Photography, videos and podcasts - learn about our award winning digital content
Get Involved! who we are, what we do, and how you can be part of the team
‘Epigram isn’t just about writing’ Fortnightly September 2019
Freshers’ Issue
The University of Bristol’s Independent Student Newspaper
‘A recreational haven for much needed work breaks’ Giving you the low down on the best social study spaces Bristol has to offer
Photo courtesy of Bristol SU
Page 8
www.epigram.org.uk
@EpigramPaper
@EpigramPaper
@epigrampaper_
epigram 23.09.2019
2 Freshers’ Guide
Epigram: Bristol’s independent student publication Imogen Horton
to you. covered
stories
important
including
mental
healthcare provision, the
Co-Editor-in-Chief
treatment of Trans students
F
ounded in 1988
at the University and the
by current BBC
‘Cut the Rent’ campaign to
journalist, James
lower the cost of University
Landale, Epigram is the University of Bristol’s award winning student newspaper. Having won the NUS
accommodation. Within our 48 page publication fourteen
we
have
wide-ranging
Best Media Society Award
sections. From Film & TV
last year, as well as three
and Music, to Opinion and
Student
Publication
Sport, we cover every aspect
Awards,
we can proudly
of student life and in 2016
boast
that
is
became the first student
among the best of the UK’s
newspaper in the country
student media.
to introduce a wellbeing
Epigram
Being independent of
1988
Over the past year we have
section.
Our
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’.
1990
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 Awards
1997
Epigram reports on the introduction of tuition fees. The publication has since seen a stream of reports on this hotly-debated topic, with comment and features evaluating the pros and cons.
2006
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.
lifestyle
the University and Bristol
magazine, The Croft, gives
SU means that we are able
students tips and tricks on
to hold both institutions to
the best food, fashion and
account and write about the
fun days out in and around
issues that matter the most
Bristol.
Twitter / @BBCJLandale
Winner of NUS Best Media Society 2019 Over 300 editions, with stories regularly picked up by national media
•
Photo courtesy of ITV
•
2017
Former Online Editor, Hannah Price, launches her campaign Revolt Sexual Assault with Epigram. The campaign has now gone national.
2018/19
Epigram celebrates its 30th birthday in delivering top quality journalism to Bristol students.
epigram 23.09.2019
Freshers’ Guide 3
Blank campus: how Bristol the city changes the student experience Epigram / Patrick Sullivan
A bustling city simmering with post-summer activity is a challenging place to focus on studies, but it’s worth it for the sheer variety of life
Patrick Sullivan Co-Editor-in-Chief
A
rriving in Bristol, I looked forward to the independent living, socialising without
cooking, and general personal care.
relying on my parental taxi service, and
Looking after yourself shockingly takes
Therein lies one of the major
studying at one of the top academic
more time than you realise and is the
challenges the University and students
institutions in the world. The first two
number one priority to best represent
face year on year: keeping enough
can be experienced at any of the 167
yourself in Freshers’ Week and beyond.
focus on studies. A former Engineering
UK higher education providers, the
Finally, take an independent approach
professor of mine once explained the
third arguably also satisfied by the ten
to Freshers’ Fair and explore your
difference between Bristol and Bath
other UK universities featured in the
interests. It is classic advice, but do
University: ‘Students at Bath actually
top 100 of The Times Higher Education
not attach yourself too quickly to a
go to every lecture because they have
world rankings. What I did not predict
friendship group. Once you get past
nothing better to do within walking
was how much of my time I would
Second Week, you can form far more
distance.’ Alas, in Bristol you do, and
dedicate to simply keeping up with one
reliable relationships if you immerse
making most of both the valuable
of the most exciting cities in Europe.
yourself in one or two societies.
education and vibrant city, while
Freshers’
week
is
spend your time.
particularly
Right, after that diversion, it is
impossible to predict, especially if
time to move onto what makes UoB
looking after yourself, is a learning
nobody you know from home is also
different. Every weekend, especially
in the city. Here is a whistlestop tour of
in summer, there’s a food festival or a
community can be your antidote for
advice which applies to all personality
balloon fiesta or a giant slip and slide,
the high pressure environment of
types. Get to know your flatmates and
and every night there’s a must-see
academia. Escaping the library or labs
if you feel less comfortable on the fifth
gig, new beer garden, or a manic rave.
for a 20 minute stroll in the river breeze
day of living with them than you did
Sometimes, you also just want to soak
can reinvigorate a lull in energy, and
on the first, request to move flats.
in the sunshine on the Downs or one
one of the many festival weekends can
Find out where your nearest decent
of the other blissful green spaces. When
provide the motivation to get through
supermarket is because £3 meal deals
you take into account the tens of hours
Monday to Friday hard at work.
will squander your loan as much as
per week each module claims to require
It’s worth remembering we’re lucky
the £4 pints. Following that, pick a day
in independent work, it becomes an
not to be stuck on an indistinctive,
of the week for regular laundry, bulk
impossible equation to choose how to
homogeneous eyesore of a campus!
curve for every fresher here. The trick
is that
the Bristol
epigram 23.09.2019
4 Freshers’ Guide Imogen Horton 1st row, left
Epigram’s Senior Editors How our lives have changed
Co-Editor-in-Chief Third Year, History, News Editor 2018/19
Patrick Sullivan 1st row, 2nd left Co-Editor-in-Chief
Fifth Year, Engineering Design, Film & TV Editor 2018/19
Will Charley 2nd row, left Deputy Editor
Third Year, History, Comment Editor 2018/19
What did you most look forward to about university and what do you enjoy most about it now? TT (fresher): Learning to fend for myself in a new city and meeting people from all over the world. I also, like any good Fresher, made a long list of societies I definitely, 100% would join when I got to uni. Of course, I promptly decided to join none of them. TT (present): I love exploring more of Bristol each year and housesharing with friends I’ve known since First Year. I also feel myself slowly becoming the stereotypical cap-and-fleece wearing Bristol Uni student. WC: I couldn’t wait to join societies and get involved in student life. I wanted to try a sports initiation: that didn’t last! WC: Bristol as a city itself. I come from near London and could never have imagined planning to stay here.
Tom Taylor 1st row, centre left Digital Editor
Third Year, History, Deputy Features Editor 2018/19
Bethany Marris 2nd row, C/L Deputy Digital Editor Third Year, History, Online Music Editor 2018/19
How much do you love your subject?
What do you wear to a lecture?
EL: I actually originally applied to do Law at University and ended up doing History instead - I wasn’t really looking forward to studying it! EL: I am absolutely obsessed with History now and can’t wait to get started on my dissertation and get stuck into researching independently in archives.
IH: A well coordinated outfit decided the night before. Makeup perfectly done. No rush, no stress. IH: You would think living five minutes from uni would give me tonnes of time in the morning. Instead I just leave it even later to get there, most likely wearing what is closest in my wardrobe, with almost no hope of having brushed hair or makeup on.
Favourite place in Bristol? PS: The Apple for the 8.4 per cent Old B’ cider - £1 half pint student deal in 2015, now £2. PS: Most of the areas near the river, but Cargo in Wapping
OT: Reggaeton night at The Lanes. I honestly couldn’t deal with English clubbing music
Wharf is #1. Go to Southville to get away from the soon-stale Clifton areas. Watershed is a haven for any cinephiles, with a top notch cafe-bar.
when I first arrived! OT: Jason Donervan’s for sure. I have been known to randomly disappear and reappear with a kebab in my hand.
Where are you most likely to be found on a night out?
epigram 23.09.2019
Freshers’ Guide 5
& Business Team 2019/20 from Freshers’ Week to now
1st row, right
Edward Fraser
Finance Director
Second Year, Business Ads & Sales Assistant 2018/19 1st row, 2nd right
Olivia Tapper
Head of Communications
Second Year, English, Ads & Sales Assistant 2018/19
1st row, centre right
Emily Lowes
Managing Director
Third Year, History, Head of Marketing 2018/19 2nd row, C/R
Ben Bridgway
Head of Ads and Sales Second Year, History, New to Epigram this year
Favourite hobby?
Signature dish?
IH
EL
IH
EL
Netball My degree - only since Epigram took over my life!
Travel After a term abroad in Oz, still travel!
Spaghetti bolognese Pad thai
Pot noodles Shakshuka with olive bread
PS
OT
OT
PS Baking, travel Rugby Eating. I really Paper & pub like cake. WC
EF
Drums Making cocktails This paper, in Languages print & radio BB TT Boxing Sunday League Art, especially football & UK of late Imperial politics Russia Making BM short films, Ballet, running, writing and jazz/hip-hop photography Running, gigs, - mostly for writing - mostly Epigram! about music
Fish fingers Carrot cake and & oven chips red velvet cake Jambalaya Catered halls WC put my baking Chicken on hold: I made souvlaki a pretty solid Roast beef mug cake once.
TT
EF
Something wholesome and stodgy Something wholesome
Brownies Laziness and catered halls means my dish is my flatmate’s
and vegan
dhal curry!
BM
BB
Tuna stir-fry Rustlers burger Shakshuka Steak pie & with olive bread chips
2nd row, right
Rory Hosty
Head of Marketing
Third Year, Politics, New to Epigram this year
Beverage of choice? IH
EL
Anything Jagerbombs strong, with a Double vodka little mixer, in pineapple a water bottle OT Gin & tonic/ Coca-Cola prosecco Vodka with PS pink lemonade White wine EF Classic lager Hendricks G&T WC Isla Negra A quintuple Merlot from vodka cranberry Tesco - an Bloom G&T absolute deal!
TT
BB
San Miguel
Rum & coke Elderflower G&T Still rum & BM coke, but you Red wine can’t to go to Red wine, UoB and not always love Red Stripe
Business Team are still recruiting - get in touch if interested! managingdirector@ epigram.org.uk
epigram 23.09.2019
6 Freshers’ Guide
Write for both a friendly society and award-winning student newspaper No commitment or experience needed to begin on a path taken by some of the UK’s top journalists
Will Charley
join. Since becoming part of Epigram,
review restaurants, gigs and theatre, all
I have attended black tie balls, canapes
of which we can usually provide free
at art galleries and karaoke in bars,
press passes.
to name a few. Thinking of Epigram
Lastly,
we
will
help
you
to
W
socials, the local Wetherspoons comes
become a fantastic journalist. From
riting for Epigram gives
to mind, a place you will be sure to
famous alumni Susanna Reid (Good
you the power to alter the
familiarise yourself with.
Morning Britain) to William Lewis
Deputy Editor
way this entire University
In my first year I joined Epigram
(The Telegraph) to our founder, James
works. That is certainly one of the
and a competitive sporting society. Like
Landale (BBC), Epigram is the perfect
reasons why anyone would want to
many freshers, I thought doing a sport
place to gain experience writing.
write for this student newspaper. Many
was needed to fit in. But the reality is
On offer is advice, friendship and
University staff read Epigram, and
that any society, especially one such
regular commissions. In return, all we
articles get picked up by both local and
as Epigram, helps you to make lasting
ask is that you contribute to our project.
national press. Your findings, stories
friendships. Today, many of my friends
and opinions can all help to shape your
have been directly involved in Epigram.
commitment like some societies, and
university of at least three years. But it
Epigram
does
not
demand
For those high-flying freshers,
there is no fee to join. If you are still
Epigram means you can mix with some
unsure, come along to one of our
There are five of us in Epigram
of the most important people in Bristol:
writers’ meetings or socials: there is
Senior Team but we also have more
MPs, UoB hierarchy, SU Officers and
no expectation that you contribute.
than 50 editors and, most importantly,
members of the city’s community.
You may find yourself going into final
is so much more than that.
our writers. This newspaper is a team
For those uninterested in news
year, entirely absorbed by Epigram and
effort and that means we are a society
or current affairs, we offer you free
loving every minute. Sound familiar,
as much as any other group you may
food. On behalf of Epigram, you can
fellow Senior Team members?
Epigram
The independent student newspaper
Facebook Writers’ Groups Search ‘Epigram Arts Writers 2019/20’ on Facebook - all the sections follow the same format! News works differently so email newsteam.epigram@gmail.com to register your interest in writing.
News
Features
Opinion
SciTech
Film & TV
Arts
Music
Puzzles
Sport
The Croft
Our lifestyle mag!
Wellbeing
Real student experiences
Food
Tasty recipes & reviews!
Style
Fashion for the campus
Travel
Study breaks & years abroad
epigram 23.09.2019
Freshers’ Guide 7
Getting creative with digital: how Epigram is more than just writing
Tom Taylor
Awards. We launched a brand new
suit the digital age. If you are thinking
website and improved how we share
of entering the creative industries,
ince the advent of the
our work on Facebook and Instagram.
Epigram is a perfect place to learn the
internet and the relatively
As a society, we listened to students
skills you will need to succeed.
recent explosion of social
who told us that it was sometimes hard
media, the way news is consumed has
to find the time to sit down and read a
been transformed. Some have argued
newspaper and so we adapted how we
that this ‘new media’, widely accessible
use video, photography and graphics to
and with an emphasis on visuals,
convey information.
Digital Editor
S
signalled the death of the newspaper.
This year we want to grow our
But for Epigram, the story has been
digital presence by creating engaging
quite the opposite.
videos for Instagram, Twitter and
We provide the cameras, video editing
software,
training
and
“
We need videographers, photographers, web-developers and podcast producers to help make all this possible.
Bringing together industry-standard
Facebook; launching The Epigram
creative software, accomplished web
Podcast on Spotify and designing
developers and Digital Editors, Epigram
a
has embraced new wave journalism
Epigram isn’t just about writing. We
and provides a platform for award-
need videographers, photographers,
winning online content. We can now
web-developers and podcast producers
equipment, all you need to bring is
bring student journalism directly to our
to help make all this possible.
an appetite to tell engaging stories to
smartphone
app.
“
readers, letting students see and hear
tailored-made
In 2018, 69 per cent of individuals
the students and lecturers around you.
consumed news online in Britain, more
If you see a student protest marching
Last year, Epigram won Best Website
than three times the 2007 statistic.
down Park Street and instinctively
and Best Digital Media in the United
Media companies across the world
reach for your phone - you have what
Kingdom at the Student Publication
are rapidly adapting their content to
it takes to be a digital journalist.
the stories unfolding around them.
epigram 23.09.2019
Photo courtesy of Arnolfini
8 Freshers’ Guide
Bristol’s best social study spaces There are plenty of serene locations beyond the subject libraries for you get into your study groove.
Bethany Marris
elevator. Senate’s fourth floor, however,
there is of course the option of
has recently undergone a makeover,
extracting yourself from the uni
and alongside a quiet, spacious study
bubble.
room, it now boasts the ‘SU Living
location is the ground floor library
Room’.
An
arguably
underrated
A recreational haven for
of the Arnolfini contemporary art
much needed work breaks, the Living
gallery. Although primarily designed
excitement
Room offers free tea and coffee,
for UWE’s art students, the Arnolfini
of meeting new people,
video games, books and ping-pong.
library is open to the public, and has
bars
Immediately west of Senate House
a tranquil, comfortable and inclusive
and exploring the many facets of
sits The Hawthorns. With a generous
atmosphere to work in. Spacious desks,
Bristol, there’s still work to be done.
long opening hours and harbourside
in a library frantically trying to get it
The Arnolfini makes even the most monotonous study days pleasant.
done can be unpleasant. Alternatively,
offering of seats in three different
Cafe Kino offers a laid back vibe,
asking coursemates to join you at
study environments, unless it’s peak
good coffee and excellent vegan
one of the University’s many social
exam season, finding a seat in The
food. A winning combination, right?
study spots can be a great way
Hawthorns is usually no bother at
Kino’s reasonable prices and
to build friendships and beat any
all. With a friendly environmentally
amiable staff certainly reduce the
inklings
A
midst
the
discovering
new
Finding that you’ve been set a whole host of readings, work-sheets and practical tasks to do independently can be daunting, and sitting silently
“
“
Deputy Digital Editor
views on its doorstep, the Arnolifini makes even the most monotonous study days that little bit more pleasant. Further out of the city centre in Bristol’s cultural corner, Stokes Croft,
loneliness.
conscious cafe at the front and two
guilt of ditching the packed-lunch
Situated in the heart of the Clifton
quieter library spaces at the rear, The
for a tastier alternative. The cafe
campus is Senate House. With potential
Hawthorns is utilised and enjoyed by
is also worth keeping an eye on
workspaces on all five-floors, it’s
students, tutors and professors alike.
as a venue, as it regularly plays
tricky to know where to hop out of the
Aside from these campus gems,
of
first-term
hosts
to
poets
and
musicians.