Impact Magazine #253

253

M Nott ap of ingh insi am de

WELCOME S YOU TO

‘Tackling your Freshers’ Week Fears’ ‘The David Ross Sports Village - An unnecessary expense or a fortress for the future?’

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IMPACT

A letter from the...

EDITOR IN

CHIEF

INTRO

“

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Hello everyone and welcome to the very first issue of Impact for the 2018-19 academic year!

We’ve got an exciting year ahead with a new committee, new ideas and a new focus; making Impact more interactive and most importantly, more representative of our students and their diversity.

Welcome Week (or Freshers’ week) is a time in which we can welcome some new faces to our campus and guide them towards having a great time as they undergo university life. For the rest of our students I wish you all a great year and encourage you to keep striving for greatness (made only better if you choose to contribute to Impact.)

For those first years who are eager to experience Nottingham at its finest, this issue aims to showcase the best of Nottingham, as our writers comment on the best places to visit in town from food to music venues and arty-places, all of which are on our map of Notts to keep for your reference.

For the Freshers, News Editor Marvel Kalu surveys Nottingham students on their Freshers’ fears and solutions. Impact Features editor Shanai Momi compiles a quiz to determine your ‘clubber identity’, whilst Sofia Dagorret takes on Natasha Fernandes to give her sober Freshers’ week experience as she debunks the myth that university is only fun when under the influence of alcohol. Impact Lifestyle Science contributor Abby Allwood also comments on student health and why the common ‘Freshers’ flu’ should not be left untreated.

For those returning students we consider the importance of mental health and friendships.

Impact Features contributor Jo Ralphs investigates eating disorders amongst students here at Nottingham and challenges the University into doing more, whilst Impact’s TV and Film Editor Nicolas Caballero, discusses music therapy in relation to tackling our mental health problems.

Regarding friendships, Katie Moncur comments on ‘procrastivacation’ and encourages us to make the most of traveling to see friends and other cities around the UK. Impact Entertainment highlight the issues with television series and films and its accuracy on representing University life, and Arts Editor Esther Kearney interviews the beloved Nottingham independent bookstore ‘Five Leaves’ in understanding how we keep these businesses alive.

As for our Sport section, Tristan Simpson discusses the expense of the David Ross Sports Village both financially and physically on the University’s sport societies, and whether the investment was really worth it.

I’m delighted to be able to kick off this first issue of Impact for the new academic year and am super excited for what is in store for the future whilst being Impact’s Editor-in-Chief. University is a time to be creative, so why not use your creativity to contribute to our magazine both for online and print?

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Here’s to a happy 2018/19 academic year!

Emma Heasman

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IMPACT

Contents News Tackling Your Freshers’ Week Fears What To Do If It’s An Unofficial Ticket Are We A ‘Sensible Generation’?

Impact Magazine - Who Even Are You? The 1, 2, 3’s of STDs

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Features Freshers’ Week: Sober Vs. Drunk How To Slay Your Curriculum Vitae Hotspots Every Fresher Should Visit An Ode To Our Favourite Places In Notts What Type Of Clubber Are You? Online Dating - Friend or Foe? The Freshers Memory Archives What Should Uni Do To Help With Eating Disorders

14 16 17 18 20 23 24 26

Lifestyle Exposure Photography - ‘Summer Holidays’ Planes, (High Speed) Trains And Automobiles Why Freshers Aren’t So Fresh Procrastivacation A Foodie’s Guide To Nottingham Impact’s Style Saviours Charlie’s Corner

28 33 34 36 38 39 40

Entertainment The Therapeutic Power Of Music Music Hotspots In Nottingham Society’s Obsession With Reality TV - What Does This Say About Us? Films And University - Are Films Presenting A Warped Reality?

Is This The End Of Co-Op Gaming?

Gaming Hotspots In Notts An Interview With Five Leaves: Awards, Rebellion, And The Comeback Of Independent Bookshops Arty Outings For Your Aesthetic Pleasure

42 44 45 46 48 49 50 51

Sports The David Ross Sports Village - An Unecessary Expense Or A Fortress For The Future Is Women’s Sport Overshadowed At Nottingham University?

How Wide Is The Gender Gap In Professional Sports?

Can Forest Finally Fly High Again?

Can League Two Rival The Championship Displays Over The Trent?

There’s More To Nottingham Than Football

52 54 55 56 57 58

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MMA

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FOX

WOLLATON

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Rough Trade

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& Pendulum

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WEST BRIDGFORD

MAP KEY: NOTTINGHAM

MMA

NOTTINGHAM MIXED MARTIAL ARTS, Roden Street see page 54

LOGICLOCK ESCAPE ROOMS, Trinity Walk see page 49

FAT CAT, Chapel Bar see page 17

WOLLATON PARK see page 51

FOX

SAVOY CINEMA, Derby Road see page 17 Rough Trade M NOTTINGHA

ROUGH TRADE, Broad Street see page 44

YE OLDE TRIP TO JERUSALEM, Brewhouse Yard see page 51

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MOTORPOINT ARENA, Bolero Square see page 17 & 54

FOX CAFE, Pelham Street see page 38

ANNIE’S BURGER SHACK, Broadway see page 38 Pit

& Pendulum

glee

PIT & PENDULUM, Victoria Street see page 51

THE GLEE CLUB, Canal Street see page 17

NEWS

Marvel Kalu

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Tackling your Freshers’ Week fears

Every year, as summer comes to a close reality dawns on thousands of students across the country- the fact that they are about to start university. So, here’s some tips and advice from our students who’ve been through it all.

Whilst university can be an exciting time for many, it can also be quite daunting, with new experiences opening up anxieties about what to expect in the weeks and years ahead. But worry no more. Impact have put together a survey full of advice from uni students who have been through it all, letting you know that you are not alone.

HOMESICKNESS One of the biggest hurdles to overcome as a student is homesickness. It is something that all of us face whether a fresher or a postgrad. When surveying students, it seems that the biggest solution is to keep in contact with family and friends from home.

Did you feel homesick?

“I would advise new students to make at least one good friend and regularly contact your family to make yourself feel better” While the initial goodbye and seeing your parent’s car drive off into the distance may make you teary, it’s important to remember why you’re here and make the most of your university experience. You’ll get used to it eventually, we promise.

40% 60%

“Facetime your parents and speak to them because it feels like you never left once they start lecturing you.”

It’s no surprise that living on your own for the first time can take some getting used to initially, so some students go home on the weekends until they feel settled enough to stay in their accommodation for longer periods of time. According to our survey, the greatest irritation for 25% of returning students is being made to conform to old rules. Having experienced so much, home life can seem to have stood frustratingly still.

No

Yes

“I didn't feel homesick during freshers’ week because I was too busy to think of home!

My advice would be to throw yourself into it, enjoy meeting new people and immerse yourself into every opportunity you're given”

SETTLING IN

When did you finally feel comfortable at uni?

16% 37%

16%

Another fear most students have is wondering how long it will take them to settle in and feel comfortable in a new setting with new people. Whilst some students admitted it took them anything from a few months to even a full year, it is reassuring that the majority of those surveyed felt comfortable within a couple of weeks.

31%

Less than a week 1 - 6 months

1 - 2 weeks About a year

“I felt comfortable within a week. Everyone was friendly and feeling exactly the same way as me so it was easy to settle in.”

“I felt most comfortable after Christmas because I knew what I was coming back to - I’d made friends, joined societies and had a life for myself to get back to.”

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IMPACT

COOKING Settling into your uni room is a sign that independent living has officially begun, and for self-catered students, this means a new hurdle: cooking for yourself. Whether you can navigate around a kitchen naturally or you’re more of a takeaway student, it’s no surprise that ensuring you’re eating well and regularly will be a challenge.

“I’m the oldest child so I was used to it, but most times laziness won.”

Even if you’re not self-catered, our student survey revealed that 25% voted that maintaining a healthy diet and being satisfied by the quality of the food can still be very difficult.

“It was nice having the food cooked for you and was very sociable going to the dining hall with friends but the food itself was mediocre, you just have to appreciate the times when it was really good!”

“In hindsight the food was unhealthy and what could have been a balanced diet was ruined by the way healthy foods were prepared.”

How did you find cooking for yourself?

How did you find catered food?

18%

29%

44% 25%

59%

12%

13%

Average

Awful

Easy

Nice

N/A - Catered

What tips would you give for budgeting?

Difficult

N/A Catered

BUDGETING By late October and early November when the dark nights draw in, home supplies are running low and money is dwindling. This is when you start to wish that you didn’t buy those needless clothes and all those Chinese takeaways. Coming into university most students have not had the responsibility of having to manage their own finances, proving that budgeting is another major hurdle for students to overcome.

Whilst 31% suggested that spreadsheets are the way forward, a massive 50% of our students believed that keeping your accounts separate is the easiest way to ensure money is being spent on the

19%

right things.

31%

“I made a weekly expenditure spreadsheet. My top tip would be to plan how much money you have for essentials and how much for nice things.”

50%

Separate accounts and allowances

LOL What budget?

Make a spreadsheet/ use an app

A recent survey conducted by the money advice site Save the Student, found that the average student gets £138.50 from the Bank of Mum and Dad each month. Understandable when around 20% of our surveyed students admitted that they have no budget or spend money to make themselves “look cool” “Don’t go broke trying to look cool £60 a week is more than enough.”

“LOOOOOOOOOOOL what budget?”

NEWS

FIRST FRESHERS’ NIGHT OUT Having a few drinks with new people is fun and a way to break the ice, but your first night isn’t the time to go overboard – it may not end well.

Whilst 56% said that their first night was incredible, many stated that most important thing is not getting drunk but rather making the most of meeting new friends, and more importantly, maintaining the ones you’ve made.

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How was your first night out as a fresher?

6% 21%

“It was fun, I went out with all the people on my corridor in halls to Ocean. We dressed up in Baywatch t-shirts and had a really good time”

17%

“Everyone just wanted to have a good time and people were a lot more caring than you would expect - everyone looked out for each other.”

56%

If you don’t drink or simply don’t enjoy clubbing, don’t fear. There will be a range of activities on offer apart from drinking or clubbing related events. Get involved where you feel comfortable.

“I have never been on a night out because, as a practising Muslim, drinking / clubbing isn’t really for me.”

Strange/Felt anxious

LIT

Boring

Didn’t go out - Clubbing isn’t for me

What are your top tips for making new friends?

MAKING FRIENDS During Freshers’ Week, meeting new people and forming friendships can be quite daunting at first. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, 71% of our students recommend joining societies and putting yourself out there as much as you can, indicating this is the best way to secure friendships. Whilst 29% recommend just being yourself.

29%

36%

“I went to a “break the ice” type event held by the Islamic society because I knew this would be the easiest way to find people similar to me.”

“Be yourself! People will gravitate towards you more when you are yourself”

35%

Join Societies

Talk to everyone and stay sociable

Just be yourself

How was the jump from 6th form to university?

THE JUMP BETWEEN SIXTH FORM AND UNI There’s no denying that undergraduate life is very different from sixth form.

Instead of 30 other students in one room, there may be over 100 students in a lecture. You’ll have longer essays to write, more reading to do and, annoyingly, more distractions to keep you procrastinating when you should be studying. However, should you get there and find you’re struggling, there will be many places you can go to for help. From your Students’ Union representatives and your lecturers to the University’s dedicated Student Support Services, there will be plenty of people who are there to listen to

10% 11% 37%

42%

you.

“The tutors are all very supportive and know what it is like so are always there to talk to if you are struggling.”

Not bad

Difficult

Unexpected

Difficult - but not for academic reasons

As Welcome week comes to a close and you start to settle in to uni life we hope these tips and advice comes in useful for the rest of your stay. Enjoy and don’t worry, we’ve all been there!

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IMPACT

What to do if it’s an L A I C I F F O N U ticket Marvel Kalu

Plenty of companies want your partying cash in the lead-up to uni. Here’s how to make sure you spend it on the right ticket.

Before starting university, many students join an online freshers’ week group, or “like” a Facebook page connected to their new university – it’s the perfect way to meet fellow students and get information before moving in.

However, some events companies targeted at freshers use misleading branding to lure in students by creating an illusion of credibility. Private events companies use savvy online branding which can easily deceive.

Your Students’ Union will be working hard to ensure that there will be a range of events for you at University during freshers’ week. They may have also set up a Facebook page, group or event to help you meet people in the lull before university starts and get advice from current students. These official channels are the safest way to connect to others and attend events.

Don’t allow yourself to be pressured by claims that events will run out soon – try to speak to current students to see what they enjoyed during freshers’ week and find out what events your flatmates and course mates are going to.

Top tips for ensuring you’re safe:

1. Before entering your card details on a website, ensure the link is secure:

There should be a padlock symbol in the browser window frame, which appears when you attempt to log in or register. If the padlock is on the website’s page this will probably indicate a fraudulent site.

2. Keep a safe record of your personal information:

To ensure you are not vulnerable to identity theft, do not be casual with your personal details; keep a safe record of info e.g. driving licence, passport details. Some banks and credit card companies offer a registration service, but it is often chargeable.

3. Do not give out personal information unless you are 100% sure of validity:

Be suspicious of calls or messages that ask for any personal information, passwords, PIN numbers of account details. Do not give out such information unless you are 100% sure of the validity of the request.

4. Contact your bank straight away:

Destroy papers carrying bank details, keep your receipts when necessary and destroy them, and destroy old cards by cutting through the chip and magnetic strip. If you’re unsure of any transactions, contact your bank straight away.

5. Update your address information:

When moving into your student accommodation update your information inform all the organisations you deal with of your new address and arrange for the post office to forward on your mail. You don't want a bank statement, new credit card or any other personal mail to be sent to an address you no longer live at, where anyone could take and open your post.

The best way to stay safe and smart with your money during freshers is to follow events that are advertised by the SU. Keep up to date with friends to make sure that they are attending these events and you’ll be guaranteed a great night.

If you need any financial advice there is a Santander located on University Park and in close proximity is Student Services.

NEWS

Are we a ‘Sensible Generation’?

Nicolas Caballero Nico discusses the release of a recent report commenting on the shift of young adults’ priorities outlooks on life, ultimately labelling them as the “sensible generation”.

Often, our generation is categorised as being the “sensible generation”; a term which is extremely vague. In general terms it evokes a state of always being offended, being more averse to social interaction if not through a smartphone screen, and being wary of sex and romantic interests. Many have simply discredited this typecasting as purely stereotypical and with no hard evidence, but now a new report by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service provides some statistics about teenage habits and lifestyle to describe the life of this “sensible generation”.

The report was released in July and marks several key points in the areas of Social interaction, Outlook and aspiration, alcohol consumption, and SRE (sexual relationship education) and contraception for a number of 16-18 year olds. The main driver behind this research is an attempt to understand the drop in teenage pregnancy rates this past decade, which are now at their lowest ever level.

This generation according to the report are more family-oriented and more likely to spend time with family and friends than previous generations. It was also noted that many teens (over 80% of the surveyed) are marking their future and education as a top priority as well as a significant number (68% of

the surveyed) marking family and friends as a top priority.

In terms of social interaction, it seems online has become the main form of communication in the majority of teenage relationships.

Two-thirds of the respondents said they spoke to their friends online four times a week or more, while less than a quarter agreed they speak to them regularly in person outside of school/ work setting. In the domain of relationships, the use of technologies has also become more important as 44% of respondents agreed that ‘sexting’ was part of a healthy sex life.

Many considered it a precursor or replacement to sexual relationships.

a light on shifting priorities.

While these reports are not strictly analysing university students, they say a lot about the habits and socialising of incoming Freshers.

Third year English student Emma Heasman stated: “I think these results only show younger people are making full use of technology and education in order to improve every relationship in their life and make wise choices about their future”. She continues, “this rejects some of the negative ideas related to this “sensible generation”, if anything it shows we’re more aware of the world around us and that we’re more forward-thinking.”

Alcohol consumption also seems to be decreasing with 69% of the surveyed saying they drink 6 units or less on a typical occasion, and 50% saying they drink 4 or less. In terms of sex education, those surveyed who reported their SRE experience as “good” were less likely to have had sex than those that rated it as “poor”.

Second-year student Katie Moncur said: “teenagers are being more educated from a younger age, and therefore develop healthier living habits early on and carry them on for life in university later.”

These reports were aimed at explaining lowering sex and pregnancy rates in teenagers, but they go a long way in demystifying stereotypes attached to our generation. The fact that lowering sex rates in teenagers and more online interaction is happening at the same time as more forward-looking and family-centered lifestyle is becoming the norm, sheds

Overall, it is clear that this report is optimistic that this change in lifestyle for young adults will not only lead to further decline in teenage pregnancy but other negative habits developing early in life.

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IMPACT

Magazine

- Who even are you?

Emma Heasman Emma, our Editor in Chief, introduces Impact Magazine, what we do and how print is really made Who we are?

Impact Magazine is The University of Nottingham’s official student magazine which has been published in many forms and under various names since its first edition in 1939. After a new committee change this year, our Impact team is bigger than ever, with a group of keen and hardworking managers, designers and editors totalling just over 30 people, supported

What we do?

We pride ourselves in running a 24 hour, 365 days a year website featuring articles from all of our sections: News, Features, Lifestyle, Entertainment, Reviews and Sport. Along with this we also release five print issues a year, supplying readers with the latest news, commentary and advice. For those who want to learn more, this is how Impact print works!

by a wide range of contributors.

Step 1- Thinking of content: First things first, to fill a magazine, we need content! The Print Editor and I contact our section heads to discuss ideas for the magazine.

These ideas come from both our section heads and our contributors.

The ideas are then entered onto a spreadsheet which everyone can

Step 2- Let’s get writing!: Once we are all happy with the ideas, the heads of section delegate to their contributors, offering articles out to be written by a set deadline.

access and discuss.

Step 4- Editing (the long part): Once our editors have collected and formatted their content, it is sent back to the Print Editor and myself to edit and make any final changes.

Step 5: Our un-sung heroes- The design team: What would a magazine be if we didn’t have designers? Next, the finalised content gets sent to our design team. In charge of the cover, content, fonts, photographs and illustrations, they work hard to ensure our magazine is as organised, colourful and creative as ever.

Step 3- Anyone want to advertise?: What many people do not realise, is that Impact isn’t just writers! We also have a team of hardworking managers. Whilst content is being written, our managers are busy contacting companies and securing deals for paid advertisements in our magazine (both online and print).

Step 6: It’s printing time!: Once the designing has been confirmed and everyone’s happy, the magazine is sent to the Students’ Union to be checked for legal purposes. It is then sent to our printers in Nottingham City Centre who process and print our work within a matter of days. They then pack and send our magazines to Campus, where the final and most exciting step begins.

Step 7: All complete!: As the magazines arrive, Impact gets to see the final product in person for the first time, which is then distributed out around Nottingham’s various campuses and buildings to show off our hard work to the rest of the students!

As you can see, there is so much work and so many people involved in Impact and the print process. So whether you’re a writer, a creator or more of a manager, Impact offers various opportunities and avenues for you to engage in. So why not get involved today, and who knows, maybe you’ll see your name and work in Impact’s next print issue!

The Nicolas Caballero

2 s 1 f3 STDs NEWS

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The recent axing of the free sexual health service at Cripps Centre has left many students wondering what’s still out there to help them practice good sexual health. For freshers and returning students alike, here is Impact’s breakdown of what to expect, and the opportunities still offered to keep yourself safe.

Coming to University is an exciting and scary time for a variety of reasons, sometimes the very same reason. Exploring sex and navigating the world of sexual health opportunities offered by the University can be daunting, especially considering the axing of the Sexual Health services at Cripps Clinic due to cuts in spending. We’re here to help you navigate it, with some Impact top tips about the opportunities offered by the University and around Nottingham for experiencing sex at University in the healthiest of ways.

As reported by Impact, in March of last year a free sexual health service administering free condoms and diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, which was being offered by the University of Nottingham together with Nottingham City Council, was axed from Cripps Health center due to cuts in the budget of Nottingham City Council. The decision brought on a number of criticisms both by the University and the student body alike. Furthermore, a recent BBC investigation revealed a large number of councils across the country are planning to reduce sexual health funding in the 2018-2019 period, with a number admitting some clinics and services would have to be cut or reduce their hours as a result -one of them being the Nottingham council.

So months after the cut of this much needed service, and with the news of potentially more cuts on the horizon for the Nottingham area, it is essential that students understand the options still available for them to take care of their sexual health.

1. Contraceptive: In terms of contraceptive, it’s well known that condoms are the only way to prevent both unwanted pregnancies and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. What’s not so well known is that these can be acquired for free in different places across Nottingham, including campus, under the C-card scheme. To acquire one simply make an appointment online at Cripps to register for the scheme (this takes no more than 30 minutes). Once registered, you are now part of a distribution scheme for free condoms and lubricants, and can pick-up in a number of locations across the city including Cripps Health Centre, Boots Pharmacy, Victoria Centre, and even the Portland building (for a full list, check out the C-Card website). For other contraceptive methods, including the pill, implants, or IUDs, the safest route is to make an appointment at Cripps and discuss with a doctor what option is best suited for you.

2. Testing of STDs: In terms of diagnosis and treatment of a possible sexually transmitted disease, the University of Nottingham Health Service (UNHS) offers appointments at two separate clinics which offer a number of tests, according to symptoms and sexual history. One clinic is for under 25s with no symptoms, and the next includes over 25s with symptoms. If you are concerned about having an STD, or simply to make sure you’re in the clear before having unprotected sex, this is an essential service.

“A large number of councils across the country are planning to reduce sexual health funding in the 20182019 period, with a number admitting some clinics and services would have to be cut or reduce their hours as a result”

“

3. Getting Advice: Getting advice and information on intercourse and sexual anatomy is crucial for anyone sexually active, particularly at University. For this there are a number of resources. A big online resource recommended by the University is Sexwise, a website with hundreds of articles and with the mission to give honest advice about sex and all its aspects, including orientation and protection. Otherwise, the University of Nottingham Counseling Service provides sex and relationship counseling for students. LGBT+ students might in addition want to check out the University’s LGBT+ Network for advice about sexual health related to a specific sexual preference.

“Exploring sex at University can be exciting, but practicing good sexual health is a responsibility for everyone.”

Overall, it’s important that students know the cutting of Cripps Sexual health free service is no excuse not to seek and practice good sexual health. Both the University and the city still offer alternatives to acquire contraception and get tested, and a number of online resources exist to get informed. Exploring sex at University can be exciting, but practicing good sexual health is a responsibility for everyone.

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IMPACT

Freshers Week: Sofia Dagorret and Natasha Fernandes

Sofia and Natasha discuss their experiences of Freshers’ Week with alcohol being the one major difference Observing freshers' week through beer goggles is inevitable for almost all of us, to the extent that it feels challenging to comprehend university life without even a drop of alcohol.

R E B SO

A few of us, having tested a boozy social life before, may feel like we are prepared for the phenomenon that is freshers week. But this is the first of many errors that a fresher will make. Queueing in line to bag yourself wristbands for the first seven days of freshers' might be exciting. Yet, unfortunately, this won’t be enough to reinvigorate yourself after the third day of clubbing when your health is replaced by a zombie-like state of sickness. Rest assured, this is not something to be ashamed of. We

Freshers’ week: seven days that no one can explain and most of us can’t remember. Well, that’s under the assumption that you were flat out drunk, as most are, or OD’d on painkillers (accidentally) like myself. While this is considered an accepted rite of passage for fresh-faced teens experiencing their first taste of freedom, “gin and grin” is not everyone’s motto.

The most important lesson I took from school was tolerance; racial, cultural and religious. I hence must have had an entirely-legitimate “orthodontist appointment” the day alcohol tolerance became the focal point of every conversation. A clarification I want to make early on is that I do not have a problem with drinking at all and it is an atmosphere in which I am often comfortably immersed but I would merely like to shine a light on what I call ‘Teetotallers Tolerance’.

Meeting new people in freshers’ week is awkward enough as it is without opening with “I don’t drink by the way”. This is a whole different kettle of fish, essentially labelling yourself a weirdo from the get-go. But why should it be like this?

Why should we constantly have to give explanations?

Why do people think it’s okay to constantly force a drink in your face? No is no.

This choice not to drink could be for a myriad of reasons; family history of alcohol dependency issues, health limitations, religious motivations, or …. wait for it…. personal preference! Who would’ve thought? Please respect that us teetotallers don’t have the benefit of alcohol acting as a social lubricant in an intrinsically intimidating week, so peer pressuring us only highlights our difference.

“Please respect that us teetotallers don’t have alcohol acting as a social lubricant” Some newbies in freshers' week honestly don’t trust camels or anyone else who can go the whole week without a drink, meaning I really had to go the extra mile to show them I am entirely normal. I got lucky and clicked with my hallmates immediately who respected my choice and happily embraced me as the mum of the group. Some have recently admitted they admire my ability to go clubbing without possessing liquid courage to get me through the night. The unfortunate part is that not everyone feels they can. A few friends of mine in a similar position to myself are not comfortable going on nights out because they believe drinking is an expectation. My freshers’ week proved that this need not be the case.

Even if sobriety isn’t the norm, it is your company that makes or breaks the night. My closest friend and co-author

of this article, Natasha, was one of the people who taught me this and ensured I constantly had a barrel of laughs. However, if your relationship with clubbing in general is on the rocks then there are plenty of alcohol-free activities in which you can partake including outdoor cinemas and pizza nights.

“In the same way that you respect their lifestyle you should have enough courage to demand the same respect in return” Essentially, freshers’ week is defined by the company you keep not the amount you drink. So if you fear barely making it through it without alcohol, just focus your energy on making good friends.

This is ultimately what everyone is anxious about and the very ailment that many use alcohol to overcome. In the same way that you respect the lifestyle

FEATURES

as students now take pride in the fact that we can accept a lower standard of health and a permanent state of hangover. At the end of the day, week, month or even year, we can just wallow in it together because isn’t that what FRIENDSHIP is all about?

S V of those who drink, you should have enough courage to demand the same respect in return if you choose not to partake. If they don’t accept you how you are then they are not worth your friendship. Live and let live or else you’ll have no one to take you home when you’ve knocked back one too many shots.

DRUNK

“It feels challenging to comprehend university life without even a drop of alcohol”

You might have found yourself unloading your parent’s car with a 12 pack, amongst unnecessary items like textbooks, but after this runs out you’ll have one burning question: what do I drink now? The answer is simple and can be found in Spar- vodka.

Vodka with any sort of mixer, whether a luxurious cranberry juice or a more student friendly squash, is a hard taste to swallow. But as a fresher who is heavily lacking sleep and financial support this seems like the only option.

I can remember my flatmates and I positioning empty vodka bottles on the shelves of my student room (that I had initially designated to lecture notes) like trophies on display.

The night truly begins when you slip on your outfit, whip out the ciders and awkwardly pre-drink in the JCR with your new friends. After a couple of Strongbows and a bottled-up vodka coke you’re ready to go, that is if you’ve made it past pres. It’s at this moment when you notice the odd fallen fresher who wasn’t quite able to make it out.

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Then you realise that these strangers will have to become your BFFs as they hold your drunken life in their hands. Sofia, the co-author of this article, adopted this life-saving role for me and I am grateful to this day. Thank goodness for her sober soul!

Alas, you’ll be swiftly surfing the VK waves of Ocean before you know it.

The awkwardness at pre-drinks will transform into confidence and those people that you met at the 12pm induction day just hours before will suddenly become your besties. You might run over to them screaming at the top of your lungs (partly to be heard over the music) about how much you love them. This will of course be verified with a snap packed with an inevitable dog filter. You’ll remember that this happened, not because of your outstanding A-level memory, because of the 100-second-long snap story that you wake up to the next morning featuring a selfie with almost every club-goer.

“These strangers will have to become your BFFs because they, essentially, hold your drunken lives in their hands”

Questionable decisions run rampant on every night out, especially in freshers'.

Buying lollipops for £1 a piece in the club toilets is just one tame example of this.

These toilets are the breeding ground for drunken decisions. Another instance being when you find yourself having deep meaningful conversations with strangers about how they will never find love. Ultimately, the rite of passage for any clubber, drunk or sober, is to end the night with some post-club grub: the real reason any of us go out in the first place.

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IMPACT

How to slay your Curriculum Vitae “I’ve realised that other, less obvious options can be just as fun and rewarding”

Georgina Pittman

Georgina suggests fun ways to boost your CV. This article, ironically, being another achievement that she can add to her list.

As an English student, it’s easy to think that teaching is the only ‘decent’ careers experience you can find while at Uni. However, over the last year, I’ve realised that other less obvious options can be just as fun and rewarding.

Welcome Week Last September, I was a Welcome Mentor. Most people assume it’s a thankless task of running after freshers with a box of tissues in one hand and a bin bag in the other, drying homesick teas and anxiously awaiting a spell of projectile vomiting. In reality, I loved being a Welcome Mentor. So much so that I’m doing it again this year! There are admittedly a few tissues and bin bags involved but that’s only a very small part.

Mostly, you’re a friendly aid for new students and someone they look up to for advice and the occasional hug. There’s also free food, nights out (albeit sober) and the opportunity to make long-lasting friendships (among both new students and your fellow mentors). The Ocean queue jump isn’t too bad either!

The Welcome Programme is a great way of demonstrating empathy and endurance on a CV (although sleep deprivation can be real a challenge), but it’s also a project that continues to give back long after the week itself is over.

“They weren’t lying when they said ‘do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life’” SU Brand and Insight Ambassador I was totally wrong to think that work as a Brand and Insight Ambassador would be just a job to get me through university life. I just thought they analysed survey statistics. Since joining the team, I’ve had much more exciting opportunities. I ran around Holi on the Downs, covering all the action on the SU social media platforms. I’ve written some blog posts- who knew you could get paid for scrolling through GIFs?! I’ve

worked on open days, communicating the breadth of our SU to prospective students. In short, I’ve sprinted around campus and beyond telling people how great our community is whilst earning some money to fund my VK addiction. I can’t complain!

If you’re lucky enough to land yourself this role, you can tell your parents you grew in confidence and organisational skills.

Although true, you’ll have so much fun that it doesn’t feel like work at all!

I could use the whole of this magazine to tell you how many opportunities there are to improve your CV, but the above are particularly fantastic and easy to get involved in. At the end of the day, as long as you do something that interests you, you’ll always be able to communicate it well to future employers.

It’s cheesy but they weren’t lying when they said, ‘do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life’.

Student Leader Election Campaigns I wouldn’t have been involved in the SU Elections if it hadn’t been for several members of the Welcome family running for positions. The general perception of the SU Officers is that they have little impact on university life. But that couldn’t be more wrong. They pioneer change within the University through projects such as making graduation free, ensuring the university pays the Living Wage and reshaping societies’ accreditation system. Being a part of the campaigns for these roles was just as exciting. From reading the ambitions of hopeful candidates and educating students about the importance of their vote, to running around Crisis in oversized campaign t-shirts. Campaign week is exhausting and rewarding in equal measure and there are so many ways to get involved.

Future employers will want to hear how it improved your communication skills and ability to work under pressure. But for me, it showed me what true friendship and dedication means and was an unforgettable experience.

FEATURES

17

Hotspots glee

Brianna divulges the key Nottingham hotspots that every fresher should explore Dear Freshers, so far you have been bombarded with all that the University of Nottingham campus has to offer, but how much do you know about the city of Nottingham itself? The home of our University, packed full of arts, culture, food and drink…and the odd student deal. With so much going on, this guide is here to help with our tried and tested Fresher Hotspots, sure to provide something for everyone when venturing off campus.

every Fresher should visit Brianna Croughan

Fat Cat

Choose how you want to spend the night in this split-level bar. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed evening drinking with new friends or a place to get the party started before heading into the city. Their 2-4-1 cocktail deals will sort you out.

The Glee Club

Hosts of live entertainment in the form of music and comedy. They offer weekly stand-up on Friday and Saturday nights, including the likes of Russell Kane, Shappi Khorsandi and new up and coming performers. Their live music events attract a range of audiences, whether you are a fan of rock, pop, or jazz and blues. Spoken word artists also take to the stage, inspiring you with their creative energy.

Savoy Cinema

Only a ten-minute bus journey from University Park, Savoy Cinema was built in 1935, which is reflected in its quirky and charming art-deco style. Despite its age and snug size, it can be relied upon to show both top new film releases and theatre classics. All to be enjoyed at £4.85 by students.

Highfields Park Lake

As soon as the weather allows, take a stroll through campus towards Highfield Lake, where you can admire University Park from a new perspective. Follow the lake’s footpath, or take to the water in the comfort of a kayak, canoe or rowing boat. This is a great activity to do with friends, family, or a daytime date.

National Ice Centre

The home of famous ice dancers Torvill and Dean, now judges on the show Dancing on Ice, Nottingham’s National Ice Centre is soaked in skating history.

Either take to the ice and attempt the cha cha slide, or cheer from the spectator stands as you watch the Nottingham Panthers, in the fast-paced sport of professional ice hockey.

*all these prices are accurate at the time of printing.

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IMPACT

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Our Favourite Places in Notts A compilation of tributes to some of Notts’ fave student spots

An Ode to

e r I hav y so fa it. My it s r e niv dm en at u ld care to a ooch An u ave be M o h I a w I s d r a ye t uiet an t wo ye och th ek was enjo q o e a h M t g r in in e e Ov time enjoy rs’ W e r e m any h o s o r m m e r too ce. F e spent t night of F in n s ose o k c g ba rs erin y purp very fi ven’t looked tures to ord ch fits ever hips a c oo ds and I h bet ween le evening, M n lost, frien eart e in n e r a . The h mb d e e v k a c burge pitchers of h e e il uizzes been n of every m cockta asion. Pub q shots have g s in m n a in e g r c d e d c and o en made an g and the b ere student e in h have b rtland Build the place w t. o is en P p h e s c h are of t Moo night, t loans n le e b d a u r t s o rn and are bo

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Ah, Hallward , Hallward is where us E nglish students sp end the mo st time worrying, re ading, and mulling over how st ressed we are soy caram el latte. Hallw with a ard sees our tears a nd fears, so at the end of the day, we all really owe Hallward a cheers! I will forever hold my pri de, relief an d happiness when I think back to all the effort, hours and cries I’v e had in that libra ry. Let’s no t forget all the late nig hts, take-aw ay laughs I’ve had there to s, and o. Hallward you will beco , me a landm ark in my Uni journey , and will be where the heart of my degree lies.

Natasha M anohar

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FEATURES

19

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20

What type of Clubber are you?

IMPACT

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FEATURES

21

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22

IMPACT

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Mostly Bs

The over-emotional one Often ending up in the toilets or smoking area, one Jägerbomb too many has results in your built-up emotions reaching boiling point.

You’re convinced it’s ‘time to talk’.

This process involves the slurring of words, unnecessary tears and the occasional drunken text to an ex. Fear not though, your fabulous friends are always there to pick you up and make sure you salvage the night.

Mostly Es

The Spender

You have a little extra cash, so you like to treat everyone to a drink.

Except you almost always face regret the next morning when you look at your bank account.

You thought it was one drink each…maybe a few shots…but it appears you have been buying rounds all night according to your Snapchat story. At least you’ve got it documented- if it isn’t on social media, did it really happen?

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FEATURES

23

Online Dating Friend or Foe? Shanai discusses the perks of online dating and whether it really is a thing for everyone.

Shanai Momi Online dating. The new, slightly less daunting way that people meet with the intention of (theoretical) sparks flying.

Well, I say this is the intention but for whatever questionable reasons, that probably isn’t the case for some online daters...

Nevertheless, there is one thing most of us can agree on: whatever your opinion on online dating, searching for a romantic or sexual partner using the Internet has changed the way we compare potential partners. Instead of engaging in that initial in-person conversation to suss out common interests, online dating allows you to skip that awkward and time-consuming step.

Yes, online dating probably does make us pickier than we would usually be, swiping for someone better. Ultimately, it does minimise that uncomfortable small talk we feel obliged to have - even if we’ve decided within minutes of meeting a person that we aren’t interested. It’s also much easier if you decide to go on a date since you already have an attraction.

Not everyone sees the benefits of online dating. There is a stigma attached since people aren’t interacting the way they did before technology. Whilst it’s wonderful to meet a partner in a café or bar, for many people this isn’t practical or realistic, especially when we are all leading busy lives.

You do tend to get matches from people that aren’t there for your personality. There are even those who swipe like it’s a game, with no intention of ever starting a conversation (I mean really, what’s the point?). It’s clear there are many keen people, some creepy and others searching for another one-night stand.

And don’t get me wrong, I’ve had my fair share of awful chat-up lines, but the vast majority of people are genuinely looking for someone to talk to and see if anything comes from it. If it doesn’t, then that’s okay- no one seems to be putting on too much pressure when it comes to online dating and those negative connotations are a rarity.

This practice, it seems, is a whole different ball game at university. Armed with a few shots of alcohol and some annoyingly convincing friends, a few of us joined Tinder for the bants. It was an eye-opener, to say the least. Most people received a lot of ‘Hey x’, whilst others received some truly awful ‘f*** boy’ types. It seems that online dating at university does make casual relationships more common than in the ‘real’ world.

Contrary to the belief of many anti-online daters (“Why on earth are you doing this if you want a serious relationship?”), I actually gained a proper relationship from online dating. Sure, I did meet a few frogs, ‘unmatched’ several lad-types, and avoided those who only posted their insanely defined sixpacks. Despite all this, there are guys with genuine substance and normality.

It shows that if you’re upfront in your bios about what you want, then it it’s possible to find people who aren’t solely seeking casual flings. It’s also a great way for students to meet people outside of the university bubble.

Although, I would advise not to online date if you’re sensitive as I’ve found that you may receive anything from graphic nudes to questionable responses when turning down sexual requests. You shouldn’t have to put up with this, but it seems like some will always do something to surprise you.

If you’re up for a laugh, your workload is too heavy to go out every week, or you’re sick of random boys trying to grind against you in a club, then online dating at university may be a good solution. You’re likely to meet someone you click with.

If you don’t, no sweat, you can just call it a day. No hassle required.

24

The Freshers Memory Archives Faye Price

Wondering what Freshers’ week is really like? Impact asked students at Nottingham to recall their own touching memories and hilarious stories to give you an idea.

Freshers’ week can be crazy – as many students will tell you. But it’s also a fun and amazing time, full of new experiences. You’ll meet tons of different people whose names you’ll forget seconds after learning them, go on numerous nights out, and eventually figure out how to use the oven or learn how to cope with hall food.

In the aftermath of Freshers’ week, it will seem to have sped past in a blur of faces and free pizza boxes. Whether you stayed in and met new people, staggered your way into a club after heavy predrinks, or got hopelessly lost on your way to a Welcome Talk, many of the memories you make will stay with you well into the future. Here, a handful of students share their freshers experience and prove that no matter how crazy or special your week was, nothing that happens at the start of uni is ever out of the ordinary.

IMPACT

<4

Freshers...

For me, the best part of Freshers’ week would have to be just having really long, random conversations with my housemates at the end of the night that would last for hours.

It was a great way to get to know them, and the beginning of lasting and strong friendships.

On the first night out, I was sat on the bus on the way to a club, and all of a sudden one of the welcome mentors came rushing down the aisle to clear away a load of litter on the floor. Just as he’d opened a bin bag and shaken it out, some guy leaned over and threw up in it. It was so random and unexpected, I couldn’t stop laughing!

The first official freshers’ Night, me and my block mates went to Pryzm for the ‘Back to School’ themed event. I remember having such a laugh, singing and dancing all night, so much so that I somehow lost one of my shoes. In such a crowded space, I couldn’t find it, so one of the girls in my block had to carry me on her back from the club to the bus stop afterwards. The next day, whilst mourning the loss of one of my best clubbing shoes, I got a snapchat from someone; a photo of a drunk student holding my black shoe to her ear as though it were a phone. She asked me if it was mine and I was like, “oh my god yes!” It was such a memorable (if bizarre) way to begin the year that helped me bond with my block mates and make new friends.

During freshers I only had one or two drinks because I hadn’t drank much before coming to Uni. So after a night out I ended up half carrying my friend to a McDonalds whilst she drunkenly clung to my arm. She was staggering around so much that I lost my balance, tripped and fell over a traffic cone. I was totally shattered and just hadn’t seen it at all - so embarrassing!

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Freshers...

I remember one night, the bouncer wouldn’t let me into the club – he told me to go sober up with some food and come back. So I left and walked to the back of the queue where I met some older students. By the time we got to the front, they weren’t letting anyone in, so I headed to some clubs with these random people. They were so much fun, and we must have gotten pretty smashed seeing as I don’t remember how I got home!

What did I do during freshers? I made that one mistake that every blog tells you not to make when at university. I made out with this guy on the dancefloor and left with him. Next thing I knew we were heading back to my accommodation. Realising I’d never actually told him where I lived, I wondered how he knew. Turns out, he was my neighbour, and I had to endure awkwardly running into him for the rest of the year.

Before me and my mate went out we went to the shop and bought a load of sweets. When we came out we didn’t want to go back to the flat because the club was just around the corner, so we decided that it would be a really good idea to hide them in a bush. Several hours and a lot of alcohol later, we were on our way back with the rest of my flat when we remembered the sweets. We weren’t entirely sure where we’d left them, so we spent the next half hour drunk-diving into bushes in the hopes they’d turn up. Eventually, they did, and we ended the night sat on the wet grass, next to a dishevelled bush, eating the sweets we’d stowed away.

A night out at Pryzm left me completely exhausted, and I ended up falling asleep on my new flatmate’s shoulder on the bus ride home. Hardly an unusual thing, but I’ll always remember it because from then on he became like a big brother to me, and I knew that we were going to be good friends.

From lost shoes and poorly placed traffic cones to chundering on the bus and late night bonding sessions, there’s no doubt that Freshers' Week can be a mass of chaos and wild times. But it’s also a time when you meet so many new people, often in the most unexpected of ways.

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IMPACT

What Should Uni Do to Help With Eating Disorders?

Please be advised that the content of this article discusses eating disorders and body image issues.

University can be challenging for anyone’s mental health. From financial worries and independent living, to the pressure to succeed and prepare for a career, uni life can be hard to cope with.

According to Student Minds, around a quarter of all students “are experiencing worrying levels of psychological distress”.

This article will focus on one of the most endangering conditions: eating disorders.

In the UK, roughly 10% of people will experience various symptoms of an eating disorder at some point in their life – and these symptoms can affect individuals from any background.

However, incidence rates for anorexia and bulimia are highest in the 15-19 and 20-24 age groups respectively, making them highly relevant to the student population. The reasons for this link are unclear – although, according to Beat (a UK eating disorder charity) research is beginning to find a strong biological basis. However, the support given to those experiencing eating disorders at university is just as important as understanding the triggers behind them.

Identifying and treating any mental health issue early on is extremely beneficial to recovery, as is having an extensive support network. Without this support, students often drop out of their studies as their condition worsens.

Jo Ralphs Jo discusses eating disorders amongst university students and what The University of Nottingham can do to address this issue

“Support given to sufferers at university is just as important as understanding the triggers.”

So, what support does the University provide? Clearly, it is in their interest to provide on-going support for students, and this is provided through the counselling service, mental health advisory service, the Eating Disorders in Students Service (EDISS), and charity groups such as Student Minds.

The pastoral support within schools and departments – personal tutors and welfare officers – also forms an important part of the support currently available to UoN students, outside of the NHS.

“Many people don’t feel well educated about problems concerning their diet or body image, and think that awareness on campus could be higher” But what about preventative help, without having to access a professional? After conducting a quick survey of some of the team at Impact, it became clear that

many people don’t feel well educated about problems concerning their diet or body image. They feel that awareness on campus could be higher. While there are some campaigns from UoN, such as HealthyU, there seems to be a lack of edifying resources. This lack of information concerns not only advice about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but also attempts to break the stigma around mental illness. For example, some lesserknown disorders – such as orthorexia or pica – can slip under the radar of friends and family members until the condition worsens. With all eating disorders, Student Minds writes, “there is an opportunity to prevent the development of more severe mental health problems” with early treatment.

A further issue is the normalisation of dangerous eating habits among

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students, especially around exams. It’s fairly common for people to skip meals to save money or to have more time to study. While, according to Beat, anyone can react to stress with changes to their diet and exercise, the normalisation of these behaviours can often mask more serious problems. Not only are restrictive diets normalised for students, but, young people in general are constantly confronted by a barrage of celebrities and instagrammers promoting appetite suppressants or magic fitness teas.

This avoidance of a nutritious diet and obsession with body image is in no way helpful for cultivating a healthy lifestyle.

“Another issue is the normalisation of dangerous eating habits among students”

Things to look out for: Obsessing about food – do they often talk about food, dieting or their weight?

Behavioural change – this could be anything from irritability and depression to social isolation, visiting the toilet frequently (and often after meals) or eating food in secret. Eating disorders affect everyone differently, so if you’re worried, it’s always best to act.

Excessive exercising - often in order to lose weight. Sufferers may hide weight changes under baggy or layered clothing.

Fatigue – sufferers may be tired or struggling to concentrate. After a while without treatment they could develop

medical problems such as anaemia, dental issues, dizzy spells and much more, so be sure to seek treatment as early as possible.

More education about eating disorders– and mental health generally– can be tackled on a small scale, unlike funding expansion of NHS services or reducing waiting times. And recognising signs of disordered eating to look out for in yourself, friends or family can be beneficial for your and their long-term health.

If you want to talk to someone about their mental health, try to be informed and choose your words carefully.

Remember it is not the sufferer’s fault, so aim to be compassionate and supportive.

If you are worried you have an eating disorder, please reach out to someone – this could be a friend or family member, your GP, or the Beat student helpline on 0808 801 0811. If you would like more information about eating disorders, the following charities have informative online resources:

“Try to be informed and choose your words carefully. Remember it is not the sufferer’s fault” Beat: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk First Steps: www.firststepsed.co.uk Anorexia & Bulimia Care: www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk Student Minds: www.studentminds.org. uk/

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‘SUMMER HOLIDAYS’

Photographer: Katie Moncur Graffiti at Hauz Khas Fort, Delhi, India 2018

Photographer: Fiona Postans Bruges, Belgium 2016

Photographer: Fiona Postans Battery Park, New York, USA 2016

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Photographer: Ella Taylor Krugar National Park, South Africa 2018

Photographer: Katie Moncur Over Farm at Barn on the Farm Festival, Gloucester, UK 2018

Photographer: Francesca Hadland East Side Gallery, Berlin, Germany 2018

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Photographer: Katie Moncur Taj Mahal, Agra, India 2018

Photographer: Katie Moncur Barn on the Farm Festival, Gloucester, UK 2018

Photographer: Emma Heaman Puerto Banus, Marbella 2018

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Photographer: Katie Moncur Y Not Festival, Peak District, UK 2018

Photographer: Ella Taylor West Point Beach, Magnetic Island, Australia 2016

Photographer: Natasha Manohar Lovebox Festival, Gunnersbury Park, London 2018

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Photographer: Emma Heasman Gibraltar, Spain 2018

Photographer: Ella Taylor Kaikoura, New Zealand 2016

P H O T O G R A P H Y

Planes, (highspeed) Trains and Automobiles LIFESTYLE

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Abby Allwood Abby discusses her experience with HS2 and discusses the benefits and new opportunities for the general public and our university students.

High speed, high cost, huge impact. HS2 is a high-speed rail system linking 8 of Britain’s major cities and serving many more beyond. Running between London, Birmingham, East Midlands, Leeds and Manchester, HS2 would form a Y-shaped network. It is intended to transform journeys between these regions, including for our University students.

Enabling one to travel from Leeds to Birmingham Airport in 46 minutes, carrying 300,000 passengers a day and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country (25,000 of which dedicated to design and construction alone); it is the largest and most technologically advanced railway project the country has ever seen.

I spent a week in the depths of the HS2 Birmingham office, working with the environment team as they assess and seek to minimise the impact on communities and the surrounding environment. As a fairly new company, it is staggering to see HS2 manage teams of huge, well-established engineering and consultancy firms, including Arup, AECOM and Jacobs.

HS2 aims to revolutionise travel experiences, reduce journey times and increase the connectivity of the country, which they say is the key to unlocking Britain’s full potential. Striving for a zeronet loss of biodiversity, complex plans are in place to preserve habitats, from planting woodland to protecting newts.

A green corridor will run alongside the railway, a haven for all walks of life by providing a safe crossing and creating a network of habitats around the train line. As far as possible, each metre of the route has been carefully assessed and evaluated to ensure the best possible outcome socially and environmentally, from demolitions of bus stops to listed buildings.

Engineers, architects and ecologists from all over the country are challenged with creating structures to divert roads, rivers, footpaths and protect specific species. For example, at one point along the Phase One route the whole train system will be encapsulated in a sleek, dome-like tunnel, ensuring the safety of aerial species such as bats and rare birds.

Many people worry about the train disrupting the serene countryside views, but there’s no need to panic. HS2’s environment team have got you (and the train) covered. Where possible, the ingenious landscaping around the tracks means the train will be shielded from view if they run close to residential areas with sloping embankments creating a small valley. A diverse range of habitats will be created on the sculpted land, such as grassland, wetland or woodland habitats designed to host a diverse range of species.

“A diverse range of habitats”

HS2 have also gone a step further.

They have supported the Government to create high speed colleges. At the National College for High Speed Rail (Birmingham and Doncaster) you can take higher technician apprenticeships in high speed rail and infrastructure, learning an array of skills whilst gaining hands-on experience in a growing industry. HS2 also offer a great graduate programme. For more information, check out the graduate page on their website. They also offer a variety of internship opportunities each summer, aiming to provide practical experience in your chosen discipline.

“Increasing connectivity between North, Midlands and South, making meeting your friends a lot more convenient” Works have started on Phase One of the project, linking London to Birmingham, due for completion in 2026. The whole rail system is due for completion in 2033, zipping people all across the country, increasing connectivity between North, Midlands and South, making meeting your friends and travelling around a lot more convenient.

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Why Freshers aren’t so Abby Allwood Abby discusses the importance of taking care of your health during Welcome Week and what measures you should take.

Ahh, freshers’ flu. You were warned, and it’s hit you in a flurry of snot, sweat and tears. You lie on your bed staring at the door, as if your mum will glide through at any moment with a hot Sunday roast and a box of Kleenex. A chorus of coughs sails harmoniously through the lecture theatre, croaky voices whisper on the back row and snapchat stories become a hall of fame for mid-lecture naps. A bitter cocktail of alcohol, stress and sleep deprivation sends students across the country into a state of degradation that seems to last until graduation.

Add in poor diet, leave to stew for an hour in a humid room rife with hormones, and you should be able to infect the entire room. This includes the lecturer who often suffers from some variation of the illness year in, year out. So, what is ‘freshers’ flu’, how does it spread and what can you do before your fate is sealed?

Although it sounds dramatic, freshers’ flu in the majority of cases is in fact the common cold. A viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract, it is caused by well over 200 virus strains and typically transmitted via airborne droplets, or contaminated objects. This makes a lecture theatre the perfect

LIFESTYLE

place for the virus to spread. Some of these viruses can last for over 18 hours in the environment, meaning they wait patiently on lecture theatre benches to come into contact with their next victim. If these victims happen to have a lowered immune system due to their lavish fresher lifestyle (all students), then the problem is magnified tenfold (I should reinforce here the importance of washing hands throughout the day and not biting nails).

Excess alcohol causes a change in the immune system, which can slow your ability to ward off infections for up to 24 hours after getting drunk. Since some students manage to turn up to lectures still intoxicated, it’s safe to say their bodies certainly aren’t up to warding off any infections (or taking coherent notes for that matter). Furthermore, lack of sleep has a large impact on your immune system, and its ability to produce essential ‘killer’ cells that fight off infection. One study found that after just one night of partial sleep deprivation the number of white blood cells, natural killer cells and other cells involved with the immune response, had depleted significantly.

After one night of recovery sleep, natural killer cell levels returned to normal, however other associated cells remained suppressed.

There are two broad categories of immune response: humoral, which involves antibodies that recognise antigens in the blood, and cellular, which involves the activation of phagocytes to engulf pathogens. In regard to stress, a meta-analytic study covering 30 years of enquiry found that brief naturalistic stressors (such as exams) tended to suppress cellular immunity, while preserving humoral immunity.

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If your mum has been telling you greens put hairs on your chest, she wasn’t wrong. Studies have shown it is unlikely that supplements or probiotics are able to counteract the damage of our dietary choices, let alone undo them. Many studies have lead scientists to believe that sugar consumption lowers immunity, one finding that 100 grams of sugar from glucose, fructose, sucrose, honey or orange juice caused a significant decrease in the ability of white blood cells to engulf and destroy bacteria. Saturated fat also made it onto the agenda again, causing alterations in antioxidant mechanisms, increasing gut inflammation and reducing gut barrier function.

So, if you know you’ll be staggering out of Crisis and straight into Maccies at 3am, after consuming a slight ‘excess’ of alcohol, and not getting to sleep until 4; make sure you take appropriate measures during the day to ward off that flu.

It goes without saying to get as much sleep as possible, even if that means lying in or having a good nap. If you’re in halls, make sure you pile up the veggies and hit the salad bar, preferably opting out of the pudding due to sugar and fat content. Go for water instead of orange juice to further reduce your sugar intake and ask for soya milk to avoid dairy. Excessive consumption of cow’s milk is one of the major factors contributing to susceptibility to common infections, for example it is one of the principal causes for chronic tonsillitis.

It is also strongly linked to acne, bladder infections and sinus infections, all things you could do without during your first term of uni. Small changes such as this can make a huge difference in aiding your body in the fight against freshers’ flu, even if the odds are very much against you!

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Procrastivacation Katie Moncur From escaping the Nottingham bubble to visiting old friends and experiencing life at other universities, term time at University doesn’t just have to be about studying thanks to the possibility of mini adventures

Sometimes at university you can get so caught up in work, socialising and settling in that you get stuck in the campus bubble. However, from day trips with uni friends to weekend trips to other unis, there are many opportunities to explore and give yourself a breather. Here are a few of my own experiences and recommendations of places to visit.

“Don’t worry, I’ll come visit you at uni!” - sound familiar? The promise we all make to our friends as they pack their bags and prepare to leave Sixth Form behind. But why not dodge the cliché and actually visit them? One of the cities I visited was Edinburgh. Closer than you would expect, Edinburgh is a beautiful place to escape to, offering the panoramic views from Arthur’s seat, Edinburgh castle, the Old Town to explore and Princes street for shopping galore. Everything is within walking distance so there is no need to splash out on transport and, although Edinburgh is known for being expensive, there are always student deals to be found.

Another reason to travel to other unis is to experience the nightlife. I went to The Big Cheese at Potterrow whilst I was there and had a great time boogying along to Journey, Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift and the like. With student entry prices and cheap drinks, this was a fairly affordable night and certainly one to try if you’re a fan of Ocean Fridays in Nottingham! All in all, I loved being an Edinburgh student for the weekend and would definitely recommend visiting.

Cambridge was my next stop. As a Cambridge reject, I was looking forward to seeing just how different my uni experience could have been. An easy train journey away, Cambridge welcomed me with its cobbled streets and cyclists and I was thrown into student life with a choir formal dinner. Robes donned and Latin graces spoken, I tucked into a fancy three course meal and joined in a conversation about Spanish opera. The #justcambridgethings did not stop there as we took out Queens’ college’s punts and I shakily learnt how to punt down the Cam, taking in the beautiful sights and trying not to fall in.

The nightlife in Cambridge is tame but I had fun in a Moroccan-style, sweaty club called Fez dancing along to some very indie tunes before hitting up the ‘Van of Life’ for some much-needed cheesy chips. I would like to return the favour and take my Cambridge friend out in Nottingham! Cambridge is a stunning town and major tourist hub so if you have the chance, sneak into formal dinners and embrace the quirks as it is very different to Nottingham.

The final uni I visited was Trinity College Dublin. I loved exploring the beautiful grounds of the historic campus and experiencing Irish nightlife. We were lucky enough to have tickets to Riverdance, which was a total immersion in Irish culture, and after this we had a pint of Guinness and some elaborate cocktails in Café en Seine. To fulfil your tourist needs, there is the Guinness factory, Ha’penny bridge, and the famous Book of Kells in the college’s Old Library.

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Although you could easily spend a week in Dublin, if you book flights far in advance and only take cabin luggage, you can have a jam-packed weekend for not too high a price, giving you an ultimate getaway from university responsibilities.

and train prices. You can get NUS discounts on National Express coaches so check this out before booking and remember to bring your student ID and portable charger for a hassle-free trip.

Many societies run weekend trips so, if you are keen on getting away, ask lots of questions at the freshers’ fair and make the most of these opportunities. I recently went on the UoN Surf society trip to France and I am hoping to go on the weekend trips next year. Whilst doing something you love and keeping fit, trips like these are perfect for breaking up what can be a hectic term and meeting people you would not necessarily get the chance to. Never worry about missing out on things happening at uni by going on these trips as, more often than not, getting involved in a society and travelling with people you do not know helps you to settle in a lot faster than just hanging around in halls.

By visiting friends at other universities, I have explored campus unis and city unis, experienced a variety of student nightlife and met new people, all whilst catching up with old friends. These trips combined with mini adventures to other countries, cities, resorts and parks have widened my university experience. They have made me a more confident traveller which is invaluable if uni is the first time you have properly been away from home. Either way, travelling is a great way to spend your weekends during term time; returning to Nottingham and appreciating our city that little bit more. It makes for unforgettable stories both good and bad, so pack that mini suitcase and hit the road!

There are also many places closer to home which make for wonderful day trips. Only an hour on the coach, Alton Towers theme park is a must. It is usually organised by the JCR for the last few weeks of the year so it can be as cheap as £10! Near to this, there is Chatsworth House which has been selected on multiple occasions as the UK’s favourite country house with its artwork, Victorian rock garden and maze.

Despite Nottingham being landlocked, a trip to the beach is always a good way to unwind. Cleethorpes offers just that.

Although it is a 3 hour train journey away, if you leave early enough then it is worth it to explore the beach, parks and shopping scene.

For theatre-lovers like me, Stratford-upon-Avon is a lovely day trip that can be rounded off with a performance at either the Royal Shakespeare Theatre or Swan Theatre. If you sign up as a member of the RSC and are 16-25 years old you can get £5 tickets to most shows.

If you would like to explore surrounding towns then Newark and Derby are close. But if you are more into hiking and nature then the Dovedale National Nature Reserve in the Peak District is not too far away. Just around the corner from the university are Wollaton Park, Nottingham Canal and Castle, which are perfect for a sunny afternoon.

If you have been inspired by this article then my advice would be to get a 16-25 railcard and organise travel arrangements far in advance to get the best prices. Always compare coach

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Foodie’s

guide to Nottingham Rosa Morgan

Nottingham’s food scene is an asset to the city, meaning it is definitely something to explore as a student. However, the number of choices available makes the idea of exploring rather overwhelming. Therefore, I have put together a few of my favourite spots to tantalise your taste buds.

Breakfast Located in the heart of Hockley, Fox Café offers a wonderful breakfast. From a range of classic breakfast dishes, to speciality breakfast paninis, it has something to satisfy anyone.

“The use of local produce makes Fox Café truly unique” When I visited, I opted for the Foxy Breakfast, which was essentially a glamorous full English made up of local farm sausages, pancetta, scrambled egg, hash browns, beans, vine tomatoes, mushrooms and toast. The use of local produce makes Fox Café truly unique and ensures the food tastes even better. If you are not a massive meat eater, there are also veggie and vegan breakfast options. Overall, I could not recommend a trip to Fox Café enough.

Lunch Hidden on Thurland Street, Yamas is a Mediterranean restaurant offering a wide variety of meze and tapas dishes. Not only does Yamas offer exquisite dishes to suit any palate, but it also has the best lunch menu in Nottingham. Their lunch menu invites diners to pick three dishes for just £7.95 each. My favourite dishes at Yamas are the Chorizo, Hummus, Calamari, and Tirokroketes.

There are also plenty of other options if you are not a fan of meat or cheese. Offering excellent value for money and truly delicious dishes, Yamas is a budgeting student’s dream and should definitely be added to the bucket list!

Coffee Concealed next to the entrance of Enfield Chambers on Low Pavement, Cartwheel uses a wide range of coffee beans and a variety of different brewing methods in their coffees, meaning that there is something for everyone. My favourite drink at Cartwheel is the Affogato, an espresso over real vanilla bean ice cream. The bitterness of the espresso works wonderfully with the sweet, woody flavour of the vanilla- a true match made in heaven. There are lots of other options if you are trying to hold back on the caffeine intake: super smoothies, soft drinks and a variety of different teas. Cartwheel is definitely worth a visit.

“At the top of every Nottingham student’s bucket list, Annie’s Burger Shack”

Dinner At the top of every Nottingham student’s bucket list, Annie’s Burger Shack. Hidden away in Lace Market, Annie’s is not just a restaurant, it is an experience.

It offers the widest variety of burgers that you could possibly imagine, including a roast dinner burger, and a burger with two pancakes inside! One of Annie’s unique selling points is that every burger on the menu can be consumed in meaty, veggie or vegan form, making it the perfect place to enjoy dinner without the worry of a lack of options for those with specific dietary needs. It is important to note that you will leave Annie’s feeling more full than you feel on Christmas Day, so be sure to leave plenty of room to munch on one of the delicious burgers!

It is difficult for me to only include four of my favourite food spots in Nottingham in this article. You are so privileged to be studying in a city with such a fab food scene, so be sure to make the most of it. More than anything, explore the city and discover the food gems it has to offer. Bon appétit!

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Impact’s Style Saviours Emily Hall Emily discusses her top five clothing essentials at uni to get you through anything from lectures to wild weekends.

I certainly over-packed when moving to university. Taking 30 pairs of shoes and 10 pairs of jeans is definitely unnecessary. These following five items, however, were essentials in my first year. Walking around campus, nights out, or chilling in your flat, these items will make your first year that little bit easier. Plus, all can be bought from high-street shops, so your student loan doesn’t have to be dipped into just yet.

1. Heeled boots - Comfort meets class.

2. Oversized shirt/cardigan Layering is a lifesaver.

The perfect solution to wanting comfort and elegance on a night out. You can feel dressed up and photo ready whilst also managing to stay out till 4am without having to walk barefoot to the taxi. Pair them with jeans and a nice top (always a winner) or a dress and you will look and feel great.

So, you have managed to get to the lecture hall and you are boiling hot from the walk. However, the lecture rooms can be on the cold side, meaning layers are the way to go. An oversized shirt to tie around your waist or a lightweight cardigan to carry around are perfect for

“The perfect solution to wanting comfort and elegance on a night out.”

4. Slippers Best purchase you’ll ever make.

You have just moved into your new accommodation, feeling a little homesick and out of sorts. It is the small things that will make the difference, and having a pair of comfy slippers to put on for going into the kitchen or wandering around your block will make such a difference.

sitting in lectures.

3. Trainers - Comfort is key.

Trainers are a must-have for university.

You do not realise how much walking you are going to do, but trust me, that walk to the Tower building is an absolute killer, not to mention Portland hill. Get some comfortable trainers, and at least your feet will feel great even if you do not.

“It is the small things that will make the difference” 5. Backpack For all of those books you haven’t read.

It took me three weeks to convert from taking a handbag to a backpack onto campus, and it was life changing. No more moving your bag from shoulder to shoulder to try and spread the weight, or covering those awkward strap marks.

It will comfortably fit your books, laptop, and other useful bits you need for a day on campus, without feeling the weight of it all.

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Charlotte Hegley Impact’s new Head of Lifestyle Charlotte tells us the five things she wished she had been told as a Fresher…

1.

Welcome week is overrated.

One of the biggest myths about the university experience is that welcome week, and particularly its nightlife, is one of the “best weeks of your life”. This really is not the case for most people. Welcome week is fun don’t get me wrong, but it is a daunting experience clubbing with people you don’t know. As time goes on and you work out who your closest friends are, the university nightlife experience gets much better.

2.

5.

Welcome week is a weird one, especially if you live in one of the University’s catered halls, where there are so many people to talk to, rather than being restricted to a small flat. I think it is important to try and talk to everyone, but you must remember that eventually friendships will evolve and you will work out who your people are (and aren’t). You can’t force friendships and you also can’t be friends with everyone. Uni is way too big for that.

Join a society ASAP.

I really wish I had joined societies (Impact included) much earlier, and more of them. The earlier you join, the easier it is to gain a higher position within the society and work out what you like doing. The University of Nottingham finished 4th in the BUCS League in the 2017-18 season, making it one of the best universities for sport. So if you’re that way inclined you should definitely get involved, and even if you are unsure there are plenty of beginners and more casual sports teams, like the IMS teams. If sport isn’t your thing, there is plenty more on offer, ranging from Cake Soc to the Debating Union.

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6.

Alone time is okay.

Many people freak out whenever they are spending time alone in first year, worried that everyone else is socialising whilst they are not. This is not the case and it is super important (and normal) to spend time by yourself relaxing. Oh, and studying of course.

4.

Make your room homely.

Obviously, it feels alien moving into a brand new empty room.

So, making it your own is one of the first things you should do.

Cards and photos from family and friends make it feel much more like home, whilst simple items like plants, posters, bunting or fairy lights give it a personal touch. My advice would be to get yourself down to IKEA or B&M asap.

Don’t force friendships, they will come naturally.

Read all your emails.

You will be bombarded with emails from the university in the first week and weeks following and it is a lot to keep up with.

As much as you may want to give them a quick glance and then clear them out of your inbox, it is super important to read them all in detail. There will be tons of emails about events, including the aforementioned Freshers’ Fair, things you need to sign up for and important student finance information.

7.

Remember, first year doesn’t count.

One of my biggest regrets as a Fresher was working so hard.

Obviously, it is important to study and do well but it is easy to forget that first year does not count at all towards your final grade. I neglected searching for societies, placements and volunteering opportunities, leaving it all to second year (which I do not recommend). I would suggest dedicating a lot of first year to extracurricular hobbies (and some work of course) and then getting your head down in second and third year.

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The Therapeutic

POWER

of Music Nicolas Caballero

Stressed? Anxious? Nico explains why music is the perfect therapeutic tool for any struggling student Music’s therapeutic power is something we all acknowledge to some extent. The capacity that melodies and lyrics have to impart strong emotional responses on the listener, is nothing short of magic. And whether we listen to feel joyous, relate, or put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, music’s cathartic qualities are impossible to avoid.

Perhaps it is this unavoidability, the way music powerfully grabs and shakes the listener, forcing them to feel something, which makes it such a strong therapeutic tool.

Music has been used as a sedative tool for the rehabilitation of patients feeling intense pain following an accident. A body of research points out how music can be used to reduce the secondary effects stemming from the pain, such as stress and anxiety, as well as drawing attention away from the pain through focusing on music.

Music therapy is defined as “the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional”. In simpler words, it refers to the use of music (in all its aspects) to reach specific goals in the process of therapy, to improve one’s mental and physical health. The many recognized benefits of music’s use as a therapeutic tool include: reduction of anxiety, improved heart rate, stimulation of the brain, and improved learning.

Moving on to ways in which music is used for the treatment of mental health issues, a 2017 music therapy review recognised it’s benefits in adolescents and young adults when dealing with major depressive or anxiety disorders. There is moderatequality evidence that using music on top of usual therapy is more effective than just regular therapy as a form or treatment in patients with depression. In addition, there is evidence that the use of music therapy can help reduce total symptoms and improve the functioning of individuals dealing with PTSD, or any form of trauma exposure

The number of domains in which music can improve one’s health are too numerous to list, however, a couple of poignant results from the wide array of research are deserving of mention.

By now you may be asking yourself, why does any of this matter? How can music used in a therapeutic setting possibly make anyone going through every day motions, such as the stress

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of coming to university, feel any better? The answer is that just like aspects of modern medicine can be integrated into your life to make sure you don’t get sick, so can aspects of music therapy be integrated into your routine to improve your mental and physical health during strenuous times.

So if you’re looking for a remedy for Fresher’s Flu, who would’ve thought you’d find it in the sticky floors of Ocean?

Music has the capacity to release dopamine into our brain (a “mood-enhancing” chemical) and train our dopamine receptors. While a lot of mental health issues can be related to brain chemical imbalances (including dopamine deficiency), research proves that the release of dopamine into our brain can help enhance the mood of individuals going through hard times. What researchers call “musical frisson” and what anyone else would call “goosebumps from listening to music” is a clear determinant of our most intrinsic biological reward system.

Perhaps more surprising is research which found music could directly and indirectly improve our immune systems.

A specific study at Sussex University and the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig found that after exposing individuals to upbeat music for 50 minutes, the level of antibodies in their bodies were significantly increased. So if you’re looking for a remedy for Fresher’s Flu, who would’ve thought you’d find it in the sticky floors of Ocean?

Furthermore, your immune system is also indirectly improved by way of the reduction of stress hormone levels. That feeling that you get after listening to your favourite songs, the one that makes you feel more calm and optimistic about everything ahead; that’s your body at work. That’s your dopamine spiking up as your stress hormone levels decrease.

That’s science.

It’s no secret that coming to university is a scary, exciting, and mostly uncertain time. Taking care of your mental health at critical times like this is not only important but crucial. Of course, there are a number of avenues through which you can do this that are always advertised at the beginning of the academic year, such as keeping in touch with home, exercise, and even therapy. Of course, these are all of crucial importance to help maintain a healthy and emotionally stable state, but one tool that is often underappreciated is music.

“And the best thing is, there is no embarrassment, no side effects, no possible downside to listening to more music” Music can be consumed alone and allow time for introspection, music can be a tool for socializing and bridging relationships with other people and, as we have just learned, music can be therapeutic. There are mountains of evidence that prove that listening to music can have positive effects even in the most extreme of cases, and the research points to countless benefits from integrating listening to music into your daily routine. And the best thing is, there is no embarrassment, no side effects, no possible downside to listening to more music.

It’s almost the only activity you can do in addition to just about everything. Shower with music, revise to it, have it on while cleaning your room. You can listen to it alone or with friends or acquaintances. There is no disadvantage to integrating more music into your life and it could do wonders for your mental and physical health at such a challenging time, so why not give it a go?

So next time you are missing home, or feeling like you don’t quite fit in, remember this: before you do anything else, listen to some music. Not just any music, music that you like, that gets you nostalgic, that song you just know brings chills down your spine every time. Listen to that on your way to lectures, or when you’re just laying in bed with your headphones, thinking about all the experiences you’re immersed in and how they’re making you feel, or even out loud while mouthing every word.

Start there, think about what else you can make to improve your mood, and how you’re going to make these first few weeks the best and most memorable they can be. And you never know who might hear you from the room next to yours and knock on your door for a chat about music.

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Music Hotspots in Nottingham

Holly Wilson

Holly lists her favourite Music Hotspots to make sure any new-to-Nottingham music fan knows where to go for all their music needs Nottingham’s music scene has been on the rise for the past five years, and every day more new artists start out in the city. You can find anything from the folk metal fusion of Ferocious Dog to the indie sounds of Kagoule, or the likes of Darkzy. What’s great about Nottingham is that there is so much opportunity to find new artists! From the open mic nights, and smaller gigs found in the local bars of the city, to the big names you can see at Rock City and the Arena, there’s somewhere for everyone.

Here’s a list of the ones we think are worth a visit:

The Maze Though it sits slightly out of town, the walk up to the The Maze is full of great vintage and record shops that makes the trek worth the effort. This venue is a hot spot for local artist who are just starting out, and The Maze’s music nights, titled ‘Notts In a Nutshell’, incorporate a collection of artists, and are a great way to get acquainted with the up and coming talent from the city. It’s always an intimate gig, and always great fun.

and comfortable seating, as well as the intimate stage space.

Maze

“What’s great about Nottingham is that there is so much opportunity to find new artists”

Rough Trade NOTTINGHAM

Rough Trade Nottingham Sat above the music shop in Hockley, Rough Trade is one of my favourite spots in the city. Their gigs usually feature surprisingly big names, and entry is usually the price of a pre-order of their latest release. If you’re into the indie scene, this is a great place to look for gigs as there is always a board behind the till listing all the upcoming events. The venue is also really cool, with a well-stocked bar

“The atmosphere is amazing, and the bar space is like something out of a music video.”

The Bodega The Bodega is the place to go for visiting indie music, with its upstairs bar providing an amazing gig space.

Downstairs also offers plenty of opportunities to experience amazing music, with opportunities to feature yourself (should you feel confident enough to brace the stage). They frequently host festivals, such as Dot to Dot and Beat The Streets, with the latter being a donations-based tickets and therefore offering bucket loads of music for an affordable price.

Chameleon Arts Café Both a secret bar and gig venue, hidden down an alleyway near Bromley House on Angel Row, The Chameleon Arts Café is another amazing spot to see local bands and touring artists. It’s also another great space where you can get cheap tickets and experience new bands that you may never have listened to otherwise. The

atmosphere is amazing, and the bar space is like something out of a music video.

Rescue Rooms This is a personal favourite for gigs, and I will often spend considerable amounts of time scrolling through the gig guide looking for familiar names. This is the kind of venue where you are able to socialise with the performers, and often hosts surprisingly big names. It’s sat around the back of Rock City, and has a lovely bar adjoined that serves top notch cocktails.

Honoura

ble Menti

ons Pepper R ocks; Goo d for: Open mic nights Jam Café ; Good fo r: Combina tions of p oetry and mus ic The Glee Club; Goo d for: splashes of comed y and gigs

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Society’s obssession with Reality TV What does this say about us?

Elisa Oricchio Elisa explores society’s obsession with Reality TV Reality Television programmes are extremely popular in our society. This may be because they are micro social experiments in which we get to completely invest ourselves and that are fascinating to watch, or maybe it is because we simply need to switch off our minds and forget about our own lives by watching other people live theirs. It is the same reason why we enjoy playing video games like The Sims, because we get to relax and control other’s lives whilst forgetting our own temporarily.

The most popular reality TV shows all focus on one or more of three themes: relationships, family and money. Shows like Keeping Up With The Kardashians portray what it is like to live within a family of multimillionaires, whilst other favouritesGeordie Shore and Love Island- focus on beautiful people and their endeavours when looking for love. But what does the popularity of these shows suggest about our society?

“Society’s views are changing and people are tired of conforming to an ideal appearance.”

The only types of people present in such TV shows are, to begin with, the ones that fit the ideal of beauty that is sold to us from birth and this may suggest that in society’s eyes, the only ones worthy of finding love and being happy. On the other hand, backlash from the public about this year’s Love Island contestants overlooking Samira due to her diversity and the producers not giving her enough air time, conveys that society’s views are changing and people are tired of conforming to an ideal appearance.

This was a movement that led to the addition of Alexandra to the cast who has a different body type to the other girls in the house, promoting more diversity. Like everything else, reality shows such as Love Island have both pros and cons in terms of how we view modern relationships. The development of so much technology in the past 20 years has changed the way we perceive love.

“Shows like Love Island seem to confuse love with lust” Unlike in the past, people nowadays have many different ways of making a connection with someone and meeting their significant other, the most likely being dating apps and websites. This, however, can be seen as a hindrance since shows like Love Island seem to confuse love with lust. Thus, given the show’s popularity, suggest that their viewers do not seem to know the difference either.

It also suggests that viewers accept the relationships they see as real when it has been proven that reality TV shows are very much fabricated. The majority of the show’s viewers are young people aged between 18-30, revealing that our society seems to be quite lost in matters of love since we invest ourselves so much in what we perceive to be real, rather than focusing on the reality.

Reality TV is definitely not a steady ground. It can be a good thing if viewers remember that it is just entertainment rather than becoming completely invested in it. I believe that the popularity of reality shows simply suggest that as a society we enjoy peeking inside the lives of others because it is fun. We must only remember to be aware of the issues that can arise from reality shows in order to make our real society a better place where people of colour, women and people’s general well-being is more important than superficial ideals.

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Films and University Nicolas Caballero Nico analyses the relation between university expectations and the depiction of university life in Film and TV. Cinema’s real-world ramifications, the way it chooses to depict the world, is a topic which has increased in importance with time. Films are increasingly used as scapegoats to avoid speaking about real issues. In the US, blaming movies for the desensitization of audiences to acts of perversion has become the norm in the wake of a tragedy. In 2012, days after the Aurora shooting, director Pete Bogdonavich described the industry’s obsession with violence as “pornographic” adding that he could see “where it would drive someone crazy”.

While issues about film affecting the behaviour of individuals are picked up in mass by the media every time a tragedy happens, the argument should be evaluated when looking at things other than violence. One subgenre in particular has been studied as a possible cause of behaviour in impressionable young adults: the college film.

“The perception of what it’s [university] actually like takes shape in the minds of young adults by way of media.”

It’s no secret that coming to University causes a whirlwind of emotions, some positive, some negative. Along with the polarising emotions that can already confuse teenagers, there comes a set of potentially damaging preconceptions of university life regarding how one is expected to behave.

University is, after all, an exciting time, but the perception of what it’s actually like takes shape in the minds of young adults by way of media. It is, in essence, a fictional land constructed in the minds of teenagers that only becomes palpable when you first close the door to your bedroom on move-in day. Unsurprisingly, the main architect of this constructed fantasy land is media, in particular, film.

Films like Neighbors, American Pie, Animal House or in the TV realm, Fresh Meat, depict university as a haven for the imprudent behaviour. Care-free is the name of the game when it comes the reality constructed by these mediums,

and substance abuse and a general disregard for the future become common place. This reality, of course, is very different from what university life is actually like. While a lack of forward-thinking and a general predisposition to over-drinking is unfortunately more common than not, university is also a place to make lasting memories outside of clubs, and improve your prospects for the future, as well as becoming a more mature person.

Conventions of this genre, like in any genre, are embedded into its very DNA until something different comes along and breaks the mold by way of better reviews or, more often than not, more ticket sales. Take the superhero movie. The campy characteristics of these movies over-saturated the genre rendering it unpopular, killing it off for a number of years until Sam Remy’s more serious and epic approach revived it with 2002’s Spiderman. However, with films like Neighbors still receiving massive critical successes and profiting off the heels of the same shenanigans that made Animal House a success, it’s unlikely this shift in medium will happen for college films anytime soon.

This then leads towards Animal House in particular (perhaps the most well-known college comedy ever made). A specific study uses it to explain what is understood as ‘The Animal House Effect’. The 2012 paper by Louise Wasylkiw and Michael Currie follow the attitudes of a number of college students in the areas of “substance use, sexual activity, and academic behaviours” after being exposed to scenes of movies described as neutral, as opposed to scenes of Animal House and similarly “risk-taking” college comedies.

While the methodology employed in the experiment is up for debate, the research yields some qualitative results relevant to analyse the effects of media towards attitude in this particular moment in life. The overall findings demonstrate that “even brief exposure to a university-themed comedy film results in positive attitudes towards substance abuse and negative attitudes towards academics”.

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Are Films Presenting a

e p d r a R ea l W ity?

It would seem this paper shows university behaviour is at least in part negatively affected by exposure to these films.

In other words, the expectations created of this type of behaviour in impressionable teenagers about college life end up shaping the way they act in some manner once they enter University. While this result is stark and perhaps a bit surprising, I offer a counter-argument less centred on research and more on perspective: is this news?

It would seem this paper shows university behaviour is at least in part negatively affected by exposure to these films.

In other words, the expectations created of this type of behaviour in impressionable teenagers about college life end up shaping the way they act in some manner once they enter University. While this result is stark and perhaps a bit surprising, I offer a counter-argument less centred on research and more on perspective: is this news?

“The obsession of Hollywood with the sexualisation of women creates unrealistic expectations for females all over the world.”

Reality affects culture, and culture affects reality. The two feed off each other since the dawn of time and will continue to for as long as media holds such a big part in society as it does so today. It’s not surprising that the obsession of Hollywood with the sexualisation of women creates unrealistic expectations for females all over the world, so why should we expect its obsession with drinking at university, to create realistic expectations for students and not affect them in any way?

The truth is, all film and TV, while a reflection of reality, ends up shaping that very reality. But then so does literature and music and every other form of media that we gravitate towards to tell us how to behave in an increasingly complex world. We shouldn’t ban Animal-House-esque movies from ever being created just because it might make students drink more. At the end of the day, young men and women are not so impressionable so as to replicate every dumb stunt Jack Whitehall pulls in Fresh Meat.

Furthermore, while big movies like Neighbours are still critical and box-office successes, so are more realistic and complex college and highschool films such as the recent Oscar nominee Ladybird. The genre is shifting, and while films about drinking are never going to be stopped, it is safe to say their relevance is wavering. The paper by Wasylkiw and Currie itself proves by way of survey that films like those used in the study are no longer being consumed by the majority of students.

On a final note, however, it is important to understand that what may be nothing but nudges to most students as to what to expect, can be extremely damaging for particularly vulnerable teenagers or individuals with mental health issues. While mental health is a complex topic, and its issues cannot be simply attributed to expectations formed by media, if there is a shred of evidence that vulnerable or challenged individuals may be negatively affected to some extent by the depiction in cinema, the priorities of filmmakers and the industry need to be re-evaluated when commissioning deeply sensitive films.

More research needs to be done about how media on the topic of college can affect a subgroup of the student body who may be susceptible to mental health diagnoses. There is also an argument that beyond whether or not these films are damaging, there is a missed benefit from purposely not making films that reflect all walks of life at university.

Representation in media is of crucial importance, and if this doesn’t extend to more than a handful of people at university, students who prefer a more responsible, nonalcoholic way to spend uni, or even more crucially, people with disabilities who are so often underrepresented, may feel left out.

While I don’t think banning films about debaucherous behaviour is a solution to the detrimental effects of depiction in cinema, I do believe Hollywood as an industry needs to be more educated. It needs to understand that its decision to paint a certain picture can not only have real consequences for vulnerable teenagers but miss the benefits that come from accurate representation. They may find out too late that forfeiting these is going to end up eventually saturating and killing the genre.

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Georgia Butcher Georgia discusses whether or not this is truly the end of co-op gaming.

Co-op gaming – a staple of any gamer’s life. Players may love the single adventures of Skyrim, the vast multiplayer competitiveness of Call of Duty, or the far more brutal Mario Kart (I’m convinced blue shells can end friendships), but co-op gaming will always be dear to almost any gamer.

No matter your preferred genre, there is no true replacement for the joy of completing a game as a team, with a friend, or a sibling.

“Co-op gaming will always be dear to almost any gamer” Though now impossible to do via split screen gaming, the life of couch coop gameplay will be a fond memory for any siblings or childhood friends.

Younger siblings especially may well remember the days of having to play Luigi (it was simply an unwritten rule that the eldest was always Mario), or Diddy Kong. Perhaps you may have played the

lesser known The Urbz: Sims in the City or the co-op shooters Army of Two. Split screen co-op games were a fact of life.

And I don’t mean the aforementioned racing or straight up shooter games; I love Mario Kart as much as the next person, I’ll even play Halo for a while, but they’re not what I’m referring too. I mean traditional story-driven co-op games.

Those where you would sit down with a friend, controllers in hand, and work together to complete goals and tasks. To complete the story.

But, are these days over? It has been a fact for some time that the era of couch co-op is coming to an end. Though co-op games still exist, local games are rarely a feature, forcing all gamers wishing to play with friends to require two or more screens for everyone to play. Split screen itself, is a dying medium. And even where it is a co-op feature, it is often only a feature for survival games, such as 7 Days to Die, or the soon to be released Fallout 76.

“Co-op gaming may not yet be over, there is still hope”

Yet, there are some games which seem to be fighting against this. The recently released A Way Out is perhaps the best and most recent example. It is a game which doesn’t even allow the possibility of single-player gameplay. A Way Out has to be played by two people, either by couch co-op, or via network gaming.

And even if couch co-op is coming to an end, is it the end of co-op gameplay?

Though the days of sitting beside one another and blasting through a game under one roof may be coming to a close, games such as A Way Out show that co-op gaming may not yet be over. There is still hope. Even whilst couch gaming reaches its end, network gaming is still a strong possibility for any story-obsessed co-op gamers.

There’s no way to tell whether more games like A Way Out will be produced over the next few years, but I for one truly hope there are. Co-op gaming is a beloved pastime and a great way to spend time with friends. After all, shooter games and survival games are only fun for so long and they never have the same cathartic effect of completing an adventure – the joy of finishing the story, and the sadness at the journey being over. Let’s hope that the true end of CoOp is still far, far in the future.

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Gaming Hotspots in Notts Teodor Ispas Teodor recommends the best gaming places in the City of Notts.

University can be a stressful experience at times. When you’re a fresher, it’s even worse. While it is a brand new exciting chapter in your life, in the first few weeks, you’re bombarded with loads of information: courses, modules, societies, hall events, and, everybody’s friend: Student Services. As a result, we here at Impact thought it would be best to list some fun places where you can simply relax and forget about your worries. We recommend you go check them out.

The Dice Cup

At the University of Nottingham we are lucky to have our own dedicated board game society, with a board game night every week, but, if you’d rather travel further afield, look no further than The Dice Cup. “This place has literally every known board game you could think of”, said Harry, a History student at the University of Nottingham. It is indeed unique, because not only does it have a wide range of board games to choose from, they’re also organised into a simple, easy-to-access system, so you can easily find the game you’re looking for. Harry told Impact: “Games are fun, staff are friendly, and the atmosphere is great. I would definitely recommend Dice Cup to anyone”. If there is that one particular board game you are dying to play, then take your friends and go enjoy a fun and casual gaming experience at Dice Cup.

[ALT] Gaming Lounge

Recommended by our very own GameSoc, [ALT] Gaming Lounge is a great place to go for any console fans. From Nintendo 64 to the latest console models and even high-tech VR station, there’s so much to choose from. If you want to go here with your friends, so long as you’re also eating or drinking (or both), you’re welcome to play on whatever console your gaming heart desires. The best part? Their unique cocktails are named after classic gaming trends. They also have some awesome themed nights that’ll get you into the gaming spirit. You don’t have to be a diehard gamer or in need of any previous gaming knowledge. It’s really a great atmosphere, for everyone to enjoy.

Logiclock

Nottingham has plenty of fun and interesting escape rooms.

Logiclock however, stands out by being especially puzzle-heavy. These puzzles are demandingly entertaining, but do not require any outside knowledge, or strenuous activity. Once you are locked inside the room, you have everything you need to piece it all together and solve the puzzle. University of Nottingham alumnus Anthony, our previous gaming editor here at Impact and general manager at Logiclock, told us: “It’s a good thing for people that don’t know each other that well … because everyone on the team can contribute in their own way”. So if you love challenging puzzles and want to bond with your new friends, or even make some new ones, Logiclock is definitely the place for you!

Delta Force Paintball

Ever heard the expression ‘the more the merrier’? You can consider this the unofficial catchphrase for Delta Force Paintball. The more mates you bring to this place, the more fun and memorable your experience will be. Though not limited to just Nottingham, Delta Force Paintball is a great way to spend your day. It’s the perfect place, especially for freshers, because you are divided into teams. You strategize, you work together, you back each other up, and most importantly you bond and become good friends. Kits, guns and ‘ammo’ are provided by the staff. They are also more than happy to give instructions and help you with anything you need for an entertaining time.

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An interview with Five Leaves: Awards, Rebellion, and the Comeback of Independent Bookshops Esther Kearney Esther discusses how independent bookstores stay successful, by asking those who know best: Leah and Ross of Five Leaves

“The success of Five Leaves is proof that smaller, independent shops can still survive against larger competitive companies” In three words Leah described the shop as: Independent, radical and literary.

“Independent bookshops – we’re like the antidote to big businesses.”

The success of Five Leaves is proof that smaller, independent shops can still survive against larger competitive companies. So, how do they do it?

The answer for Leah was simple, they utilise their space. The fact that their business contains such tight knit staff means that they’re able to offer services that bigger businesses can’t provide.

They can talk and engage with their customers, offering them advice and recommendations on a one-to-one scale. Amazon may recommend books for the kids but when did it last ask how they were?

‘We have a relationship with lots of customers. A lot of the time those people who find us by accident turn into regulars and become a part of our community.’

Also, their book ordering system is quicker than most and they’re able to provide unique and niche titles that larger booksellers are unlikely to carry.

That’s one of the best things about a shop like Five Leaves – they’re looking out for the little guys, the smaller more miscellaneous titles that you might never have heard of otherwise. I mean, you’re hardly likely to find a section devoted to ‘esoteric’ in your local Waterstones anytime soon.

Simply put, Leah explained that they thought about what type of bookshop they wanted to be and then worked hard to become it through hosting events.

This means that Five Leaves repertoire is always filled to the brim with any number of parties, talks and discussions throughout the month. Therefore helping them to generate income through tickets and by bringing potential browsers often featuring interesting and explosive book displays.

Their biggest weapon? Social media.

It wasn’t long before they attracted an audience with the shop earning praise from publications such as the Observer and the i with shop owner Ross even being featured on BBC Radio 4 after becoming regional finalists. This all comes back to what’s important to them, finding new ways to reach out to potential audiences and pique their interest with events.

“What can independent bookshops offer us that we can’t access from the ease of our own home with the internet at our fingertips?

Community”

This begins to answer the question currently plaguing society: what can independent bookshops offer us that we can’t access from the ease of our own home with the internet at our fingertips?

Well, after chatting with Leah and Ross and having frequented a few of their events myself, my conclusion was simple. Community.

Leah pointed out the obvious, why would you give your money to large, impersonal companies rather than to an independent bookstore where you know your money is going back to the people who took the time to give you that product? She explained that a lot of time and work goes into creating a book, with energy spent by the writer, publisher e.t.c. who may feel underappreciated given the need to bargain vehemently with larger organisations trying to minimise costs and maximise profits.

All in all, the success of Five Leaves as an independent bookstore is certainly proving Nottingham’s reputation as a rebel city correct, solidifying itself as a regional treasure.

IIV

What exactly is an independent bookshop and what makes Five Leaves so unique in its success when so many other smaller businesses are on the decline? I caught up with Leah and Ross who later went on to win Best Independent Bookshop of the Year to learn more.

Arty outings ENTERTAINMENT

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for your aesthetic pleasure Isobel Sheene Isobel takes us on a tour of Nottingham’s favourite arty hotspots, perfect for a wonderful day out So, you’re looking for something fun, interesting, and vaguely arty to do in your free time in Nottingham? Never fear, we have some great examples of places both on and off campus to explore, admire art, and even grab a few drinks. Check them out!

Wollaton Hall and Park A nice leisurely stroll through the grounds of the park is a favourite trip for any student, especially during the summer, when you’re free, the weather’s good, and you can use it as an excuse to avoid actually doing uni work.

You could circle the lake, wander in search of some deer, or even find a spot to sit and look at the hall itself. All these things are perfect for sketching or providing inspiration for some creative writing (which you will obviously send to Impact for publication...)

“Find yourself enraptured by Nottingham’s modern art scene” Lakeside Arts UoN’s very own Lakeside Arts is also a great (and highly convenient) place to experience some interesting history and art. There’s always something exciting to see here – plus it’s on University Park campus, within sight of Trent Building and Portland. Ideal for when you’ve got that awkward gap in the middle of your timetable. It’s located right next to the lake, which is a beautiful location in itself. You can indulge in a romantic walk around its perimeter or hire a boat with your friends to take out on the lake in nice weather. It’s also the perfect place for an outdoor lum u sketching or photography session, if you’re more d n t Pi & Pe into making the art yourself.

Pit and Pendulum Yep, it’s a bar. But it’s also a work of art.

“indulge in a romantic walk around its perimeter or hire a boat to take out on the lake in nice weather” Nottingham Contemporary If modern art is more your thing, Nottingham Contemporary has always got something interesting on display. From experimental exhibitions featuring light and sound, to displays of local and international talent, this is the place to be.

There are also regular events, including family workshops, debates and discussions, and film nights. Keep an eye on their ‘What’s On’ page for some exciting upcoming projects, and find yourself enraptured by Nottingham’s modern art scene.

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem If you want history and a pint, this is the place to be. The pub boasts that it’s the ‘oldest inn in England’, (as do several other pubs, including two in Nottingham). This interesting old building sits right up against Castle Rock and is attached to several caves that were originally used as a brewhouse back when the castle was first built in 1068.

Although the pub claims to have existed since 1189, there’s not much evidence to support this and the oldest parts of the current building date from the mid-17th century. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth seeing. Visit it after strolling around Nottingham Castle, an arty historic location in its own right, and make a day of it.

The gothic setting of this amazing location in town is everything you need for a great alternative night out. If the gargoyles and chains on the walls aren’t enough to convince you, the cocktails sure will. Popular favourites include the Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Heavenly Virtues selections – complete all of one set, and you’ll even bag yourself a free t-shirt.

The mashing together of sights, sounds, and tastes are definitely enough to classify this place as arty. But if you also enjoy hidden doors behind bookcases, there’s something there for you too. Especially fun is watching a drunken newbie struggle to find the door to the loo.

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The David Ross Sports Village An Unnecessary Expense or a Fortress for the Future?

Tristan Simpson The new ÂŁ40 million David Ross Sports Village was supposed to improve the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sports programme.

However, after its debut season, has it completed this task effectively or could that money have been spent elsewhere?

There were high expectations surrounding the new facility, which is one of the largest university sports centres in the country. It is equipped with state of the art facilities, including a high performance zone with a 60 metre running track, specialist strength and conditioning equipment, sports injury clinic and a hydrotherapy pool.

Whilst this equipment sounds fantastic on paper, has it actually had a direct influence on improving sport at the University?

The University of Nottingham finished 4th overall in the British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) league table in the 2017-2018 season, rounding off yet another successful year. This result saw the green and gold team maintain their 4th place spot for the third year running.

Importantly, they also finished with their highest ever BUCS total of 4258 points, demonstrating an improvement on previous years despite not breaking into the top three.

The DRSV held the annual BUCS finals in the 2017-2018 season, hosting all the best teams from across the UK.

The University of Nottingham competed in 11 of the 52 finals.

This is a tremendous achievement and demonstrates the existing and improving sporting talent at the University. But, yet again, these finals were mainly in the racket sports (squash, badminton and table tennis) rather than across the board. However, the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hockey team made it to the BUCS Championship final against Loughborough, only narrowly losing out on victory. This indicates a potential spark of fresh talent, suggesting the new facilities are improving other sports.

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Pictures courtesy of University of Nottingham Sports

“The University finished with their highest ever BUCS total of 4258 points” Matt Taylor, the head of performance hockey, is delighted with the impact that the sports centre is having on his players. He states that it has “increased [the] level of professionalism in our programme.” “The coaching provided by the strength and conditioning (SC) coaches is really having a benefit on performance. So much so, the club have chosen to invest in the second team also receiving SC coaching moving forwards.” This improvement is evidenced by the selection of six UoN players for the England hockey under 21 squad for a three match series in Ireland in summer 2018.

Taylor further emphasised that the sports centre is a vital component in attracting new players to the University: “Players used to come to the university with a focus on gaining a respected academic degree, now, excitingly, sport has become a determining factor in many people’s decisions when choosing the University of Nottingham.”

Martyn Lewis, head coach of UoN performance badminton, also believes the facilities are building on the success of the racket sport teams, and badminton in particular.

“The new facilities are fantastic at DRSV and perfect for a training environment.

The hall is so big it makes playing badminton actually quite

difficult which plays into our hands as teams coming to play against us really struggle.”

“We smashed our BUCS points target and won more medals at BUCS Nationals than previous years.”

“The hall is so big it makes playing badminton actually quite difficult which plays into our hands” It is clear, therefore, that there has been some progression; even sports in which the University has historically been a dominant force have experienced improvement following the construction of DRSV. The huge 20 court sports hall creates a competitive advantage for the University as it is difficult for other teams to play in, whilst the green and golds regularly train and play in these conditions. Like Matt Taylor, Martyn Lewis highlighted that the new high performance zone pushes UoN team members past their previous targets and gives them “all round support” to improve their fitness and focus on their weaknesses.

However, some new (and expensive) facilities are not having a direct impact on the University’s progress. For example, the all-glass squash court is a new professional standard facility which head coach Richard O’Connor believes has minimal impact in the BUCS leagues. But, he indicates it is very attractive to prospective students.

O’Connor indicated that “as most important fixtures were not at home, the village had no impact. However, the impact can be felt in terms of recruitment, as potential students are impressed at open days.”

“The facilities may not always directly impact the performances of the players in the BUCS leagues” The recruitment process is a key aspect of the DRSV’s impact on improving University of Nottingham sport in years to come, attracting high performing players to study at the University. The brand new high performance zone and the new injury clinic are unusual for a university sports centre, catching the eye of up-and-coming athletes keen to perform at a professional level.

“The process of pushing the University into the top three cannot be expected to happen instantaneously” Nevertheless, the process of pushing the University into the top three cannot be expected to happen instantaneously.

Knocking top sporting universities,such as Loughborough, off their pedestals will not be easy. The challenge will be maintaining dominance in the racket sports whilst improving other sports simultaneously. With top quality coaching and the new high performance facilities offered by DRSV, this definitely looks a hopeful possibility. But, realistically, it will three or four years before the University of Nottingham can break out of fourth place. Although, in the unpredictable world of sport, anything is possible.

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Is women’s sport overshadowed at Nottingham University?

Tristan Simpson Do women’s sports teams at the University of Nottingham receive the same attention and input as men’s?

Although the men’s and women’s sports teams get the same access to the facilities at David Ross, (including the highperformance centre and the physio treatment) university sporting events, particularly Varsity, highlight a bias towards men’s sport. The latter attracts bigger crowds and more attention from university media outlets.

Varsity Many Varsity events which have male and female counterparts highlight the higher demand for men’s sport than women’s. The ‘big’ events, such as basketball and American football, have events both for men and women, yet the men’s events had more advertisement and were presented as ‘bigger’ or more influential to the series as a whole.

“The men’s Varsity events were presented as more influential to the series as a whole” Despite this, the men’s and women’s teams joined forces for ice hockey (one of the most popular events) to give the Green and Gold our first Varsity win since 2015, with both genders gaining the same amount of praise.

BUCS Both men’s and women’s teams perform similarly in the same sports at BUCS and receive the same attention. Our men’s hockey team won the BUCS Championship in 2015, with the women’s team making this year’s final, narrowly losing to Loughborough. The squash women’s team won this year’s BUCS Championship 5-0 with the men narrowly losing their final 3-2. Both table tennis teams excelled with the men’s and women’s 1st team winning this year’s BUCS Championship. This therefore showcases the success for both teams.

“Both men’s and women’s teams perform similarly in the same sports at BUCS and receive the same attention”

Coaches The team’s equality is not just when the whistle blows but on the side lines too. Both hockey teams have the same coach, Matt Taylor, a former England senior international. He has won four National League championships and three National Cups as a player with Cannock HC. The table tennis head coach, Kelly Sibley, has also mentored both teams since the 2016/17 season.

A 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and London 2012 Olympian, Kelly was ranked number one in England for six years.

The football sides also have equally qualified coaches. The men are led by Nick Tester, a UEFAlicensed coach who has overseen several national and County Cup wins and developed numerous professionally-contracted players. The women’s team most recent coach, Tanya Oxtoby, was previously Head of Development at FA Women’s Super League side Notts County Ladies and captain of Perth Glory FC from 2008-2012. Her coaching skills and finesse are evident with her new position as she moves to be the new manager of Bristol City Women FC for the new season, leaving the University ‘a Centre of Excellence for women’s football’.

Alumni Li Lian Yang has a top world badminton ranking of 54, with accolades such as BUCS Champion in women’s singles in 2017 and 2018, youth Commonwealth silver medallist and Wimbledon Senior gold champion.

Andrew Drylie is a former Northern Ireland U18 international and has won both the Irish Youth Cup and Irish Cup as part of Glenavon FC, where his top achievement was reaching the Europa League qualifiers on two occasions.

Despite the men’s sports attracting more attention at events such as Varsity, the University provides equal opportunities for both men’s and women’s teams and attracts the best coaches for both sexes.

This is evident on the pitch as men’s and women’s counterparts for different sports are given the best platform to be successful and provides opportunities for a career in sport after graduation.

SPORT

55

How wide is the gender gap in professional sports?

Zoe Burgess How does equality in the professional sporting world compare to the University of Nottingham’s attempts at creating an equal playing field?

a day. Such discrepancies outline the huge disparity between the men’s and women’s games.

only play best of three sets whereas men play best of five. However, this is only true of the four Grand Slams each year, with the rest of the tournaments consisting of both genders playing best of three.

Not all football teams have a women’s team and some have only been formed very recently. Manchester United are “The women’s US Open final the most notable example, having only attracted more American reformed their women’s side in May of Despite the University providing this year after it was disbanded 13 years viewers than the men’s from equal opportunities for both genders, ago. This difference in attention towards unfortunately the professional world does the women’s game by one of the biggest 2010-2014” not offer the same equality. clubs in the world highlights blatant Why is there such a deeply entrenched double standards for men’s and women’s bias against women in sport? And, if men The pay gaps between male and female sides of the same sport. and women cannot contend on the same contenders of the same sport can, in playing field, why is there such a disparity some sports, be astronomical, as well as However, other sports do not have as between the endorsement and publicity the crowds attracted for each sport, with large of a difference as football. In the of men’s sport compared to women’s? men’s sports often surpassing women’s. tennis world, for example, some of the More importantly, why is the pay gap female big-name stars are more popular so substantial? These are questions to than their male counterparts. One merely which the answers seem to be hard to “Pay discrepancies outline has to mention the name Williams and find. Unfortunately, despite fighting for the huge disparity between the powerful sibling duo springs to mind. change, women in sport are coming to the men’s and women’s With Venus and Serena’s numerous realise that equality is still a long step accolades putting them in the tennis Hall away. games” of Fame as they contend to be the best female tennis players of all time. Despite Despite this sobering truth, as reported, Women’s football is a long way behind the women’s finals often gaining bigger the men’s game in many aspects. The our University is trying its best to create audiences, with the women’s US Open commercial revenue driven by the an equal playing field for men’s and women’s sides pales in comparison to the final attracting more American viewers women’s sports, with the teams being than the men’s from 2010-2014, the money the male teams bring in and this given access to the same facilities and gender pay gap in tennis is still chasmic. is evidenced in the spending and wages both genders attracting coaches of the On 14th July 2018, The Guardian reported highest quality. within their respective games. that ‘so far in 2018, 71% of the world’s top 100 men have earned more than women It would be nice if the professionals Chelsea Ladies’ reported £60,000 transfer fee for Fran Kirby would pay the of the same ranking, based on prize followed suit. money per tournament played’. Some wages of Neymar, the most expensive claim the pay gap is justified, as women male footballer at £200m, for barely

56

IMPACT

Football in Can Forest Finally Fly High Again?

Tristan Simpson Nottingham Forest are as unpredictable as throwing a dice, but that’s exactly why they are brilliant to watch Nottingham Forest is a football club remembered for its illustrious history under the famous manager Brian Clough, yet it has never come close to that previous success. Recalling Forest’s 77/78 league title and back to back European cups in 79/80 can feel like a distant dream today. But the club has been through waves of success in the past, despite its unsuccessful campaigns in recent years. However, this is precisely why they are a fantastic team to go and watch.

You never know what to expect with Nottingham Forest when the first whistle of the season blows; this could be a prosperous year promising a promotion or a year of clinging onto their Championship status. Last season was sadly the latter. They only managed to win 15 of their 46 games, finishing in 17th place with only 53 points. However, there were ups and downs. Forest pulled off one of the biggest shocks in the FA cup, beating Premier League side Arsenal 4-2 at the City Ground without a manager.

This perfectly reiterates my point- Forest are reliably unpredictable which is exactly what makes them interesting to follow.

Anything can happen.

“this is precisely why they are a fantastic team to go and watch.”

The team’s new manager, Karanka, started the summer transfer window extremely well, bringing in a torrent of exciting talent.Notably, Forest have broken their transfer record by acquiring the highly rated João Carvalho from Benfica for £13 million. As well as bringing in other starlets, such as Gil Dias on loan from Monaco, Karanka is adding fast attacking players to his side rack up the team’s goal tally. It certainly looks like positive progress.

“The bigger games and bigger crowds are sure to make this a Championship season to remember” Additionally, the fixtures in the Championship have never been so exciting with the number of derbies and teams striving for the Premier League.

Teams such as Sheffield Wednesday,

Sheffield United, Derby and Aston Villa, amongst many others, will be desperate to put last season behind them and push on for promotion. The bigger games and bigger crowds are sure to make this a Championship season to remember. A league where any team is capable of surprising us all.

With Karanka at the wheel attempting to reform Forest’s style of play and team dynamic, there is certainly a sense of optimism at the historic City Ground.

Hopefully, Forest can turn their backs on recent seasons and climb to the top of the table.

With Forest’s stadium only a 10-15 minute walk from the city centre (and next door to city rivals Notts County’s stadium) it is certainly worth a trip, particularly with the competition being hotter than ever.

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SPORT

Nottingham Can League Two Rival the Championship Displays Over the Trent?

Zoe Burgess Given their dramatic turnaround in the last 18 months, are Notts County a viable option as Nottingham’s student football club?

Notts County are the world’s oldest Football League club and boast some great past accolades. In recent years their fortunes have not been so great, nearly falling out of the Football League in the 2016-17 season. However, in January 2017, Alan Hardy bought the club in and commenced the difficult task of turning it around. With the help of new manager Kevin Nolan, Hardy not only succeeded in keeping the club in the Football League, but exceeded everyone’s hopes with an outstanding 2017-18 season. This transformation has ensured that County deserve to be Nottingham’s premier student football club.

4-2 in their third game.

Despite this, the final push to gain automatic promotion was not enough. It meant they would enter a thrilling playoff battle against Coventry City. The two legs were filled with goals, disallowed goals, penalties, and (in what seemed to be the Magpies’ style last season) controversial refereeing decisions.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t see the Sky Blues off and did not fulfil their dreams of playing at Wembley.

heavily-discounted student tickets and revealed to Impact they are looking to do something similar this season.

In addition to cheap tickets and exciting football, Meadow Lane is less than a 10-minute walk from the city centre. If you can’t wait to get into town for a pint, the Trent Navigation pub is right next to the ground, offering a great range of craft ales and spirits and a crowd of happy Magpies fans after a win. Or County’s own bar, The Broken Wheelbarrow, can also quench your thirst.

“Meadow Lane is a great stadium and offers some gritty lower league football, as well as a great atmosphere”

Meadow Lane is a fantastic stadium and offers some gritty lower league football.

It provides an infectious atmosphere and hopes of a successful season Hardy’s plan was to consolidate in the 17with aspirations of being promoted to 18 season, stating “‘mid-table would have League One. Speaking to Hardy, he said been fine”. But the team managed much “It promises to be another enthralling Despite being unable to secure more than that. County were in the top season and we hope to see lots of three of League Two from 9th September promotion, the eventful season had fans University of Nottingham students at our and neutrals alike hooked to every game. matches.” until 10th February, managing to remain This was helped by County’s enchanting in the play-off places for the remainder FA Cup run, which saw them beat of the season after beating Wycombe An important and essential part of Championship opposition Brentford in the experiencing a city is seeing a local third round. before forcing then-Premier football match and mixing with life-long League outfit Swansea City to a replay. fans. If tickets are discounted, you really

have no excuse not to head down to As well as playing some great football, Meadow Lane to see what all the fuss is the crowds did not fail to disappoint about! either. Hardy promoted several deals throughout the seasonwhich attracted “It promises to be another both regular supporters and non supporters. This included the ‘2 for Crewe’ enthralling season and we which offered £2 tickets for all fans, hope to see lots of University attracting a crowd of more than 17,000 of Nottingham students at - the biggest attendance at Meadow Lane this century. He also offered our matches”

There’s more to Nottingham than f tball 58

IMPACT

Callum McPhail There’s more to see and do as a fresher in Nottingham’s sporting landscape than just heading down to Meadow Lane or the City Ground.

There are many options in the city centre which are easily accessible by bus or tram; if that’s a bit far there are still options closer to home.

Closer to Home Nottingham Tennis Centre If racket sports are more your thing the Nottingham Tennis Centre is next to the Science Park at the front of University Park. The centre hosts an ATP and WTA tournament every summer, but if you want to give it a go yourself you can get unlimited access to the outdoor courts with a £25-a-month membership. If you just want to get a taste, you can call and get a free session with a tour. With the tram running along University Boulevard, it’s still accessible if your accommodation is not on University Park.

m

The Dojo For those who want something a bit more traditional or closer to home you also have The Dojo in Beeston. A short distance from the South entrance of University Park, you have a Karate centre with daily classes for beginners. If you just want to learn the art or if you want to move towards competition level, you’re sorted. You can also get your first session

City Centre Ice Rink The Panthers ice hockey team, who play at the Motorpoint Arena, are one of the best in the country and offer tickets at a much lower price than the football teams, some starting from £6.

The team is well-supported, with the stands filling up regularly. Big games, like when the Sheffield Steelers are in town, often sell out.

The arena, as well as the National Ice Centre, is on the edge of the Lace Market so is easily to get to by both forms of public transport.

When the Panthers aren’t in town, you can also skate at the famous ice rink for just £5, which includes skate hire. Sessions run for an hour and a half to two hours and if you check out the ice skating society you can join some taster sessions without buying a membership to see how you get on.

Nottingham MMA For those who want to get a bit more hands on, you have plenty of combat sports options around the city with Nottingham MMA being on the other side of the Motorpoint Arena, which is run by a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Classes run every evening during the week and on Saturday mornings. Any of the classes function as a great workout as well as a way to expand your horizons and your social circle. Student membership runs at £50 per month for as many classes as you want, but you can also go for £6 per class if you want to get a feel for things.

free to see if it’s your cup of tea.

NOTT

INGH

MMA

AM

CREDITS

59

THE TEAM Editorial Editor-in-Chief

Emma Heasman

Print Editor

Eleanor Gray

Online Online Editor Web Developer Deputy Online Editors

Sophie Hunt Ben Henaghan Jennifer Peck Francesca Hadland

Design & Images Artistic Director Assistant Designers

Ella Taylor Georgina Lay Charlotte Lockwood Dania Basil Shanai Momi Sophie Gordon

Head of Illustrations

Sections Head of News News Editor Head of Features Features Editor Head of Comment Head of Lifestyle Food Editor Style Editor Travel Editor Head of Entertainment Arts Editor Film and TV Editor Gaming Editor Head of Reviews Reviews Editor Head of Sport Sport Editor

Amirah De Bourg Marvel Kalu Natasha Fernandes Shanai Momi Faye Price Charlotte Hegley Rosa Morgan Daisy Cooper Amy Wilcockson Georgia Butcher Esther Kearney Nicolas Caballero Teodor Ispas Katie Moncur James Hurman Zoe Burgess Tristan Simpson

Management External Manager Internal Manager Internal Manager Assistant Social Media Assistant Publicity Assistant

Sian Baldwin Katie Watson Alana McKenna Ruby Tyler Annie McGil

Cover Image by Ella Taylor Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed throughout are those of the writers and interviewees, not Impact as a whole.

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SEPTEMBER 2018

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