The Wellbeing and Leisure Collections include a selection of books to support your health and wellbeing, and a number of fiction and non fiction titles for general relaxation,enjoyment and advice on everyday living.
Titles for the collection have been recommended by Wellbeing Services at the University, by the Reading Agency through the Reading Well, Books on Prescription scheme and also via personal recommendation of students and staff at the University.
You can help build the collection by making your own online recommendations for self help or fiction and leisure reading.
Whichbook is a great site for helping you to discover new reads. Instead of browsing or searching by author name or book title, you can choose books by
You can also start with a recent bestseller you enjoyed and discover other books with a similar mood that you might like to try next.
As well as highlighting the books, the site also flags where you can buy (via Amazon) or borrow the books through the public library service. If you have joined Devon Libraries, choose that option from the menu to see if the book you are interested in is available there - in print or as an ebook or audiobook. if you belong to any other 'local to you' library services, you can try those too.
Find out more about where and how to explore the lovely county of Devon. There are lots of great places to visit.
Reading Groups for Everyone, is the UK’s largest reading group network and is run by the national charity, The Reading Agency.
The reading groups meet in all kinds of places and are made up of all kinds of people. The one thing they have in common is that they love reading and talking about books.
Reading groups can be a good way of connecting with people, promoting wellbeing and reducing isolation.
The student mental health charity Student Minds has produced Know Before You Go and Transition guides.
These really helpful guides to transitioning from school to university life, with chapters on identity, becoming independent, building relationships, education, mental health and sexual health.
Research from The Reading Agency has shown that there is
strong evidence that reading for pleasure can increase empathy, improve relationships with others, reduce the symptoms of depression and improve wellbeing throughout life
Take a break from your recommended academic reading and explore e-books and audiobooks on the Libby app.
More information can be found on the Libby guide.
When you join online you will receive a temporary membership enabling you to access digital resources immediately. A library card will be issued in due course.
Why not also take advantage of the services and facilities at your local public library?
There are 50 public libraries across Devon including four libraries in Exeter. Exeter Library is the largest library in the county and can be found in the city centre, just off the High Street.
They offer a wide selection of books (fiction and non-fiction), films, magazines, information and music. Joining is completely free. Find out more on the Libraries Unlimited LibGiude.
Students from the University of Exeter created a mood boosting booklist for freshers as part of Grand Challenges.
Find out more here.
You can also borrow these books from the Wellbeing & Leisure collection.
This guide is aimed at students aged 16+, it explores loneliness and the links to mental health and provides tips for students together with ideas of how to get involved and raise awareness in communities, at school, college or university.
Further advice and support
Telephone Helpline: 116 123 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Telephone Helpline: 0300 123 3393 Text 86463
Exeter Student Nightline is a confidential and anonymous listening service, run by trained student volunteers for students at the University of Exeter.