At Exeter Cathedral, the Dean of Exeter will take the service, and the Bishop of Exeter will preach. The service is being held in partnership with The Fishermen’s Mission and will see representatives from the fishing industry, seafood businesses, coastal communities and supporters from across the country come together to celebrate the harvest of the sea. The service is free, and any donations given during it will support
The Fisherman’s Mission, who have provided practical, financial and pastoral support to fishermen and their families for over 140 years, and Exeter Cathedral. Everyone is welcome to attend: “Whether you’re part of the fishing industry or simply appreciate the value of British seafood, I invite you to join us at Exeter Cathedral and be part of this historic first National Harvest of the Sea” (Adrian Bartlett)
The service is free, and any donations given during it will support The Fisherman’s Mission.
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Students smoking in Exeter Accommodations Beth Casey Editor-in-Chief
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NEW campaign by Alternix has revealed that the University of Exeter reported 165 accounts of smoking or vaping in student accommodations between 2024 and 2026, placing them in tenth position out of all UK universities included in the survey. Greenwich University held the top spot with 727 accounts, while the University of Manchester had 191, 26 more than Exeter.
The University of Exeter reported 165 accounts of smoking or vaping in student accommodations between 2024 and 2026 In 2007, under the 2006 Health Act, it became illegal to smoke in enclosed public spaces, including
university halls, kitchens and shared communal spaces. Overall, there were 5293 incidents of student’s smoking in accommodation buildings since 2024, while nearly 83 grand has been collected in fines. Exeter University has collected £3,800, since 2024. The information used to create these rankings was sourced by the nicotine pouch retailers through Freedom of Information requests —a legal tool that allows the public to ask authorities for recorded data without giving a reason. David Phillips, the lead content writer for Alternix, has pointed out, ‘Beyond the risk of fines or disciplinary action, smoking indoors can affect other residents through odours, second-hand smoke and repeated fire alarm activations.’ The NHS website outlines secondary smoking or ‘passive smoking’ as when active smokers exhale from a lit cigarette, combining this direct smoke with a ‘side stream’ of chemicals that
cause just as many, if not more, health problems. The website calls this often invisible and odourless smoke a ‘lethal cocktail of more than 5,000 irritants, toxins and cancer-causing substances.’ Second-hand smoke can therefore cause the exact diseases that normal smoke does—lung cancer, heart disease, COPD, stroke, asthma.
Second-hand smoke can therefore cause the exact diseases normal smoke does —lung cancer, heart disease, COPD, stroke, asthma. Image: Flickr
There is no other way to protect others from second-hand smoke, other than not smoking around them. However, due to the highly addictive and widespread culture of cigarettes, smoking has remained pervasive within the population and as such, measures have been taken to ensure that the damage to non-involved parties is minimal, the primary example being the legislation outlined above.
If you are looking to quit smoking, the Student Health Centre has resources and wellbeing services that will assist with this. Visit www.stthomas. nhs.uk/location/student-health-centre/ for contact details. You can also access NHS resources at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quitsmoking/nhs-stop-smoking-services-help-you-quit/ . If you have any other concerns about your physical or mental health being affected by an addiction to smoking, you can speak to the University of Exeter Wellbeing Services at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/wellbeing/.
Regional GCSE disparities: A closer look at the Southwest nations to the university and Devon County Council, and there have been 25 students on the project’s pilot being supported by Professor Zimdars and Dr Graham to sit their English and Maths exams. All students achieved above a grade four in their Maths; 62 percent achieved over a grade four in their English. Due to this project, many students will be able to enter into their chosen col-
Poppy Fellows Deputy Editor
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ONSIDERING the recent GCSE results day, there has been a focus on the regional disparities in the attainment of high-level grades. Across Devon and Cornwall, there are some of the highest rates of children out of school in England. Many children out of school withdraw due to challenges associated with special needs and learning difficulties, and when it comes to sitting their exams, they face even further challenges. It is incredibly difficult to conduct exams outside of school, let alone a financial burden, providing further barriers to attaining formal qualifications needed for further education and employment.
Across Devon and Cornwall, there are some of the highest rates of children out of school in England Moreover, young people in the Southwest who receive free school meals are becoming less likely to achieve GCSE passes or progress beyond a grade four. Much of this is con-
Image: Geograph Britain and Ireland
sequence of lower educational attainment at primary and secondary school. The wider the gap to begin with, the harder this is to close. Dr Chris Playford of the University of Exeter has been researching this, picking up on a paradox which shows young people in the region are more likely to be in sustained education, apprenticeships, and employment in adulthood. He theorises the reason for this is that many young people in the Southwest are employed in sectors which do not necessarily require post-secondary educational qualifications, that are also likely to be lower paid. Playford states that to help young people from under-resourced backgrounds, we
must consider regional variations.
Many young people in the Southwest are employed in sectors which do not necessarily require postsecondary educational qualifications Researchers at the University of Exeter have been working with Exeter College to help children not currently in school sit their GCSEs. This work has been funded by philanthropic do-
Many students will be able to enter into their chosen college courses at Exeter College, despite previously not being in formal education lege courses at Exeter College, despite previously not being in formal education. This scheme is an incredible step to tackling the NEET crisis (not in education, employment or training). Next year the scheme will run with over 300 students on the waitlist and will begin to not only work to help young people
continue with their education regardless of the outside challenges they face, but a localised approach addresses the regional disparities faced across the country. It introduces a debate to whether we have curriculum reform based on the obstacles faced by young people regionally. GCSE success in the Southwest was clear: 68.3 percent of those who sat their exams passed, a higher proportion than that of the East and West Midlands, the North, and the East. However, despite this, this was a one percent drop in the pass rates from the previous year. Whilst there are fluctuations, it is clear there are regional differences in the UK for exam pass rates and NEET numbers that need to be addressed. This leaves us with the question: is there a clear solution?
Image: Flickr
14 SEPTEMBER 2026| EXEPOSÉ
7
NEWS
14 SEPTEMBER 2026| EXEPOSÉ
8
Features
FEATURES EDITOR:
Janani Kandaramage
The pressure of making friends in Freshers’ Week
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Sofia Tapía, Lifestyle Editor, dismantles the lifelong first-week-friends myth
S someone who has been an introvert all their life, talking to people and making friends has just never come easily for me. I knew entering university was not going to magically change me. If anything, I would argue that being in a new place on your own full of people you have never met in your life (but that you suddenly must cohabitate with, be it at halls, classes or campus itself) is frankly terrifying. However, I am aware that this heavily contradicts the general consensus that you will—no, you must—immediately make a million friends as soon as you start unpacking your bags. Keep your door wide open, start a conversation with every single person you encounter, go to every society taster and every club night—these are often advice given to students starting university.
KEEP YOUR DOOR WIDE OPEN, START A CONVERSATION WITH EVERY PERSON YOU ENCOUNTER With all of this, I am not trying to be pessimistic, but realistic. University is a great place for new rela-
WITHOUT THESE INTERACTIONS YOU WILL NEVER FIND YOUR PEOPLE
Image: Wikimedia Commons
tionships to flourish, and I am sure many of the ones you make during the next three years will carry with you for the rest of your life. I never fully bought the freshers myth that I would meet my lifelong friends during my first week here. However, I cannot deny that a part of me was disappointed when most of the acquaintances I made during freshers’ week—or in term one, or even my first year overall—either stayed acquaintances or went back to strangers by the start of year two.
This disappointment could have been avoided with a shift in perspective. First year, especially that very first week, is a great opportunity to try new things and meet new people. I do not discourage you from attending as many freshers’ events as your heart desires or starting conversations with people in your accommodation or course. This kind of exploration is a big part of what university is about. After all, without these interactions you will never find your people.
However, that also means that many of the people you will get along with might not end up clicking with you quite like you first thought. Whoever you meet at a society taster or club night might then decide the event was not for them and never return. You must make peace with that. Exchanging Instagram handles with every person you meet does not guarantee future conversations, let alone true connections. Personally, out of all the fellow first-year friends I ‘made’ that first week trying to put myself out there, only one survived the year. I admit that is likely partly to do with my introverted nature, but there was also something else: the one friend I made was the only one I got to know beyond surface level. During a week where every first-year is desperate to make friends, do not be disappointed if many initial interactions turn out to be dead ends. Friendships will develop organically if they are meant to, you just need to focus on quality instead of quantity.
Exploring the city of Exeter beyond campus Chloe Burrows draws attention to Exeter’s historic sites and heritage
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TARTING university can feel intimidating, especially if you are far from home. It’s not abnormal for Exeter to feel alien and it’s common to feel homesick in the first few weeks. However, this often quickly turns into excitement once you discover all the incredible things that the city has to offer. Most of you likely chose Exeter for the course or the societies or any other factors about the university; people forget that the city of Exeter is just as appealing with its rich culture, scenic views, and historic architecture that makes it stand out from other university cities.
and decorations. Wandering through the fairylit pathways to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones is a must for any Exeter bucket list.
IT’S A PERFECT SPOT TO STUDY, MEET UP WITH FRIENDS OR HAVE A PICNIC
PEOPLE FORGET THAT THE CITY OF EXETER IS JUST AS APPEALING One of the most iconic places to visit in Exeter is Exeter Cathedral. Built in 1050 and rebuilt with Gothic architecture in 1400, it is one of the most remarkable buildings in the city. Whilst—quite comedically—most students will tell you that they’ve never been inside, you’ll often find people relaxing on the Cathedral Green. It’s a perfect spot to study, meet up with friends, or have a picnic with food from the surrounding independent cafes and bakeries. At Christmas, it’s also home to the famous Exeter Christmas Market, which usually includes over 100 stalls that sell festive food, jewellery, crafts, alcohol,
Image: Flickr
In the Spring Term, another student favourite is to take advantage of the incredible scenery in and around the city. Exeter has multiple parks to relax in or use for some exercise. This includes the historic Rougemont Gardens, which make for the perfect space to wind down after classes and back on to the Castle. History lovers should note that this is the site of the monument for the Exeter Witch Trials—the final hanging of witches in the United Kingdom— as well as the Castle itself, which has previously
hosted society balls and other private events. Those who are more social might be disheartened by the online myth that Exeter is lacking in nightlife, activities, and third spaces. This is not true! Whilst the city is small, there are still plenty of places for students to go out, have fun, and meet new people. The two main clubs that attract students are Timepiece and Fever, situated on opposite sides of the city so there is always somewhere to go no matter where your accommodation is. There is also a plethora of pubs and bars, such as Castle Street or Cocktail Club, for a slightly quieter night out and, most importantly, a total of four Wetherspoons. In fact, Exeter is home to the second largest Wetherspoon in the world, the Imperial, which is only a short walk from Streatham Campus accommodation. There are, of course, sober activities dotted around the city as well. Guildhall, which is on the edge of the city, is a historic building that is now home to a range of restaurants that are perfect for a lunch out with friends. There are also two cinemas to watch the up-and-coming blockbusters, including a Vue Lux (of which there are only 32 in the UK) for those feeling fancy. However, if you are looking for something even cheaper, just take a stroll alongside the Quay, or a quick train to Exmouth or Dawlish to enjoy the beautiful scenery that Exeter provides in the warmer weather. Exeter is an exe-cellent place to call your home.
14 SEPTEMBER 2026| EXEPOSÉ
9 FEATURES
Homesick? You’re not the only one
Janani Kandaramage, Features Editor, offers tips for managing homesickness
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OMESICKNESS at university is the emotional distress and anxiety triggered by disruptions to established routines and separation from one’s usual support system. Physical symptoms manifest in fragmented sleep schedules, mental fog, loss of appetite, and students constantly juxtaposing a university setting against home. Do not interpret this gnawing internal sensation as proof of making the wrong university choice. Think about it like this: a new environment feels disconcerting because we do not have history attached to it, hence it is our responsibility to write it a backstory. Offering it a backstory will involve creating new memories that will come to ground our identities and help us find a home away from home.
DO NOT INTERPRET THIS GNAWING INTERNAL SENSATION AS PROOF OF MAKING THE WRONG UNIVERSITY CHOICE However, these feelings are commonplace and not exclusive to freshers. Homesickness is also experienced by distressed second and third years juggling extracurricular commitments alongside their grades and often manifests in waves. Rather than battling against it indefinitely, it is enough to control it in brief bursts until the wave recedes, a reminder that homesickness, however persistent, can be managed.
THESE FEELINGS ARE COMMONPLACE
tives, vital to invalidating pessimistic thoughts. Image: Flickr
Embracing Exeter City When homesick, staying indoors can feel cosy, but continuous isolation causes a cycle of self-pity and insecurities. Exeter city has numerous landmarks and activities to indulge in, even on your own. Explore city centre malls and cafes, visit the Cathedral, walk along the quay and savour the beaches across Devon during warmer weathers. Some personal favourites that have kept me relaxed include Brunch at Boston Tea Party, mingling with friends at the Cocktail club or Wetherspoons, and unhealthily indulging in Waterstones.
Tips to manage this isolation include: Finding your tribe, no matter how small (at the risk of sounding cliché) The University of Exeter offers a range of sports clubs and societies including some unconventional ones, catered for diverse tastes. These include the Film Society for movie buffs, the Taylor Swift Club for diehard Swifties, a Doctor Who Society for its loyal fanbase, and a Beer Pong Society for ‘competitive alcoholics.’ Such societies provide the opportunity to meet and bond with students of similar niche interests, allowing friendships to grow organically. Cultivating fewer authentic connections over huge friend groups can foster a sense of home by replacing the pressure to mingle with the genuine safety net of being truly known. Investing in new hobbies during empty time Idleness often acts as a breeding ground
for homesickness. To avoid falling into this rut, it is vital to direct that time towards developing new skills such as art or a new sport. Try engaging in activities such as gaming at the arcade, light yoga and pilates exercises for those not inherently athletic, and book discussions for avid readers. Use your freedom at university to experiment with different cuisines and dishes, a simple feat in today’s technologically advanced world in which recipes are available just by a click of a button. ‘Me time’ of this sort is vital to blocking out any cynicism that may intrude. Journaling Journaling, if practiced consistently, is useful in university settings that require us to navigate multiple responsibilities with little guidance. It provides a means to articulate and analyse feelings, effectively neutralising extreme emotions from surfacing. Maintaining a journal can help revive motivation by recording daily posi-
Making your flat feel homely It is crucial that your dorm room feels like home. Bringing polaroid photos of family and friends, familiar blankets, decorative ornaments, and favourite posters from home builds a comfort zone that defeats homesickness. If you are an international student like me, cooking traditional hometown foods can act as a sensory bridge to one’s cultural roots, offering a grounding sense of belonging. All in all, there are no deadlines for settling in. It is okay to feel alone and out of place but talking to a trusted person helps. This could be a close friend, family via FaceTime, or accessing the numerous wellbeing services at Exeter. Campus life may be a challenge but take pride in making the brave choice of venturing of your comfort zone to single-handedly draft the next chapter of your life.
THERE ARE NO DEADLINES FOR SETTLING IN
Pivoting from school to university
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Ria Brown-Aryee, Online Editor-in-Chief, discusses academic culture shocks
HE biggest academic shock a fresher might face is the difference in teaching styles between university and high school. On top of the new-found freedom and new environment, you are thrust into an academic environment, but luckily, you have your whole first year to adjust to such change without it counting towards your final grade. There are a few teaching styles you will meet during your time in university, and some which I have encountered personally. It’s important to note that each course and specific modules are taught differently and will demand different skills from you. Overall, university requires more critical thinking and research skills than the memorisation techniques used in A-levels. In university, you will have more self-guided and independent study, which comes from the larger numbers in
YOU WILL HAVE MORE SELFGUIDED AND INDEPENDENT STUDY lectures—as many as 300 students sometimes. In these settings, you have less of a personal relationship with your lecturer and less one-on-one time with them. Contact with your lecturer is often
limited to office hours, which become increasingly booked and competitive during assessment season, and emails. However, this might differ between courses and modules. In your first year, most courses will provide tailored modules to help ease the transition from A-level and high school forms of essays
help you and assist you in any way possible and is in the same area of teaching as you. Secondly, take advantage of the smaller tutorial settings where you can have more one-on-one time with your seminar leaders, who often go through what was learnt during that week in lectures or over your reading
Image: Flickr
and responses to more university-style essays and responses, which include more evaluation, fleshed-out responses, and deeper analysis. When you get your first assessment feedback, most of it will be centred around pushing you out of that ‘A-level writing’. The best way to navigate this new method of teaching is to first utilise your personal tutor, who is there to
materials. These tutorials become quite similar to the classroom settings in high school. Ask questions, attend tutorials, and book office hours with your seminar leaders who are equally there to help Another difference in the teaching styles is heavily centred around readings. During your time in university, you are given weekly readings in addition to your
lectures, whereas during school you were given a set of textbooks which were used in lessons and guided through with you by teachers. It is in your tutorials that readings are most referred to and expected knowledge before you enter. These readings are usually also required to be referenced in your assignments, which is why it is important to keep up with your readings and not leave them unread until the last minute The academic style of teaching in university is drastically different from the one in high school and on top of your new added responsibilities, it may be hard to keep up with these changes. It is highly recommended to have a schedule or at least a to-do list in place which includes your assignment due dates, your weekly readings, and other responsibilities so you don’t lose track of yourself. Give yourself time and allow yourself to go through trial and error as you adapt to these academic and social changes in your life. Ask questions to anyone: lecturers, both in and outside of your field, seminar leaders, students in higher years who have the experience, study zone, welfare officers. There is a whole support system around you at your service to help.
ALLOW YOURSELF TO GO THROUGH TRIAL AND ERROR
14 SEPTEMBER 2026| EXEPOSÉ
10
Climate
CLIMATE EDITOR:
Freddy Purcell
National Trust unveils green space near Plymouth
Freddy Purcell, Climate Editor, discusses a new place to explore for nature lovers in Devon
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N an exciting development for Devon residents, the National Trust has opened a new green space around the Saltram Country Park near Plymouth that is free to access for the public. The new Saltram East consists of 32 hectares of former agricultural land and is a great expansion on previously available green space for nearby residents. Saltram East opened on the 5th of August and contains a 2.5km trail running through the site with views over Plymouth and the Georgian Manor, enclosed by a Grade-I listed garden, around which the site is set. The trail is designed to be accessible for walkers, cyclists, and wheelchair users, while connecting with pre-existing networks of paths around Plymouth. As the city continues to expand, with thousands of new homes be-
ing built within five miles of Saltram, Lisa DoddMayne from Sport England, which funded the trail, said that “these new trails will make it easier for more people to … enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of green spaces close to home”. As well as allowing more people to access green spaces, the National Trust hope to increase biodiversity in the area by ten percent in 30 years through habitat creation and restoration. This includes a scheme to plant 12,000 trees this winter with help of South Devon Community Forest, a charity that has already planted over 500,000 trees in and around Plymouth. Wildflower meadows have also been planted across the site to provide homes for a variety of pollinators and birds. In just a year, National Trust Rangers have found that these meadows have
doubled the number of plant species present and created a habitat for the area’s first breeding pair of Skylarks. This charming bird is known for its dramatic display flight during the summer, but its decline owing to intensive farming practices has earned it a spot on the Red List for highest conservation concern. The hope is therefore that Saltram East can provide an important haven for Devon’s wildlife. In its previous form, Saltram attracted roughly one million visitors annually but grand improvements to the site will only increase this number, breathing life into Plymouth. Saltram East’s location on the outskirts of the city means that it will be most easily accessed by car, presenting a challenge for some students. But if you have the time, why not add this park to your Devon itinerary!
Image: National Trust press release
Nature walks in and around Exeter
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Sofía Tapia Ulloa, Lifestyle Editor, reveals her favourite places to unwind around the city
NE of the key reasons I chose to study in Exeter is because of how green and walkable the city is. Streatham Campus is a certified Accredited Botanic Garden for its conservation efforts. Just look at the Lower Hoopern Valley, right by the bottom of Forum hill! It is such a lovely place to go on a walk or have a picnic, feeling yourself surrounded by miles of nature. While it can be quite steep, there is also an accessible path available. Personally, though, Reed Hall’s grounds are my go-to. A historical building right at the centre of campus, Reed Hall is surrounded by beautiful nature, including several champion trees. It’s perfect for a quick nature break between classes, and there is even a sound trail you can listen to for a truly immersive experience. Moreover, my first-year self would be angry if I didn’t also mention Taddiforde Valley. It’s perfect for a short walk by its stream and pond,
home to many cute ducks! Honestly, from the woods surrounding East Park to those by the Forum (where I once saw a deer!), Streatham Campus is full of nature walk options.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
For those wanting bigger and wilder places to explore, at the outskirts of campus lies
Duryard and Belvidere Valley Park, one of Exeter’s six Valley Parks. They will fulfil your desire for beautiful views and hours-long walks surrounded only by nature and wildlife. Whilst Duryard is the closest, all of them are easily accessible through public transport! And if you don’t feel ready for them yet, why not test the waters with the River Exe? You can enjoy the Quay’s shops and cafés with friends, birdwatch and/or embark on a walk/cycle down the river. If you don’t own a bike, you can rent one at the Quay’s Saddles & Paddles! The Exeter to Topsham Canal Walk is particularly popular as Topsham is full of independent shops and green spaces, including the Exe Estuary and Goat Walk. You can also take the bus there and back to save up your energy for exploring the town. Exeter truly is a gem when it comes to green spaces, existing even amidst the bustling city centre! Both Northernhay and Rougem-
ont Gardens are right by the High Street, allowing you to relax in nature without having to go far. So, whether you want to just sit at a park for some minutes or walk the entire Exeter Green Circle, the city has you covered!
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Tinderbox Britain: the impact of the UK’s dry summer
Lucy Cornwell, Arts and Lit Editor, investigates the impact of extreme aridity and how we might prepare for the future’s dry summers
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ONE are the 40 consecutive days of rain we saw at the start of the year as the UK has experienced what is shaping up to be the hottest summer on record. For the first time on record, temperatures have risen above 35 ºC in three separate months in a calendar year. While the gloomy weather may be a thing of the past, we are in for a much more terrifying reality due to the ravages of heatwaves in the UK. With the Guardian recently reporting that only 0.3 percent of staff members at Defra (Department for Environment, Farming and Rural affairs) are working on climate adaptation, the increasingly hot summers we are facing is understandably worrying for many people, especially young people who have to live with the impacts of climate change. It’s been impossible to avoid the impacts of the extreme heat over the last few months, with
nearly three quarters of England in drought, including London, Devon, and Cornwall. Prime Minister Andy Burnham remarked “Britain is a tinderbox right now” after hundreds of wildfires started across the country due to the extremely dry conditions, including 458 wildfires in July alone.
IT’S BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID THE IMPACTS ...WITH NEARLY THREE QUARTERS OF ENGLAND IN DROUGHT The UK is unfortunately woefully unequipped to deal with this rapid rate of environmental change. We do not have any dedicated
water bombing aircraft which are essential for stopping wildfires before they spread even further, though the Prime Minister has announced plans to commission them. As well as being a threat to human life, wildfires can cause extreme destruction to the animals and plants living in the areas burnt, with damage to over 50 acres of land in the nearby Mincinglake Valley Park fire in August, which is home to songbirds, butterflies, voles and many more creatures. Due to the low water reserves across the country, it is important to be mindful of our water usage. Ways you can reduce water use are by taking showers instead of baths, running appliances like dishwashers and washing machines on ‘eco’ mode and waiting until they are full to run instead of doing multiple half-loads. As houses in the UK are typically very old and built for conserving heat during colder weather, it
becomes particularly hot inside during warmer weather. We should aim to follow the European techniques by installing shutters and shades on windows which can help with ‘passive cooling’, as houses will not heat up as much, therefore reducing the need for air conditioning, which, while useful, is costly and bad for the environment.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
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14 SEPTEMBER 2026| EXEPOSÉ
COMMENT EDITOR Isabelle Pearce
Has University Lost its Sense of Community?
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Janani Kandaramage, Features Editor, questions whether we still make connection at university
RESHERS’ week is expected to be a week-long whirlwind of endless nights of clubbing, bustling hallways, and group chats exploding with introductions and plans. Yet, a few weeks in, connections within seminar groups often start and end with merely knowing people’s names. Such interactions fracture the progression from casual acquaintances to genuine friendships. Loss of authenticity in relationships with other students and staff can be partly attributed to soaring living costs that have commodified socialising, and an increasing emphasis on individual survival over community in today’s hustle culture.
EMPHASIS ON INDIVIDUAL SURVIVAL OVER COMMUNITY Although student intake of U.K universities has skyrocketed in recent years, due to expanded
youth populations and enrolments, the grim reality is that students are lonelier than ever despite being surrounded by many. In fact, according to a poll conducted by Opinium commissioned by the student accommodation provider PFP students, approximately 70 percent of students in campus halls report feeling overwhelmed and isolated. One of the undercurrents fueling this trend is the cost-of-living crisis facing the U.K, which has caused an average student’s rent to consume up to 60 percent to 80 percent of a student’s total budget. Expensive accommodation not only pushes students into isolated lodgings where finding student neighbors is challenging but also feed into the rise of the “Commuter Student” phenomenon. According to UCAS’s findings from this August, around 45 percent of applicants are considering staying at home, choosing to commute to campus daily instead, citing exorbitant housing costs in university cities. These applicants will feel exhausted
from extensive travel journeys, and will therefore refrain from participating in social mixers, skipping on an important aspect of the full university experience. Long commutes can also hamper academic performance, cutting down on the critical time they will need for deep study, seminar preparation, and writing assignments. But most of all, living off site as a fresher means they will have to put more deliberate effort into making friends. Friendships are founded upon proximity, and when commuter students are inadvertently sidelined from movie nights, indoor study sessions, and communal cooking in shared kitchens, that foundation is compromised. Inconsistent proximity, therefore, worsens their struggles in maintaining close-knit relationships. Steadily rising inflation has also strained the dayto-day expenses of students, turning socialising into a luxury that makes belonging unequal. Numerous students cannot afford social outings as basic as grabbing a coffee or meal with friends, going to a
club, or simply purchasing society memberships. In fact, many have sought multiple part-time jobs while juggling their studies, reducing their time available for savouring the full campus experience and embracing the sense of home that comes with it. Overworking to compensate for economic pressures turns university life into an individual project. The prioritisation of achievement over communal belonging in today’s hustle culture has bred a cycle of hyper-productivity that involves pursuing a first, building elaborate resumes, securing internships, and networking with top professionals. Although such pursuits are necessary in today’s demanding labour market, it risks transforming universities from safe spaces of learning and collaboration into pressure-cooker environments. Therefore, individual success and collective belonging must not be framed as two mutually exclusive concepts, but rather as two essential ingredients of professional and personal growth.
Has social media created false expectations for freshers?
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Isabelle Pearce, Comment Editor, discusses the financial burden of being a “Fresher”
EFORE many Freshers start university their social media is flooded with curated highlights of constant parties, instant friend groups, and flawless social calendars. Many will have seen hundreds of videos telling them what university is supposed to look like. The perfect flat, the perfect group of friends, the packed nightclub and the seemingly endless nights out. But how much of this actually reflects reality? In reality, Freshers’ Week is often a mixture of small talk and social awkwardness. It is unpacking, trying to work out which cupboard is yours and making polite conversation with people you have only just met. Only to be greeted at the end of the week with the inevitable Freshers’ flu. These are all completely normal parts of starting university, but they are hardly
the moments that make it onto Instagram. Social media only provides us with a mere insight into people’s freshers weeks. It only shows a highly curated, surface-level glimpse rather than a complete or authentic reality. We do not see the moments before and after a photo is taken: the homesickness, the uncomfortable conversations or the night spent alone in a room. It is easy to forget we are comparing our entire experience to a carefully curated snapshot of someone else’s. Many also form the expectation that university is a chance to completely reinvent yourself. Social media is full of people showing off new wardrobes, new aesthetics and seemingly effortless confidence. Before even arriving, students can feel as though they are supposed
to become a more social, adventurous and outgoing version of themselves. But moving to university does not automatically transform your personality. You are still the same person who left home a week earlier – just in a new city. It’s important to remember that there isn’t just one Freshers’ experience. Some students will love nights out. Others will prefer societies, sports or sitting in their flat with their new friends. The university experience isn’t a prescribed aesthetic. Perhaps the biggest expectation social media creates is that Freshers’ Week has to be memorable. But trying to make every moment Instagram-worthy can mean forgetting to actually experience it. Your first week at university doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. Freshers’
Week is only one week, and it certainly does not define the university experience that follows.
Images: Spark Services
You’re 18, why are you expected to already have a career?
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Melissa Swift, Podcast Producer, explores expectations placed on young people
RECENTLY started a LinkedIn. Exploring this new app, I came across people with what looks like a lifetime of volunteering, internships and work experience, only to find, they are in first year. These driven individuals seem to know exactly what they are doing and where they are going. If you want a good job, you can probably get away with a first, but if you have any passion and if you want a career, then it feels as if you should have started yesterday. University attendance saw a massive surge in the mid-1990s in the lead up to 2000. We saw our parents’ generation step out of university and into employment. However, the market has become much more competitive as university acceptances have more than doubled since 1994. Unfortunately, Blair’s ‘education, education, education’ drive has saturated the graduate job
market as fresh graduates fight for professional jobs. Consequently, an OECD study found 37 per cent of graduates are over- qualified for their job.
WE SAW OUR PARENTS’ GENERATION STEP OUT OF UNIVERSITY AND INTO EMPLOYMENT While roughly eight percent of people went to university in 1970, that figure is now closer to 50 percent. While university was a rare privilege for our grandparent’s generation, today it has almost become a prerequisite for corporate work. Young people are forced into university as if it’s the equivalent of getting your high school diploma.
Many graduates are merely unable to find the kind of work for which they spent years studying. A 2025 Student Recruitment Survey revealed for every 1.8 million applications there were only 31,000 student hires. Students battle for graduate jobs in a job market where holding a degree no longer stands out. The HESA Graduates Outcomes Survey showed merely 57 percent of graduates were in full-time employment. While previous generations could devote their time to academia, it seems we no longer have that luxury. According to HEPI roughly 68 percent of full-time undergraduate students partake in some form of paid work while at university. On top of this we take on internships, work experience, volunteering, society roles and extra modules all to prove not
that we are more intelligent or brilliant than our peers, but that we can work harder. I remember a sixth form assembly about ‘squiggly career paths.’ Our headmaster told us to ‘not worry about what you want to be when you grow up’. While this may be true once you’re on the career ladder, reaching the first step is indeed a great leap.
WE TAKE ON INTERNSHIPS, WORK EXPERIENCE.... ALL TO PROVE NOT THAT WE ARE MORE INTELLIGENT ...BUT THAT WE CAN WORK HARDER
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14 SEPTEMBER 2026| EXEPOSÉ
COMMENT
Has AI changed what it means to have a degree?
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Cristina Ferrin, Music Editor, discusses the increasing use of AI in university assignments
OME students spend an entire day staring at a blank essay screen, others take 30 minutes to get ChatGPT to create a plan for them. Whereas this can be a dream for some students, for professors, it is a massive headache. The rapid rise of generative AI has kick-started a full-blown identity crisis in higher education: what is a university degree really worth today?
THE RAPID RISE OF GENERATIVE AI HAS KICKSTARTED A FULLBLOWN IDENTITY CRISIS IN HIGHER EDUCATION The anxiety is very real, especially given the amount of debt we put ourselves in to achieve it. A Lumina-Gallup poll found that 42 percent of bachelor’s students have reconsidered their degree because of AI, and 16 percent have already switched subjects. Dr Charlie Simpson warns that if students just use technology in this way to get a qualification, then the degree itself won’t serve a useful purpose. Soon enough, efficient AI skills will be a standard employer expectation. If universities can adapt, then graduate capabilities could skyrocket – meaning that degree standards will also have to go up.
For years, universities have relied on written coursework to test learning. However, Dr. Nafisa Baba-Ahmed pointed out that coursework was always a ‘fragile proxy’ for real thinking. AI didn’t invent cheating; it just created a shortcut that already existed through essay mills and paid tutoring. However, not everyone uses AI to have their work written for them. It can also serve as a helpful guiding tool, helping students develop ideas, structure their arguments, clarify difficult concepts, or improve their understanding of a topic without replacing their own work.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
To save their qualifications, universities are scrambling. England’s exam regulator, Ofqual, warns that written coursework will face ‘far, far
from scrutiny’ to keep degrees ‘worth more than the paper they are written on’. UCL Law School is becoming ‘AI-proof ’ with more in-person exams, while others are redesigning degrees entirely. Researchers at Queen Mary University of London are beginning to focus on ‘authentic assessments’ that mirror real-world workplace tasks and make a student’s actual thinking process visible rather than making them write a polished final essay that Claude could easily write. The AI revolution, however, is hitting subjects differently. In history, writing is the research process. Lecturer Gordon McKelvie tested Microsoft CoPilot on a Tudor spreadsheet, but the results were underwhelming. The AI generated basic tables but failed at deeper historical analysis. Worse, it made up that certain patent recipients were ‘Catholic loyalists’ to fit the Reformation narrative, despite the data containing no religious markers. The result was ‘history by confirmation bias’.
THE AI REVOLUTION IS HITTING SUBJECTS DIFFERENTLY In maths, the anxiety is more palpable – 40 top mathematicians recently gathered at OpenAI to ask what’s left for humans. AI has achieved
breakthroughs, like disproving an 80-year-old unit distance conjecture, but these are mostly ‘lowhanging fruit’ – recombining existing ideas or applying known human techniques in unexpected ways. AI still struggles to build substantial new conceptual frameworks or sustained theories. True creative novelty remains a human strength.
TRUE CREATIVE NOVELTY REMAINS A HUMAN STRENGTH Personally, I think AI can be beneficial for small tasks, such as correcting grammar or helping to understand concepts, but using it to write entire essays should not become the norm. Changing assessment styles to reflect this could be beneficial, but rather than relying on in-person exams, I think portfolios and presentations offer a more accurate way of assessing knowledge and understanding. To conclude, a degree still matters, but how we assess it needs to change. AI can be a useful tool for learning and developing ideas, but it should not replace independent thought. The degrees of the future should focus less on what students can produce with AI and more on how they think, understand, and apply knowledge themselves.
Can you afford to be a fresher?
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Isabelle Pearce, Comment Editor, examines the rising costs of having an Exeter social life in first year
OR many Exeter freshers, the first financial decision may come before the first lecture: which Freshers’ Week events can they actually afford to attend? Arriving at university is already expensive as students need to buy kitchenware, essentials and tech. However, before many have even unpacked they are confronted with the costs of Freshers’ tickets, wristbands, drinks. As the price of university continues to rise, is Freshers’ Week becoming an increasingly expensive introduction to student life? Freshers’ wristbands are already being sold for up to £50. This barely touches the surface of what people will end up spending when you include the price of Apple Taxis and significantly overpriced Timepiece tickets on Overheard. For some students, Freshers’ Week can easily end up costing hundreds of pounds—and that’s before the term itself has even begun.
FRESHERS’ WEEK CAN EASILY END UP COSTING HUNDREDS OF POUNDS The rising costs of Freshers’ Week comes at a time when university is becoming more expensive on the whole. This year universities, such as Exeter, are increasing their tuition fees to £9,790. This puts even more substantial financial strain on students. The wider effects
student has the same financial circumstances. Some will have parental support while others will be relying almost entirely on student finance or working alongside university. A commercialised Freshers experience can create two versions of university: those who can afford to participate and those who have to sit it out.
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of the growing cost of university are visible in the increasing number of students opting to commute and concerns over declining participation in higher education. However, despite this financial climate, it is important to remember that tuition fees aren’t an immediate bill and they’re generally covered through student finance. This does not mean that students are directly paying £9,790 out of their bank accounts during Freshers’ Week. Nevertheless, the rise reflects the broader reality that university is becoming an increasingly expensive undertaking. On top of the price of nightlife during Freshers’ Week students need to take the costs of necessities such as accommodation and food into consideration. When rent, groceries and transport already consume much of
a student’s maintenance loan, how much disposable income is realistically left for a week of nightlife? For many, the issue is not whether a £10 ticket is expensive on its own, but how quickly these individual costs accumulate. Part of the issue is that students feel the need to spend the money in order to participate socially. Nobody wants to be the only flatmate not on a night out or to miss out on a social in their first week. Particularly with the added influence of social media, many students feel like there is an expectation to go out every night. This leads to people not necessarily paying for a night out because they want to but paying because they don’t want to be the person who isn’t there. This dynamic undoubtably results in certain people being left out. Not every Exeter
SOME WILL HAVE PARENTAL SUPPORT WHILE OTHERS WILL BE RELYING ALMOST ENTIRELY ON STUDENT FINANCE That being said, nobody is being forced to spend during Freshers’ Week. Buying a wristband is not mandatory in order to have a good time, and there are a number of free events organised by the University. Some wristbands can also work out as good value for money for those planning to attend multiple events. However, the question is not whether students are forced to spend money, but whether they increasingly feel they need to in order to participate fully in Freshers’ Week. The first week of university should be about meeting people, finding your feet and discovering Exeter—not calculating whether you can afford another night out. If Freshers’ Week is increasingly becoming an experience that students have to pay to participate in, perhaps it is time to question whether we are putting too much of a price on simply belonging.
14 SEPTEMBER 2026| EXEPOSÉ
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Satire
SATIRE EDITOR:
Sebastien Broom
Your student accommodation to be fit with AI data centres Chris Lyndsay
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NYONE who has experienced university will have dark; long-lasting memories of fresher accommodation scarred into their mind. A thousand restless nights stemming from countless facility and human issues that would appear insurmountable. Unless you had money, that is. But for those who don’t, the University of Exeter has the impossible solution. A solution in the form of tiny AI data centres. Remember the vermin? The fear of rats, silverfish, and worst of all, your flatmate’s friends? All obliterated. Vanquished by the gracious biohazard of the data centre’s waste. Even pigeons, those ambitious enough to tread in open windows, will be warded off; the glorious beeps, whirs and whines of thinking machinery strike fear into their mortal hearts.
GLORIOUS BEEPS, WHIRS AND WHINES OF THINKING MACHINERY Those incessant, mysterious noises coming from the room next door? Silenced. Drowned by the symphony of a thousand tiny cooling fans—ones
which also so happen to act as a pleasant white noise for both sleep and work (as long as one happens to own a pair of industrial ear plugs). And the cold— the dreadful cold of a failing heater. All gone. Gone in the warm embrace of an overheating server. No doubt when the oven inevitably breaks, it could also serve to fry eggs on its blistering surface. As you can see, the benefits are countless. And yet, there will be no doubt be those who retain such foolish doubts as ‘Where will I sleep if the data centre replaces my bed?’, or ‘where’s all the water gone?’ Foolish. These concerns will all seem trivial soon, for this advancement is merely a small step towards much greater goals. One day, fresher accommodation as a whole will be replaced by data centres; walls, doors, reception and all. Think, without keys to own, students will no longer have to pay fines for losing them! Before long, Streatham and St. Lukes too will be replaced by them too, and there will be no need for fresher accommodation at all. No need for lecturers. AI will lecture the students. And then? There will be no need for students. AI will listen to the lecturers. But why stop there? Exeter has plenty of problems, no? Problems that will surely be solved by such data centres; the bigger the better. In fact, the world has plenty of its own set of issues. Perhaps those can be solved too. And why not? It will certainly make our lives more convenient.
Image:: Wikimedia Commons
Freshers Get Touristing! First stop: Sidwell Street Freddy Purcell Climate Editor
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Image:: Hanwha Data Centers
HEN I first arrived in Exeter, I heard rumours about the roughest part of the city. An area close to the high street where terrible things happen, particularly to naïve freshers that don’t have their wits about them. I was slightly confused by this because Exeter seemed like such a lovely place, so one night I asked an anonymous man from Surrey (or AMS—not to be confused with a mild form of altitude sickness) why it was so renowned. ‘MATE, it’s genuinely horrifying. The architecture is totally uninspired and there are these people that don’t even have homes. Like they’re not even renting.’ He replied before being called over by his friends to down a pint out of a flat cap. Now I’ve lived in Exeter for three years and I can tell you that this AMS was completely wrong. Saint Sidwell is the patroness of Exeter, said to have been beheaded by men hired by her stepmother, who was jealous of her beauty. Similarly, nowadays, people are only quick to attack her street because they fail to appreciate what it has to offer. Depending on where you’re walking from, Sidwell Street begins with one of Exeter’s great monuments. Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Berlin has the Brandenburg Gate, and we have John
Lewis. Five floors of it, including a café. Some people say that it’s a brutalist monstrosity, but I say those people never learned that beauty is on the inside. And that building has a wonderful soul. Just a stone’s throw away from John Lewis
ONE OF EXETER’S GREAT MONUMENTS (or Johnny’s as some guy wearing a quarter-zip has probably called it) is Poundland, where customers have got so excited about the bargains on offer that they’ve smashed its windows. Although because it doubles as a privacy screen for patrons inside and a modern art piece reflecting on the fractured nature of society for the people outside, they have not fixed it yet. Journeying further still, past shops and restaurants, you reach the culinary hotspot of Exeter, Efes Grill Restaurant (or Efes to its mates). The food there is so good that on exiting any club in Exeter, you or your friends will somehow be drawn to it, even if you do not live in that direction and its two in the morning and raining and someone has thrown up somewhere. All in all, people have a lot to say about Sidwell Street. It’s many things to many people, certainly not just a short stretch of road in central Exeter..
LIFESTYLE
ARTS & LIT
MUSIC
SCREEN
EXCETERA...
EXHIBIT Image frames: Rawpixel, Publicdomainpictures, Pickpik
Images (left to right, top to bottom):Wikimedia Commons, Pexels, Wikimedia Commons, Flickr, Flickr
A GUIDE TO EXETER’S NIGHTLIFE
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BEST PLACES TO READ ON CAMPUS
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ALBUM REVIEW: LOST WEEKEND
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HOW TO WATCH FILM AND TV (EXETER STYLE)
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RECIPE: PESTO PASTA AND PEAS!
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STUDY BREAK
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LIFESTYLE EDITORS Rosa Terry Sofia Tapía
ARTS & LIT EDITORS Erin-Rose Morris Lucy Cornwall
MUSIC EDITORS Cristina Ferrin
SCREEN EDITORS Beth Casey Charlotte Isbell
EXCETERA EXCETERA... The Senior Team Puzzles by Matthew
lifestyle
First impressions and future friends
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Rosa Terry, Lifestyle Editor, gives all the tips on how to bond with your new flatmates
HEN you really think about it, it is kind of crazy — you’ve moved in with complete strangers and will now live with them for your entire first year of university. For those of you living in a shared flat, you now face the reality of leaving the comfort bubble of home, and knowing the people that you live with inside out, to being dropped in a randomised mix bag of different characters, personalities and new faces. It sounds daunting, but move-in day could be the beginning of the most exciting next chapter. Whether you just want to get on with the people you’re cooking dinner next to, or seize the opportunity to forge lifelong friendships, here are all the tips on breaking the ice and connecting with your new flatmates. Start with the small talk. Yes, you may get tired of saying your name, where you’re from and what you’re studying more times than you can count, but it’s an important part of freshers, and the first step in getting to know people. As people will be moving in at different times across that first weekend, I’d recommend every-
one writes their name on the chalkboard or similar when they first arrive—this way you know who’s moved in even if you’re yet to meet them, plus it means you can start learning names. Speaking of which, use your chalkboard! Flatmate portraits, bin rotas, writing up plans and the famous chun chart—it’s something everyone can contribute to and an easy way to keep in the loop with each other. Once you are acquainted, be chatty! Don’t be afraid to really get to know them so that you don’t feel like strangers much longer. After all, you all have at least one thing in common—you are all starting in a new place with new people. We go to uni with the intention of making new friends, so most will welcome conversations. Everyone is in a similar boat!
DON'T BE AFRAID TO REALLY GET TO KNOW THEM SO THAT YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE STRANGERS
So now that you’ve started on some oneon-one introductions, think whole flat bonding. Whilst it's great to have individual friendships, it’s also important to appreciate that your flat as a group will have its unique dynamic, which each person will play their own part in. Once the obligatory group chat has been made, which will be home to too many ‘can someone let me in’ texts (try not to lose your fob) and the odd night out snap, do something together! An Impy trip on the first night is always a good idea, or simply eating dinner at the same time will establish a flat comradery. Your flatmates will be there for everything first year has to offer — whether to give advice or to laugh at your antics, having a good relationship with them will help make your halls feel like home. Be open-minded, warm and confident, even if it feels scary. Say yes to going for a drink, ask if anyone wants to look round the freshers' fair with you, or offer to play a game of cards. Who knows, these may be the moments you reminisce on in a year’s time and say, ‘back when we barely knew each other’.
YOUR FLAT AS A GROUP WILL HAVE ITS UNIQUE DYNAMIC, WHICH EACH PERSON WILL PLAY THEIR OWN PART IN
Image: Rosa Terry
A guide to Exeter's nightlife
The academic side of freshers
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Charlotte Isbell, Editor-in-Chief, shares everything you need to know to step into the Exeter night scene
EFORE we start: if you haven’t already, download FIXR and turn notifications on. This is where you will buy tickets for events—Exeter’s nightlife is notoriously ticketed so pretty much everything will need one! The basics: Timepiece is Exeter’s biggest nightclub and a firm fan favourite. It’s massive, and a mix between a pub and a club. Top TP tip: you need £5 cash to get access to upstairs! If you forget to bring it, you can usually get cash back at one of the downstairs bars. Fever is Exeter’s most traditional club. Fever Mondays are a fresher classic: with one room playing cheesy hits and the other room more House focused. Dirty Beats Thursdays are also a cool option, with student DJs taking centre stage in a boiler room setup. Be warned—you WILL leave feeling sweaty and sticky. But make the most of Fever in your first year as after that, it becomes a questionable night out choice.
FEVER MONDAYS ARE A FRESHER CLASSIC My personal favourite night is a Cavern Tuesday. Typically reserved for second years and up, Cavern is a small underground club. It’s also right down the street from Vaults— a venue that has gone from a no-go zone when I was a fresher to THE place to go if you want to keep the night going. It has free entry on weekdays; to save yourself a very long queue, get a stamp at around 10:30pm.
Redemption runs cool ad hoc events in spaces like The Phoenix and Bomba. Sync or Swim on a Wednesday at The Cocktail Club started this year and is picking up pace, as well as Latin nights at Core. No night out would be complete without some food. If you’re a fresher you MUST get an Efes chicken box/wrap or cheesy chips. I’d recommend going light on the garlic sauce. If you’re not feeling Efes, Chicken Point does great chicken wings and Subway is always a solid—if slow— option. Get a Taco Bell at your own risk.
IF YOU'RE A FRESHER YOU MUST GET AN EFES CHICKEN BOX/WRAP OR CHEESY CHIPS Most importantly, prioritise getting home safely after a night out. Download Apple Taxis on your phone and always try to walk back with other people. And finally—have fun! Whilst other unis hate on Exeter’s small nightlife scene, I think that close-knit feel is part of what makes it so great.
Image: Rosa Terry
Beth Donovon, Online Screen Editor, offers advice on getting organised as you begin your degree
OVING away and meeting new people can make starting university feel overwhelming enough. Then there’s the small matter of studying. University learning can be a big change from school or college, but by getting organised early, the transition can be much smoother. To help with this, I’ve compiled my top tips for the transition. Make the most of your lecturers and learning. Lectures can feel strange at first. You’re suddenly entirely responsible for keeping up with any reading, deciding what’s worth writing down and working out what you need to do outside scheduled hours. However, your lecturers and seminar leaders are there to help, so use them! They will offer office hours where you can ask questions, talk through any issues or give you guidance on assignments. Your personal tutor is also there to monitor your progress and point you towards any more specific help you might need. Exeter Learning Environment (ELE) and the online library are definitely worth getting acquainted with early on. The library has an online induction to complete, but for further support in finding or using resources, there is a team of Liaison Librarians you can contact via the university's libguides website. Organise your notes. Find a note-taking system which works for you—the first few weeks are the perfect time to experiment. Typed notes into platforms such as OneNote, Notion or Google Docs can be an easy way to keep things organised by module and topic with instant access anywhere. Any lecture slides are usually uploaded onto ELE and can
be attached to save you writing that information down and instead focus on what your lecturer is saying. Pen and paper, however, can be a very useful tool in the revision process, with writing by hand proving better than typing for memory retention and comprehension (NPR). The truth is, there is no 'right' way to take notes, the important thing is to find a system which allows you to understand and visit the material.
THE FIRST FEW WEEKS ARE THE PERFECT TIME TO EXPERIMENT Find your perfect study space. Your study space does not have to look Pinterest perfect. Find somewhere you can associate with getting work done, whether that be your desk, a campus study space or a local café. If you're working in a group, remember campus spaces can get very busy around deadlines and exams, so booking a room in advance can save you spending half your study session searching for somewhere to sit! Give yourself time for assignments. University assignments will often ask much broader questions than you’re used to, meaning you need time to read, digest the question, and work out what you actually want to argue. Write every deadline and exam date into your calendar at the start of term. Then work backwards and give yourself smaller targets for reading, planning and drafting. We’re all guilty of leaving things until the last minute, but future you will definitely be grateful if you start early.
eXHiBit | lifestyle
EDITORS: Rosa Terry and Sofía Tapia
14 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 17
Society Spotlight: Hide and Seek Society
Sofía Tapia, Lifestyle Editor, sheds light on a society full of games for when you need a fun break
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OOKING for some fun and joyous games this Freshers' Week? You should join Hide and Seek Society! The society does a variety of games, from indoor and social deduction games to more active ones.
FROM INDOOR AND SOCIAL DEDUCTION GAMES TO MORE ACTIVE ONES The society's socials can be divided into two sections: regular and non-regular socials. The regular socials are run by the gamesmasters at the Lemon Grove on a weekly basis (alternat-
ing Wednesdays and Thursdays). They consist of two hours of different indoor games and it is a really chill atmosphere: perfect for when you need a fun break from your studies! There is a mix between games you might have heard of/played before—such as Splat, Zip Zap Boing, and Grandma's Footsteps—and ones that are less popular or even invented by the society. For those looking for games not confined to a room, outdoor socials are ran a couple of times each term. The social may be dedicated to a mix of outdoor games, such as Capture the Flag and Stuck in the Mud, or be a Hide
and Seek-focused social (sometimes with a side of Sardines!). The Hide and Seek socials are run either indoors in the Forum/Great Hall area or in different outside locations on campus (from Reed Hall to the Valley). If you were a big fan of Hide and Seek growing up, these socials offer you the chance to hide throughout campus and rejoice in childhood fun. The society also does more 'typical socials' such as Christmas & Summer balls and a Halloween bowling social. On a less regular basis, social deductions games like mafia—be it in person, or the termly week-long Real Time
Mafia games on the society's discord server— and a murder mystery are run. Other fan-favourite socials include the society's rendition of Taskmaster and the week-long games of tag 'Zombies vs Humans' (campus-wide in term one) and 'Assassins' (city-wide in term two). If you are passionate about having fun and/or want to relive your childhood, you should come along to one of Hide and Seek Society's socials. Keep an eye on their Instagram (@hide_and_seek_exeter) or join their discord server for upcoming information on their Welcome Week and Term One events!
How to make the most out of Freshers' Week Lifestyle writers give their advice on how to enjoy Freshers' Week to the fullest
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ESPITE now entering my last year of university, I still vividly remember that first Freshers' Week. Very few things can compare to that feeling of excitement and fear brought by being alone in a new environment full of possibilities. I think the main advice I would give my first-year self would be to try as many different things as possible and to go out of my comfort zone to talk to people.
TRY [NEW] THINGS AND GO OUT OF [YOUR] COMFORT ZONE TO TALK TO PEOPLE At the time, I felt like I did try to go to all the taster sessions for societies I was interested in. However, looking back in my second year, I realised there were still some events I would have liked to attend but chickened out of. There will be way too many socials going on that week to attend every single one that piques your interest. Do not force yourself to go past your limit in a way that harms your health. Resting throughout the week is just as important. Personally, I did not join Exeposé until the start of my second
year, so you can definitely attend societies' socials and join them for the first time past Freshers' Week, or even after your first year!
RESTING THROUGHOUT THE WEEK IS JUST AS IMPORTANT One regret I have is not trying to create longer-lasting relationships. Freshers' Week is the best time to create connections. Your fellow first year students are in the same position as you—not knowing anyone and wanting to make friends. I think it is always worth striking up a conversation with people you meet at Freshers events. They are likely going there to try and make friends and won't turn you away. It does mean many of these conversations won't go past that stage and flourish into friendships. However, I wish I could have told my younger self to not let the flame be extinguished so easily and follow up with a DM and an invite to meet up again. Freshers' Week is the time to make friends and try new things, so you should make the most out of it! Sofía Tapia, Lifestyle Editor
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UT of the many features of university life, your first Freshers' Week is probably the most loaded with expectation and opportunity. With so many people to meet and events to attend, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. One way to lessen the chance of burning out is to research what societies you might want to join beforehand. This can save you from feeling the need to visit every stall over Freshers' Week and getting pulled into events you’re not so keen on. Of course, you will have plenty to be thinking about before arriving, but just a few moments on the Guild website looking through what societies/sports clubs are on offer at Exeter can give you a shortlist of societies to check out.
RESEARCH WHAT SOCIETIES YOU MIGHT WANT TO JOIN Stalls are great to learn more about how societies function and free events are great to try out more expensive societies without committing to a membership. Most societies post relevant information on their Instagrams, which are always worth check-
Image: Flickr
ing to make sure you don’t miss anything. Finally, you should not feel the need to make all of your friends for life and go to every event all in one week. Most societies continue to have free events in the first weeks after freshers and many offer discounted memberships in Term Two, so there is always time to do new things at university. There is also plenty of time to meet new people on your course and beyond. So most importantly, don’t panic and enjoy yourself, it’ll be great!
THERE IS ALWAYS TIME TO DO NEW THINGS AT UNIVERSITY Freddy Purcell, Climate Editor
Everything you didn’t know you’d need at university Rosa Terry, Lifestyle Editor, offers an insight on surprisingly useful things to pack for university
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OU spend weeks trying to tick off every item on the ‘To Pack’ list, but there are some things you just don’t realise you’ll need until you’re in the swing of things. So here is your secondary (slightly more random) packing list. Whilst you’ve been hung up on books, bedding and kitchen utensils, the social life that awaits you at uni requires a couple of odd things.
Image: Picryl
At least one person in your flat needs to remember to bring chalk, for all those beautiful scribblings on the kitchen chalkboard, and I’d recommend having a pack of cards—it’s just the best way to casually bond with your new flatmates.
THE SOCIAL LIFE THAT AWAITS YOU REQUIRES A COUPLE OF ODD THINGS You probably forgot a bottle opener, and, though you may not realise this until a few weeks in, you will want a designated pair of clubbing shoes. If you go into that warzone with your favourite squeaky-clean white trainers, they just won’t look the same come reading week. Dig out your old pair of Air Force
1s or buy some cheap-ish new trainers! With that, I’d also recommend having a little zip-up jacket to wear to the club. If you don’t want to risk losing your coat to the void of the club cloak room, nor do you want to freeze walking to town in a tiny top mid-November, a zip up can be handily tied to the back of your bag and out of your way whilst dancing.
for cosy baking or, in my case, whipping up Yorkshire Puddings for the flat Christmas dinner. And by February, your whole flat is grateful that they can borrow your whisk for pancake day. And a couple of boring things: batteries, extension leads, hangers and shopping bags are all helpful to have. And don’t worry if you don’t have a single one of these yet; we’re
YOU WILL WANT A DESIGNATED PAIR OF CLUBBING SHOES Some niche kitchen equipment may be useful. In September you think ‘why would I need a whisk and a muffin tray?’ By December, you’re trawling through Wilko on the hunt for supplies
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arts & lit
An Introduction to Exeter’s Cultural Scene
Erin-Rose Morris, Arts & Lit Editor, on Exeter’s Arts and Lit History
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XETER’S cultural scene extends far beyond our university campus and student halls, revealing a city shaped by centuries of history, artistic expression and literary significance. As one of Britain’s oldest cities, christened as Isca Dumnoniorum around 50 AD, Exeter has evolved from its Roman origins into a modern cultural hub where medieval architecture, contemporary art and internationally recognised literary heritage exist side by side. From hidden underground passages to the foundations of English poetry, the city offers a remarkable cultural landscape waiting for students to explore. Over 70 percent of Exeter’s ancient Roman and medieval city walls remain standing today, weaving through the heart of the city as
enduring testaments of its past. Alongside the famous Underground Passages and historic Cathedral Close, these landmarks make history part of the everyday landscape. Its heritage is not simply confined to museums, but can be found embedded within the very streets and buildings we walk everyday. The city’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature is equally rooted in genuine historical significance. Safeguarded within Exeter Cathedral Library is the Exeter Book, a tenthcentury Anglo-Saxon manuscript and one of the most important surviving collections of Old English literature. Containing celebrated works including The Wanderer, alongside religious verse, elegies and almost 100 poetic riddles, the manuscript places Exeter firmly within the history of English literature. That
literary legacy continued through later centuries. Bram Stoker famously set part of Dracula in Exeter, with the Cathedral Close featuring in Jonathan Harker’s journey into the Gothic unknown. Charles Dickens was also a visitor to the city, spending time at the historic Turk’s Head pub, where his association is commemorated at ‘Dickens’ Corner’. The visual and performing arts are equally integral to Exeter’s cultural identity. The Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery houses collections spanning fine art, archaeology, ethnography and natural history, while independent galleries showcase contemporary and emerging creative talent. Theatre also holds an important place in the city, with the Northcott providing a longstanding home for drama and performance.
THE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS ARE EQUALLY INTEGRAL TO EXETER’S CULTURAL IDENTITY. For students, engaging with this heritage offers far more than an afternoon of sightseeing; Exeter’s museums, galleries, theatres, literary landmarks and historic architecture provide an opportunity to understand the city beyond its role as a university city. It is a city where over 2000 years of history intersect with a thriving contemporary cultural scene, encompassing a rich and evolving tradition of art, literature, architecture and heritage.
How to Get Cheap Course Books by Sofía Tapia
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S an English Literature student, I know the feeling of opening your reading list at the start of the academic year and thinking: ‘Now where I am supposed to get all these books?’ The answer to this question will vary a lot depending on what type of reader you are. For students who prefer to annotate their own copies, the first place you are likely to be directed to is Blackwell’s. While this academic bookshop no longer has a permanent shop on campus, they tend to run a bookstall in the Queens Building’s foyer at the start of each term, so be on the lookout! They usually offer bundles for different English modules and core texts at a 15 percent discount.
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Blackwell’s is the best option for those who just want to get their book-buying done quickly, without leaving campus but saving some money. However, going second-hand might get you even bigger savings. Look no further than the English and Creative Writing Department’s very own Second-Hand Book Scheme! The department accepts donations at the start and end of term and later invites students to come along to a book pick-up. Keep an eye out in your emails for exact details on when this will be! If you prefer to buy your books online, World of Books and Vinted are great places to
search for your course books. But, if you are willing to walk over to West Street, Book Cycle might be the hidden gem you need. This second-hand bookshop not only is beautiful architecture-wise, but I personally know someone who managed to get most of her modules’ books there! It might take some digging and luck, but you might find what you need at a low pay-what-you-can price. I might have focused on where to buy your own books, but you can get your reading done without spending a penny! I love borrowing books from the library when possible (sometimes you might need a specific, newer edition). Moreover, all your course books
should be available online through the university library so there’s really no reason not to do your reading!
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Review: Isabella Procter on The Mad King at the RSC
HE Mad King, George R. R. Martin’s latest adventure in the Game of Thrones universe, is a portal to Westeros. Set fifteen years before the start of Game of Thrones, The Mad King chronicles the never-before-seen events of Robert’s Rebellion and the fall of House Targaryen. The Mad King balances its source material incredibly well. The production cleverly adheres to both the books and the TV show—no easy feat, with their countless differences. There was also a conscious effort to include the average viewer who has not watched eight seasons of TV or read eight massive books. The show’s programme
contained a short history of Westeros and the Targaryens, family trees for the Great Houses, and a sizeable glossary ranging from Night’s Watch to Crannogmen. The plot was engaging, featuring beloved characters and storylines fans have always wished to see in more detail, while not being too complex for newcomers to follow. Keeping the show accessible and entertaining for all viewers is an impressive achievement by itself. However, the truly outstanding accomplishment of The Mad King was its production design. The larger set pieces included a huge Weirwood tree, with red leaves and woodbark faces, and the Iron Throne, built
from swords and made as large as physically possible. Flower baskets or Targaryen banners hung from the ceiling. House banners unfurled from the railings and balconies dropped down on either side of the Circle. Actors stood in the aisles of the seats. The audience is made to feel like they are in Westeros. The nobility and squire’s costumes were vibrant (more accurate to the medieval period than the TV show) and expertly crafted, as always at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). The costume and set design established the show’s position as independent of the TV series, with key details such as the House
sigils and Iron Throne depicted differently. The most unforgettable part of the show was the puppetry. Armoured horses, armoured knights being unhorsed, huge weapons, dogs, crows, and dragons so well-executed they sent shivers down my spine and carved themselves into my memory forever. Watching jousting and brutal single combat enacted so expertly and on such a large scale was exhilarating. The impact of the puppetry cannot be overstated; it was magic. The production design truly transported me to a world I have spent two years reading about. The Mad King is a triumph in audience immersion and visual spectacle.
EXHIBITION: Exeter Contemporary Open @ Exeter Phoenix 11th Sept - 31st Oct EXHIBITION: Bayeux around Britain @ RAMM 15th Sept - 11th July TALK: The History of Folk Horror @ Exeter Phoenix 23rd Sept COMEDY: Jazz Emu: The Pleasure is All Yours @ Barnfield Theatre 30th Sept Image: Nordic.ign
EXHiBit
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EDITORS: Erin-Rose Morris and Lucy Cornwell
arts & lit
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A Book Lover’s Guide to Exeter
Cristina Ferrin, Music Editor, explores the best bookish spots in Exeter
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OW you may have chosen to study at Exeter for its greenery or its lively nightlife, but beyond the student experience there is an internationally recognised literary community. Consider this your guide to exploring the city’s cultural heritage. Exeter became a UNESCO City of Literature in 2019, recognising Devon’s rich heritage and links to some of the country’s most famous writers, such as Ted Hughes, Agatha Christie, and Michael Morpurgo. The Exeter Book is recognised by UNESCO as one of the world’s principal cultural artefacts. Dating back to the 10th century, this Anglo-Saxon anthology of poetry and riddles is housed in Exeter Cathedral and is one of the oldest examples of English literature. This history has established Exeter as a city where literature remains an important part of
its cultural identity, with opportunities for residents and students to engage with its literary community. Exeter’s literary culture extends far beyond its historical roots. The Exeter and Devon Institution (EDI) offers a programme of drop-in workshops, academic research series and members-only socials, giving students another way to engage with the city’s cultural and intellectual community beyond campus. For Exeter students, this is free aside from a one-off £15 joining fee. In terms of bookshops, Bookbag is the main independent bookshop in Exeter, located in McCoys Arcade just a short walk down Fore Street. They champion marginalised voices, with a wealth of books written by LGBTQ+ people, women, and people of colour in stock. Aside from their extensive collection,
they also regularly host events such as book clubs, book launches, and signings.
THEY CHAMPION MARGINALISED VOICES, WITH A WEALTH OF BOOKS WRITTEN BY LGBTQ+ PEOPLE, WOMEN, AND PEOPLE OF COLOUR For a more sustainable way to get your literary fix, Book Cycle is a charity offering a more affordable experience. The campaign is run entirely by volunteers, offering recycled books on a donation basis. By let-
Spotlight on: Theatre at Exeter
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Lucy Cornwell, Arts & Lit Editor, explores the different Theatre societies in Exeter
ANCY dipping your toe into the world of student theatre? There’s always lots going on in Exeter so you’re sure to find something that you’ll love! There are nine theatre societies at Exeter, and they all have a different focus, from student written theatre to Shakespeare. Comedy Society is perfect for those looking to laugh away the stress of your degree with regular stand-up showcases, sketch shows, short and longform improv. Don’t worry if you’ve never done stand up or sketch before, there are weekly workshops to help strengthen your comedic skills. If the idea of auditioning for a show seems a bit daunting, Acting Society may be for you! They don’t hold auditions and focus on creating a fun and welcoming space to improve your acting skills, regardless of your previous experience.
THEY DON’T HOLD AUDITIONS AND FOCUS ON CREATING A FUN AND WELCOMING SPACE EUTCo, or Exeter University Theatre Company are the largest theatre company on campus, and they focus on both contemporary and classical plays. They run workshops lead by industry professionals and perform shows throughout the year, including at the Edinburgh fringe. For musical theatre lovers, there’s Shotgun theatre who produce full scale musicals and open mic nights throughout the year, or Exeter Footlights who perform shows such as Legally Blonde and Guys and Dolls on
ting you choose what you pay on up to three books per day, you can benefit from a grassroots organisation whilst also helping the funding of libraries overseas and the planting of trees. Exeter also boasts a rich array of special collections, offering plenty to discover beyond the city’s literary landmarks. From Agatha Christie’s business papers to the Du Maurier Collection, the University of Exeter Library holds a fascinating selection of material. Meanwhile, Exeter Cathedral Library houses everything from medieval manuscripts and early printed books to modern publications covering a remarkable range of subjects. Studying in Exeter, a UNESCO City of Literature, therefore ensures that students get to experience Exeter as a cultural city and not simply as a university city.
Spotlight on: Reading on Campus
Phoebe Andrews, Online Lifestyle Editor, explores the best places to curl up with a good book around the university.
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stage at the Northcott, take shows to the Edinburgh fringe and have weekly musical theatre workshops. Footlights also has a show choir, Spotlights who perform all the greatest hits from musicals you know and love. While you might not have the time to commit to a full show, there’s plenty of lower commitment opportunities to get involved with that won’t take up all your time. Most theatre societies put on a 48-hour play where writers, directors and a cast produce and perform a show in under 48 hours (typically over the course of a weekend). If you have a more specific theatrical interest, there’s plenty more to choose from. You could join Shakespeare company which performs plays exclusively by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, or Theatre with Teeth, a theatre company that exclusively platforms student writing, as well as running writing workshops throughout the year. If you’d prefer to be backstage, you can get involved with ExeTech, the theatrical production company which provides training in lighting, sound, stage management, producing and costume. Wherever your interests lie, you’ll be sure to find something to get stuck into with the wide range of theatre at Exeter!
HETHER it's catching up on course readings, starting a new series or indulging in a favourite novel, at some point in your university experience you will probably need somewhere to read. While reading in your room is fine (and something that I still enjoy doing from time to time), long periods of staying in your room can get claustrophobic so here are some recommendations of places to read instead.
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The Forum Library: While this one may seem self-explanatory, I think this space offers different things for all kinds of readers. For those who concentrate better in spaces with background noise or need to discuss the reading material with a partner or group, visit Level –1 for group spaces or Level 0 for a slightly quieter experience. Alternatively, if you read better in complete silence visit Level 1, (my personal favourite level of this library). This space is especially good when studying complicated academic texts as resources and books are all around to assist your thinking.
Cafes: Curling up with a warm coffee and a good book always helps me to beat the autumn and winter blues. I find that a cafe is often a perfect place to read and on campus and in the city, we are spoilt for choice. On campus, my favourites are in Amory building and Peter Chalk. While the Amory cafe can be lacking in seats, the ample seating found in the nearby study area makes it a perfect place to grab a coffee or a snack mid reading session. The cafe at Peter Chalk can also get busy, especially in the middle of the day but has the perfect vantage point or people-watching mid-read. In the city, I would recommend Hyde and Seek for the delicious homemade refreshments and the upstairs area of a Caffe Nero if you are looking for a relaxing and quiet atmosphere. Around Queens Drive and Reed Hall: There are so many beautiful areas of nature on Campus, but one of my favourites to read in is the Queens Drive area. The surrounding woodland, complete with the beautiful architecture of the nearby Reed Hall feels like somewhere out of a classic novel and may even inspire a story of your own. Outside of the woods, the grassy banks make a great place to read as well. Bring a picnic and some friends and you have the perfect setup for a book club meeting! I hope this inspires you to go out, read and discover new spots!
MUSIC
Exeter music scene
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From local gigs to late-night venues, Poppy Fellows, Deputy Editor, shares her guide to Exeter's vibrant music scene.
HE University of Exeter, and the wonderful city have much to offer in terms of music, be that forming a band, seeing live gigs, and finding a tribe of people to make noise about what music they are enjoying. There's a plethora of choices to spend evenings listening to music in the city, many local pubs in the area host student bands, including, and certainly not limited to, Old Firehouse, The Stoke Arms, The Black Horse, and The Monkey Barrel. It's a great way of connecting with the bands that are emerging from the university—and if you wanted insider scoop you could check out interviews with campus bands found in our online editions! Student bands are often circuiting through various pubs and venues across the city, so it is also worth following bands you like on Instagram, so you can find out about when and where they might be playing and potentially find other fantastically talented acts to start listening to!
STUDENT BANDS ARE OFTEN CIRCULATING THROUGH VARIOUS PUBS AND VENUES ACROSS THE CITY Pubs in Exeter are great ways to get into the local music scene. There is a spectrum of music that people love to listen to, and many different nights in Exeter that can open you up to new genres. Jazz Mondays at Artigiano is a classy way to start your week, with a cocktail and to
chat with friends. Alternatively, Acoustic Thursdays at Artigiano is a much more chill and relaxed evening! Friday and Sunday are live music evenings at Old Firehouse, and are great a l t e r n a t i ve we e ke n d plans, especiall y if
play much more heavier rock and metal, definitely a different style to most clubs in the city! The university has a range of music facilities to offer, music rooms you can book and practise in if you are a
you star t with a pizza and a pint! As we Image: Wikimedia Commons enter the winter Image: Poppy Fellows months, live music is a really wonderful way to get out and spend time somewhere warm and wintery, and Old Firehouse has the perfect atmosphere for this! If you're interested in a night filled with more dancing, Saturday night at Cavern is Indie Night! They often have bands play live music, ending at 10.30pm, then the evening becomes a club night, where classic indie hits are spun until 2am! Or if emo night is more your style, alternate Fridays
skilled, or amateur musician. Not only are there facilities for students to use, but there are also societies to join! Gig
Society is a great place for you to find out about a wide range of music happening across the city —from small, intimate venues, to events happening at the Phoenix! It is also a perfect society for people to join to meet likeminded friends who share similar music tastes, love experiencing live music, and to become part of a community. This includes just spending time with each other, listening to music and talking—an ideal way of making friends! Another Instagram account worth following is Involving Music, who post regularly about music in the Southwest! Social media is of course a great way of staying updated with any significant dates and events that might be of interest! Of course, festivals like Hijacked are a great way of spending a day out with friends and engaging with different music! I find a great way of discovering new music to listen to is just going to see it live! Exeter is a great university to do this as there is such an abundance of choice and tastes for those eclectic music listeners! Image: Poppy Fellows
THE UNIVERSITY... HAS MUSIC ROOMS YOU CAN BOOK AND PRACTISE IN
Image: Poppy Fellowsons
Settle Into Your Groove Music writers share some tunes to soundtrack the new chapter of your life Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall - Beth Casey, Editor-in-Chief
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HERE’S no better way to kill time on your walk to campus than music blocking out the blaring traffic completely. Depending on the day, the genre, artist, even volume changes. Collectively, when walking ourselves to lectures we can all benefit from what I call ‘montage music.’ This equates to anything used in an opening scene for a 2000s procedural or teen drama, or playlists on spotify named anything along the lines of ‘90s New York.’ 'It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over' (Lenny Kravitz), 'Come Undone' (Duran Duran) or 'Loaded' (Primal
Scream) all have the same invigorating, yet languid energy. But the absolute best uplifting music is KT Tunstall’s 'Suddenly I See', used in a montage in early Grey’s Anatomy. It’s a rare song you can put on repeat for your entire routine, and by the time you sit down in class, you won’t be sick of it. The sun shines when it’s playing, even on those dreary mornings in January where it’s rained for 30 days straight. Give your day the best chance, before it’s even started. Trust me.
Favourite by Fontaine's DC - Charlotte Isbell, Editor-in-Chief
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HOOSING just one song was hard considering I have Spotify on 24/7 whilst at uni! But nothing takes me
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back to first year like 'Favourite'. You can’t help but feel hopeful listening to this track. There’s something quietly exciting about the plucky guitar and dreamy lyrics. The song is versatile and can be played whilst preing or taking a stroll around your new city. This song also suits well past fresher’s week and is perfect for setting the background for term three beach trips or drinks on the East Park hill! Whilst so much of Fontaines D.C.’s discography feels inherently nostalgic, 'Favourite' takes first place for my ultimate fresher’s recommendation.
Valerie by Amy Winehouse & Mark Ronson - Rosa Terry, Print Lifestyle Editor
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UT this song on at pres, and everyone will be singing along. You just can’t not—it's the kind of song that you're smiling while singing. And think of it as true prep for your night out, because Image:best Flickr believe it will be coming on in room two of a Fever Monday, and everyone will equally be belting it out there too. And all these immaculate night-out vibes are a result of the
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happy feel-good mood that seeps out of the song, so also works for a perfect pepin-your-step, sun is shining walk to a lecture. Versatility and vibes all in one classic tune.
WORKS FOR A PERFECT PEP-IN-YOUR-STEP, SUN IS SHINING WALK TO A LECTURE
Reggaeton/Latin Pop - Sofia Tapía, Print Lifestyle Editor
RESHERS’ Week can be both exciting and daunting. During my first year, music really helped me navigate these new experiences. As she's one of my favourite singers, I had Shakira's songs on repeat, especially 'Las de la Intuición' and 'La Tortura'. Having grown up listening to her, this helped me feel less homesick. I also had a mix of danceable, nostalgic and more recent songs, such as Karol G's 'Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido', Quevedo's 'BZRP Music Sessions #52/66' and Zion Y Lennox's 'Yo Voy'. They re-
ally helped hype me up while walking to a night out or society social, serving as the background music to my freshers’ week.
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exhibit | music
Review: Lost Weekend
Review: Ariana Grande’s Petal
Sofia Tapía, Lifestyle Editor, discusses the pop star's new album Image: Flickr, emmarsheehan
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RIANA Grande's new album Petal delves into the singer's frustrations on fame's cost—having to live a life under constant scrutiny to gain appreciation and spotlight. Despite being more of a casual listener of her music than a true fan, I could not escape the feeling of discomfort with the hatred emanating from many of the songs.
THAVING TO LIVE A LIFE UNDER CONSTANT SCRUTINY TO GAIN APPRECIATION A way in which Grande's anger is transmitted is through a flower motif, exemplified in the lines 'Like flowers from a tomb' and 'Petal in the pavement' from the album's two
14 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 21
EDITOR: Cristina Ferrin
singles, 'hate that I made you love me' and 'petal' respectively. Grande is portrayed like a flourishing flower that fiercely fights to not be repressed and killed by society's obsession. Throughout the album, the singer constantly criticises the media and fans' behaviours, expressing her hatred for this scrutiny. This paradox of 'hating' being 'loved' is the album's downfall in my opinion. Despite Grande stating the album is full of 'unfiltered rage', the metaphor-filled lyricism begs to differ. Whilst the songs' negative emotions are palpable, like in 'freak', their cause is not as clear. Many songs' lyrics need contextual knowledge to understand them to be directed, not to a lover, but to a 'loving' fan, as is the case with 'like I do'. The hatred and criticism are there, but the desire to create a marketable album leads to a prioritisation of great sound and vague lyrics instead of being truly honest. Overall, the album explores parasocial relationships in an interesting, if very contradictory way.
WHILE THE SONGS' NEGATIVE EMOTIONS ARE PALPABLE... THEIR CAUSE IS NOT AS CLEAR
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Isabella Proctor examines Phoebe Bridgers' latest album
HOEBE Bridgers’ third solo album asks time to stop moving so you can catch up with it. Lost Weekend takes its listener on a pilgrimage through Bridgers’ memories, intertwining her relationships, the death of her father, and the irreversible passage of time. Bridgers’ avid fan base will find plenty to dissect. Much of Lost Weekend deals with her previous relationship with actor Paul Mescal and her current relationship with comedian and fellow musician Bo Burnham, who features on the album. Some songs share lyrics and vocals with Boygenius, Bridgers’ dissolved band. Perhaps the best cameo, however, is the barking of Bridgers’ pug, Maxine, who also appears in the music video for the album’s single, 'Lost Boys.'
BRIDGERS' THIRD SOLO ALBUM ASKS TIME TO STOP MOVING SO YOU CAN CATCH UP Musically, Bridgers’ style has grown and blossomed, while still echoing the sounds of her first studio album, 'Stranger in the Alps.' The guitar and piano are an ever-present heartbeat, and the strings feel like wavering breaths, in and out. Some songs sound like the moments leading to a panic attack, instruments rushing to a climax. Others are slower and softer, like memories replayed on a quiet, late night.
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Bridgers continues to excel at turning autobiographical lyrics into universal emotions. Lost Weekend meanders through the complexities of love and loss, life and death, and the inescapable march of time. Whether Bridgers is shouting or whispering, her exploration of the human experience is equally as cathartic. Lost Weekend is a brutally honest, poetic confessional in which every listener can find their own emotions reflected in Bridgers’ memories.
BRIDGERS CONTINUES TO EXCEL AT TURNING AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL LYRICS INTO UNIVERSAL EMOTIONS
Summer Concert Reviews MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE AT WEMBLEY - ISABELLA PROCTER
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HIS summer, My Chemical Romance embarked on their Long Live The Black Parade reunion tour, celebrating twenty years since the release of their most iconic studio album. This was MCR’s first large-scale tour since 2012. After the band’s break up in 2013, and 2019 shows were waylaid by Covid, this tour was highly anticipated. I attended one of three sold out shows at Wembley Stadium. Despite temperatures of 30 degrees, almost every person wore black from head to toe. MCR fans not wearing dark colours were in costume, replicating outfits from music videos or previous stage shows. The excitement was palpable. Whether fans were seasoned or first-timers, most had assumed the chance to see MCR would never come around again.
ongoing storyline, and recurring characters, in typical MCR concept-album style. The pyrotechnics and fireworks, classic staples of a Wembley show, were well incorporated into the theming. The band performed the whole Black Parade album from start to finish before playing deeper cuts in their B stage set, some of which had never been performed live before. MCR’s unforgettable, one-of-a-kind performance was a gift to their dedicated fanbase.
ALMOST EVERY PERSON WORE BLACK FROM HEAD TO TOE Our opener was the legendary Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. At 67 years old, Jett still loves rock’n’roll. The band performed an electrifying set with all their top hits, some fantastic guitar solos, and an acknowledgment of their love for England, where they found an opportunity for a female-fronted band that the United States didn’t allow in 1979. A powerhouse performance from a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was the best possible way to start the night. Once MCR came on stage, the stadium exploded. I am a frequent concert-goer and have been to Wembley before, including for the Eras Tour, but MCR was surely the loudest crowed I have ever heard. Each of the stadium’s 90,000 capacity were singing at the top of their lungs. The crowd was frequently louder than the stadium’s speakers, especially down in the pit. The show’s Soviet Union-esque roleplay theming was unique and well-executed: militarystyle costumes and graphics, a fictional country, an
Image: Isabella Proctor
BIG TIME AT BIG THIEF - POPPY FELLOWS, DEPUTY EDITOR
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PERFECT way to start my final month in Canada: 3000 Big Thief fans singing 'all across Ontario'. At the Meridian Hall in Toronto, seeing Big Thief live was really a dream come true. When my friend messaged saying she had a spare ticket, my heart started racing: 'Simulation Swarm' has been played by myself over 700 times, it is always at the top of my Spotify Wrapped, and ever since I first heard the song in 2022, there hasn't been a week where I haven't put it on. Throughout the entire set, the band were as equally tender, but also aweinspiring as each of their albums. We marvelled at how they were able to create such an emotional, tear-jerking atmosphere, reactions to songs like 'Dragon New Warm Mountain' and 'Orange' (which they opened with), and lead vocalist Adrienne Lenker's solo songs, 'Sadness as a Gift' and 'No Machine', alongside a song like 'Not' or 'Vampire Empire', which see the bands guitarists Lenker and Buck Meek get increasingly passionate and shred it on their guitars. The set up on stage was homely,
a warm red rug below the band, who were all positioned so closely together on stage with an array of instruments, amps, and drums, giving the impression of a small, intimate gig, despite being Canada's largest soft-seat theatre. Image: Wikimedia Commons
THE SET UP ON STAGE WAS HOMELY... GIVING THE IMPRESSION OF A SMALL, INTIMATE GIG
Every time a new song started, we couldn't believe how lucky we were. I had the privilege of hearing my favourite song live but also got to stand up and dance with everyone to Spud Infinity as Lenker, Meek, and bassist Joshua Crumbly threw themselves and jigged across the stage. Of course, the highlight for many fans, was when the first chords of Paul played and we all collectively gasped. Drawing so many songs from different albums, Big Thief sing about nature, intimacy, but also change, and the complexities of being human. As they closed with 'Incomprehensible', a song about self-acceptance and the nature of time and change, Lenker sang about her home province of Ontario—a place I had spent the last twelve weeks—it felt almost surreal to be hearing them play. Give the album Dragon New Warm Mountain Image: Poppy Fellows a listen—life-altering stuff.
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Amelie Marah, Online Music Editor, gives her favourite examples of university life on TV
HE thing about university that remains unadvertised is the amount of time you have to consume copious amounts of television! One of the best things about this time is the freedom, which inevitably results in a great deal of chaos, making for some excellent stories, which have become some even better television series. The sitcom Fresh Meat is about six flatmates who end up in university housing instead of halls at the University of Manchester. Each character is a caricature of someone you will inevitably meet at university. Nearly every flat ends up with their own resident ‘Paul Lamb the Invisible Man,’ and if you don’t reach the stage at some point during your degree where JP’s idea to ‘f**k
it off and hire a barge’ sounds like an excellent idea, I’d be surprised. Fresh Meat is here to remind you that all of it is just part of the experience!
EACH CHARACTER IS A CARICATURE OF SOMEONE YOU WILL INEVITABLY MEET HERE Similarly, Big Boys is a dramedy that will have you laughing until you cry and then… just crying. It follows an unlikely friendship between two boys and perfectly encapsulates the university experience from prison-like accommodation
to awkward society fairs and big nights out. It is a real rollercoaster of emotions but the messes that are the characters’ lives can only serve to make you feel slightly better about your own, or at the very least, less alone in the experience.
THE MESSES THAT ARE THE CHARACTERS’ LIVES CAN ONLY SERVE TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOUR OWN If you’re rotting in bed after one too many venoms in TP one day, Overcompensating is sure to
distract you from that hangover! Set in the USA, you may be left feeling vaguely grateful about the absence of frats and sororities here in the UK, but beneath the layers of awkward yet hilarious experiences, is Benny’s quest to discover his identity. With series two on the horizon, I can think of no better way to fast-track your flatmate bonding than by investing yourself in these characters’ lives.
YOU MAY BE LEFT FEELING VAGUELY GRATEFUL ABOUT THE ABSENCE OF FRATS AND SORORITIES HERE IN THE UK
How to watch film and TV (Exeter style)
Rosa Terry, Lifestyle Editor, discusses watchlists and watchalongs in her student guide to film and tv
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ILM and TV reflect our tastes, channel new perspectives and are an amazing way to bond with people—whether it be through trying out new shows or returning to your home comforts. It can be an especially great way to bond with your flatmates. My flatmates were shocked to learn that I had never watched The Inbetweeners, and I was excited to rewatch The Haunting of Hill House with them (partly because I know they love horror, partly because I think its plot is a masterpiece). We were constantly sharing our favourites and finding new things to watch, and by the end of first year we had finished all of the likes of Miranda, Friday Night Dinner and an array of horror films I would not have gone near beforehand. Almost every night we got in our
comfy clothes and squished onto one person’s bed—we cried, laughed and got each other to check our rooms for ghosts before bed.
everyone’s watching and supporting the same thing. Did I have any clue what was going on in the England vs Wales Six Nations match? No. But I was with my friends, had a Pimm’s pitch-
ALMOST EVERYNIGHT WE GOT IN OUR COMFY CLOTHES AND SQUISHED ONTO ONE PERSON’S BED
IF SPORT ISN’T YOUR THING, GO ANYWAY. THERE IS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY WHEN EVERYONE’S WATCHING AND SUPPPOORTING THE SAME THING
If sport is more your thing, get down to the many pubs that will show the rugby, football, F1 and more. The Stand Off is usually reliable, but most pubs will be kitted out when there is a big event. And if sport isn’t your thing, go anyway. There is a sense of community when
er in front of me and something to emphatically cheer at every so often, so I was happy. And for the movie-lovers, don’t miss a trip to the cinema. Both Vue and Odeon in town are great. It makes a perfect rainy-day activity and well-earned break from uni work.
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How to tackle a film degree
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Sebastien Broom, Satire Editor, gives a rundown of how to thrive at Exeter while studying film
I THERE and welcome to Exeter! I’m sure you’ve worked incredibly hard to get here and even harder to hike up Forum Hill in order to read this (I trust K2 and the Himalayan Belt is next). You may be amidst an inner dialogue however as to how on earth one tackles a film degree? Fear not! Exeposé will give you enough tips to fly through the first, second and third acts of study here!
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1. First and for many foremost, please go to screenings. It may appear ridiculous to leave your accommodation to walk twenty minutes up the road, all to watch a movie you could be viewing under the warm hug of your duvet cover but trust the process. I commuted first year (bad idea) and despite the many assigned screenings I did attend, the ones I
‘planned’ to watch from my very own pillow fort did not pan out that way. The Battle of Algiers turned into a battle to stay awake as I lay there thinking about other movies; cereal spoon drooping out of my sleep-sweat glazed hands. The harsh reality is that as good as these films are, you are not watching them on your own terms and have many distractions outside a theatre hall. Unless you want all your screenings to turn into re-runs of Jordan Peele’s filmography: stay the course! You’ll make a bunch of friends bonding over Film History and won’t have to suffer awkward seminars!
IT MAY APPEAR RIDICULOUS TO LEAVE YOUR ACCOMODATION... TO WATCH A MOVIE YOU COULD BE VIEWING UNDER THE WARM HUG OF YOUR DUVET
2. Secondly, get involved in practical filmmaking. This can be through friends or the society: XTV (advertised on page 23). It may seem daunting, myself thinking originally that I’d be complete dead weight on a set, but that notion couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is collaboration galvanizes personal growth as a creative and is also a fabulous way Image: Free SVG to network (a silent but important part of life as a filmmaker). It’s all wonderfully fun and your gateway to doing your own stuff as inevitably you will need connections to produce your own work.
COLLABORATION GALVANIZES PERSONAL GROWTH AS A CREATIVE
3. Finally, Film Society is a Image: Wikimedia Commons great way to further your personal network and bond with students. The main body of the society revolves around curated screenings with themed weeks. Often this gives the opportunity to watch and discuss films you may otherwise not see or even explore the familiar further. Supporting this, the society provides plenty of socials in which students can bond through the gauntlet of a pub crawl (an institution of Film Society) and hard-fought quizzes. Image: Exeter Student Guild Armed with all this information, you, dear reader, should be able to navigate the degree. I promise in earnest you are in for all the fun in the world!
exhibit | SCREEN
EDITORS: BETH CASEY AND CHARLOTTE ISBELL
14 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 23
The charm of cinema-going Cristina Ferrin, Music Editor, and Isabella Proctor, talk about their favourite films so far and most anticipated releases to come
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FAVOURITE SO FAR Isabella Procter
HE release of Backrooms was arguably the largest cultural cinema event of the year so far for Gen Z. Grossing $118 million globally in its opening weekend, Backrooms dwarfed the new Star Wars and broke studio A24’s box-office records. The movie sparked heavy discourse and lengthy video essays online, cementing its internet-culture impact. Directed by 20-year-old YouTube filmmaker Kane Parsons, Backrooms expanded on the universe Parsons has been creating for four years. His YouTube series takes shape in the form of ‘found footage,’ a sub-genre of horror where the content is made to seem like reallife videos. Found footage is uniquely immersive, especially in Parsons’ case; his YouTube channel enables viewers to feel like they have ‘found’ top-secret content. The ‘Backrooms’ themselves are an internet sensation: an endless series of replicated rooms with yellow Image: Wikimedia Commons
walls and office ceilings which characters accidentally fall (or ‘no-clip’) into, Alice-in-Wonderland-style. These twisted corridors contain different ‘levels’ and predatory ‘entities’, all eerily distorted approximations of the real world. Parsons’ creation was quickly adopted by the internet, inspiring other creators, Roblox games, and a Backrooms Wiki containing extensive theorised levels and entities. In the vast web of social media, the Backrooms concept soon evolved far beyond Parsons’ original concept. This was one huge pull to the cinema: the popularity of the creepy ‘liminal space’ universe is widespread and has singularly grasped Gen Z’s imagination.
THE POPULARITY OF THE CREEPY ‘LIMINAL’... HAS SINGULARLY GRASPED GEN Z’S IMAGINATION Despite its internet lore, Backrooms had much to offer the average movie-goer. The movie follows Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a middle-aged, divorced man whose furniture store is failing and his therapist Mary (Renate Reinsve), a young woman with a troubled childhood. Clark discovers an entrance to the Backrooms underneath his store. When he goes missing, Mary follows him in and is disturbed by what she finds. The film explores the desire to leave a painful life behind, absolve yourself of guilt, and live in a memory —regardless of how distorted, exploitative, or unsettling it is. The film also demonstrates how destructive this course of behaviour is to those around you. Backrooms uses its iconic liminal imagery as a vehicle for exploration into unresolved trauma and its consequences. Many viewers can identify with a longing to
live in the past, a magical ‘before’ where nothing bad has happened yet. However, viewers can also sympathise with how scary it is to be faced with a person who refuses to live in the real world, no matter the cost.
VIEWERS CAN IDENTIFY WITH A LONGING TO LIVE IN THE PAST, A MAGICAL ‘BEFORE’ Backrooms truly excels as a horror movie. Its extensive physical set visually captures the eeriness of an endless liminal space. The special effects makeup and costumes are a standout, with details perfectly crafted to immerse and unsettle viewers, both in real-world 1990 and the Backrooms themselves. The film fits into Parsons’ YouTube channel narrative while also remaining accessible to mainstream viewers. Moviegoers can read as little or as much into the themes as they want to. Backrooms is an expertly crafted modern horror movie, ushering in a new age of younger directors with new fears and new disturbing ways of exploring them.
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MOST ANTICIPATED Cristina Ferrin
dawn of time, I can’t even remember how many times my 12-year-old self must have re-read the trilogy, and when the adaptations came out, I was, understandably, obsessed. So, you can understand my excitement when Sunrise on the Reaping was first announced. I read the book in a day and sobbed the entire way through it, so I am equally anticipating and dreading the adaptation’s release. And with it return the original movies to the cinemas—which I am beyond excited to get to experience on the big screen. From the trailer alone, I can already tell this will be a perfect movie. The scenes displayed look uncanny to the ones in the books, and the casting is some of the best I’ve seen. The entire lineup looks remarkably like their characters from the other movies as well as from the books. I am most excited though, for the soundtrack. The past movies have featured lyrical masterpieces from the likes of Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, so I eagerly await who they have chosen to accompany Haymitch Abernathy’s downward spiral. Until then, I’ll be impatiently counting down the days until Panem returns to the big screen. Image: Flickr
HIS year has the potential to go down in the books for the best for cinema. From back-to-back horror flicks to spectacular book adaptations, I think it’s safe to say that we’ve been kept well-fed. But don’t fret, the year is not over, and I would argue that the best is yet to come. I have been a Hunger Games fanatic since the
Review: Sterling Point Beth Casey, Editor-in-Chief, talks summer nostalgia and healthy masculinity on screen in Amazon’s new Canadian drama
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SPOILERS AHEAD
RECENTLY discovered the perfect show for aspiring or thriving outdoorsy, hikers—or as Connor puts it ‘Canadian bacon crunchy granola girl[s] next door.’ Available on Amazon Prime, Sterling Point centres (at first) on Annie, a seventeen-year-old overachiever who lives in modern day New York. Upon her grandfather’s death, she inherits partial ownership of a Canadian island, and in a desperate attempt to clear the fog of lies around their family history, she goes straight there, to a forested island with no phone service, a charming nut-filled cottage, and a marina that provides the only transport to the mainland. As soon as that first decision is made (against her father’s wishes), it becomes clear this is a coming-of-age story, mixed in with family mystery and maybe the most relatable depiction of a sibling dynamic I’ve ever seen. Visually, it’s a stunning series. Beautifully shot, idyllic lakes and woods and sun, there’s no ‘Netflix lighting’ to be found. The entire show feels like crackling fires, weighted quilts and thermoses of soup. Childhood nostalgia for camp (somehow created even if you’re not American) and long summers with cousins and family that feel like they never end.
THE ENTIRE SHOW FEELS LIKE CRACKLING FIRES, WEIGHTED QUILTS AND THERMOSES OF SOUP
The characters are what makes this show especially refreshing and separates it from other YA shows. The dialogue is great—funny and Gen Z in a way that’s not clunky or dislikeable (see here, The Summer I Turned Pretty). In fact, many watchers praised the series for how ‘unscripted’ it feels. Every teenager feels young (instead of 25-yearolds cosplaying high-school), and relatable in a way that a show hasn’t achieved in quite a while. Annie is truly a girl’s girl protagonist: funny and sporadic and just a little odd, in the best way. If you liked Teen Wolf’s Stiles Stilinksi, she has the same energetic, unfiltered presence, without the wolves and monsters. Not annoying in the slightest, she cares about the people around her and lets them care for her.
ANNIE IS A GIRL’S GIRL PROTAGONIST: FUNNY, SPORADIC AND A LITTLE ODD IN THE BEST WAY There is also a healthy masculinity portrayed here, at least in the younger kids. They aren’t inherently problematic (aside from Lincoln but that’s more because he’s rich, not just because he’s a man.) Shocker, the rich people are douches. In our external reality of billionaires and trillionaires behaving like Pixar villains, the fact the well-off don’t get their way, feels cathartic. Back on masculinity, the play off between Rory and Ellis is done well. Rory is not the guy I personally rooted for, at least not entirely, but he’s still thoughtful, and caring, and honest with Annie. Ellis is quiet and respectful and reliable. He might have his moments
of jealousy in the same way Rory does, but neither of signal, or internet until characters are on the mainthem let this manifest into anger that is directed un- land. It makes every scene in the cottage have the necessarily on her. In fact, when Lincoln encourages same energy as early Stranger Things—just kids hangjealousy and toxicity upon Annie and Ellis holding ing out, no internet, no messages, just the earth and hands (scandalous, I know), Rory’s response is simply: the neighbourhood. Every conversation must be ‘I think we’re beyond being threatened as a species.’ in person, face to face, without hiding behind texts The other relationships outside this triangle are or photos. Connection is in real time, and ironialso just as complex and real and (most of the time) cally—while watching this show on a screen, ushealthy. In the times that they aren’t the latter, it’s ing Wi-Fi and usually with your phone (unchecked) abundantly clear that each characters’ fears and pasts right next to you—you’ll feel more offline than ever. inform how they behave. Most of the time, this leads back to Goldie. Her memory ties nearly every character together. Her presence is weaved between every log of wood in the cabin, she’s ‘Every year XTV produces a range of projects such as almost the water between the short films, documentaries, events/news coverage, music vidislands and New York and eos and game shows. Members are allowed to pitch their idethe invisible string between as and bring them to life using our equipment, there is also the divided family. Arguably, the option to book out equipment for individual projects. the real love story is between the sisters, which once again, We always have projects ongoing needing cast and crew links back to Goldie. I’ll save where members can take on roles to gain experience—if the rest for your own disyou are new to film and feel unsure about taking on a role covery, but the pair of them you can always shadow a crew member and learn on the job! truly make this show the masterpiece it is, and had me You don’t need any experience to work with us, longing for a sibling dyanwe are always happy to teach and run workshops. amic I’d never experienced. We also have opportunities to meet people working withDespite all this, the in the industry during our networking events — it’s a great Image: Flickr strength of this series is chance to meet people in roles you would like in the future.’ its atmosphere. Sterling - Channia, XTV Station Manager Point, the island, has no service. No phones, or
- XTV -
Excetera Excetera... Images: Flickr, Wikimedia Commons
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N estimated 275,000 bags of pasta are bought and eaten by hungry university students searching for quick and easy dinners during Freshers’ Week. This is a lot of pasta, and we would hazard a guess that many jars of pesto, vodka sauce, and tinned tomatoes disappear off supermarket shelves alongside this. We at Exeposé hope that Exeter students are a bit more creative, but if not, we have some recommendations to spice up your pasta dishes this week! 1. Eat the Rainbow! Adding lots of colour to your diet is important - especially anything that is green! Peas, sweetcorn, peppers, diced carrots, spinach, mushrooms, and broccoli can all be found in bags in the freezer section, absolutely ideal for chucking in to any pan whilst the pasta boils! Adding colour and texture is a healthy,
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(and party!) Here are some great additions that make quick pasta dinners much more nutritious! Added protein can include chicken and other meat (of course) but chickpeas, halloumi, and butter beans are all high in protein, and great for reducing meat intake! Students may have enough protein, but they are seriously lacking in fibre! Lots of types of beans, mushrooms, lentils, and chopped vegetables are perfect to add to pasta sauces!
cheap, and tasty twist on a simple pesto pasta, with bags of frozen veg costing between £0.99-£2 for a kilo! 2. Protein and Fibre Busy schedules and convenience-based meals mean university students have inconsistent intake of protein and fibre—vital nutrition ensuring we are energised and ready to learn
but
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3. Art of the Pasta Salad Pasta salads are an ideal way of changing up everyday pasta dishes, adding greens to your plate, and changing the taste and texture of each meal! A bag of salad leaves is a perfect addition to the fridge to add to leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch, or to add to pre-made pasta dishes, such as fresh tortellini or ravioli! Variety is the spice of life!
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ELLO and welcome to Agony Aunt, Exeposé’s newest column dedicated to solving your student woes. I’m Charlotte, an English student and technically our first ever Agony Aunt? As one of the Print Editors-in-Chief, I oversee the publication of our print newspaper alongside my Co-Editor-inChief Beth and our amazing Deputy Editor Poppy. As third years, the three of us are self-certified Exeter experts. Between us, we’ve heard just about everything—from night-out nightmares to first-year flatmate fiascos, we’ve got it covered. Mainly because we’re nosy, we want to hear your Exeter dilemmas. And who knows, we might even be able to help solve them (probably not, but it’s worth a shot). If you want your questions answered by one of us in our next print edition, send them over to editors@exepose.com by Sunday 27th September and tell us if you’d like to be named or remain anonymous.
Let’s Talk About It... It...
Beth Casey, Editor-in-Chief, gives some tips on how to approach change and anxiety at university
OR most people, the lead up to university is as hectic as it can get. Whether you’ve achieved your grades and been given a place at the university you desired most, or you’ve gone through the clearing process and had a last minute switch up, the sudden shift from waiting, waiting, waiting to the gates opening and go go go, is as jarring as the start gun that sets off the race. Your emotions will be flickering between relief, anxiety, stress, excitement, or a strange numbness where you don’t actually know how to feel. I remember spending the end of August lingering in a strange liminal between a solemn sadness at
Images: Beth Casey
Agony Aunt
Food for Freshers!
leaving home and a stoked flame of anticipation for everything else I could go and find in the world. But my advice is to not set any expectations in this searching. Everyone, across their uni years, finds things and experiences and people that they were not even vaguely looking for. Both good and bad. You’ll never be able to predict it. So for peace of mind, don’t even try. Just be open; it’s all going to be new, and scary, sure, but it’s new and scary for every other person there, no matter how adjusted they seem. You might be completely unbothered by the task of completing an entire degree, and see it as merely the next step on your ascending education, while others see it as a daunting mountain with a summit hidden by the clouds. Equally, while your flatmate may be accustomed to drinking and nightlife culture and you find yourself out of your depth, the uncertainty is once again tailored to each person. But experience is experience. Your anxiety is just a sign marker for places you haven’t been yet, and a guide towards opportunities for you to grow. Saying this, there are still ways to ensure you take care of yourself at university, to minimise this stress and anxiety. 1. Plan ahead I cannot stress this enough. People will often tell you university is for spontaneity and fun and saying yes to everything. And while it is, those fun times will mean nothing if you wake up the next morning with nothing to eat in the fridge, your uni work uncompleted and tutors emailing you about substandard attendance. So, make the meal plans, do
the reading, find the routines that work for you, and behave in a way that helps your future self be fun and spontaneous. It’s said too often, so I won’t begrudge you for rolling your eyes, but starting your assignments early really does save your life. As I said before, you have no idea how you’ll feel three weeks from any given day, but if you’re happy and healthy today, why not make some progress? It doesn’t have to be lots, in fact, I’d encourage against attempting that immediately. Overworking yourself is pointless: you don’t get an award for being exhausted. It’ll just make all the other facets of uni life harder—socialising, exercising, exploring, and just generally thriving. Overworking also inextricably leads to becoming ill. And ask any student, at Exeter or elsewhere, they’ll confirm that that is the worst thing to be at university. 2. Know your limits This links back to not overworking yourself, but you know yourself best. It’s important to try new things and push yourself to be better and improve. But this doesn’t mean changing your inherent nature and values. If you’re a homebody, there is nothing to gain from pretending to be anything but that. By the time you reach uni, most people know what sort of person they are: what they get energy from, what drains them. Try new things, don’t rule anything out, but when you do, trust your instincts. The years you spend here aren’t actually that long, and they will fly by. It wastes time pretending to enjoy things that don’t fit. I’m a clubbing once a fortnight type of person, for example.
Do what makes you happy, and don’t apologise if it doesn’t look the same as the person next to you. 3. Change can be good My final piece of advice, is that despite you knowing yourself best, change is sometimes a good thing. Leaving home feels like you’re cleaving yourself apart from a whole, a branch snapping off a tree. What’s really happening is you’re learning who you are, outside of your memories and the people that know the old versions of you. Those new situations and people will teach you endlessly about yourself. Sometimes people grate against you, and your character flaws unfold before you from that. Sometimes, they’ll bring the best side of you out, that hadn’t yet revealed itself. And remember, its all happening exactly the same for everyone else. So in the times of conflict, or wrongness, or confrontation, the best thing you can do for yourself is forgive both yourself and them. Acknowledge that ‘this isn’t about me, really’ when you’re upset, often gives you peace and closure in a situation where the others around you are incapable of delivering it. So learn, academically, but also learn emotionally. And be excited for the new you you’re going to meet and create along the way. If you need support, the University of Exeter has programs and systems in place, designed for you, to help you. Visit the Guild’s ‘Support For You’ page to find emails and phone numbers for these support organisations.
exhibit | excetra excetra
EDITORS: Beth Casey and Charlotte Isbell
CROSSWORD
SUDOKU
Down Across 1 Listen to (4) 1 Greetings! (5) 4 (Television) Station (7) 2 Commanders of a country - redeals (8) 8 Word formed by the letters of (7) another (7) 3 Paddle (3) 9 (Metal) rods (5) 10 Pointed top of a mountain (4) 4 Recover consciousness (4,2) 5 A bat helps (8) - systems of letters (9) 12 Apprentice - retinae (8) (7) 6 Synthetic fabric (5) 13 Usual practice(6) 14 Terces (8) - hidden from view 7 Most sumptuous - sleuths (8) (7) (6) 11 Clever clogs (informal) (4-2-3) 17 Untanned leather - had wire? 13 (Museum) custodian - RAC rout (8) (8) (7) (7) 19 Face (of an object, say) (4) 15 Send off (a football player) (3-4) 21 Tango (8) - Pacific country, 16 Wish - longing (6) capital Nuku’alofa (5) 22 Happening immediately (7) 18 Currents of air (5) 24 Firmness of purpose (7) 20 Luminary - celebrity (4) 25 Poisonous (British) snake (5) 23 Ocean (3) Down: 1 Hear, 2 Leaders, 3 Oar, 4 Come to, 5 Alphabets, 6 Nylon, 7 Lushest, 11 Know-it-all, 13 Curator, 15 Red card, 16 Desire, 18 Winds, 20 Star, 23 Sea. Across: 1 Hello , 4 Channel, 8 Anagram, 9 Poles, 10 Peak, 12 Trainee, 13 Custom, 14 Secret, 17 Rawhide, 19 Side, 21 Tonga, 22 Instant, 24 Resolve, 25 Adder.
Trivia: 1. UCL . 2. Lord Byron. 3. Ducks. 4. Durham. 5. Edinburgh. 6. Richard III.
ANSWERS
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Trivia Corner 1. WHAT WAS THE FIRST UK UNIVERSITY TO ADMIT WOMEN? 2. WHICH INFAMOUS 19TH CENTURY POET KEPT A PET BEAR DURING HIS TIME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE? 3. THE UNIVERSITY OF YORK HAS A HIGHER DENSITY OF WHAT BIRDS THAN ANY OTHER BRITISH UNIVERSITY? 4. WHICH UNIVERSITY IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND HAS THE HIGHEST RATE OF INTER-STUDENT MARRIAGES? 5. WHICH SCOTTISH UNIVERSITY IS HOME TO THE UK’S OLDEST STUDENT NEWSPAPER? 6. WHICH KING OF ENGLAND WAS EXCAVATED FROM A CAR PARK BY ARCHAEOLOGISTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER IN 2013?
Exeter Special
How to write for us All you need to do is scan the QR code here in order to purchase your society membership from the Student’s Guild. After that you can join our Exeposé Members 26/27 facebook group in which you’ll find content calls from section editors on pretty much any topic you can imagine! We’ll have a link to this page on our Instagram! If you see a content call that takes your fancy, simply comment under the facebook post, write your article and send it to the editor. Whilst they may send you some feedback or ask you to make a
Image Credits: Wikimedia commons
couple of changes, no articles will ever be rejected and we encourage writers to get involved regardless of previous experience. If financial hardship prevents you from getting involved, the Guild offers a Society Hardship Fund, aimed at any student awarded the University Hardship and Retention Fund or who is unable to take part in societies due to financial barriers. We can’t wait to see all the amazing writing you contribute!
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14 SEPTEMBER 2026| EXEPOSÉ
International
INTERNATIONAL EDITORS:
Audrey Yuen and Suhaib Shaukat
An escalation in Europe: drone bomb in Germany
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Freddy Purcell, Climate Editor, discusses the latest development in Russia’s hybrid warfare
ROUND midnight on the 4th of August a member of staff at Leipzig airport noticed a drone hovering around two Ukrainian cargo planes. It was carrying about 800g of plastic explosives that German police say would have done serious damage, if it weren’t for a faulty detonator that prevented the device from functioning. Authorities have since pointed the finger at Russian intelligence, viewing the failed attack as a hostile action. Leipzig airport is immensely important as a logistics hub for both NATO and Germany. Ukraine has also been using the airport to transport goods since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022. It is not the first time that operatives linked to Russia have attacked this strategically important location. In July 2024, a firebomb was posted via DHL to Leipzig airport, detonating inside its logistics hub. The device was intended to trigger on an airplane but failed to make it aboard due to a delay in take-off. Another device detonated in a DHL warehouse in Birmingham and two others were found in Poland. A subsequent investigation linked these attacks
to 22 suspects based in Lithuania and Poland who had received instructions online and were paid in cryptocurrency. Authorities suspected that they were linked to Russian intelligence. The latest incident in Leipzig airport therefore represents just one development in Russia’s hybrid warfare in Europe, which Germany’s Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, described as a ‘new level of danger’. Indeed, earlier this summer, the UK’s navy announced that it had spent 25 percent more time than usual monitoring Russian boats around its waters in July. This, a month after the UK’s armed forces made the first capture of a shadow fleet ship.
THE LATEST INCIDENT IN LEIPZIG AIRPORT THEREFORE REPRESENTS JUST ONE DEVELOPMENT IN RUSSIA’S HYBRID WARFARE Amidst this escalating tension, questions have been asked of the adequacy of European nations’
ny, the UK and other nations, have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine in the war and limiting the size of Russia’s war chest by restricting its shadow fleet. There is hope, then, that through international cooperation, European powers can put up a strong defence against Russia’s hybrid warfare.
THE DRONE HAD BEEN UNDETECTED BY ANTIDRONE TECHNOLOGY FOR SEVERAL HOURS
Image:WikimediaCommons
ability to deal with Russian attacks and surveillance operations. In the most recent incident at Leipzig airport, security footage uncovered that the drone had been undetected by anti-drone technology for several hours before it was discovered. European governments have also been criticised for their slow responses to other drone operations, including the flight of 20 unarmed drones over Poland last September. Despite these issues, the Coalition of the Willing, a group consisting of leaders from France, Germa-
Image:WikimediaCommons
University Societies: A social paradise?
Ria Brown-Ayree, Online Editor-in-Chief, explores the cultures of Exeter societies
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S a fresher, the first and most common advice you’ll hear is to join as many societies as you can. Right off the bat, it’s a great way to make friends and meet people with like-minded interests, and as a fresher stepping into a new environment, joining societies is probably the most appealing advice you can get. Speaking from experience, as a fresher, you come to realise that everybody at society events is, first, looking to make friends and, secondly, dead scared to be there. Everybody walks there alone and comes in with similar objectives. Some are more extroverted and introverted than others. However, sometimes societies don’t work and sometimes they will. That feeling of not fitting in follows you into a society, and that’s why going to taster events and fresher events held by societies is a great way to test out if that particular society is a great place for you or not.
EVERYONE AT SOCIETY EVENTS IS FIRST, LOOKING TO MAKE FRIENDS, AND SECONDLY, DEAD SCARED TO BE THERE The key to navigating societies is an open mind: being open to trying new things and also being open to understanding that a particular society may not be your thing. There is social pressure to join societies, friends might drag you along, you might think it’s the quickest way to make new friends etc., but the
which are non-alcoholic and not party-like. Societies aren’t for everyone. Personally, I know people who have been through university without joining a society who have still had a great time. Despite the pressure, it’s important you go through trial and error with a society and pick the best one for you, whether you make friends or not.
I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH UNIVERSITY WITHOUT JOINING A SOCIETY Image: University of Exeter
key to enjoying a society is picking one that feels true to you. You won’t enjoy a society if you can’t find a part of you in that society. Another thing to be wary of is the culture a society promotes. On the surface, a society might seem catered to a specific course or hobby that you align with, but really its ac-
Image: University of Exeter
tivities are more aligned with a club culture or drinking culture, which really is not a problem, but for non-drinkers trying to navigate university, you might feel some sort of pressure to steer away from societies because of this.
YOU WON’T ENJOY A SOCIETY IF YOU CANT FIND A PART OF YOU IN THAT SOCIETY From my experience, most societies are very accommodating to non-drinkers, providing non-alcoholic beverages and other forms of activities outside clubbing, and specific societies
Image: Exeter Student Guild
INTERNATIONAL
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Why does a war thousands of miles away affect you?
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Melissa Swift, Podcast Editor, discusses why news across the world is closer than ever
ONNECTING the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman is a sea channel known as the Strait of Hormuz. The UN allows counties to control an area of up to 12 nautical miles from their coastline. Therefore, at its narrowest point, the Strait of Hormuz is entirely controlled by Iran and Oman. Since joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year, passage through the Strait of Hormuz has been restricted by Iran who threatens to attack ships passing through the strait. The Strait of Hormuz is a global trade corridor with a fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments passing through. A third of the most widely used fertiliser in the world also moves through the strait during its export. While the price of oil has been drastically affected by the closure of the strait, there have also been significant changes to the price of gas and fertiliser. The shortage of oil is particularly problematic due to its effect on the global crude oil market. The oil market is largely controlled by an organisation known as OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum
Exporting Countries) of which Iran is a founding member. Crude oil is a commodity (it remains the same regardless of its producer) therefore its price relies not on the quality of the item but on its availability. Due to the global shortage of available oil —the market price of oil has risen substantially.
CRUDE OIL IS A COMMODITY... THEREFORE ITS PRICE RELIES NOT ON THE QUALITY... BUT ON ITS AVAILABILITY Crude oil is a key ingredient in petrol and diesel. While many students don’t drive, rising transportation costs have a knock-on effect on the price of goods and services. As businesses running costs rise, they are forced to increase their prices. This contributes to inflation. Before the US invasion, inflation was hoped
to fall to almost two percent. The Bank of England predicts an increase in the cost of energy will cause inflation to rise to 3.2 percent by the end of the year. For students in the UK, maintenance loans and allowances could lose purchasing power. This is because inflation has driven up the prices of goods and services, so students lose the power to purchase the goods and services they want or need. Britan’s independent energy regulator known as Ofgem, is also under pressure as wholesale energy prices surge. Ofgem announced a four percent increase in the energy price cap (the maximum amount energy providers are allowed to charge). For students paying bills this will be particularly notice-
able in the cost of electricity and heating systems. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has created a fuel and energy shortage which the UK government seems to be managing at present, however, should the war persist, its effects on the UK economy will likely intensify.
MAINTENANCE LOANS AND ALLOWANCES COULD LOSE PURCHASING POWER Image:Flickr
Freshers’ Week: A UK tradition or a global experience?
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Sofia Tapía, Lifestyle Editor examines the differences between Freshers’ Week across the world
HE concept of Freshers’ as a single day to a week, during which new students are welcomed to university life and encouraged to make new friends, is a pretty universal experience. Back at home in Peru, many universities host social events, from performances to games, and talks to help their new students become accustomed to that new stage of life. In other countries, however, Welcome Week can resemble university open days, since both have campus tours, academic talks and little else to differentiate them from each other. You might even make friends with someone you met at an open day and decide to go clubbing later that night.
WELCOME WEEK CAN RESEMBLE UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS
The UK is a completely different story. If you have attended an open day, you will know by now that Freshers’ Week is a different beast. For me, what makes Freshers’ Week so unique in the UK is the multitude and popularity of societies. Clubs at universities back at home tend to be few and far between, like chess or volleyball, and resemble more closely school ‘extracurricular activities’ than what they actually are in the UK, a community. The concept of societies being affiliated to their university’s students’ union and based around specific interests or hobbies is very European. The United States’s Rush Week might get the closest to the level of adrenaline of the UK’s Freshers’ Week, but the preparationheavy and costly recruitment process is a stark contrast to the UK’s free and welcoming taster sessions. This diversity and abundance of societies, most of which do not require trials but memberships (be it paid or free), creates the life and excitement present in
THE UNITED STATES’ RUSH WEEK MIGHT GET CLOSEST TO THE LEVEL OF ADRENALINE OF THE UK
munity you are a part of—like the Latin American Society—and talking to people who share your same interests and experiences. Societies really help make university a more enjoyable and less scary experience. Image:Wikimedia Commons
Freshers’ Week. The University of Exeter is home to over 300 societies, allowing there to always be something fun to partake in during that first week at university. From finding out more from committee members at the days-long fairs, to seeing their performances or taking part in a taster session, what would UK’s Freshers’ Week be without its societies? Sure, making friends at nights out, at your course’s induction talks or your accommodation remain an option. However, it is not the same feeling as going to a social of a society on a niche topic—like Tolkien or Just Dance—or a com-
How to stay informed about global news during a busy university life
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Katherine Dodd discusses how to navigate staying informed without overwhelming yourself
EEPING informed with current affairs at university can feel impossible, we can never know everything that’s happening, everywhere, every day. Balancing assignments, reading, socialising, exploring and lectures often makes it feel like the For You Page is your only direct contact with news. Yet, there’s a plethora of apps, social media accounts and more that can make staying informed feel accessible and effortless.
THERE’S A PLETHORA OF APPS... THAT CAN MAKE STAYING INFORMED FEEL ACCESSIBLE AND EFFORTLESS My personal recommendation is to download a site like The Economist’s ‘Espresso’ app, which is free to students and makes keeping up to date feel easy.
Each morning, the app releases ‘The world in brief ’, a daily updated podcast and blog post that breaks down the top stories of the day in 10 minutes, easy to listen to whilst walking to campus, getting ready or making breakfast. If you want to read further, The Economist releases around five two minute read stories per day, has many short news videos and publishes many in-depth podcasts on the Economist Intelligence, accessible via Spotify. Doing something like this daily is great to keep on top of global news, subconsciously expanding your knowledge: the app even publishes a key word, quote and quiz question of the day.
A DAILY UPDATED PODCAST... EASY TO LISTEN TO WHILST WALKING TO CAMPUS, GETTING READY OR MAKING BREAKFAST
However, the easiest and first change you can make to your social media usage is following accounts on Instagram and TikTok like ‘Girls Who Talk Politics’, ‘Novara Media’, ‘UK Fact Check Politics’, ‘Good Law Project’ and ‘Politics JOE’. These accounts provide quick, up-to-date news within videos and images that are engaging and informative, breaking down complicated stories, like legislation and party politics, into something you can actually follow and understand. By incorporating learning subconsciously into some inevitable doom-scrolling, you might find yourself inspired to read more on a particular story and get involved with what truly interests you. Though, none of this works well in solidarity. Scrolling through headlines or half-listening to a podcast can make you feel informed without making you understand. We learn best through conversation, not consumption, so talk about what’s happening with your flatmates, friends and family, share new insights and interesting stories and digest it critically together.
Sci-Tech 28
14 September 2026 | EXEPOSÉ
SCI-TECH EDITORS: Charlotte Isbell and Poppy Fellows
Blind Fate: Exeter Graduate Launches New Dating App Charlotte Isbell, Editor-in-Chief, speaks to Jay Berry ahead of the app's launch in Fresher's Week
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s someone who has graduated from Exeter this year, Jay Berry knows firsthand the horrors of online dating at uni. A First-Class Business Economics graduate, Jay tells me that he “spent three years watching the same thing happen to everyone [he] knew: perfectly sociable people, in a city full of other perfectly sociable people, spending their evenings swiping at a screen and going absolutely nowhere. First year was the worst of it, because everybody arrives at the
PERFECTLY SOCIABLE PEOPLE... SPENDING THER EVENINGS SWIPING AT A SCREEN same time and quietly pretends they are fine.” It is no secret that loneliness is on the rise, and not just with Jay’s friendship group. He explains that an Opinium poll for “PfP Students in December 2025 found 70 percent of university students feel lonely, 33 percent often and 37 percent occasionally. Forty four percent said they find it hard to make friends where they live, and nearly three in ten of the lonely ones said they do not know the people they live with. That last one is the one that gets me. It is not a shyness problem. It is a building full of people who have all separately concluded that everyone else is fine.” Many single Exeter students will be used to trenches of Hinge and Tinder. Whilst these platforms helpfully connect sameminded students, they also mean your profile can be seen by anyone locally — including friends or exes you’d rather didn’t. This is the key problem that Jay is looking to solve. What he “kept coming back to” was “that people do not avoid dating apps because they do not want to meet anyone. They avoid them because they are embarrassed to be seen looking. Take away the photos and the profile and you take away the being seen. Nobody can find you on it.
PEOPLE AVOID DATING APPS... BECAUSE THEY ARE EMBARRASSED TO BE SEEN LOOKING Not your flatmate, not your ex, not your mum.” I immediately had questions surrounding the safety of Jay’s app. Whilst its anonymity solves
forever. I wanted the opposite. Something with no purpose whatsoever until you have left the house. Our success is their success.” The app is completely free. “Venues pay us about a pound per person who actually turns up, so we only get paid when a real per-
IT BECOMES MORE ABOUT WELLNESS TRENDS AND LESS ABOUT NUTRITION an obvious embarrassment problem, it also eliminates the visibility that traditional dating apps provide. Jay explains that safety is the app’s most important element and what he’s spent the most time on. Key safety features include: An ID check: “Everyone is ID verified before they can book anything. A real government document plus a liveness check, done by a third party. We are pass or fail and over 18, and nothing else. We never see the document.” Public settings: “Every date is at a public, licensed venue with staff in it. Never a private ad-
dress. That is not a setting anyone can change.” Tell a friend: “Before you go you can send a friend the venue, the time and when to start worrying, through your own messages, so they get it whether or not they use the app.” Built-in safety button: “There is a "get me out of here" button. It texts a mate you nominated in advance with the words already writ-
ten, or rings them, or rings 999. All three are real. No fake phone calls and no theatre.” Blocking: “You can block someone, and blocking actually means something: they cannot come back by deleting the app and reinstalling it, which is the obvious loophole and the one most apps leave open. You can also report someone mid-conversation and it reaches a person, not a form.” Text Only: “Chat is text only. No photos and no links, and the no-links rule is enforced by the server rather than politely requested, because getting someone off a verified platform and onto an unverified one is the first move in almost every scam.” I was also keen to hear what his target audience is. He tells me that “it is built for students, but it is not walled off to them. There is no university email check, so you do not need a student address to get in. The only requirement is that you are over 18 and verified. Everything else about it is student shaped, though. The venues are Exeter venues within walking distance of where students actually live, it is free, and the whole thing is built around the way a student evening really works, which is that you decide at 6pm and you are out by 8pm. If someone who has just moved to Exeter for work wants to use it, they are very welcome. I would rather it be the app for this city than the app for one campus.” Jay’s why: “Because the apps are not broken. They are working exactly as designed, and the design is the problem. They make their money from your attention, which means their ideal customer is someone who almost meets people
son walks through a real door. If the app does not get you out of the house, we earn nothing at all.” This means that, unlike other dat-
IF THE APP DOES NOT GET YOU OUT OF THE HOUSE, WE EARN NOTHING AT ALL ing apps, Blind Fate wants success for its users. Jay believes that Exeter is the perfect place for his app because it’s small enough for you to meet a date quickly: “a table booked at 6pm is a table you can genuinely reach by 8pm.” It’s also a uni where “everyone half knows everyone”, which is why the anonymous features matters far more than in larger university cities. In the end, he reminds me that “most blind dates are, statistically, a bit awkward. I am not promising anybody a soulmate. I am promising them a table, a real person, and ninety minutes they did not spend in their room.” Blind Fate launches on the 11th September with 22 venues lined up across Exeter.
GETTING SOMEONE OFF A VERIFIED PLATFORM ... IS THE FIRST MOVE IN ALMOST EVERY SCAM Images: Jay Berry
EXEPOSÉ | 14 SEPTEMBER 2026
SCI-TECH
29
Funded PhD with Quorn Foods takes place at Exeter
Chloe Burrows discusses Dr Alistair Monteyne’s research on protein in vegetarian diets.
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T has been debated whether or not those on a meat-free diet get enough protein in their meals. Most cooked meats contain 21-31 grams of protein, whereas a cup of lentils (such as beans and chickpeas) contain roughly 18 grams. This is at face value a significant difference. However, is the idea that vegetarians don’t receive enough protein a myth, and is the protein that they do receive in any way healthy? This is a question that Dr. Alistair Monteyne took a key interest in. Protein is, of course, crucial in mitigating the decline in both muscle mass and quality as we age. This means it is vital that all meat substitutes should act as a nutritionally effective replacement to ensure those on a plantbased diet can live an equally long and fulfilling life to those who eat meat. The demand for meat substitutes has gone up slowly in time with there being less stigma around vegetarianism and veganism, as well as the fact
it reduces our carbon footprint. This makes ensuring enough protein is in each and every meal crucial as a significant portion of the population is dependent on these substitutes. Quorn Foods, a company famous for focusing on producing meat alternatives, funded two University of Exeter studentships to find out how their protein - mycoprotein - compared to conventional sources of omnivorous protein. The first study looked at how mycoprotein affects cholesterol and metabolic health, whilst the second (the one featured in this article) looked at how the protein itself could support the maintenance of muscle mass, the main purpose of any protein. PhD student Dr. Alistair Monteyne set out to collect a base of evidence of mycoprotein’s ability to support muscle tissue maintenance and growth. The first question to answer was whether or not mycoprotein is a high-quality protein source; the protein was fed to a group
of healthy young adults and used stable isotope tracer methods to look at how much muscle mass was built in response to a single meal. The team then compared these results to the effects of milk protein, against which mycoprotein compares favourably and supports muscle building following a meal. From that point, further studies were made which compared two entirely different diets (one vegan, one omnivorous) over several days. Again, they found that mycoprotein provides a favourable comparison with a high-protein omnivorous diet. Muscle was built over a number of days. This also extends into exercise, where these diets were coupled with a resistance training programme over a ten-week period. This created a comprehensive picture of mycoprotein as a high-quality nutritional source. This study resulted in three key benefits. Firstly, Quorn Foods received a strong ‘proof of concept’ that their mycoprotein was healthy
and supports muscle growth just as well as omnivorous diets. Secondly, Dr Monteyne is now funded by Quorn as a post-doctorate Research Fellow on healthy ageing. Finally, the studentship resulted in published papers that were deemed world-leading and internationally excellent, adding to the research strength and reputation of the University’s Sports and Health Sciences department.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Running on one percent
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Sofía Tapia, Lifestyle Editor, shares the hotspots for finding charging sockets that work on campus
IDWAY through my first year, my five-year-old laptop gave up on me and would not turn on unless plugged in. I thus became well acquainted with the insand-outs of Streatham Campus’ charging ports. Starting with the Forum, there are a couple of working ports next to the ground/first floor
I BECAME WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THE INS-AND-OUTS OF STREATHAM CAMPUS’ CHARGING PORTS tables. The spots are very competitive though! Moreover, while the Career Zone/Study Zone lacks many well-positioned charging ports, Exploration Lab 2 has working sockets near the tables if you ever happen to be there when your device dies. The forum seminar rooms also have plenty of charging ports. I find it best to sit by the wall to take advantage of the sockets located nearby. Some people preferred the ones hidden on the floor, but they tend to be hit or miss (sometimes you can’t even open them...). The Alumni auditorium has a few charging ports too. To finish this Forum tour - don’t let yourself be fooled by the library! When in need, always check if the socket works before sitting down at a table. If
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the law library fails you, the study group rooms tuary instead! Sockets are mostly located by and tables nearby have better working sockets. the walls, but many were often not being used. Honestly, sometimes it’s better to work in Buildings outside the Forum can be a bit the Great Hall. Those sockets are less likely to more unreliable. Lecture theatres are sadly dead give you false powering hopes. Devonends for the most part. Some of the shire House 1 & 2 might lack an lecture theatres at Streatham abundance of sockets, but Campus and one at Queens they all work alright. Keep have some sockets by the an eye on nearby sockets tables. The same canwhen choosing where not be said for Newto sit, though, as some man. Peter Chalk in couches sadly have no general is not the sockets in their vicinbest at fulfilling your ity. Similarly, the Terplugging needs. There race has only four sockare a few functionets, so I would avoid it ing sockets by the cafe at all costs if plugging is and outside the lecture what you seek. Go to the theatres, with the study Image: VectorPortal Loft above it instead! Whilst searea having the most. The accuring a seat can be almost impossitual seminar rooms, however, can ble at times, you are guaranteed your own plug. be a bit of a nightmare. Their layout is such that sometimes a room will literally only have (IN THE LOFT) one socket at a very awkward location. If you WHILST SECURING A SEAT have a seminar there, charge your devices beCAN BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, forehand to avoid doom. The same goes for YOU ARE GUARANTEED Washington Singer. Not a single one of the YOUR OWN PLUG. many sockets in my classroom worked. Beware! There are a few highlights though. Amory If spaces are unavailable, head to the Sanc- is fairly good, with many of the tables in the
study areas having nearby sockets and the seminar rooms having one or two sockets scattered around. The Business School and Xfi are also pretty reliable. The former’s rooms tend to have a few sockets by each of the walls, though La Touche is not as gifted. Xfi’s study area has many sockets but only by specific tables, so hurry to get those! The one seminar room I’ve been to also had one or two functioning sockets by the wall. The old library is similar.
FOR SEMINAR ROOMS, QUICKLY IDENTIFY WHERE THE SOCKETS ARE SO YOU ALWAYS SIT BY THEM Honestly, for seminar rooms, quickly identify where the sockets are so you always sit by them. For other buildings, I am afraid I do not Image: Alan Hunt, Wikimedia Commons have many classes in them. There seems to be plenty of working sockets around the Innovation Centre. Harrison: not as many, but the study area and the tables in the higher floors’ corridors do have nice, functioning sockets. If you are ever desperate, you can always quickly pop to Cornwall House and use the sockets there or in the Lemon Grove.
Lucy Cornwell, Arts & Lit Editor, recommends a study app
’M sure I’m not the only one who has fallen victim to the mid-studying endless doomscrolling on Instagram when you could have sworn you picked up your phone to just check one thing. My favourite way to combat this is by using the focus app Flora. With Flora, you can set a timer which begins growing a virtual tree and if you open any apps or go on your phone while the timer is in use, it kills the tree. This acts as a good deterrent as
you don’t want to kill a tree and are instead motivated to keep working until the timer is up and you have grown a tree! As you continue using the app to focus, you can unlock different types of trees and grow your virtual garden. It’s free to use the app, but there is a subscription option which plants real trees in rural communities when you reach a certain number of hours studying. There’s lots of useful features, including group focus sessions with friends, to
do lists, allowing access to certain apps such as Spotify so that switching study playlists doesn’t kill your tree, and focus statistics to give you a visual history of how much you have focused.
AS YOU CONTINUE USING THE APP TO FOCUS YOU CAN UNLOCK DIFFERENT TYPES OF TREES Image: VectorPortal
Sport
14 SEPTEMBER 2026| EXEPOSÉ
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SPORT EDITOR
Charlotte Isbell
STUDENT ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT Charlotte Isbell, Editor-in-Chief, speaks to the Ladies’ Cricket Club’s newest leaders
Image: Athletic Union
T
HE University of Exeter currently stands in fourth place in the BUCS Overall League Table. With the university being home to so many incredible athletes, we’ve started a new series shedding light on their individual achievements and sporting successes. I spoke to the newest Ladies’ Cricket Club Captain — Philippa Dellar — and Vice Captain — Charlotte Lambert — to kick off the series, asking them questions to find out more about their plans for the year ahead. Philippa
Dellar,
Club
Captain
Q: What is your vision for the club this year? Dellar: To continue to help the club grow in numbers. We had almost 80 members last year, with three BUCS teams and a friendly 4XI — this makes us one of the biggest university women’s cricket clubs in the country and I only want this to grow.
WE [ARE]...ONE OF THE BIGGEST UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S CRICKET CLUBS AND I ONLY WANT THIS TO GROW I am also really keen to increase the amount
of welfare events that we have run within the club. This was an area of the club that wasn’t utilised as much as it could have been last year and I think it is such a valuable opportunity to build relationships within the club, allowing members from all teams to meet. Whether that’s weekly coffee meetings or trips to the beach for example — I think it will be a way to push the supportive and inclusive ethos that is at the heart of our club. Q: Why would you encourage students to get involved in the Ladies’ Cricket Club? Dellar: Being part of one of the biggest women’s cricket clubs is such a privilege. It is an amazing way to meet people. Everyone involved in the club are genuinely such lovely people and the environment within it is great. We have loads of events throughout the year including Christmas and End of Season dinner, regular welfare events and weekly socials. This means there are loads of opportunities to make memories. Sometimes when you get to university it can feel like a big adjustment getting used to new routines, environments and people. In the club there are regular events and everyone will be put into a team which means everyone gets the opportunity to get involved. I believe joining the club guarantees you a supportive group of people around you (who will hopefully become lifelong friends). Q: What do you think the hard-
est part about being Club Captain will be? Q: What are you most excited about this year as VC? Dellar: Balancing different expectations. I am proud of the standard of cricket that we play, being recognised as a Performance Sport by the university is a credit to the calibre of players and the achievements of our teams. However, I am eager for our club to be equally as inclusive for those who might take up cricket for the first time at university. I think making sure everyone is able to have the experience that they are looking for will be one of the biggest challenges. This will also be applicable when ensuring that people get what they want out of club events such as Wednesday socials. We are undergoing a change with a new Head Coach being appointed; therefore, it will be transitionary year as I will have more responsibility to help the new coach settle into the club and understand the values and the culture that we have. Charlotte
Lambert,
Vice
Captain
Q: You are contracted to a Tier One County as a domestic professional. How do you find balancing university cricket commitments with your professional ones? Lambert: Balancing the two has been easier than I thought it would be! The uni schedule allows me to complete my remote training efficiently in a high performance environment while utilising the coaching and mentorship available through the uni’s HPP (High Performance Programme).
Lambert: I’m excited to be able to have an influence in the cricket club and to be directing decisions about the future of the club! I’m excited to work with my friends to grow the club and to create a comfortable environment for all new members. Q: What advice would you give to students about to enter the trialling period? Lambert: My advice to students trialling is to go to as many trials and taster sessions as possible to meet committee members and other freshers. The most important thing is to enjoy the sport and trialling is a great opportunity to get involved in training and the cricket programme.
MY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS TRIALLING IS TO GO TO AS MANY TRIALS AND TASTER SESSIONS AS POSSIBLE If you are a member of one of Exeter’s sport societies and are keen to spotlight one of your teammates, please send us a message: editors@exepose.com.
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14 SEPTEMBER 2026 | EXEPOSÉ
SPORT
Exeter City: Setback or Second Chance? Connor Woodsford shares his thoughts on the club's future this season
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N the back of a disappointing season that saw Exeter City plummet back down to League Two for the first time since 2022, the Grecians will be hoping for an upturn in fortunes this time around. However, despite the disappointment that naturally comes with relegation, could the drop to England's fourth tier actually be a necessary jumpstart for the club? For Grecians fans, last season's league results were far from pretty. Despite impressive wins against sides like Wycombe Wanderers and Blackpool, led by the heroic performances of fan favourite striker Jayden Wareham, the club finished 21st in League One, an agonising three points from safety. The season also saw Exeter dismantled by a full-strength Manchester City team who put ten goals past the Grecian defence
the transfer of star Wareham to Devon rivals Plymouth Argyle. While this loss of players is a step down in squad quality, it also frees up their weekly wages —essential cash for a club that needed a £600,000 loan from their fan-owners to stay solvent after the 2024/25 season. Exeter City chairman, Wilf Walsh, has
WILF WALSH HAS INDICATED THAT THE CLUB IS NOW FINANCIALLY STABLE
FOR GRECIANS FANS, LAST SEASON'S LEAGUE RESULTS WERE FAR FROM PRETTY in the FA Cup, although a late George Birch strike denied City ‘keeper James Trafford a clean sheet. As expected with a move down the football
pyramid, Exeter have seen high-earning players such as Josh Magennis and Johnly Yfeko leave the club on free transfers, with speculation around
indicated that the club is now financially stable, largely thanks to the reduced wage bill from being a League Two side. In a similar vein, a return to the Fourth Tier could see an even heavier reliance on youth development rather than external signings as the club’s income decreases; this won’t necessarily be a mooddampener for the Grecians though, as during their last stint in League Two, the academy notably produced Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins. With the likes of Liam Cartwright
Images: Connor Woodsford
and Louie Cayless being promoted from the under-18s this season, Exeter’s homegrown young players could see regular first-team action - maybe even cultivating their next starlet.
Reflecting on a World Cup Summer
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Sofia Tapía, Lifestyle Editor, looks back England's near miss this summer
HAVE always believed that a sign of a good World Cup are its songs. Thus, when I learned Shakira would sing the Cup's official song for the first time since "Dare (La La La)", I knew this summer was going to be full of exciting matches.
their iconic "Viking Row" chant and the popularity of their striker, Haaland. The Manchester City player surprised fans with his incredible performance (tying third place with Bellingham for most goals) and his captivating personality (on the field, social media and even Revolut ads). Norway is truly a team to keep an eye on! THE SIGN OF A GOOD Another country to make World Cup history was WORLD CUP ARE ITS Curaçao, the smallest nation to ever qualify. Even if SONGS they did not advance past the group stage, where they faced a colossal 1-7 loss against Germany, qualifying is no easy feat and should be applauded. Speaking of Hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, Germany, the four-time World Cup champions faced this World Cup gave us beautiful stadium views two surprising defeats. In their (just look at Monterrey Stadium!) and many group's last match, Ecuador countries ready to prove themselves. managed to beat GermaCape Verde, the second smallest nany 2-1 in a game that tion to qualify, marked their World helped break 1994's Cup debut with many impresprevious record for sive matches. After drawing with total World Cup Spain (0-0), Uruguay (2-2) and attendance. The Saudi Arabia (0-0), they stepped 3,605,357 attendees into the knockout stage against evidence how hisdefending champion Argentina. toric the event was, Despite losing 2-3, Cape Verde kept marking Ecuador's first Image: Wikimedia Commons Argentina on their toes, maintaining a win against Germany aftied score of 1-1 and then 2-2 until extra time. ter two previous failed attempts. While technically not a newcomer, Norway took Germany's loss streak against Latin the stadium by storm, reaching the quarterfinals (the American countries continued into the country's next team's furthest ever!) in their first time qualifying this and final stage, with Paraguay advancing with 4-3 in pencentury. Before losing to England (1-2), Norway proved alties after a 1-1 score. This was a great shock as Parato be a serious contender, winning against Senegal 3-2 guay had been destroyed at the group stage by the USA in the group stage and later knocking out Brazil 2-1. 1-4 (the largest margin of victory for the North AmeriTheir appearance turned even more memorable with can team at a World Cup). The fact that Germany had
never before lost a World Cup match on penalties makes this loss even more difficult to comprehend. Havertz, Woltemade and Tah's missed penalties allowed Canale to win the match for Paraguay in sudden death, sadly
[CURUÇAO'S] QUALIFYING IS NO EASY FEAT AND SHOULD BE APPLAUDED disproving the old saying "Germans win on penalties". However, this summer's most memorable loss is arguably Argentina's against Spain in the finals. Throughout the tournament, Argentina faced strong "rigging" accusations due to the suspiciously favourable way fouls were called during their matches. It also did not help that Argentina became the first team to ever get to the semifinals without facing any of FIFA's top ten opponents. All this negative press and more led to Spain being the favourite to win instead of the defending champion. Spain maintained an attacking stance throughout the match, having possession sixty-five percent of the time. This strategy paid off, allowing the team twelve shots on goal and two actual goals, even if one was sadly disallowed. Argentina was left with no
chance at scoring, with zero shots on goal and Messi himself never once touching the ball in the opposition box. After a decade of trying to replicate their past success, the new strategy of the former U21s manager, de la Fuente, proved its worth. On the other hand, a heavily criticised strategy was that of the German manager of England's team during the semifinals. Their 1-0 lead turning into a 2-1 defeat can be attributed to Tuchel's decision to sub attackers for defenders. Instead of fighting to make more goals, this defensive approach cost England the match against Argentina. While Tuchel stated he had "no regrets", a more attacking approach was used against France. This led to the tournament's craziest match, ending in England securing third place, their best position since winning the World Cup in 1966. With six goals to England and four to France, this honestly should have been the final!
Image: Wikimedia Commons
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