Fresher’s Edition The University of Bristol’s Independent Student Newspaper 24th September 2018
WELCOME TO BRISTOL!
...from Bristol Uni’s only student-run, independent and award winning student newspaper INSIDE: Freshers Guide, tips and tricks from our editorial team, who we are, what we do, and how you can get involved!
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Epigram 24.09.2018
Who are we?
INTRODUCING: Epigram’s new Senior Team
The freshers of two years ago...
From left to right: Nikki Peach, Kate Hutchison, Cameron Scheijde, Ed Southgate, Oliver Cohen, Hannah Worthington (Epigram / Alex Boulton)
Ed Southgate
co-Editor-in-Chief Third Year, English • •
Previous role: Comment Editor First Epigram article: ‘Political correctness has no place at university’ Comment
Cameron Scheijde
Hannah Worthington
Third Year, Politics & IR
Third Year, English & Theatre
co-Editor-in-Chief • •
Previous role: Online Comment Editor First Epigram article: ‘The street preachers on Woodland Road are very annoying’ - Comment
Online Editor • •
Previous role: Online Style Editor First Epigram article: A collation of gym wear pieces to have for the new year - Style
Nikki Peach
Oliver Cohen
Kate Hutchison
Third Year, English
Third Year, Theoretical Physics
Third Year, Philosophy
Deputy Editor
• •
Previous role : News Editor First Epigram article: ‘Charities are not just for Christmas’ - Features
Deputy Online Editor • •
Previous role: Deputy Science & Tech Editor First Epigram article: ‘What Trump means for Climate Change’ - Science
Deputy Online Editor • •
Previous role: Deputy Music Editor First Epigram article: ‘Review: Factory Floor @ Bristol Aquarium’ - Music
Epigram 24.09.2018
Who are we?
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Epigram: Bristol’s independent student publication • •
Winner of SPA Best Publication 2017 Over 300 editions, with a many stories being picked up by national media
Ed Southgate
E
is
halls reform, and mental health
provision
at
the
University. In
co-Editor-in-Chief pigram
pensions - the controversial
2017,
launched
Epigram its
14
the
conversations, which sought
of
to break down the stigma
Bristol’s award-
against mental health. A
winning student newspaper,
number of prominent MPs,
founded in 1988 by James
such as Nicky Morgan,
Landale. We provide high-
voiced their support of this.
University
quality journalism, achieved
Amongst our 48 page
precisely because we are not
publication, you will find
affiliated with either the
fourteen dedicated sections:
University or Bristol SU.
News, Features, Comment,
This allows us to hold both
Science & Tech, Living,
institutions to account on
Wellbeing,
the issues that concern and
Travel, Arts, Music, Film
matter to you.
& TV, Puzzles, & Sport.
In the past 12 months
Whether
Food,
you
Style.
want
contribute for us, or simply
extensively
UCU
just read our pages to keep
which saw our
up to date with what is
lecturers walk out due to
going on, we have got you
a nationwide dispute over
covered.
strikes -
(Twitter / @BBCJLandale)
1990
(Twitter / @susannareid100)
Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid becomes Editor in Chief, during which Epigram is shortlisted for Best Student Publication in The Guardian/ NUS Student Journalism
1997
Epigram reports on the introduction of tuition fees. The publication has sice seen a stream of reports on this hotlydebated topic, with comment and features evaluating the pros and cons.
2006
to
alone, we have covered the
1988
Epigram is founded by James Landale, now a Senior BBC journalist. In his mission statement, Landale says: ‘It’s your paper. Read it, write for it, eat your fish and chips out of it’.
2017
Epigram reports appeals from History students against a new teaching system. The story was picked up by the BBC, The Times and The Telegraph, setting a precedent for Epigram’s journalism making national headlines.
Former Online Editor, Hannah Price, launches her campaign Revolt Sexual Assault with Epigram. The campaign has now gone national. (Revolt Sexual Assault)
2018
Epigram celebrates its 30th anniversary of delivering top quality journalism to Bristol students
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How to get involved
Epigram 24.09.2018
Get involved with the words... •
•
Epigram has a team of over 100 editors, writers and business team Anyone can get involved with Epigram
(though basic literacy might be of service). You could be an engineer wanting to review your favourite Bristolian pizza restaurant or a linguist weighing in
Nikki Peach
on culture and diversity in
Deputy Editor
G
student halls; essentially,
etting involved with
anything goes.
Bristol’s
Our paper is distributed
s t u d e n t
once a fortnight and we online
Email us at getinvolved.epigram@gmail.com with any further questions
newspaper is not as difficult
operate
or intimidating as it may
so make sure you like our
everyday have, ranging from news,
concerns answered. Once
seem. Firstly, you do not
Facebook page to keep
features and comment to
you have written one or two
have to be doing any
up to date with student
arts, music and sport.
you will see how easy and
specific degree or have any
journalism. Facebook is also
There is a list online of
rewarding it is to have your
experience writing articles
where you can find links to
our editorial team and they
work published and digested
all the different sections we
are the people to get in
by the student body. Please
touch with if you want to
get in touch if you want to
be commissioned an article
know anything else, we look
idea, share one of your own
forward to working with
or just have any queries or
you!
Contact an editor
To write for a particular section, contact the editor via Facebook, or join the writers group by searching ‘Epigram [section name] contributors 2018/19’ News Imogen Horton Features Ollie Smith Comment Jake Porter Science & Technology Bethany Harris Living Hope Riley Wellbeing Jasmine Burke Food Laila Freeman
Travel Amelia Edgell-Cole Style India Harrison-Pepe Puzzles Ruby Rosenthal Arts Alina Young Film & TV Patrick Sullivan Music Alexia Kirov Sport Henry Edwards
How to get involved 5
Epigram 24.09.2018
... or with the numbers! Contrary to popular belief and folk legend, Epigram is not all about writing and editing. To ensure we even exist, we have a sterling business team who want your help! Team,
Frances McNab Managing Director
W
e
and
ensures
joining the Epigram team.
and marketing perspective.
Bristol, and have taken up
decisions about the content The
Business
Team
university life.
Director
and
Communications.
of
These
Business Team allows you
roles
to build your confidence
three teams: Ads and Sales;
and
Marketing;
as
part
of
are
Head
supported and
by
Finance.
small-
and
large-scale
Within these teams we
teams,
while
providing
have roles as Assistants,
you
recommend
We are looking for applicants for the following roles:
and distribution of Epigram. is led by the Managing
work
develop new ones. I would thoroughly
the Editorial Team, making
the
of my course, as well as
in my second year at
enthusiastic
with
to build on skills outside
university.
succeeds from a financial
and make a contribution to Working
The experience enabled me
is distributed across the
Ads and Sales Assistant
looking for
who want to be a part of,
Director in my final year.
key to ensuring Epigram
Epigram
We also collaborate with
people,
the position of Managing
of Head of Distribution is
I joined Epigram as an
are
committed
Team. Additionally, the role
with
real
business
as well as opportunities
experience.
The
Business
for promotion to Head of
•
Ads and Sales Assistant
•
Marketing Assistant
•
Finance Assistant
•
Head of Distribution Head to epigram.org.uk for more details, or contact our Managing Director, Frances McNab, at
fm16462@my.bristol.ac.uk with any further questions
NO EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED!
Epigram 24.09.2018
6 Freshers’ Guide
Beautiful Bristol Top tips to get the best out of the best city in the world Cameron Scheijde
at the years that are yet
co-Editor-in-Chief
W
to come. Though no one
elcome
to
pretends that Uni is in any
most
way easy, here are my tips to
difficult,
getting the best out of your
interesting,
time here in Bristol.
the
exciting,
challenging and exhilirating years
of
your
1. Explore
life.
You’d be surpised at how
Congratualtions on getting
few students escape the
your grades and choosing
confines of their halls or
societies and opporunities
you can do is engage with
Bristol; it truly is one of the
flats in Cotham, Clifton and
at Bristol you literally don’t
other
most beautiful, colourful and
Stoke Bishop and actually
have the time to do all the
course mates, lecturers and
vibrant cities in the world,
get to know the city more.
things you actually want
Bristolians. Find out what
and whether you’re here for
Wander into Stokes Croft
to
wanted
events are happening in
three, four or five years, you
for an open mic night, go
to try pottery? Now you
the city and go along, it’s a
will be proud to call this city
for a gander around the
can. Fancy yourself the
great opportunity to escape
home.
Cathedral and soak in the
next Matt Lucas? Contact
the student bubble.
I remember when I was in
surroundings, walk up to
DramSoc. Want to be an
your position two years ago;
the suspension bridge and
award-winning journalist?
wishing the M4 would last
into Leigh Woods, explore
Write for us.
forever as the car thundered
what makes Bristol such an
3. Engage
towards the West country.
incredible city.
This was the hardest one
degree - but Uni is about so
do.
Always
people;
flatmates,
4. Don’t take yourself too seriously Yes, you’re here to get a
2. Get involved
for me as I hate talking
much more than that. Don’t
feel nervous, terrified and
And I’m not just wanting
to people (great start to
get too focussed on grades -
aprehensive about starting
you to write for us (though
a
I
focus instead on your own
Uni - but you should
I definitely want you to do
know). However, one of
wellbeing and everything
definitely feel excitement
that). There are so many
the most rewarding things
else will fall into place.
It’s
perfectly
natrual
to
journalistic
career,
Epigram 24.09.2018
Freshers’ Guide
‘Your time at uni is worth a lot more than the first term’
If you are struggling, there are a number of services to help you... Bristol nightline (8pm-8am): 01179 266 266 Student Health Service Big White Wall (register with Bristol email): bighwhitewall. org.uk Samartians: 116 116 Off The Record: 0808 808 9120
My advice for freshers and at times overwhelming
Nikki Peach
7
fits all.
flip flops in the shower and
experience. Interestingly, I
You are now living in a
how to make a non-bread-
think my indifference to it
new place with (potentially)
based meal, I can guarantee
I
served me well. That would
new people, which is really
someone, somewhere feels
am one of the
perhaps be the advice I
exciting! For some of you
exactly
few people I
wish I was given: have no
joining sports teams, art
Essentially, everything and
know who neither loved
expectations and hope for
societies and theatre groups
nothing matters in the early
nor hated freshers’ week.
the best. Do not worry what
comes without thought or
stages. If you sit next to
Most people either thrived
everyone else is doing, what
hesitation but for those less
someone nice in your first
in an atmosphere of 24/7
your friends from home are
outgoing and sure of their
lecture and promise to live
socialising or desperately
doing or what your teacher’s
interests, feeling comfortable
with them in a two-bed
sought
brother’s
did
in a new environment is
flat during second year, it is
repetitive listing of name,
when they were at Bristol in
not as straightforward. If at
likely that you never speak
course and where you’re
1995. I recommend getting
any point you are feeling
or make eye contact with
from. Only for it to be
involved with as many
lonely,
or
them again. And if you meet
followed by, ‘oh, that’s not
things as possible but by no
disappointed then make sure
an amazing person on the
in London? Where’s that?’.
means feel pressured to try
you reach out to someone
last bus home on your first
The whole first term of
everything. Freshers’ week
in
accommodation
night, it is equally likely
University can be an intense
is definitely not one size
whether that be a friend,
you could be friends with
flatmate or member of
them for the rest of your life.
staff. Alternatively, there
In want of a better cliché,
are hundreds of online
try and break out of your
communities at Bristol and
comfort
you can always talk to
yourself to people, join
people there.
societies that interest you
Deputy Editor
D
isclaimer:
to
avoid
the
neighbour
your
apprehensive
the
same
zone.
way.
Introduce
Whether you have been
and turn up to a few of
lucky in finding someone
your tutorials. But always
you get on well with in the
remember that your time
first few weeks or you are
at university is worth a lot
struggling to get used to
more than the first term.
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Epigram 24.09.2018
Freshers’ Guide
Bristol’s top spots 5 places you must visit this year Ed Southgate
co-Editor-in-Chief
A
s
you
will
you a nice intorduction to
of strangers you met at
provides the perfect place
the city.
the club - probably Lakota
for
- back round for afters
unwind and relax, either
because of how nice they are!
alone
1. Stokes Croft
those
wanting
or
with
to
friends.
hear time and
2. The Triangle
4. Gloucester Road
again,
With impressive graffiti
and probably say to others
and a skanky night out
at some point yourselves,
assured, Stokes Croft is
For a classic student
Bristol is great for the
perfect for you DnB fanatics.
night out, you will find
diversity of its city. When
Here you will find clubs
yourself
we say there is something
such as Blue Mountain and
to one of the Triangle’s
independent
for everyone, we really
Lakota - past headliners
cheesy but loveable clubs.
Bristol at its finest! In
mean it - in every possible
from
include
The best part about The
summer,
way.
Chris Lorenzo, DJ Zinc,
Triangle is probably the
annual
Macky Gee and Ed Solo.
or
Summer Street Party which
can
also mustn’t be missed.
time
Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert,
Stokes
which
Croft
is
favourite
going
down
Jason
Donnervan’s
a
Takka
Takka
you
of
treat
yourself
to
A
long,
long
road
with an array of brilliant
it
shops
-
hosts
Gloucester
the Road
looking for a sesh or some
personal
after!
quiet time, Bristol has got
mine. It is somewhere I
you covered. Below I list just
feel comfortable and know
five of the best things that
I will have a good time.
you can and should do with
You also meet some of
The clubbing scene is
theatres and music venues,
your time here. This list is
the friendliest people here;
not, and need not, be for
harbourside is yet another
in no way exhaustative - it
everyone is there for a good
everyone though. Clifton
place to go to relax and
would be impossible to tell
time and it is so easy to
Village, with its beautiful
just chill. Notorious down
you everything Bristol has
make friends. So easy that
architecture,
there
to offer as there is so much
I would not be surprised if
coffee
the
famous cider bar on a
- but hopefully it will give
you end up having a group
Clifton Suspension Bridge
boat which you must visit.
5. Harbourside 3. Clifton Village With beautiful pubs ,
shops,
independent and
is
The
Apple,
a