John Gray

What did you enjoy most about your degree programme?

I liked the wide range of module options available for each year, as well as the supportive and well-prepared teaching staff. My lecturers were very dedicated and helpful, they always had their doors open for office hours and were fast replying to emails. I also loved the Penryn Campus, it has a different vibe from any other university campus I have visited before, and life in Penryn and Falmouth, it was quite nice to spend my student years there.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

CSM Shinty, Scouts and Guides (Kernow SSAGO), Falmouth Anchor newspaper, Hispanic Society.

What was the highlight of your time at Exeter?

I think being part of societies was my favourite part of my time at Exeter. The SU has so much to offer and there is something for everyone, it lets you continue your hobbies from home or try something new, whether it is to practise skills related to your degree or to get your mind out of studies for a bit by playing a sport on a field or exploring Cornwall. 

What will you miss the most about University?

I will miss the friends I made on this campus and all the good memories together, they made me feel at home. I will also miss my weekly routine of studying in the library, getting a hot drink on a rainy day or a pizza from Koofi, shinty training and matchdays with CSM and Cornwall, the Fridays at the Multifaith Chaplaincy which involved petting a Golden Retriever!! and many more.

What advice would you give to current and future students? (If you are an international student what would you like to tell future students from back home who might be thinking about applying to study in Exeter?)

 The key to success at Uni is to have discipline and perseverance. It surely is not easy to study abroad, and it takes a lot of courage to make the move and leave home for a different country. The experience I had in Exeter’s Penryn Campus taught me that hard work and discipline are the keys to getting good marks, but you must balance them out with time for yourself and the new friendships you are going to make while you are here, so that you can protect your mental health and look after yourself.

What are your plans now that you have graduated?

I am looking for a career in media and communications and probably return to education for a master’s degree in a few years’ time.