The Stag_issue86 by Dagmar Ellefsen

THE STAG

March Issue 86_2016

STUDENT MAGAZINE UNIVERSITY OF SURREY

TEACH FIRST

MISS SAIGON

STUDENT BUDGET

The harrowing truth of educational inequality and how people are attempting to create a change. PAG 14

A short review. PAG 4

Find out how you can start budgeting, but think less pot noodle and more making your own. PAG 22

STUDENT PHILANTHROPY

TEACH FIRST

RECESSION 2016

ARTS 16

E M N 4

MUST SEE MUSICALS

MISS SAIGON REVIEW

T N E

I A T R E

C S SI ER OP MU T P UB ES IE UT UN QU 11 H YO XY E LA TH 10 GA OF S AR E RL L 10 Y GI IR G TG IN IN BA SH E

T N 5

TheStag

TheStagSurrey

TS NT CO

OPINION

EDITOR’S LETTER

We seem to be barrelling through 2016 at an alarming pace, it’s already early March and I for one am hoping for a Bernards Watch type scenario, for those of you who don’t get the reference use Youtube to learn about one of the world’s greatest fictional inventions. On a brighter note I have managed to get an article in this issue of the magazine, apologies to people now for it is one about the recession and the former CEO of the FCA, I fear placement is slowly turning me into an adult. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Matthew Nolan on becoming the new entertainment editor. His enthusiasm and ideas for development have already made him an invaluable part of the team. So now as we move forward onto this issue of the magazine, expect a lot of tips on how to become frugal, thrifty all that good stuff. We also have an interview with Youtube sensations Michelle and Aline along with a few ideas of how to get a better grip on placement years and what you get out of them. We’re hoping that you can use some of the really useful information that has been sent in from various sources in order to further your outlook into the mysterious land beyond university.

m i h a r Ib

E D I T O R I A L EDITOR: IBRAHIM SARWAR MARKETING: NICK DUFFY DESIGN: DAGMAR ELLEFSEN OPINION: JOSHUA LANGLEY SOCIETIES: CALVIN JOR ENTERTAINMENT: MATTHEW NOLAN ARTS: GEORGIA PRIDDEN CREATIVE: MEGAN WILSON SPORT: JOE DUFFY SCI-TECH: CONNOR IBBETSON FASHION: AKEY KHATUN BEAUTY: AKEY KHATUN FEATURES: CHARLOTTE HUTCHINS LITERATURE: KYRIAKI KOUTTA QUALITY CONTROL: MEGAN WILSON WRITERS: THEA SPALDING SYLVIA NANKIVELL EMMA FLEMING DESIGN: CONNOR IBBETSON RACHAEL LOWE PHOTOS: COVER: IGOR ABRAMOVICH GOLNAZ AL JAHDALI MEGAN WILSON JAIME GONZALEZ GUITERREZ ANDREW COTTRELL DOMINIC MOASS

OTHER BEST BUYS

17 TRAVEL

LWF - AW2016

24 BREAKFAST

34 LONG NIGHT IN PARIS

ARTS

Miss Saigon Review West End revival

The heat is on in the Prince Edward Theatre. If you want to see a musical that will both warm and break your heart, then the Olivier nominated revival of Miss Saigon is the show for you. As a big musical theatre fan, I had wanted to see Miss Saigon for years before finally getting to see it in the West End last year. It did not disappoint. Miss Saigon was written by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, the team behind Les Miserables. The show is based on the Puccini opera Madame Butterfly, but with an update to the reunification of Vietnam in the 1970s. The story begins just as the Vietnam War draws to a close, when the American troops are enjoying their final days in Vietnam. Chris, a kind-hearted GI, meets Kim, a poor girl who has lost her family to the war and ends up working at a Saigon brothel, owned by

the cunning and comical Engineer. The show begins as a love story between Chris and Kim but soon spirals into a dramatic tale about the tragedies of war and how far Kim will go to get a better life for her and Chris’s son. Even all these years after the Vietnam War is over, the story is still incredibly moving and hauntingly relevant today. The whole performance is captivating and places you in the centre of a warzone, with the show’s famous special effects giving the audience the sensation of a helicopter coming through the roof! Advanced for the show’s original West End run, it is still impressive today.

more than once. Many of the main cast I saw were understudies and Tanya Manalang as Kim particularly blew me away with her powerful voice and performance. Altogether, Miss Saigon is an emotional rollercoaster that is a spectacle to see. It left me asking why, God, why did I not see this amazing show sooner?

/ by Georgia Pridden

Visually, it’s stunning. The sets, costumes and props transport you halfway around the world, allowing you to delve straight into the story. The cast is fantastic and each song is conveyed with such emotion. I’m not usually a crier, but I was holding back the tears

ENTERTAINMENT

MYTH “IRREGARDLESS IS NOT A WORD”

FACT “your English teacher might not like it, but don’t bet that it’s not in the dictionary. Of course, it’s considered non-standard and most people would probably prefer “regardless” or “irrespective”, but that is a matter of preference.”

MUST SEE MUSICALS Reviews by Georgia Pridden

SHARE YOUR UNI-EXPERIENCE

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1. MATILDA: Matilda, the Olivier Award winning musical, is based on Roald Dahl’s novel and follows young, bright Matilda as she deals with an uncaring family and demon headmistress in her own unique way. The show, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, is charming from start to finish. The cast and staging are incredible, so be a little bit naughty this Easter and treat yourself to this brilliant show. Rating 5/5 2. PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT: This jukebox musical, featuring songs by Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Gaynor, Kylie Minogue and more, is about two drag queens and a transgender woman on a road trip across Australia in a bright pink bus called ‘Priscilla’. Starring Darren Day, it’s a hilarious, fun show that leaves you grinning all the way home. Rating 4/5

“However I always knew that my manager had my back, and would be there if it all went belly up!”

Find out more about a placement year at GSK Try to recall a film you’ve seen recently which you weren’t particularly impressed with. Got it? Good. Having never worked in a business environment before, as I walked into the architectural masterpiece that is Glaxo SmithKline’s global head office on the first day of placement, daunted doesn’t even come close to how I felt… However, by the end of my first week I’d learnt just how friendly and genuinely supportive my colleagues were, and I quickly relaxed and focused on getting the most out of the 12 months I had with the company. I was on a Human Resources placement, specifically within Learning and Development, and although when you think of a pharmaceutical company the first job that comes to mind might be a scientist in a lab, in reality the company relies on a huge range of roles to make it successful. Luckily for us university students, as GSK is such a large company this means they are able to offer placement years in almost every sector of the company, so if you’re looking for a role in Business, Science or Engineering – there’s a good chance GSK offers something that would interest you! I went into my placement with the expectation of a stereotypical corporate culture in which the “interns” were at the bottom of the pile, but my preconceptions were quickly changed, and I was pleasantly surprised by the time and effort my colleagues spent helping me to develop, and by the variety of opportunities available to placement students. The company has a real focus on

developing their young employees (placement students, summer interns and graduates), and this meant that I was given the chance to work on some really exciting projects, meaning no two weeks were the same, and I was always learning something new. There were definitely times when I was working way outside my comfort zone (for example delivering a training course for 30 engineers from all over Europe is slightly daunting at first), however I always knew that my manager had my back, and would be there if it all went belly up! If you’re the sort of person who likes a challenge, wants a role with real responsibility and is motivated by the opportunity to not only make a difference to a company, but actually make an impact on the world’s healthcare needs – then GSK could be the place for you. Applications for placement years are starting to close this month (February 2016), so I would encourage you to apply as soon as possible. The application process for placement students includes some motivation based questions and online tests, followed by a face to face interview. Most business placements are located in West London, with science or engineering roles spread around the country. If you would like any further information, check out GSK’s website or feel free to drop me a message!. // Fiona Cannon

BEAUTY

BEAUTY EYES Benefit they’re real! MascaraBlack, £18 Absolutely adore this mascara, it gives the look of false eyelashes without all the hassle of actual fake eyelashes!

L’oreal paris bow artist genius kit, £9.99 Available in light and medium, the kit helps to define and shape your eyebrows flawlessly, and its handy for when you’re on the go with a little built in mirror and brush! Beaute Pacifique puffy eyes gel, £50 Late night? Early leture? This gel will save your day. It is parfume free unlike most other beauty products.

SKIN

LIPS Rodial Stemcell SPF 15 Glam Balm, £17 This lip balm is my go-to on the move, its SPF protection and a highly nourishing formula (including their ‘Stemcell’ technology) ensures your lips always look healthy – great for preventing chapped lips in colder weather too!

Stila stay all day liquid liptstick, £16 A liquid lipstick that turns into matte, and stays put all day, what more could you ask for from a lipstick! Can buy from M&S, or free delivery from Stila UK online store.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Original Ultra Moisturizing Lip Balm with SPF 15, £1.99 Everyone needs a staple lip balm wherever they go, especially during the cold, winter months. This inexpensive lip balm by Palmer’s smells so good, it’ll make you want to eat it (but don’t – it’s good for your lips but not your tummy!!)

Estee Lauder Revitalising Supreme Anti-ageing Day Cream, £62 for 50ml A rich, moisturizing cream that is well suited for oily and combination skin types. It’s on the expensive side but leaves your skin silky soft and nourished for hours. YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation, £31.50 A lovely creamy foundation that helps provide a good coverage without being too tacky or heavy.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation, £10.99 This bestselling foundation has a fresh gel texture that glides onto the skin like a dream. It has high staying power and is made with different fruit, so smells equally as gorgeous.

BEAUTY

Best Buys FACE SCRUB MEN

TRIMMERS MEN

Mancave Olive stone, £6.99 A mid-range comfortable choice, however the olive stone aspect makes for some rough cleansing.

Babyliss for Men 7107U Precision Beard Trimmer, £9.97 I have heard this trimmer bad mouthed beyond compare but 5 years later and it’s still going strong.

BEARD OIL MEN

Woody’s beard oil 30ml, £5.99 If you want beard strong as oak, use this oil. Smell much like wood too.

Wahl Sterling Beard Oil Refresh 30 ml £9.99 Reinvigorate your beard they say, or rather exude a smell of lemons from the end of your chin.

Botanics Face scrub, £3.99 Cheap and cheerful but it gets the job done, don’t turn your nose up too quickly at this one.

OFTEN (TM) Mens 7 in 1 Rechargeable Cordless Grooming Kit, £18.99 This one comes with all the trimmings, untested on our part but looks the part with a sleek finish.

Clinique for Men, £16.50 A little more pricey but definitely one if you feel like indulging.

Philips BT5262/13 Beard Trimmer Series 5000, £49.95 A personal favorite of those whole like the close precise shave, if you’re a fan of uniformity then this is the one for you. Percy Nobleman’s Beard Conditioning Oil, £19.99 Best. Name. Ever. 9

ENTERTAINMENT

MOVIES

GALAXY QUEST “Never give up. Never surrender.” Length: 1hour 42 min

Might have missed:

With the sudden loss of Alan Rickman, it is only fitting to re-watch and remember all of his spectacular performances. Here in particular, is one comedic gem called Galaxy Quest. Set in the late ‘90’s, the film follows a cast of actors from a space-themed television show (think Star Trek) that pilot a spaceship and have a whole assortment of adventures. The captain of the ship, Jason Nesmith (played by Tim Allen) is unsurprisingly selfish and self-centred from being the star of the show, leading to arguments with the other actors (played by Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, and among others, the “expendable crewman number six”, Sam). So far, this sounds as cliché you can get, but here’s the twist. Whilst participating at a convention to greet all the admirers of the show, some of the fans plead for the actors to aid them against an evil alien race. Thinking that the

fans are role-playing, the actors agree to help, only to suddenly find themselves on a real spaceship and up against a real threat. Drama and an abundance of humour all quickly follow. The film truly takes advantage of its premise, satirising not only TV shows but also the obsessive fan base as well, leading to brilliant humour and a remarkably identifiable cast. The acting is spot on, blending a believable real-world cast with an unusual assortment of aliens. The story, while a little tedious with the “I know I was selfish” plot, has a couple of moments which are surprisingly touching and entirely unexpected. In short, this is one comedy that will easily entertain anyone, Star Trek fan or not. By Grabthar’s hammer, you shall be missed Alan Rickman.

// Jonathan Feasey

Might have missed:

HuniePop

“Ya see, as a love fairy, it’s my job to help poor saps like you out with the ladies.” Average Length: 6 - 10 Hours It’s that romantic time of year again: dim the lights, put on some smooth jazz, warm the bed and then… play video games. And what better game to play than the recent HuniePop – a dating simulator meets bejeweled. Simply put (and with as little sniggering as possible), the objective is to ‘get busy’ with all of the gals in your neighbourhood by chatting them up, memorizing their traits and ultimately winning them over by demonstrating your skills at candy crush. It is certainly over the top, and the game sure knows it! So as a game, how does it stand? Surprisingly well – there is an addictive depth to the puzzle element which, just like bejeweled and candy crush, truly rewards 10

thought over recklessness. But it is not simply a clone, it adds its own unique mechanics which reinvigorates the traditional ‘tile-matching’ puzzle game. There are gifts which can completely turn the tide of the puzzle when used, and tile-types that reward (or punish!) depending on your date’s personality. And of course, there’s the other half of the game – the dating simulator. Although very one-sided (and incredibly cringe-worthy at times), the dialogue between characters is hilariously engaging. Each character you come across is of a different stereotype: from a yoga instructor, to a flight attendant, and even… *cough*… a cat girl, there’s something for everyone, no matter the level of cringe. There isn’t any jaw-dropping story to be found here, and it can become incredibly tedious the longer you play, especially when you start receiving intimate pictures that will almost certainly make you rethink your life. Anyway, before the shame catches up to me, check this game out if you want something laughably over the top. And best of luck explaining to your lover that you were playing this for the puzzles. // Jonathan Feasey

ENTERTAINMENT

MUSIC

ALBUM

SONG The Assist - Love

Where Eagles Fly is a three track EP from Cheshire based disabled activist and musician J.D. Weaver. Described by Weaver as “a concept EP” built around a native figure, taking elements from aboriginal people, Native Americans and Inca civilisations. This figure has left the world to hide in a cave high above a mountain range. The only animals there are eagles. Eagles and this dweller see the horrors of the world unfold from above; they have seen their world completely changed due to the constant movements of people, war, violence, and abuses.” The blend of country, rock and pop carries Eagle Song and Native Man, but it is Tiger Tiger where Weaver’s song writing shines, making it the highlight of the EP. With a debut like this, we’ll be eagerly awaiting Weaver’s next release: Neon Souls.

Last month Walsall based Indie band The Assist released the track Love. What can only be described as a musical odyssey, the song mixes a variety musical styles to great success.

JD Weaver Where Eagles Fly

By Nick Duffy

ARTIST

David Bowie

By Nick Duffy

A Tribute to David Bowie 1947-2016

OPINION

“IN THE WORDS OF THE

FINANCIAL TIMES HE WAS A ‘STEELY ENFORCER OUT TO FIX CITY OF LONDON FINANCE’.”

RECESSION IN 2016

LOOKS LIKE WE’RE GETTING BACK TO NORMAL /IBRAHIM SARWAR

Over the past five years, the US and the EU have taken a strong stance to the way in which banks are regulated and the methods they use on a day-to-day basis. As dry a topic as regulatory issues can be, there are a few key details that can be understood without going into too much detail. Regulations have been introduced en masse along with various regulatory bodies that have the same idea behind them, to ‘prevent another global recession’. A simple look at the growth in magnitude of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) fines since the recession does a great deal in proving that. From a respectable £278m in fines in 2012 to a monumental £1.4bn in 2014, it was extremely clear that the UK was going after irresponsible banks with as much force as they could muster. This increase in fines and ultimately their actual necessity of increasing culpability in the banking system were all spearheaded by Martin Wheatley (former CEO of the FCA). In the words of the Financial Times he was a ‘steely enforcer out to fix City of London finance’. Known for his aggressive approach which went hand in hand with his knack for making enemies in the City, this book-keeper turned regulator had a clear goal in mind. All of this progress seemed to be having a huge effect on the banking

“.. AND NORMAL SEEMED WITHIN OUR GRASP ONCE AGAIN”

system, with more and more banks making sure they were keeping to the rules set before them, being prepared for financial crisis’ and ensuring practices were more ethical was becoming the norm. For the first time it seemed there were punishments for reckless financial institutions. Before we get too carried away with the lucid dream I am portraying we should take a moment to re-assess, with all these changes, surely the government had learnt its lesson with the bankers? The fact is in mid-July of 2015 Martin Wheatley resigned as CEO of the FCA. You might ask why someone who was making such progress would do such a thing. It was in fact a response to a decision made by George Osborne not to renew his contract the following March. Statements that followed from Mr Osbourne echoed the sentiment that the ‘banker-basher’ culture had had its time, now it was time for change or rather a reversion to the ways of old. The saying goes ‘there’s no point flogging a dead horse’ but in my opinion careless bankers are far from dead horses. Banks were fed-up of the former CEO’s guilty until proven innocent nature, which was causing them both money and time. It seemed that the enemies of Mr. Wheatley had spoken and Mr. Osborne had listened. Here we are 6 months later in early 2016, with a potential recession looming over our heads asking the question did we ever really change or did we deal with a problem until the first chance of returning to previous ways reared its head? Albert Edwards stated that the ‘incredible conceit’ of the bankers who failed to learn the lessons of the previous crash would lead to another global recession. It seems that lessons weren’t actually learnt but more regulations were imposed until they could be taken away. The decision not to renew Martin Wheatley’s contract was indicative of our nature as people, we all desire that possibility of going ‘back to normal’. The banks rejoiced at the idea, the government pushed the naysayers away and normal seemed within our grasp once again. It paints a pretty picture but we forget that normal led to the recession and perhaps we should be trying to get as far away from that as possible.

1: UK’s financial regulatory body, set up to prevent a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis, 2: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov. uk/20130301170532/http:/www.fsa.gov.uk/about/press/facts/fines/2012, 3: http://www.fca.org.uk/firms/being-regulated/enforcement/fines/2014

With a forecast of economic doom circulating from the analytical depths of RBS, it seems Albert Edwards (strategist at Societe Generale) has also joined the growing consensus. The effects of the 2008 global recession have just recently been fading away from the corners of the public’s minds and now it seems there is a chance of another. Any recession is caused by a myriad of factors, this is an undeniable fact, however with the previous one in such close proximity is there any truth to the idea that we have learnt nothing from previous errors?

ÂŠ Igor Abramovich

OPINION

/Thea Spalding

TEACH FIRST

TeachFirst is striving to reduce the educational disadvantages that come about due to the huge wage gap in this country. They believe every child should get a fair chance when it comes to education.

Did you know that in the UK, a child’s successes in life are largely determined by the amount that their parents earn? Or that only 17% of pupils on Free School Meals progress on to any form of higher education? This might seem hard to believe, but unfortunately educational inequality in the UK is real, with the link between socio-economic background and poor educational attainment greater than in almost any other developed country. But at Teach First, we believe that it doesn’t have to be this way. As a non-profit organisation, Teach First are dedicated to bringing an end to inequality in education, and we’re passionate that our mission begins by building a community of exceptional leaders who create change within the classroom, schools and across society. 14

If you haven’t heard of Teach First already, you’re probably now thinking - What it is that we actually do? How are Teach First striving to create a fairer educational system for our future generations? Recognising that eradicating educational inequality isn’t something that we can achieve overnight, we believe that this change starts in the classroom, through the dedication and leadership of a teacher who inspires a child to work towards the future they want. Training and supporting new teachers to work in primary and secondary schools, since Teach First was first established in 2002, more than 5,000 of our teachers have worked with over 1 million young people from low-income communities, supporting them to build the future they want for themselves. The impact our teachers have had so far has been truly outstanding, with a GCSE student taught by a Teach First teacher improving by one grade overall across their eight best GCSEs. As a charity, all of our work involves partnerships with schools, universities and businesses who share our vision – changing the story of a child’s lifetime isn’t something that we can achieve alone! The great work and commitment that Teach First have demon-

OPINION

- changing the story of a child’s lifetime strated over the years has meant that we’ve acquired support from the likes of PwC, Goldman Sachs and The Royal Navy. As our impact keeps growing, so do our partnerships!

“Being a former student at Surrey Uni, it’s great to see Teach First taking an active role in recruiting Surrey students for their graduate programme! Back when I was in school, we had a young Teach First graduate come in and really raise our aspirations and show us But at the heart of Teach First’s strategy is our Lead- that there was more out there for us to achieve. It’s ership Development Programme, a two year grad- because of that I strived to get to Surrey University, uate programme currently ranking be elected Equality and Diversi#4 in The Times Top 100 Graduate ty Officer in 2010 and graduated Employer, that combines teacher with a 2:1 in Politics from the Unitraining with one-to-one coaching, “...only 17% of pu- versity of Surrey in 2011. As a Surenabling you to develop the skills Graduate you will be one of the pils on Free School rey and qualities to be a leader in the best, why not join the best graduclassroom and beyond. With Surrey Meals progress on ate programme in the market?” climbing the rankings dramatically to any form of high- Victor Bamigboye in recent years, we recognise more er education...” than ever the high calibre of stuWe’ll be around on campus over dents that the university is producthe next couple of months and ing – and that’s why we’ve raised we’re always happy to talk to you our presence on campus this year! about our opportunities and the Teach First are looking for talented students and work that Teach First are doing, but if you want to graduates to help us build a movement for change – find out more about how you can get involved in the and we know they’re everywhere at Surrey! Not only fight against educational inequality as a student, has Surrey graduate Victor Bamigboye been taught then head over to our website. by a Teach First teacher, but he now works for the organisation, so we thought it would be a good idea to catch up with him to find out his thoughts on Teach First and their growing relationship with Surrey students: 15

OPINION

Student philanthropy

Photo caption: Representatives from the Surrey campus garden, funded by Surrey graduates, at our recent supporter reception.

HELPING OTHERS

hat are we doing to help those around us? This article delves a little deeper to dispel the raucous student stereotype that has no interest in heloping those around them © Rachael Lowe

In the news lately, I’ve been touched by some of the stories of people helping others and restoring my faith in humanity. Most recently of this was Alan Barnes, a disabled pensioner who was mugged outside his home. Hearing of his plight, a 21-year-old set up a fundraising campaign to help Mr Barnes following the attack. More than £300,000 has been pledged. This got me thinking about the power of fundraising. It is stories like this that highlight that it comes from the heart, not necessarily all about the pound signs, but about an action that makes you feel better personally for helping a cause and knowing that the receiver will also benefit. Our own Surrey graduates are generous folk that help you – current students. Their philanthropy funds 16

improve the Surrey experience. The alumni and development office has launched a #DidYouKnowUoS campaign to highlight the areas around campus that have been improved due to donations from previous Surrey students. Such as, did you know that alumni donations funded the campus garden, the SPLASH laptop bar in the library and hardship grants available through Student Support Services? Also, this February the University of Surrey is joining dozens of other institutions around the world to celebrate CASE - Student Engagement & Philanthropy Month. The alumni and development office is currently in the middle of a telephone campaign which is the biggest

boost to the Annual Fund each year. Throughout most of February, our crack team of student callers will be speaking to alumni about their time at Surrey and asking them to donate to support students even further. ‘Like’ the Annual Fund Facebook page www.facebook.com/UniversityOfSurreyAnnualFund this month and you’ll be in with a chance to win a Surrey sweatshirt and the chance to immortalise yourself on campus with an engraved brick, personalised with the text of your choice.

/Rachael Lowe, alumni and development office

TRAVEL

Looking to book a flight? Looking to book a flight? - There’s an app that can help with that. Booking your hostel? - Pretty sure you can download that for free. Want a recommendation? - Go to your app store for a quick browse. Whether you’re checking in, checking out or just checking whether that hostel in Amsterdam is perhaps a little too near the RLD (if you know, you know), then there is a whole world of applications for you. The list is extensive, and can help you personalise your travels and ensure you get the right deal for you. Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights and days that are ideal for you to travel. Tripadvisor will give you honest reviews of your chosen location, hotel/hostel and much more – it’s reviewed by travellers just like yourself but who have visited and experienced it before. Hostelworld does what it says on the tin – if you want to review and check out hostels; do it through Hostelworld for quick and easy bookings. These are just some applications tried and tested by yours truly and not the only ones on the market, so be sure to look around for fast and easy ways to book your next journey.

Here’s a couple of things you should consider when you are taking out insurance: •

The frequency and lengths of your trips – if you have various trips coming up in the next year, consider a multi-trip policy. The average cost of an annual travel insurance policy is £32. Now that’s a saving your app store can’t help you out with.

•

The activities you have planned – unfortunately, swimming with sharks and jumping out of planes in Australia are not typically included in standard polices.

•

Where you are going – Check the FCO travel advice pages for info on your chosen country. Most travel insurance policies will not cover you if you travel to a country where the Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against all or all but essential travel.

•

How many people you are travelling with – family or group policies can sometimes be cheaper!

•

The cost of cancellation – consider this especially in cases with more expensive holidays which are sometimes booked well in advance. If something happens which deems you unfit to travel by the time your trip comes round, having the right insurance won’t seem so painful when your cover meets the full expense of your holiday. Additionally, if your trip is cancelled or significantly delayed, your policy might entitle you to compensation from the airline or a refund from the travel provider.

However, be aware that the convenient shortcut isn’t always the best road to follow. Here’s why. Forgot about travel insurance? The apps didn’t tell me about that… They also might not have told you about a potential £1,022 medical fee (average cost in 2014) that you could be landed with when things go wrong while you are travelling abroad without the appropriate travel insurance. Contrary to popular belief the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will not cover you completely and surprise surprise, will only help you out within the European Economic Area! Check out all you need to know and more on the following links: • https://www.gov.uk/government/news/travel-insurance-whynot-to-take-the-getaway-gamble •

/Emma Fleming

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance

LITERATURE

HOLY SMOKES BAT MAN!! IT’S T HE CHANGING FACE OF...

/ELLIE EGLETON

Barbara Gordon first appeared in Detective Comics #359 (1967) as the superheroine, Batgirl. The character was soon introduced to the Batman TV show and quickly became one of the most popular characters to make a debut during the Silver Age of comics. After twenty one years of adventure in Gotham, Alan Moore wrote the controversial comic, ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ (1988). In this single issue, the Joker shot and paralysed Barbara Gordon which paved the path to her new identity as ‘Oracle’. From 1989 – 2011, Barbara supported Batman and the Birds of Prey with any technological assistance they required to complete their missions. Oracle was and hopefully always will be a strong figurehead for disabled comic book readers. However, with DC Comics’ ‘New 52’ reboot, Barbara Gordon was back in her cape and cowl. The extreme popularity of this new number one led to multiple reprints of the issue. Within the first story saga, it is revealed that Barbara underwent surgery that gave her back the use of her legs. However, mental scars have still not been healed which makes Batgirl slow and hesitant to react to attacks and also less willing to defend herself as she starts to suffer from survivor guilt. Above: Detective Comics #359, 1967. Batgirl created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino.

LITERATURE

Batgirl is my favourite title to come out of the New 52. Never before has Barbara’s life as a masked vigilante been such a rollercoaster. The twists and turns begin straight away when Batgirl takes on a new murderer, known as the ‘Mirror’, who has a list of victims who she believes should already be dead. My favourite saga can be read in Batgirl Volume 3 which features horrors from Barbara’s past coming back to haunt her. Not only does the Joker return to ask Batgirl for her hand in marriage, but her criminal brother, James Gordon, also makes an appearance to kill their mother in the major “Death of the Family” crossover event. Batgirl #35 marked the debut of a new creative team consisting of Cameron Stewart, Brendon Fletcher and Babs Tarr. Barbara Gordon has moved from Gotham to Burnside; with a new costume, new dates and new goals. What really makes this soft reboot special is the amazing art, which reminds me of the classic Batman Animated Series cartoon.

Above: Batgirl #1, 2011. Written by Gail Simone with art by Adrian Syaf.

Batgirl is about to celebrate its 50th issue with special variant covers featuring the character on a number of different titles which are concealed in black polybags. You won’t know if you are picking up a coloured, black and white or sketched cover until you open up the comic book. DC just did this for Harley’s Little Black Book and it was great fun trying to collect all of the covers.

Above: Batgirl #35, 2014.

THE BEST WAY TO READ BATGIRL IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY GOT THE COMIC BOOKS IS TO READ THE 6 BATGIRL NEW 52 GRAPHIC NOVELS THAT ARE ON SHELVES NOW. 19

PHOTOGRAPHY

IT’S BUDGET TIME. HOW TO CREATE A STUDENT BUDGET It’s a great feeling at the start of term, when that giant cascade of money magically appears in the form of loans and funding. If you found yourself struggling at the end of last term, that massive accumulation of riches can feel like coming up for air. Much as this may feel like a fine time to restart the cycle and go on an outrageous spending binge, this is actually a perfect opportunity to organise your budget so you can relax, not only when you get that money but more importantly to feel composed and comfortable when term comes to a close. Rather than see this as party pooping, I’m hoping I can frame these strategies in a way that can demonstrate to you that this is a positive thing that could potentially make you a better person. So let’s get started!

PART ONE- CALCULATION Writing up your budget does sound like a bit of a drag, but like most things in life, once you’ve got through the initial stressful part, you’ll probably warm to the idea. Basically, you’re making a list to track what money you have coming in and what you’re spending, then checking how they balance. So let’s look at some ways to develop your budget strategy. There are four steps, so grab a piece of paper and a calculator. Obviously, very few of us keep hold of receipts these days, so I find the most accurate way to access this information is to use statements from your online bank account. Frustratingly, these tend to log you out after five minutes of inactivity, so it makes sense to make a printout to work from. It will also be useful to keep these in the folder and if you get paper statements, even better, get some poly pockets and keep them all together (not just piled up still in their envelopes on your bedroom floor!) Use your brain to think through the last couple of weeks and write down what the statements aren’t telling you, like stuff you may have bought using cash, then estimate these outgoings and add them to your total. Working this out in weekly chunks will be really helpful. It makes it more manageable, what with university campuses and landlords typically advertising rent on a weekly basis despite the fact you pay it monthly. Also, don’t forget money you may be spending during the holidays. This is generally less than you’d spend in a normal week so half terms can be a welcome passage if you intend to make an annual budget.

1. Think what available money you have. Consider your loans, grants, income from jobs and any other pocket money you may have coming in. 2. Tell your parents you’re working out a budget. This will be music to their ears, but more importantly, they may know more about what your income is than you do and will be really happy to help you out. 3. What are your costs going to be? There are two categories here, let’s call them ‘business’ and ‘pleasure’. Business, think costs for course materials (books etc.), travel to and from college and what you have for lunch every day. Pleasure, here you’re thinking about food shopping, nights out, takeaways and other indulgences such as beer. More about this in the next step... 4. Get all this information into a folder, so it’s all organised and ready to check.

PART TWO- USE THAT DATA. Now you have all your data, it’s time to work out what it all means. This is Money.co.uk have a very simple Budget Calculator, which is perfect if you’re new to budgeting. Feed in the information you’ve worked out and let it calculate how your weekly budget is shaping up. Chances are, if you ended last term in debt, this calculation will come up as negative. So you have to have a look at ways you can reduce outgoings. Some useful questions are ‘where can I cut costs?’ and ‘what outgoings are unnecessary?’ Be sure to write down any ideas you have. Could you start shopping in Aldi or Lidl instead of Waitrose or Sainsbury’s? Could you use public transport or a bicycle instead of your car? Work out how these changes will impact the budget and jot them down. You may have noticed that the main focus of part two is making well considered decisions in order to minimise unnecessary spending. This takes some commitment to the cause, but don’t feel down about it because it’s all part of adapting to the real world and will put you in a good position to potentially conquer it. You could even think ahead a year by considering reducing your heating bills next winter. Just remember, the budget you have written is an ongoing balancing act, meaning it is supposed to be tweaked when necessary. To finish off here are 4 useful tips to keep on top of the budgeting habit: 1- Put a Cap on Luxuries Put a weekly cap on things like the last three luxuries in the ‘pleasure’ list. If you can’t remember how much you spent on beer last week that may be a really good place to start! 2- Increase Income Where Possible Keep an eye open for various income boosting schemes. Some of these, like mystery shopping in restaurants can be potential social occasions, and so long as you have some music playing, even paid surveys can be quite enjoyable.

3- Don’t be a Sheep Being a student gives you so many opportunities to show your independence and not be a pack animal. In my experience, money matters are the main area where you can exercise this character trait and develop into someone who can deal with any problem life throws at you. If people are flashing cash around, they are unlikely to be demonstrating that they are richer than everyone else, just boasting that they don’t care. If this is the case, they’re exposing some real insecurity which also suggests it is quite likely that there are a lot of people in attendance who they are trying to impress. This is where you can be the one with the confidence to say you’re having a good enough evening and aren’t into laying more money down. There are bound to be other people who will be pleased that you said it first and you’ll be respected for your maturity. 4- Value the Cheaper Side of life There are always ways to cut money, sometimes simple things like clothes shopping can become quite a good place to develop strategies that work. Learn to enjoy cutting corners and finding ways to make things cheaper, look in charity shops whenever you’re passing by and find out which ones have the best bargains. Get involved with Gumtree and Freecycle, and discover the joy of randomly finding new clothes and other essentials that would have cost a lot more from a high street shop. These items are generally a lot more exciting to stumble upon in the friendly world of public sharing.

/Sylvia Nankivell

RECIPES

ÂŠ all photos by: Tine Vieland Jensen

BREAKFAST BY:

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. By starting your day off with a delicious and healthy meal you fuel your body and brain for the day ahead. However, it is not unimportant what you stuff your face with after an overnight fast. A coffee and a chocolate croissant will not help your memory and concentration as well as a nourishing porridge. Breakfast does not have to be boring nor time consuming. Have a read through these easy and inspirational breakfast recipes.

Buckwheat Porridge with strawberries: Buckwheat porridge: Boil 1 cup of buckwheat with 2 cups of water for 15 min. at medium heat. Then add a little milk (Â˝ cup) and some sweetener and let it boil for a few more minutes. Milk is not necessary, but it makes the porridge extra creamy. Strawberry Porridge: Boil a handful frozen strawberries in half a cup of water. Add some sweetener and vanilla. Cook it until most of the liquid has evaporated. Then mash the berries with a fork. Enjoy the buckwheat porridge with the strawberry porridge.

RECIPES

COCONUT-YUM - 2 tbsp of ‘coconut cream’ (the solid part in a can of coconut milk) - 1 organic egg white - Vanilla powder - A few chopped almonds 1. The egg white is whipped stiff 2. In another bowl, whip vanilla and coconut cream together. 3. Gently mix the stiff egg white into the cocnut-vanilla mix. 4. Add chopped almonds on top

CARROT PANCAKES - Banana - 1 cup oats - 2 cups grated carrot - 2 eggs - 1 tsp vanilla sugar - ½ tsp cinnamon - ½ tsp baking powder

1. Use a blender to blend the oats to flour 2. Mash the banana. 3. Grate the carrot. 4. Mix all the ingredients. 5. Heat a lightly oiled frying pan over medium high heat. Pour the batter onto the frying pan and cook the pancake until it is brown - then flip it.

CHOCOLATE OVERNIGHT OATS

For more recipes check out: www.Fitinspiration.dk Instagram: Fitinspirationdk /Tine Vieland Jensen Personal Trainer & Dietician

- 1 cup oats - 2 tbsp cocoa powder - ½ cup desiccated coconut - 1 pinch salt - 1 cup apple sauce (readymade or boil an apple with vanilla and mash it). - ½ cup apple juice - 1 cup milk - 10 hazelnuts 1. Mix all the ingredients (except the nuts) and stir well. 2. Put it in a closed container in the fridge overnight. 3. In the morning chop the hazelnuts and put them on top. 25

ÂŠ Igor Abramovich

LITERATURE

BOOK REVIEW

The Shining Girls /Megan Wilson, Creative Editor

The premise of The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes excited me when I first read the blurb: a time travelling serial killer? Sounds interesting. Perhaps I set my expectations too high. It was a bit of a let-down, and not as good as I was hoping. I felt the author could have done so much more with this interesting, creepy idea. The structure of the book was quite difficult to grasp. It switches back and forth in time with lots of different points of view in lots of different time frames which left me feeling rather confused. Most elements of mystery and suspense were taken out by the fact that we know the ‘answer’ to the mystery Kirby is trying to solve right from the start because the first person point of view of the serial killer is included. I didn’t feel motivated to keep reading and wasn’t intrigued, as I like to feel when reading the mystery/thriller genre. It was just lacking in tension and suspense.

It was quite repetitive, with lots of time given to each of the murders Harper committed. The only thing I liked about this part was that the author gave some details about each of the victims that made them like real people rather than just unfortunates. It gave their deaths some kind of resonance at least. The ending was a bit abrupt and lacking in resolution, although the epilogue was quite clever and brought the end in a loop back to the beginning. This concept had so much potential, but I just wasn’t a fan of the way it was executed and found myself checking frequently how much longer it was before I finished the story. Ironically, it lacked shine, and it lacked the spark of something special to me.

The characters could have been developed more. They felt quite flat, their personalities not really showing through, particularly in the main characters which didn’t do anything to help the book. The other flaws may have been diminished in my eye if the main characters were engaging, relatable or interesting in any way, shape or form.

CREATIVE

PHOTOS ©

A big thank you to PHOTO SOC. for sending us all these amazing pictures. We are always happy to receive pictures we can use in the magazine, so do not hessitate sending us your picture. Please email all pictures to Megan Wilson (Creative Editor): Creative@thestagsurrey.co.uk

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CREATIVE

FASHION

LFW

AW2016 During February at London Fashion Week the mood was glamorous. There were coats, coats and more coats. A dark and broody atmosphere descended on the likes of Mulberry and Alexander McQueen. Haberdashery was a focal point. Here are some of the catwalk vibes that stood out.

Models donned brightly coloured afros at Ashish.

No time for being cold at Burberry.

Caught between dreams and reality: Alexander McQueen..

Proper girl vs. late-night alter-ego: Topshop Unique.

FASHION

/RhiannonHutchings

Functional with a luxurious twist: Amanda Wakely.

Vintage eveningwear at Erdem.

Dark, witchy, flowery, pretty: Preen by Thornton Bregazzi.

Sheer luxury at Emilio de la Morena.

FASHION

SS 2016

Leather ft. Faux Fur

With the weather being so difficult and indecisive, the decision to wear a coat, and even ‘what type of coat’ is major... So, an essential item for your wardrobe this season, is a leather jacket! Perfect for those mild days, but with the option to add some faux fur when it gets a little bit chilly, you can rock it with jeans, a mini skirt, or even a dress, if you’re daring enough... 32

/Emily Gilbert

FASHION

ONLINE SHOPPING

Some Very Decent Websites Go shopping, they said. It will be therapeutic, they said. To be perfectly honest, I couldn’t think of anything more stressful – crowds of people, aching limbs, dashing from one end of the high street to the other because you should have bought two pairs of gloves from Primark, not one. I mean, you’re bound to lose a pair at some point, right? All hail the Internet! Online shopping has changed lives. Here are some of the best online retailers that are student friendly. Take note, grab a cup of tea and get browsing. /Rhiannon Hutchings

Missguided Latest fashion trends, constant deals and 10% for students including sale items – it’s a winner. They stock every type of dress under the sun.

ASOS It’s an obvious one but seriously, let’s all bow to ASOS. Thousands of items and brands, free delivery (which is super, super speedy), student discount…the list goes on.

Rokit Check out Rokit’s website – they are one of the best names in the vintage market. Worldwide shipping and an easy website to use with lots of filters.

@thestagfashionandbeauty

Boohoo Somewhat similar to Missguided, Boohoo is great for clothes at student friendly prices. They do constant deals on delivery and certain types of clothing.

Linzi Impressive array of shoes at very affordable prices. 10% student discount and I find their website has a really nice, simple layout.

The stag fashion and beauty

@thestagfb

FEATURES

A LONG NIGHT IN PARIS

ÂŠ Golnaz Al Jahdali

Four months ago, France suffered its deadliest attacks since World War II, with chaos and confusion gripping the capital deep into the night. But earlier that very day, there were no signs that anything was about to go wrong. At least, not to my cousin, Hayley Nolan from Kildare in Ireland, as she boarded a flight at Dublin airport with her boyfriend that was bound for Paris. I interviewed Hayley, to find out how her surprise romantic getaway quickly turned into a truly unforgettable experience. /Matthew Nolan

FEATURES

The attacks had begun before we had reached our hotel

An Interview with Hayley Nolan Why did you decide to go to Paris and how long were you there before the attacks took place? - My boyfriend actually surprised me with tickets to Paris to celebrate our five year anniversary. Our trip was scheduled from November 13th – 15th. We arrived in Paris at 21:00 on Friday 13th, so the attacks had begun before we had reached our hotel. Do you remember how you spent the day of the attacks; how would you describe the mood beforehand? - When we arrived in Paris, we got a taxi to our hotel. We were staying in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Republique. As we pulled up outside the hotel, there were police cars and fire brigades along the street. A restaurant opposite the hotel was cornered off. We were still oblivious at this point as to what was happening. I believe this was the case with a lot of people, as the taxi man commented “there must have been a terrible accident”. The mood seemed to be one of intrigue inside the hotel, as people looked out the windows in the foyer. On the streets, crowds were gathering to watch what the police were doing at this point.

When the first shooting happened, at 9:20PM on 13 November, do you remember where you were? - During the first shooting, myself and my boyfriend were travelling from the airport to the hotel. Nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary until we pulled up outside the hotel and spotted the formation of chaos, as mentioned above. How, where and when did you find out what was going on? - After we dropped the bags in the hotel room, we decided to go to a restaurant for some food. We were in the square, so there were many restaurants facing our hotel. As we were leaving the hotel, the concierge chased after us. He informed us that there had been a shooting and advised us to avoid walking in a certain direction. At this point, my boyfriend and I thought that the shooting was the likes of a mugging or a fight. We had no idea of the magnitude of the events. When you found out, do you remember how you felt, and how those who were with you reacted? - Initially, my boyfriend and I were very calm. We thought the shooting was a singular crime. We thought that the police would do their job at the crime scene, the

crowds would move on and that would be the last we heard of it. I felt removed from the situation, as if I had heard about a crime on the news. As the night went on and we discovered the nature of the events, we were both shocked and nervous naturally. My boyfriend stayed quite calm throughout the night, which kept me calm. We discussed the trip once we came home and both concluded that the reality of the situation did not really hit us until we got home. At the time, it did not feel real. How did you spend that night? Did you go to sleep as normal, or stay up and try and follow the news reports? - My boyfriend and I looked along the streets, then settled into a restaurant. The crowds on the streets had become larger in comparison to when we first arrived in the taxi. When we were in the restaurant, the situation escalated. The TV was on reporting the news and the owner kept turning it off to keep the mood as calm as possible. The streets outside were becoming busier and more chaotic. More police arrived and seemed to set up points at which to stand guard. Two armed policemen stood outside the entrance to the restaurant that we were in. We could 35

FEATURES

At the time, it did not feel real

hear gunshot noises sporadically, which was very surreal. People were running past the entrance to the restaurant with their arms held above their heads in order to pass the police. My boyfriend would occasionally go to the door/windows with the other people in the restaurant to see what was happening, whereas I stayed sitting near the back of the restaurant and only went to the window once. At one point, a policeman came in to the restaurant to inform the owner to lock the door until the situation was under control. We spent the majority of the first night locked in the restaurant. When the police told us we could leave, it was nearly 01:00am. We were told to walk around the borders of the tape that the police had set up to get back to the hotel, which was across the road. We had to knock on the door to the hotel, as they also had the doors locked for safety. The concierge greeted us with “Ah, you’s are still alive!” and a smile, in an attempt to diffuse the tension. Many people had gathered in the foyer at this point. We decided to go back to

our room instead of staying up to look out of the windows with the crowd. We stayed up most of that night contacting people at home and following the news reports. It was difficult to sleep due to the constant shouting and ambulance sirens outside, a constant reminder of people suffering throughout the city that night. Did you feel safe where you were staying? Did you notice how the staff or other guests at your hotel reacted? - I felt generally safe at the hotel. We didn’t have very much contact with staff or other guests while the attacks happened, as we were locked in the restaurant. The only staff member I really had contact with was the concierge in the encounters described above. What was the mood like in Paris the following day? Did you notice anything different to when you first arrived? - The streets were very quiet the following day. There were armed policemen stationed around Paris. Outside the hotel, there was a vigil (this was on the news). As well as

this, the media set up outside the hotel in the middle of the square. I don’t have anything to really compare the mood to, as I hadn’t seen Paris on a “normal” day. The constant noise of sirens from the night before had died down, but there were still sirens to be heard. Because of what happened, did you end up changing your plans? - We got in contact with the Irish embassy. They advised us to stay in Paris as we were planning on returning home on the 15th anyway. All the tourist attractions were closed obviously, so our time spent in Paris was completely different to our plans. We were thankful just to be safe though. Is there anything else you’d like to say in light of what happened? - Thankfully, we weren’t close enough to be directly involved in the events of that night. Witnessing the panic of people running to safety, and the vigilance of the policemen was the extent of our experience. Unfortunately, that is not the case for so many people during these horrific attacks. There is nothing I can say that hasn’t been said before, but my heart truly goes out to anybody who was affected by these tragic events.

FEATURES

ENTERTAINMENT

2016

YEAR OF THE YOUTUBERS? Interview w. Michelle & Aline;

As people have moved from big screens to, err, smaller screens – and now to slightly bigger ones again, because plus-sized smartphones are becoming increasingly trendy – YouTube has continued to soar to new heights in popularity. We’ve all heard of some of the bigger YouTube stars (Zoella, anyone?) but you’ve probably heard less about the smaller, newer YouTubers ready and willing to make their mark on the growing scene. Well listen up: they’re about to bring something new to the table, and this is something you don’t want to miss. /Matthew Nolan

I had the pleasure of interviewing Michelle and Aline Dufflocq Williams, two sisters living in Montana, USA, but carving out truly international audiences, right from the comfort of their own home. I wanted to find out what the YouTube world is like from their perspective as content creators. Here’s what they had to say. I suppose the best place to begin is at the start: why did you decide to start your own YouTube channel? Aline: It honestly was such a natural process. We got started just posting funny videos and covers of songs on Facebook for our friends to see, but when we received a lot of positive feedback it was a light bulb moment. We had watched a lot of YouTubers for a while but it had never seemed like something we could do. It always seemed like too big of a risk, like we weren’t “YouTuber material”. Once we stopped caring so much about what people thought and we began 38

getting used to being on camera, things sort of fell into place. Michelle: It also helped that we were in it together from the start. Being in front of the camera can be quite daunting, especially when you’re going to share a video on the Internet. It’s so much easier to let go and just have fun when we’re filming together since we are sisters but also best friends. Being “awkward on camera” was one of the biggest things holding us back from starting a channel; but when we film together, we just feed off of each other’s energy and it’s easy to forget about the camera and just have fun. We’ve always been extremely creative and loved filming and editing videos too, so it was definitely right up our alley. Who are some of your favourite YouTubers to watch in your free time? Michelle and Aline: That’s a really hard question to answer because our YouTube subscription box is

absolutely flooded with so many different and amazing YouTubers. We love watching Zoella, Colleen Ballinger (PsychoSoprano), Alisha Marie, Dan Howell (danisnotonfire), Estee Lalonde and Cambria Joy to name a few. You now have over 10,000 subscribers and hundreds of thousands of views. Did you ever think when you were starting out that your videos would gain such traction, and why do you think people enjoy watching your content so much? Michelle: As huge fans of YouTube, we always aspired to grow our channel and it’s been a dream of ours to turn this passion into a career for a very long time. However, in the beginning we had absolutely no idea what to expect and what the reactions to our content would be. Aline: At first we had honestly no idea what we were doing; and spent video after video inhaling helium,

ENTERTAINMENT

shoving marshmallows into our mouths and throwing coloured chalk in the air. We didn’t really know what direction we wanted to take our channel and who we wanted our audience to be, or if we’d ever gain an audience at all. But once we decided to become a beauty, fashion and lifestyle channel I think it became easier to gain an audience. We bring something new to the table in that regard, that’s what we’ve been told anyway. We try not to take ourselves too seriously, we’re not afraid of being a bit weird and we pride ourselves on being genuine. We might talk about our clothes and makeup but I’d like to think that people stick around for people behind them. What can we expect to see from you in 2016? Did you make any New Year’s resolutions about what to achieve this year? Michelle: It was around halfway through 2015 that we decided to

“Be consistent, Be yourself ”

eos to pop up in someone’s “what to watch” section. So getting our name out there is going to be a serious goal for the New Year.

invest more in our channel. We’ve been focusing a lot on the quality of our videos and paying attention to what our viewers enjoy seeing from us. We’ve been working so hard on our videos and have been so proud of the content we’ve been putting out recently. In 2016 we want to keep up this hard work but try out different things on our channel and be more creative and unique with the videos we make. Aline: We also want to try to solidify our presence in the YouTube community itself, we want to build stronger relationships with fellow content creators and work at collaborating with them. At this point being able to be found is a big part of building our audience, with so many aspiring YouTubers it’s not easy for your vid-

Finally, what would be your advice to fellow aspiring YouTubers? Michelle: It takes a lot of work to become successful on YouTube these days so you have to absolutely love it to make it worthwhile. Don’t do it for the fame or for the money because that will get you nowhere. Make sure you’re being yourself and rocking what you’ve got because people can tell when you’re being fake. No one can ever be you, use that to your advantage! Aline: Be consistent. Be yourself. You’ll never get anywhere if you’re lazy because there are so many people wanting to do what you want to do but at the same time what’s the point if you’re not having fun? youtube.com/user/TwoYearsEightMonths 39

March Issue 86_2016

THE STAG STUDENT MAGAZINE UNIVERSITY OF SURREY