Quote Box/Q&A: Exeter Advice

By: Selim Kim, Calista Lee

With a noticeable crisp biting into the air and the crunch of leaves under our shoes, the signs of a new school year are all around us. Campus is filled with eager students ready to experience a class in true Harkness fashion and study in the quiet halls of the Class of 1945 Library. Yet, starting a new year at a school notorious for being academically rigorous can create sweaty palms and stomachs full of butterflies. Not to fear––this year, The Exonian asked returning students to share their hard-earned advice with new students. 

From keeping an organized schedule to learning to have a positive mindset, many students have unique viewpoints on how to effectively deal with Exeter’s academics. “Things will be stressful, but try to make them not overwhelming. USE YOUR FREES, meet with teachers, use weekends to get ahead, and find study habits that actually allow you to get work done,” lower Sarah Sargent said. 

Lower Elizabeth Catizone agreed. “Try to work on the homework you do not enjoy as much first to get it out of the way. Also, I really should follow my own advice on this one, but don’t procrastinate,” Catizone said. 

Indeed, as homework begins to pile up, many students find themselves sharing the common enemy of procrastination. “Thirty minute study breaks are procrastination, not study breaks,” Sargent insisted. 

To combat this, many students have noted that the solution lies in an efficient work schedule. “The five minutes between classes are still workable minutes, and the free periods you have during the day are still workable times,” senior Zara Ahmed said. “Recognizing that time can be used for anything to further anything is such a good concept to master really quickly. Instead of spending six hours of homework in the afternoon, you have like four because you already worked super hard during the rest of the day.”

“I recommend to everyone not to start homework on Sunday. You will regret it. Instead, make that buffer time. And even though it kinda sounds lame to say, ‘I'm doing homework on a Friday,’ do your homework on the Friday or on a Saturday,” Ahmed added. 

Senior Kate Mautz believed that it is important to “prioritize the process and joy of learning.” “Students come to Exeter because they have a love of engaging in meaningful conversations and studies. It can be hard at times to not get caught up in the grade that you will receive at the end of the term or the score you just received on a test, but my advice would be not to allow that to dictate your entire experience,” she said.

“Take risks, try things out that challenge you even if it may impact your grade a tad bit. If you stick to the easy path and most comfortable one just to receive the A in a class, you will miss out on what Exeter truly has to offer,” Mautz continued. 

Lower Kevin Treehan shared a different perspective and noted that it is also important to look ahead. “Sit down with your parents and advisor (and your pets) and sort out which academic areas you want to dive deepest into––you can’t do everything! Read through the coursebook and jot down a rough four-year plan so you can set yourself up to best take advantage of Exeter’s offerings,” Treehan said.

Lower Finn Tronnes expressed similar thoughts and added how sacrifices are often a pivotal aspect that Exonians might have to make. “I think balance is important and understanding that you won't be able to do everything everyday helps stay on top of it all. Like sometimes you’ll have to skip a club or not go out with friends in order to get everything done, but another night you can have more fun,” Tronnes said. 

Some students, however, noted that although academics and grades were indeed important, taking care of oneself was equally something to prioritize. “I think there's often a culture of like, ‘Oh, I only got two hours of sleep last night. I only got three hours of sleep last night,’ bragging about the ways in which you're harming your own wellbeing,” senior Kira Ferdyn said. “I think it's important to try to distance yourself from that culture.”

“It’s going to be very easy to fall into what I tenderly call the cult of no sleep,” History Instructor Troy Samuels said. “There's so many things to do and without sleep, you're not going to be able to do all the other things to a level that everybody's really capable of.”

Many students believe that utilizing the help around you is crucial to maintaining a good balance between sleep and work. “My greatest mistake was not knowing that I could ask for help. I struggled unnecessarily, especially during homework assignments that I could’ve easily asked either a friend or Google for help,” lower Sophie Zhu said.

“Get to know your teachers early on and actively seek extra help when you start to feel you need it,” Spanish Instructor Ellen Glassner said. “Don’t wait.” 

Glassner continued by mentioning that going through Exeter is not an individual process. “Even if you feel like you’re the only one struggling, know that you are absolutely not. Be open about your struggles, because there are many people here who want to support you,” she said. 

“You don’t have to make sure that every little bit of your homework is done exactly right. That'll wear you out after a while,” English Instructor Duncan Holcomb said. “Exeter is not a sprint. It's a marathon. Don't start sprinting in a marathon, because by mile three you're going to be done, so don't sweat too many of the details.”

Samuels shared similar thoughts and noted the importance of efficient communication with your teachers.“I know that I personally have a tendency to assign too much reading…[but] as long as you're coming from a place of really earnestly trying, I want to figure out how to make things work for you. That's why I'm here...we're here to support your learning. We're not some scary kind of specter looming over the Harkness table and trying to find reasons to not let you do well.”

Though Exeter’s academics seem like they take much of the students’ time, many agree that the social aspects of school life should also be valued. “The student body is the backbone of Exeter. I think my friends have really helped me stay grounded,” upper Cindy Su said. 

Many students believe that socialization is a pivotal part to establishing that backbone. “This is more tailored towards people who would otherwise not put themselves in a lot of social situations. My advice would be just to put yourself in like three social situations a day,” lower Griffin Li noted. “In the morning, as you see people, just say hi to them, and do a few more social things a day. Those small actions add up a lot.”

To some students, socialization with upperclassmen is equally as pivotal. “I wish I knew that upperclassmen weren’t as scary as I thought they were. Almost all of them are so welcoming and willing not only to give advice but to hang out and be your friend,” Zhu said. 

In the blur of academics and social interactions, both students and faculty recognize that it’s important to remember that everyone has their limits, and should try to make time for themselves. “Ask yourself, ‘is this bringing me joy, or am I doing it for another reason?’” Samuels said. “And if it's not bringing you joy, it's okay not to do it.”

Lower Jenna Wang expanded. “Make time for some things you enjoy doing, whether it be FaceTiming your family, reading, knitting...whatever brings you joy,” she said. 

Outside of campus, both students and faculty have found a common comfort in the shops, restaurants and cafes in town. From Stillwells’ ice cream, to the fifteen minute walk to Walgreens, each Exonian has found something they love in town. “My two favorite places in town are Stillwells and Laney and Lu’s,” lower Sophia Lala said. “Stillwells has great ice cream and Laney and Lu’s is a great place to go for acai bowls, especially on a hot day.”

“The Green Bean for sandwiches; D Squared for delicious teas and coffee; and the underused little park area right across from the Congregational Church on the corner of Front and Court streets for hanging out with a friend,” Glassner said. 

Exonians share a love for the calm and scenic Swasey Parkway. “I love walking on Swasey Parkway. I think it's so quaint and pretty. It's just a good way to get a little bit of exercise, but also a nice change of scenery from campus,” Ferdyn said. 

Wang agreed. “Hanging out on Swasey, away from the bugs, is always a good time,” she said. 

Other Exonians had favorite spots that were, though loved, not as widely known. “I really love (and it's a spot that a lot of people haven't gone to yet) 7 North, which is a coffee shop up by the train station. It's a lovely place to grab a coffee or another beverage. Also, if people have the chance, something that people don't often go to is the American Independence Museum. It’s like a little slice of New Hampshire history in our own backyards,” Samuels said. 

Treehan said, “There’s this nice bench near the town library that overlooks the Squamscott. I buy fruit candy from the Dollar Tree and bike there to watch the sunset.”

Though there are many aspects of the Academy life that can appear overwhelming, Exonians, both faculty and students alike, each have a purpose and reason for being a part of the school’s community. “You should never underestimate yourself compared to others around you or question if you truly belong at Exeter,” Mautz said. “Every individual at Exeter is here for a different reason. Embrace the challenge of Exeter but never let it discourage you. You belong here!”