However cliché, I watched ‘The Bucket List’ with Morgan Freeman when I was a lot younger, and from then have adored the idea of creating a list of all the things I’ve ever wanted to do, and then making them happen. And now here I am coming up with another list, (though on a slightly smaller scale, I won’t be skydiving in Exeter) to bring you just a few things that should be on your own Exeter Student Bucket List!
1) Crack open a bottle of wine or taste the local ciders to the sounds of live music, as you fight for a cozy candle-lit table in Firehouse, and then get ready to attempt to finish one of their legendary (and pretty huge) square pizzas!
2) Pick a sunny afternoon and saunter down to the picturesque Quay, and if you haven’t had your fill of pizza just yet try out The Waterfront. If you’re feeling adventurous then rent one of the pedalows and explore Exeter from upon the River Exe, though we wouldn’t recommend falling in…
3) Another postcard-perfect afternoon treat is a visit to Tea On The Green outside The Cathedral; upon whose cobbled surroundings see the delightful return of the German Christmas Markets during the festive season, and all the gluhweine it brings!
4) We love to hate it; it’s The Lemmy Queue. It’s the realization on a Saturday night that you forgot to buy a ticket yet again, and are going to have to brave the weather and spend over an hour in the crowd, queuing for what can only be described as a big school disco. Every week you wonder why, but come next Saturday you know you’ll be stood outside by that rock, once again.
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5) Timepiece Wednesdays, even if you’re not on a roaring sport social, Exeter’s only 3 floor club (which sounds a lot more impressive than it actually is), is still THE place to be on a Wednesday night. It’s quite the experience, and certainly not to be missed.
6) There’s no easy way to manage it, and though it may not be on the top of your ‘to-do’ list… Unfortunately tackling Cardiac Hill when hungover is unavoidable, and will feature several times in your 3 years in Exeter, it made it to the bucket list because it’s almost a right of passage, you know you’re a true Exeter student when you finally make it to Newman A!
7) Challenge yourself to the Topsham Ten; gather some friends and hop on a train in the morning to spend a day seeing a part of Devon other than our high street, while having a drink in each of the pubs around Topsham. If you’re not keen on the hazy journey back to Exe, you could instead get up super early and get the first train out, Topsham is a stunning place to watch the sun rise.
8) And while you have your railcard out, it’s definitely worth the short train journey to Exmouth to spend a day on the beach, you’ve got to make the most of living this close to the coast, and try and keep your summer tan that little bit longer!
9) Do something a little different this bonfire night; take a trip to the cute local town of Ottery St Mary and experience something totally different, bizarre and somewhat terrifying, known as ‘The Flaming Tar Barrels’. Stand in the packed town and watch the men of Ottery St Mary run through the streets carrying giant wooden barrels, soaked in tar and set on fire.
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10) Attend the annual Rugby Varsity match – its great to get involved and show a little team spirit, and a great excuse to watch the game with friends and celebrate with everyone in timepiece after!
11) And you’ll inevitably tick this one off the list whether you plan to or not, but with deadline season comes the Library all-nighter! Fuelled by 35p energy drinks until the early hours, you’ll finally finish that essay you were set weeks ago, but have left to the last minute.
Enjoy ticking things off your list!
HCXO
Photo Credits www.katerunsthis.com, www.pastymuncher.com, www.exeter.ac.uk