Life Advice
Hi, everyone! My name is Makinrola (Mak) Orafidiya, and I am a three-year upper. If you are also a returning student, welcome back! If you are a fresh face on campus, welcome to Exeter! As I’m sure anyone can tell you, this school will expose you to some of the hardest and most thrilling challenges and adventures of your life. If you are nervous or scared, you are not alone. I have some tips to help you new Exonians adjust to this amazing school!
How do I make friends at Exeter?
Everyone on campus is usually super busy with classes, extracurriculars and sports, but the secret is that everyone is also really amicable and happy to make more friends. A lot of students form their best friendships with their dorm mates. When you have some free time, try stopping by a dorm mate’s room to say hi or hang out. Another common place where Exonians find friends is on their sports teams or in their P.E. classes. It’s always really nice to have two blocks a day where you get to play a beloved sport and see friends that you might not have classes with. Speaking of classes, they are another great opportunity to get to know someone else. It might be nice to chat with someone before class or grab food with them afterwards.
Some of my classes are major challenges for me. Who can I reach out to for help?
One of the best places on campus to seek academic assistance is the peer tutoring center, located on the third floor of the Academy center. The tutors there are Exonians just like you, have taken many of the classes you’re taking and are eager to help anyone who comes in for help. I can personally attest to the great help that peer tutoring has provided to many students. If peer tutoring isn’t your cup of tea, I recommend that you schedule a meeting with your teacher to discuss the areas in which you feel confused. Teachers appreciate when struggling students reach out because it shows maturity. Some teachers might even give you food during your meeting, and that’s always a plus.
What are some of the best food spots, on and off campus?
In terms of on-campus food, if you prefer homestyle buffet meals, Wetherell Dining Hall may better fit your culinary needs. If you like more casual buffet meals, you might fare better with the food at Elm Street Dining Hall. Grill is always nice place to pick up a quick snack during breaks.
As for off-campus food, I always love to order from Penang or Szechuan, two Chinese restaurants right in town. If you are up for a little more walking, you might like Las Olas, a Mexican eatery with a Chipotle-like set up. I’ve also enjoyed a meal at Lobster Boat, an American restaurant near Rite Aid on Portsmouth Avenue. Go to Lexie’s for your burger fix and Green Bean for soups, salads and sandwiches. St. Anthony’s, Me & Ollie’s and D Squared Java are all great coffee shops in town to go to do work or just hang out with friends.
I am sort of homesick, but I don’t want people to judge me. What do I do?
First things first, it is totally normal to feel homesick at boarding school, and no Exonian will judge you for feeling that way. In every dorm, there are students selected and trained to be student listeners. You can always talk to them, and the conversations are confidential, so anything you tell them is between the two of you. Student listeners genuinely want to make sure you are well-adjusted to Exeter. Also, I’m sure you won’t be the only one of your friends who feels homesick, so talking with your peers about something that many of you are probably going through might help you find a home away from home.
Pisces: Take some time for yourself at the start of this year, Pisces. If you take some time to focus on yourself you will be ready for schoolwork and friends when the year picks up. Focus on creating a study plan and organizing your space so that you stay stress free for the rest of the year.