Exeter Uni - open day etc

[UniChildQuestions]

My daughter is thinking about applying to Exeter Uni for Physics.

I'd love to know more about it from anyone with a child there. She is also autistic and has had some mental health issues - so I have all mother worry about my child going to Uni!

Are there "quieter" accommodations? I know she will not want to tick anything that means she only ends up with silent people and doesn't get to know anyone - but she is at a grammar school and quite sheltered - so is SO unaware how little she would manage 3am drinking parties/ not being able to sleep.

Also Open Days? We've seen there's one in may we would like to go to. How do you plan it so you see the accomodation, physics, what else? Library?

We were thinking of booking the Premier Inn at the stations - can we part at the station car park and walk across to the uni okay?

We were thinking of spending another day in Exeter to get a "feel" for it. What would be important to see - I don't think I've been to Exeter in over 20 years... She'd love to see old buildings, nice coffee shops, but also to get a feel for the place.

If you report your post, you can ask MN to move it to the higher education board, there's lots of people there who'll be able to help!

My DS is at Exeter. He is also autistic and he is studying physics.
He is really happy. Enjoying the course, has made friends.
There is a lot of choice for societies.
he mentioned his autism on the housing form and was allocated a room in a hall - with only 1 neighbor- so next to the edge of the block. Lovely shared kitchen. It’s a flat of 8. He thought about asking for the quiet accommodation but didn’t in the end and is happy with his decision.
I have to say I really like it as a uni and he is loving being there.
Town wise I would just have a little wander around. There is nothing specific that is a must see. The area near the Cathedral is nice. There’s a big M&S and some small Tesco/sainsbury/pound land etc.
It’s quite a step walk from Exeter St David’s station to the Uni. We stayed not far from the John Lewis and just paid for parking locally - also the multi story car park.
The weatherspoons are very popular with the students. There is a huge one on the way up the hill from the Exeter St David train station up to the UNI.

Open Days - all unis are slightly different but usually, once you book you usually get a link to book onto specific subject talks and any other talks that you might be interested in (Welcome talk, accommodation, finance etc). These will form the framework for your day. Around that you can usually join tours that show you the main parts of the campus, and a tour to see some of the accommodation available.
The subject talk will usually be in the part of the uni that accommodates that particular subject, and you may also get a tour of the department and its facilities, as well as being able to talk to lecturers and current students.
Somewhere on campus there should be people from student support available so you can have a chat about your DDs particular needs and how they can be met.

As an aside, when your DD applies for student finance, she can also apply for DSA (Disabled Students Allowance). This is not monetary, but designed to help students with disabilities get on a level with those that don't - they can supply special equipment, software, mentors etc and is really worth doing.

I personally would book hotel with a car park. The premier inn at the station (I assume you mean Exeter St David’s) is far from anything you’d want to see in town and it’s not the nicest area. I don’t know if they have a separate hotel car park, but the actual station car park just opposite is probably £15 a day. I wouldn’t pay all that extra to stay at a mediocre hotel that isn’t even central.

Hotel Du Vin is quite nice. No idea when the open day is, but some nights are in the £115-130 range and they have a car park and a very nice breakfast. Much more walkable to the high street. Avoid anything around Sidwell Street. But there will be lots of city centre hotels and B&Bs.

If you are driving anyway I would stay somewhere on the outskirts- J29 Holiday Inn has free parking for guests and the buses go from the park and ride opposite all the way to the uni via the city centre.

Exeter has lots of lovely spots to have a wander and browse- around the cathedral, Gandy Street, the RAMM. The Phoenix cafe is a nice reasonable place for lunch.

We stayed in a B+B near the station and walked up the hill, but I think there were buses on open day and there is also some parking on site which you may be able to book into.

We did a tour of the accommodation (turn up and queue) and booked onto tours and talks (specific times) in relevant departments but be aware that parents may not be allowed into tours and talks in order to manage numbers. We also self toured the sports facilities at the end of the day, as there were no tours left (because we saw two departments as DS hadn't finalised his subject pick)

Holiday inn is full. So Premier in at the station seemed the cheaper option. The car park is under £20 and so even with the car park is still a lot cheaper for the 4 of us....

I don't know Exeter. But it seemed like we could easily walk to the uni and either walk or train into town from there..ny husband and other daughter will want to go into town while I'm at the open day with the eldest..

I'm so nervous to get it right it's ridiculous. I think it must be tied in with nerves about her going to uni!!

It seems a lovely uni and she's likely to get a contextual offer so it will be a better option that quote a few near us if she likes it.

I live in Exeter, the premier inn is really close to
the uni, just up a ridiculously steep
hill. The walk into town is fine, plenty of people do it every day!

The long stay overflow car park at the train station is bit cheaper and only 2-3min walk via cut through to the PI. It’s a 10min steep uphill walk to Uni. Buses go round too. Hope you enjoy visiting.

Ah thankyou both. I think I'll book the PI then.

I've realised I can book the PI in the centre. So have done that instead! I misread the room types.

Really looking forwards to visiting now :)