Under The Influence

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Black Lights

January 2013 | ÂŁ2.00

We talk to the up and coming band on their new record deal

meet the team Welcome to the first ever issue of Under The Influence, your new monthly magazine that will keep you intoxicated on life.

We were told that university isn’t just about going out, getting drunk and embarrassing ourselves, we were told we had to do some work...so we made a magazine about it all instead.

Editor Favourite drink: Turbo rum Most used phrase of the month: Oh fucking hell!

Palmer Frederica

Sub Editor Favourite drink: Strongbow and blackcurrant Most used phrase of the month: Fuck this, let’s get drunk

Penny H eaton Arts Director Favourite drink: Crabbies Most used phrase of the month: What is life?

imm Natalie S

Feature writer Favourite drink: Refresher pint Most used phrase of the month: Simmer.

Feature writer Favourite drink:: Rosé wine Most used phrase of the month: Listen yeah.

Hedges Jennifer

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Andrew Hought on

This month in...

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News 5. What’s happening in Falmouth

Everybody’s favourite meal explained on p36

Music 6. This month’s top tunes 7. The Lumineers 8. Rihann’as Unapologetic 10. Black Lights

Learn how to transform your student room on p16

Fashion & Style 14. Fashion made affordable 16. Do up your digs Lifestyle 18. Housemate Horrors 21. Cocktail of the month 22. Blame it on the vodka 24.How to deal with the morning after the night before 26. Are you clear?

27. Baby on board!

32. Come out come out, whoever you are Travel 34. Commute and communicate Food 36. Stuff yourself and your wallet

eme hous

leso ut troub o b a ll a tell p16 Students mates on Find out how you can keep your sexual health safe on p26

Film & TV 38. Fresh Meat 39. The Impossible Money 40. Balance your budget

Find out the top 5 films of the month on p39 UNDER THE

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NEWS

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What’s happening in Falmouth?

Beerwolf Books A book? A brew? A beer? Maybe all three?

Annie Mac Saturday 2nd Februay The Stannary 9p - 2am Tickets £12.50 18+ Club International Falmouth’s infamous club International are offering free entry to all every Monday throughout January!

Phoenix Cinema Turn to page … to check out what’s on at the cinema this month!

Take your pick. Falmouth’s latest establishment is the perfect three in one combination.

Since the 13th of December 2012, Beerwolf Books has been providing residents with coffee, beer and books Photography student from Monday to Steph Agate said: Saturday between 10:30am to 00:00am and then 12:00pm to 11:00pm on “it’s such a quirky Sundays.

Both residents and students are bursting with positive comments on the new addition to Falmouth’s high street.

place, the owners are so friendly and the atmosphere is great.”

Local marine James Pascoe added: “they create two different vibes within two different time frames. You can go in the day for a chilled read with a coffee but then grab a pint at night also. What’s not to love?”

The owners themselves are also reaching out with a message for you all “We welcome all types of word art, poetry, comedy, song writing, recitals and engaging talks”. So go and check out the latest craze down on 3 Bells Court, TR11 3AZ Falmouth, Cornwall.

Raze The Roof On the first Saturday of every month raze the roof open their doors to those of us that are still just big kids at heart! Check out their website for more information http://www. razetheroof.co.uk/parties. php#B6 Volunteer Saturday 19th January Why not spend your weekend helping FXU take part in the Boot Up! Campaign aiming to help children in care. The team need your help clearing up the site from 10am to 3pm. Find out more on the FXU website.

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MUSIC

This months top tunes TOP 5 ALBUMS

TOP 5 SINGLES

1. Jake Bugg – Jake Bugg 2. Emeli Sande – Our Version Of Events 3. Rihanna - Unapologetic 4. One Direction – Take Me Home (Yearbook Edition) 5. Lana Del Rey – Born To Die: Paradise Edition

1. Will.I.Am – Scream & Shout (feat. Britney Spears) 2. Paramore - Now 3. Justin Timberlake – Suit & Tie (feat. Jay Z) 4. Taylor Swift – I Knew You Were Trouble.

5. One Direction – Kiss You

SINGLE OF THE WEEK

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK

PARAMORE - ‘NOW’

Lana Del Rey Ride

MOST ANTICIPATED SINGLE News of collaborations between legends in the pop industry have been circulating for quite a few months now and a Los Angeles radio station has recently confirmed that they have received word on a new single from Beyoncé with a track named ‘Ratchet’ featuring Rihanna and Lady Gaga.

With the digital selling power of Gaga, the single selling power of Rihanna and the album sales of Beyoncé, this collaboration seems to be a sure-fire winner.

This is just a rumour however so not to get all your hopes up. Beyoncé is to perform at the 2013 Superbowl with the help of Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams as Destiny’s Child reunite to perform the first of their new material in eight years.

Following this performance, it’s been rumoured that as Bey is to perform her new single, are Gaga and Rihanna to join her also? Only time will tell. The Super Bowl XLVII airs on the 3rd of February.

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The Lumineers

By Natalie Simm his new folk-trio has made a great first impression on our shores in the last 12 months, but their fame and fortune has been on the rise for seven years.

Based in Colorado, this unique new band write all their own songs. Their new album “The Lumineers” captures the era of each decade in the 19th century with a rootsy, original sound that is literally, music to your ears.

Their songs are written to engage with real situations and feelings. “Classy girls” explores the definition of a lady, while “Dead Sea” gives a nod to the notion that someone can make you float, and not let you sink.

The raw talent of this band is shown through three very talented musicians. Lead guitarist, Wesley Schultz, has an enchanting voice that carries over the percussion of Jeremiah Fraites beautifully while the talent of Neyla Pekarek adds a certain charm with her mandolin, cello and piano skills.

The sound of The Lumineers is truly majestic. The soft folk style

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offers a glimpse of the past which contrasts with the society that exists today.

It is a refreshing musical burst of energy and emotion that you would not get bored of, and can always relate to.

The group have recorded videos with The Sights of Sounds, a video recording team based in Oregon, and uploaded them to YouTube where their true popularity can be seen through the ‘like’ and ‘dislike’ buttons.

The videos are recorded in an acoustic environment with no backing track, just instruments

and vocals. The filming is focused on the sound and not the people, so it shows the music from a musician’s perspective rather than it being a massive production to showcase their work.

The Lumineers are set to make a big impression with their current success, their first single “Ho Hey” reaching number 8 in the singles chart. Their single has since been featured on an e.on advert and on a trailer for new film “Silver Lining.”

You can download their album for just £5.99 on iTunes.

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MUSIC

Unapologetic is thankfully a step away from Talk That Talk

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Rihanna's Unapologetic An Evolution

By Andrew Houghton Unapologetic. Adjective. “Unwilling to make or express an apology.”

Currently on her seven-day, seven concert and seven countries tour to support her seventh album, Rihanna is known for spitting her albums out, but does quantity over quality always win for her? Sitting at number 1 in the iTunes album charts as I type this, I guess so.

Wait! What do you have to be sorry for, Rihanna? The title seems to be a nod at Chris Brown more than anything, especially considering the controversy surrounding the two. But let’s not get into that. More likely, the title is a reflection of Rihanna’s mood about life in general, which really would make the sense. The album is, after all, completely lacking direction, but it still works... somehow.

Unapologetic is a step forward and thankfully away from Talk That Talk. There are a lot more tight and polished productions, especially on the latter half of the album where she ditches the Top 40-desperate productions and lyricism for a more sombre mood that shows that Rihanna may actually about more than just a #1 hit on Billboard.

Upon first listen “What Now” immediately became a favourite track, only to be topped by “Stay” and again by “Nobody’s Business.” For the first time since A Girl Like Me, the best tracks on the album aren’t the ones you can guess will be sent off to radio. “Stay” is the most honest track in years and showcases Rihanna’s full vocals. The supporting piano compliments her beautifully pained vocals. “Nobody’s Business” is golden, despite the annoying way they chose to pronounce “business.” (Bitnis?) The track is obviously a sucker punch to the media for butting into the questionable and confusing relationship between ther and Chris Brown, but lyrically, the song is really what love is all about.

There are some great moments on the first part of the album too. “Right Now” is starving to be released to radio, sitting on top of one of the most dangerously constructed beats in Guetta’s catalog. Listen with caution because you could unintentionally dance yourself to death. Then, of course, there’s “Diamonds,” which is the stand-out moment of the album and one of the top songs of the year overall.

Personally, I feel like the album falters in its lack of rhythmic radio smashes a la “What’s My Name” or “Rude Boy,” which is honestly where Rihanna flourishes. Songs like “Pour It Up” seem contrived and Rihanna comes across as desperate to live up to her “thug life” tweets.

I’m happy with this album. Better than I expected. It doesn’t deliver as many instant hits as Loud or Good Girl Gone Bad, but definitely helps me forget about the painfully pitiful album that was Talk That Talk

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By Andrew Houghton

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lack Lights are a four-piece indie/alternative band from Manchester at the start of their journey to stardom as they’ve just been signed to Island Records and are now writing music for their debut album.

Their new single ‘The Enemy’ has received positive feedback from critics across the board on many blogs such as Mancunian Matters and Louder Than War. Andrew Houghton sat down with them for an exclusive interview.

Jamie McCool, Jack O’Connor, Josh Hussey and Howard Eastwood are Black Lights.

Why did you name the band ‘Black Lights’?

Jamie McCool: “It was actually quite random to be honest, many bands out there have cool and unique names which makes them stand out and one day, we just sat there and brainstormed ideas.

Black Lights made the cut!”

What are the inspirations behind

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the sound of the music you make?

Jack O’Connor: “Personally, I listen to bands like Arctic Monkeys and Oasis when I’m thinking of chord progressions and writing lyrics. Jamie is the main man behind the lyrics though.”

JM: “Lyrically, my influences come from life experiences, I’m writing about stuff people can relate to, that’s what brings us together as a society isn’t it?”

Why did you guys decide to make a band together?

JM: “We met at Music College in Manchester when we were studying. I have always known that I wanted to sing, whether that was in a band or not. Black Lights just came together.”

Have you got any funny stories to share?

JO: “Yeah we do actually! On the set of The Enemy, all was going

well and then completely out of the blue, a bird flew into the window and scared the s**t out of Jamie during one of the takes and he full on ducked as if there was a shoot out!!”

JM: “That wasn’t funny right! I genuinely thought there was a sniper in the building!”

Josh Hussey: “Oh that was a fun day…”

Upon being signed, what were your initial thoughts, did you ever think it would happen?

JM: “Personally, I did believe we were going to be signed, I just felt like it was going to happen for some reason, be it now or a few years down the line, I just thought we would.”

Howard Eastwood: “Yeah, Jamie has always believed in us as a band from the start, he was the ‘rehearsal nazi’ as we would call him… He wouldn’t let a week go by without us getting together to write some awesome material.”

Have you ever had any weird groupies wanting more than just the music from the band?

JO: “Jamie did actually! Girls always swoon for the lead singers, it’s not fair!”

JM: “I’m telling you, it’s not my voice, it’s my hair. Girls love gingers…”

www.facebook.com/blacklightsmusic @_BlackLights http://www.black-lights.co.uk soundcloud.com/blacklightsofficial www.youtube.com/blacklightsofficial

Where would you picture yourselves in five years?

JM: “Hopefully if things go right, we’d have a few albums out and be on tour living the dream! We can’t jump to conclusions though; we’re just getting down to writing stuff for the album. To be fair, if our music reaches to places we’ve never visited in the UK, I will be completely satisfied with that.”

HE: “I’ve always hoped that we’d be able to reach America and conquer that big old place, not in five of course, maybe ten!”

Which band would you compare yourselves to, if any?

JM: “NONE! Which bands would you compare to us should be the question!”

Would you consider yourselves lucky in your experiences so far in the music industry?

JH: “I wouldn’t call it luck, I’d say its more hard work that’s finally paying off. Yeah we’ve only been at it for a few years and we’ve been signed quite quickly but we’ve been working and working and working for so long and like Howard said, Jamie would make us rehearse all the time, so there was never a week gone by without us getting together to make music.”

JM: “I completely agree with Josh, it’s hard work and dedication what gets you places in this harsh industry. I just can’t wait to get to work in the studio.”

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FASHION & STYLE

FASHION MADE AFFORDABLE We all know buying clothes to keep up with the latest trends can take it's toll on a student's pocket. Here Jennifer Hedges shows you how to dip-dye your wardrobe.

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eing a student means having a tight budget and making the best of what we have. The party life style usually takes priority over the necessity’s we should actually be spending our money on.

When it comes to clothes, get creative and get customizing. Turn those old hideous outfits into the latest fashion trends within no time at all.

Dip dye is just one of the several options to spice up your wardrobe. It may be a blast from the past, but it’s once again all the rage. The psychedelic shades will totally blow your mind.

If you wanted to dip dye an item of clothing such as your shorts all you need is: • • • • • • • •

You choice of shorts Scissors Ruler Gloves Bucket Bleach Hanger Your choice of dye

Method 1. Make sure you have a pair of gloves to protect your skin! Safety is a first.

2. Cut your shorts to the desired length or slightly fray them for the classic festival look.

3. Decide how far up you want to dye your shorts and put a ruler across whilst you dip them into the bleach.

4. Wait for the desired shade to come through and then wash and dry the shorts.

5. Read the instructions on your selected packet of dye and then proceed to dip the part which is bleached into the dye. (All brands of dyes can be different so be sure to read the instructions and not just chuck them in the bin).

6. Leave them to soak for the advised amount of time and then wash them once again and leave them to dry.

If you follow these simple steps, you should be left with your own customised shorts. Once you start, you’ll be hooked! You’ll be giving Vivienne Westwood a run for her money in no time. Just kidding, she is the queen of fashion.

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Another one of my favourite customising skills is of course studs! You can put them on your shoes to get some rock and roll in your life, or add them to your dip dye shorts for that extra wow factor. They're so easy to buy.

Ebay and Amazon are great online stores to order the studs or explore your local market stalls.

The studs are so easy to attach, do not doubt your skills.

Literally push them through the selected items and then push the clasps to secure the place of the studs. Then POW, you can go out looking fresh and customised with your own personalised studded clothes and shoes.

But for the faint hearted, who prefer the easy option of bargain shopping in store or online. FEAR NOT, I have some cracking deals that will allow you to maximise your wardrobe for a bargain price. There of those of us who like a bit of creativity

and shaking things up, however there are others that like to know exactly what they are purchasing and prefer the safer option.

Either can easily be catered for!

Personally New Look is one of my favourite high street stores.

The quality of clothes for the price is fantastic and students get 10% off. During certain seasons they want to spoil you all that bit extra, and bump it up to 20%.

They cater for students for every occasion, from your lecture outfits to those Saturday night killer stilettos.

Or if you fancy yourself as a bit of online shopper then you need to check out http://www.asos. com, the fashion bargain bible.

Every time the website loads, a surge of excitement surges through my shopaholic veins because the discounts and sales the website offers are genuinely bargalicious. Yeah I totally just went there with the bargalicious.

At times there is 70% off both woman and men’s clothing, shoes and accessories and to top it all off – free delivery worldwide.

Like seriously, check it out right now, like right this second. Fell in love within ten seconds? I thought as much.

Another cracker of a website is for online shopping is http:// www.myfashionshop.co.uk/ womens/. My fashion shop selects the latest fashion items from a range of high street stores online but for prices you wouldn’t even expect. Both these websites will have your bank cards smiling, not frowning!

Student finance will be at ease knowing that you’re not going to be destroying your loan with these websites.

So whether you’re customizing or investing, send us some pictures at under.the.influence@ live.co.uk to let us see your affordable fashion trends!

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FASHION & STYLE

Do up your digs

FredericaPalmer, has compiled a variety of ways for you to liven up your student accommodation. So if you’re feeling a tad homesick or are getting bored with staring at four plain walls then have a look at her advice below.

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f you cast your minds back to when you first arrived at University you’ll probably vaguely remember shoving your parents out of the front door before the rest of your flatmates moved in, and not much else.

But with your first term coming to an end you’ve probably found yourself spending more and more time in your room as your workload goes up and your alcohol intake goes down.

And after a month at home,

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courtesy of the Christmas holidays, you’re probably sat there, slightly stressed thanks to the approaching deadlines, thinking about how much you hate you’re those four plain walls encasing you in this hell and how you would much rather be back at mums house.

Whilst the occasional phone call home is a great way to cure those Sunday blues, when you want nothing more than to snuggle up on a comfy sofa after stuffing your

face with your mums infamous roast, many of you are probably finding the transition from home life to university halls a little daunting. Especially now you actually have to spend most of your time in your room working towards your degree.

Well nothing says home more than personalising your pad so why not do just that? We here at Under The Influence understand exactly what you’re going through and have brainstormed a few easy

ways for you to decorate your room!

When 18-year-old Marine and Natural History Photography student Beth Arkwright first moved to Falmouth she couldn’t quite shake the feeling that the room she was sleeping in wasn’t her own.

“When I first arrived I walked in and was like, this isn’t my room. But now I’ve personalized it, it actually feels like home.”

Beth has mainly decorated her room with posters, her favourite of which includes a bite mark courtesy of Rory, her pet budgie.

“I’d say this particular poster is my favourite item because it reminds me of him.”

Posters not only liven up the dullest of walls but also provide brilliant conversation starters.

Press and Editorial Photography student John Liot has also decorated his room with them.

However his aren’t always met with such a positive reaction. “I basically created a wall of women,” says 21-year-old John. “When guys see it they sometimes give a sly smile or a nod of appreciation.”

Not surprisingly, John’s flatmates, all of whom are women, aren’t so keen.

Posters aren’t the only way to personalise your space though.

Photography student Ida Olsen decided to do one better and used wall stickers to liven up her room.

“I found them on amazon for like five pounds and I just thought they would look great on the wall and add a more sophisticated style!”

Of course decorating isn’t just about sticking pictures on your wall. Why not try hanging bunting across your shelves or wrapping

fairy lights around your bed?

Though, these ideas may not appeal so much to you men out there.

If you’re finding yourself missing your friends then sign up to Boots and make the most out of their 40 free prints when you first join. Photographs are a great way to customise your room and will remind you of the fun memories you’ve shared with both old and new friends. “A lot of my friends have just completely covered their doors with photographs of friends,” said 18-year-old Beth.

“It’s about what makes you feel comfortable and the room feel like yours.”

However, it’s not all about decorations. Sometimes something simple like rearranging the furniture is all it takes so give moving your bed a go. Katrina Peel did exactly that when she first moved into halls.

“I pushed the bed right against the wall and I suddenly had all this floor space!”

Said the 20-year-old Graphics student. “It worked out really well given the nature of my course and it made my room feel more unique.”

We hope these ideas have helped inspire you to have a play around with your own room but if you’re still left wondering how to jazz it up even more then why not try recreating a few our of Do It

DO IT YOURSELF

Hanging birds History student Emily Poole has decorated her room with these gorgeous paper birds!

Liven up you’re room by making your own!

Bottled flower Don’t have the motivation to go all out? Just keep it simple by sticking a flower in an empty beer bottle like this one.

Wall of Women If you have any more unusal tips and tricks to make your bedroom look funky, email us at under. the.influence@live.co.uk for your chance to feature in our next issue or on our website.

For you men out there who aren’t so keen on paper birds and flowers in a bottle why not take inspriation from John Liot and create your own wall of women?

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LIFESTYLE

Housemate Horrors

Whether it’s not washing up, forgetting to put the toilet seat down or playing music at 4am, we’ve all had that one annoying housemate. However, some housemates take it that extra bit further. From horrifying hygiene habits to having security called on you, Penny Heaton speaks to students whose previous housemates are definitely the stuff of nightmares.

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hose of you doubling up with a roommate this year will probably have a few bathroom horrors of your own, be it clumps of your roomie’s hair clogging up the drain or realising only minutes too late that once again your bunk bed buddy has forgotten it was his turn to buy the loo roll.

Next time you find yourself silently cursing your roommate for what they have or haven’t done, just thank your lucky stars they aren’t this bad.

“He left pubes in our sink!”

After a year living with guys who severely struggled to tidy up after themselves, 20-year-old Hannah Vaughan had grown more than tired of living in a pit of squalor and was looking forward to moving into a girls’ only house. Until one of them dropped out over the summer break.

Cue the 23-year-old martial arts enthusiast whose serious lack of personal hygiene and cleanliness made last year’s pad look like a palace.

“He left pubes in our sink and suspicious looking stains on the shower floor.”

After two weeks of living with her new housemate, Hannah had already experienced more than enough to put her off living with guys forever. “The upstairs bathroom is uninhabitable so all five girls are sharing the one downstairs.”

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“They pinned tampons to my wall!”

However, it’s not just guys that leave the place in a state, although, this time, it was just a prank that perhaps went a little too far.

“The girls in my flat thought it would be hilarious to put ketchup on a load of tampons and pin them to my notice board.”

Nineteen-year-old Nick Turner returned home after a night out to find what appeared to be used tampons hanging in his room. It was only after he had thrown up in his toilet a few times and went to approach his housemates to find out what was going on when he found them in hysterics outside his door listening to his reaction.

“It was honestly the most disgusting moment of my life”

“He never changed his boxers!”

This wasn’t the only prank that’s backfired, when eight people moved in to a flat last year, three of the flatmates thought it would be funny to pull some pranks on their new flatmates to “break the ice”.

Deciding that they should prank the housemate they knew the least, they decided to wrap everything in his room in cling film, right down to his boxers.

So you can only imagine their horror when after hearing nothing for a month, they went to investigate, only to find all his boxers still wrapped up in cling film, untouched.

“We don’t even want to know why he wasn’t changing them. Our only hope is that he just bought new ones.”

“His friends were all in prison!”

Living with people with hygiene issues is something which university students can probably expect, it’s when you come to question their person and temperament that it becomes that little bit frightening to live with them.

When 21-year-old Emily Waldron sat down to get to know her new housemate, she was shocked to hear him list off all his friends that were now in prison.

“He said it so casually, there were about 11 of them he listed off, one for pushing his girlfriend down the stairs.”

It was only after living with him for a few weeks longer that she became aware of his awkward and unusual social habits, making her and all her housemates uncomfortable in his presence.

“We wouldn’t stay in the room alone with him, it would be too awkward, we text each other when we want to go and cook in the kitchen in case he is in there as well.”

It’s safe to say living in halls can provide you with interesting stories to share, but just remember, it won’t last forever! If you have anymore stories on interesting housemates, email them to us at under.the.influence@live. co.uk

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Cocktail of the month The Headfucker Whether you’re having just a bad week littered with deadlines or you’ve just gotten back after Christmas, The Headfucker is guaranteed to take you to a place you’ve never visited before.

The Headfucker can be made with almost anything, as long as you get the mixer right, you’ll be absolutely fine.

Ingredients: •1 shot Bailey's Irish Cream.

•1 shot Orange + Cranberry J20.

•1 tablespoon of chilli powder.

•1 part tequila.

•1 part absinthe.

•1 part ouzo.

•2 parts vodka.

•1 part cider.

•1 part gin.

How to: Find the biggest jug at your disposal and add all the ingredients together, stir well and combine with ice cubes then fill to the brim.

It’s probably the easiest and most simple cocktail you could create in order to well and truly be under the influence and fucked in the head.

After plentiful consumption, you should be moderately drunk, if not, do another round, but this time, add 5 more shots of vodka to give it that extra kick.

Finally, The Headfucker has a best before use of ‘Before you leave the house’ so if you leave it to settle over-night, you’ll get a horrible curdled mixture of alcohol, Bailey’s and chili powder. If you’re hardcore, a spoon and straw is all you need to get the party going again. use at your own risk and drink responsibly Under The Influence are not responsible for any injuries or physical damage caused by excessive use of this cocktail. Drink responsibly and know your limits. The Headfucker is entirely in itself a booster to your night and should not be used as a long term solution to a drunken ‘quick-fix’.

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LIFESTYLE

When given the task of unearthing our reader’s most embarrassing drunken stories we knew there was only one place in Falmouth that would hold the answers. We sent a somewhat reluctant Frederica Palmer into the depths of Club I to dish out the dirt you lot have been hiding, along with last month’s laundry.

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ike the best of us I too am no stranger to the wicked ways of Club International on a Thursday night, so I did the only thing any sane person would do. I went to Tesco’s and bought a bottle of their finest every-day value rum to help me survive the night ahead.

Fast forward several hours and the majority of my earlier purchase was now rapidly

working its way through my blood stream as I stumbled across the cobbled streets of Falmouth with my best friend by my side. We made our way up those beautifully carpeted stairs, exchanged £3 for a stamp that would remind of us of this night for several days to come and began our search.

Be it your honest natures, or Club I’s £1.20 Sambuca shots,

those of you who did have the great misfortune of meeting our acquaintance last week were more than happy to share with us some truly embarrassing stories.

So the next time you think it’s a great idea to double up on your vodka red bull for the mere cost of an extra £1, read these gems below and maybe you’ll think twice. (Some names have been changed upon request.)

My boyfriend heard me cheating The majority of us have, or will, experience waking up after a particularly messy night out with more than just an unwanted hangover for company. However, things could be a lot worse, as 20-year-old Stephanie Tucker knows only too well.

“I was seeing a guy back home exclusively but one night after several drinks too many I ended up getting friendly with a guy I’d met and took him back to mine. One thing led to another but I must have some how pocket called my boyfriend in the process and he overheard me having sex with someone who definitely wasn’t him.”

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I sex-Skyped the wrong person

Thanks to advances in technology and a few too many tequila shots we’ve all ended up drunk-dialling our boss or letting a certain someone know exactly what we think of them. Throw Skype into the mix and you’ve got yourself a whole new level of problems, just ask 19-year-old Emily Smith.

“I came home really drunk one night and thought it would be a great idea to Skype my boyfriend. I also thought it would be a great idea to surprise him and do this naked to make up for the fact we hadn’t seen each other in a while. However, due to the state I was in I accidently called an old school friend. They were definitely surprised.”

The cleaners found me semi-naked and covered in vomit

Thanks to the student unions wonderfully cheap prices most of us have probably had a night at The Stannary involving a few too many drinks and some rather unfortunate consequences. Twenty-year-old graphic design student Katrina Peel may have taken things a bit too far at last years pirate party.

“It was the first fresher’s event and about half way through the night I found myself projectile vomiting all over one of the cubicles and myself.

The next thing I knew the cleaners were waking me up telling me the party was over. Stumbling to my feet I ran home semi naked and covered head to toe in my own sick. The worst part was I went back to bed before showering."

I got caught having sex on CCTV

This story really needs no introduction, but we do advise against following the actions of Lily James, who’s currently studying law and really should know better.

“I was getting with this guy at the Stannary who asked to come back to mine. I didn’t really know my flatmates that well and wasn’t sure how they would react so said no. We ended up going to the fields by the football pitch and getting it on there. I told my friend the next day and that’s when she pointed out to me that CCTV covers that exact spot.”

If you think you have a story to rival those above then why not submit it to our facebook page, www.facebook.com/SecretsofUCF. UNDER THE

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LIFESTYLE

How t o d e al w i t h t h e mo rnin g afte r the night before Our apologies go out to Penny Heaton who was given the unfortunate task of mass alcohol consumption all in the name of researching how to get rid of a horrendous hangover for you lovely lot.

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e’ve all been there, you have an early start the next day and insist you won’t be going out and getting drunk. For once, you’re going to take your life seriously and wake up feeling fine and fresh.

Until 9 o’clock the night before when all your friends are giggling around the kitchen table talking of the fun night ahead of them and you think, “Well, I could just go out for a few drinks, come back earlyand still be fine for the morning?”

“You’re going to take your life seriously and wake up feeling fine and fresh” Several hours later and you find yourself barking orders at the poor barman in Club I, demanding yet another shot of Sambuca before re-joining your friends on the infamously sticky and carpeted dance floor, dancing to Gangnam Style.

Then it comes to around 2 o’ clock, you suddenly remember about the 9am start, taking complete control and responsibility for your life, you head over to Bayside to get

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yourself a plate of chips which you are convinced will sober you up and prevent the hangover, right?

“It’s 8am, your alarm clock is screaming at you to wake up” It’s 8am, you didn’t get home until almost 4 in the morning and your alarm clock is screaming at you to wake up, you open your eyes and for a split second you feel smug.

No headache? No urge to be sick? Maybe you were responsible last night. Then it hits you, you sit up, open your curtains and the light floods in, making the room spin, your head clammy and your insides churn as you notice the Club I stamp imprinted on your face.

There it is, that horrible feeling of helplessness. How am I going to make it to my lecture? How am I going to sit in a stuffy room for two hours without throwing up?

We’ve all been there, and yet we never learn. The urge to turn off the alarm clock and go back to bed is calling, “I’ll just get the PowerPoint off the learning space later, I won’t miss much.”

What if that didn’t have to be the case? What if you could turn

up all bright-eyed and focused to your lecture, ready to work and not looking or feeling like you only got in a mere five hours ago and that there is still numerous units of alcohol floating around in your body.

Here at Under the Influence, you share some of your own hangover cures, but do they work?

1) Drink a pint of water before you go to bed.

Hannah Vaughan, 20, says: “I always drink as much water as possible before going to bed when I get in, I know I will need it in my system to hydrate me when the hangover kicks in but drinking water the next morning is always a hit or miss situation.”

2) Drink milk before you start drinking the night before.

Hannah Brassil, 20, says: “I always drink a pint glass of milk on nights when I mean business. It lines your stomach and prepares it for the alcohol you are about to intake.”

A glass of milk before drinking will help to slow the absorption of alcohol.

3) Emma Sheron, 19, suggests: “Drink lemon tea the next

morning, it’s a slight caffeine boost but the sharpness of the lemon feels refreshing and helps my head to focus.”

Lemon contains citric acid and Vitamin C which will help your body feel revitalised and kick away the hangover.

4) According to Ian Perkins, 23, you should eat Ginger Nut biscuits or drink Ginger Ale, the ginger is good for helping to settle your stomach and relieve nausea.

“Ginger nut biscuits and ice lollies are always my go to hangover cures, the ice lollies are so refreshing and help to make me

feel less clammy and sick.”

“I always drink as much water as possible before I go to bed” 5) Everyone’s heard of the clichéd fry-up hangover cure, but does it really work? The best food for a hangover if you are really craving something like a fry-up is eggs, forget the bacon and sausage, the fatty foods may make you feel better for a moment but they have no nutrients to help settle your stomach or absorb the alcohol.

6) Take a cold shower, it will invigorate your body and alert your mind, a hot shower will make you feel even sleepier and may tempt you in to getting back in to bed.

So there you have it, give these hangover tips a try and hopefully you’re 9am starts won’t be as traumatic as usual!

If you know of any unusual hangover remedies send them in to us at under.the.influence@live. co.uk and they may feature on our website!

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Are YOU Clear?

By Andrew Houghton

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very year, tens of thousands of people in the UK are diagnosed with a Sexually Transmitted Infection STI. Each year there are Among the student population; the rate of STIs passed approximately 333 million new cases of STDs in the on from having unprotected sex is increasing at an unexpected rate. You hear about the horror stories but you never think it will world, according to the CDC. I sat down with two students and one mother over the past A girl is four times more week that have all had STIs affect their life in ways a simple undergraduate like you and me could not fathom. I firstly met likely to contract an up with Kayleigh-Danielle, a 24-year-old business student from STI/STD than she is to Manchester, a city well known for having a high rate of STI spread. become pregnant.

“It’s not something I had ever expected to have to deal with,” she Some STDs (syphilis) can said. cross the placenta and After a simple date with a guy she had known for a few years, she infect a baby while in never expected to find herself sat in her doctors’ office having her the uterus. urine tested for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. A recent UK screening programme offers chlamydia testing to people aged between 15 Teenagers are more and 24. After results were taken around 7 in 100 people tested have susceptible to human chlamydia. The worst part about it was, most of the people tested papilloma virus (HPV). never even knew they had it.

Rates of HPV infection in teenagers can be as “Be careful and use protection high as 40%, whereas in the adult population, the when having sexual intercourse.” rate is less than 15%.

Should you be visiting your local clinic to be checked every time 40% of older adolescents you have intercourse? No. However, should you be getting checked if you know you’ve had unprotected sex with someone you don’t surveyed incorrectly trust? Absolutely. believe that the contraceptive “pill” and Many people with STI’s are sometimes too embarrassed to visit the clinic to get checked; although the thing that most people “shot” protect against don’t know is that there is treatment available for almost all STI’s.

STIs and HIV. The earlier you find out you have something, the easier it is to be treated and for you to be healthy once more.

Some young people, including those who have had abstinence education, Knowing early hasn’t been an option for Hannah who only learnt two years ago that she had the HIV virus from her mother. consider oral and anal Her mother had only just told her that she had the HIV virus sex to be abstinent and always has since birth because it was her mother that passed behaviors and do not it on to her when she was pregnant. In complete shock, she had realize these behaviors no other option but to visit the hospital and see what treatment present risks of STI there was. Upon discovery that there was nothing much more transmission.

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they could do, her advice from her doctor was simply to “Be careful and use protection when having sexual intercourse.”

This brings us to another ethical concern. Should parents be obligated to let their children know that they do have a HIV virus?

Should parents raise their child and keep the treatment no secret?

Or should it be the parents job to tell their child from birth about their virus? Some would say that it is completely down to the mother and father of the child whether they should tell the child or not.

On the other hand, I spoke to Deborah Galbraith. At aged 43 and 25 years in the medical field working as a nurse, I asked Deborah whether or not a parent should tell their child if they have passed on an If a mother and father were incapable of sorting out their own problem, why should an innocent child have to deal with a life-altering disease for the rest of their existence without the help and support of the people that did this to them? That would be incredibly selfish.

After working in her medical profession for more than two decades, Deborah said that she has seen families come and go which don’t tell their child whether or not they have an STI and she cannot do Nineteen million or say anything, “It’s heartbreaking”, she concluded. new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occur each year, almost half of them among young people ages 15 to 24.

In 2006, adolescents and young adults 13-29 years old accounted for the greatest percentage of new HIV infections (34%) than any other age group.

The final question is: Are you clear? Many University campuses have regular health checks and you can send off for free Chlamydia and Gonorrhea tests to be sent to your door with a freepost bag and all the information you need to know completely free of charge. You owe it to yourself and the people you have sexual relations with to be clear and safe.

For more information on where you can get help with your health and STI’s, visit the National Health Service website on: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/ STIs/Pages/STIs-hub.aspx UNDER THE

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LIFESTYLE

By Andrew Houghton

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hink University is hard with deadlines, money problems and that smelly housemate that never washes his dishes? Think again.

Alice Urey is a 19-year-old mother of one from the small town of Oldham, Manchester.

But she hasn’t let becoming a teenaged mother falter her dreams of becoming a secondary school teacher.

At just 17, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Myla-Rose, 8 pounds and 6 ounces. From then on, she knew that her life had changed. After being questioned by her peers on her ability to being a mother, she proved absolutely everyone wrong when she applied for University and received her place at TheUniversity of Manchester studying Education (Secondary) starting in September 2012.

Now, a year on, I interviewed Alice on how she found life at University whilst raising a newborn baby in the midst of the student lifestyle: What made you choose to raise a child in University? Some would argue that it wouldn’t provide the right upbringing for her yet others would admire your decision.

Alice: “I just wanted to prove

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people that I can do it and it can be done. Yeah, you’re right, it’s not easy and I definitely wouldn’t wish the stress upon anybody but I love my child and she’s just the same as every other baby at her age, healthy and happy. What more could you ask for?”

Do you ever get nights off where you can let your hair down and actually live some form of a student life?

Alice: “Yeah definitely, my home away from University is only 30 minutes in the car so my mum always helps out when she can so I still have a social life that any normal teenager needs. But some nights, I do enjoy just spending time with my daughter.”

Do you have contact with the father of the baby?

Alice: “Yes, me and the Myla’s Dad speak every day and we decided that the relationship wasn’t going to work when I’m trying to upkeep a baby and a degree. He will always be there for her and that’s all that matters.”

What would you say is the biggest obstacle when it comes to raising a baby as a University student?

Alice: “Definitely battling the judgment I face each and every day from strangers out on the

street. Yeah, I might be a teenaged mum but at the end of the day, I’m earning a degree and raising a baby. What are the rest of the girls my age with kids doing?

Absolutely nothing.”

Now that you’re one year into your degree, is there anything that you regret?

Alice: “No regrets. I have a healthy social life, a healthy baby and a healthy attitude to life. It is something my mum has always taught me. Why do something if you know later that you would regret it? It’s always played a key part in my life whenever someone has asked me about my struggles at university. Ironically, it wasn’t really a struggle, it’s been a damn good pleasure raising a child by myself.”

Finally, is there any advice you would give to teenaged mums and mums-to-be out there questioning whether they should pursue a degree whilst raising a baby?

Alice: “Just know that it is hard, everyday is a struggle but it can be done. I used to have a lazy attitude to life but I feel that everything happens for a reason and my baby changed my life for the better.”

Alice is an inspiration to all

young girls out there who have children and are struggling to come to terms with still wanting an education whilst having a baby to look after. She knew, even when she became pregnant, that she would never let her studies falter just because she was pregnant.

For more information on how you

can get help with your child whilst studying for your degree, you can go online at: https://www.gov.uk/help-withchildcare-costs/support-whileyou-study You can get financial aid if that is a problem you are facing whilst studying for your degree, there are

also forums on the Internet where you can talk to other mothers about childcare whilst studying.

It’s a scary prospect but you are not alone.

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LIFESTYLE

Come out, come out, whoever you are

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Our reporter Jennifer Hedges talks to students who have come out with their sexuality and the benefits of the LGBT society at Falmouth University.

esbian, gay, bisexual and transgender societies within universities provide help for those struggling with the initial steps of revealing their sexuality in new surroundings. Universities can be a stepping stone to discovering our own identities.

Societies like the LGBT give students a broad support system of individuals who like them, are coming to terms with their sexuality. It is important to challenge the heterosexist attitudes within society, because gender is an illusion.

We live within a generation where people are now more accepted for their sexual preferences, rather than practically burned at the stake for batting for the other team, or maybe even both teams. There are many strong political views on sexuality, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but come on people we no longer live in the Stone Ages.

At Falmouth University I

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have meet several friends who have come to university and experienced a new life without pre judgment. University is a place where homosexuality should be celebrated and accepted.

Peter Holmes 21 said “university for some can be a massive stepping stone with finding acceptance within society for their sexuality.

“University for some can be a massive stepping stone with finding acceptance.”

When you’re in school and college, people still have very narrow views. However since I have been at university, I now feel accepted and proud of who I am. When you get to this level of education, people tend to be more well… educated”.

University College Falmouth plays host to a number of societies that cater to everyone’s unique tastes and lifestyles. It allows for

the development of friendships amongst people with a common interest in this instance sexuality.

The LGBT society within Falmouth represents unity. As students we have great networking systems to voice our opinions and make a stand against homophobia.

During the past couple of years, famous singers have released tracks such as Pink – F*ckin Perfect, Kesha - We Are Who We Are and Lady Gaga – Born This Way. But that’s only a handful; these popular artists have used their fame to fight for gay rights.

PRIDE is a huge event celebrated across the UK at different times during the year; it is an opportunity to make a stance and to continue to make a change and it’s a whole lot of fun.

You can dress up with your friends, dance to your heart’s content and all for a good cause!

I went out and interviewed 19-year-old Laurence about his experience of coming out.

Hey there, so did you come out at university?

“No, I personally came out during school.

But my family were great; my mum threw me a party, we had pink champagne, a pink hummer and I went to a teeny bopper club just to do it in style. However I have had friends who have gone through terrible ordeals. Their families have had terrible reactions and they’ve not had the initial support they thought they would receive.

So for people who don’t have that family support system, the LGBT can be that support they need

How is the gay scene in Falmouth?

“It’s obviously not as large as other universities, because of Falmouth’s location.

But you can still have a whale of a time! http/www.lgbtqyouthcornwall.co.uk/ is a fantastic organization to join.

In Truro there’s a gay bar called Qdos, so grab your friends straight and gay and get them shots down your neck. Let’s be honest down here it’s what you make of it, there’s also the LGBT Facebook page, where it will give you all the information on coffee dates and events that are being organized”.

Do you think straight people need to be more involved with supporting the gay community within Falmouth?

“Yes I think sometimes people worry about people’s reactions, and that people will assume there actually homosexual themselves if they get involved and promote charities and events circulating homosexuality. But on the other hand during my time in Falmouth I have had some fantastic support. But the awareness needs to continue to be promoted, so everyone as a whole can continue to make a change within society on prejudice views”.

So lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight students of Falmouth get involved, and support students in your area.

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TRAVEL

Commute and communicate

By Natalie Simm

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t’s an average morning and you’re sitting waiting for your train, plane or bus, sipping your morning coffee thinking of your lonely journey ahead.

Travelling doesn’t have to be boring, make it exciting. Put your newspaper down and ditch the earphones, make your journey a different one this time!

Be it a half hour journey by bus, a 9 hour trip by train or a four hour flight from another country, we can all get bored, restless and

ill siblings, to a lad my own age (19), who was involved in drug gangs in Glasgow and came to England for a better life, to a young mother travelling with her baby for the first time, an old University lecturer who told me all about his theatre career and discussed society with me.

“No one ever talks to me I have even anywhere. Do you just sat next to a randomly ask questions? I’d woman from never be able to do that!”

Tasmania, on a plane to irritated by our fellow travellers.

Ireland when I Many of us travel far and wide was 9 years old to get to our chosen universities, who hadn’t seen but it’s not all doom and gloom. a polo mint in 20 If you’re travelling alone, you years. can guarantee you won’t be. It’s These people are likely that you won’t have your a drop in the ocean own carriage on your train, your compared to the own booth on your bus or your many people you will own private jet plane, so instead encounter in your life and of letting daily commuters get in still won’t bat an eyelid at. your way, let them cross your path Most people find the prospect and embrace this chance meeting. of talking to a stranger scary On my travels I’ve come and odd. Joseph Redmond, 24, across people from all walks said: “No one ever talks to me of life, from old ladies visiting anywhere. Do you just randomly their children, or visiting their

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ask questions? I’d never be able to do that!”

Talking to people you don’t know can make you learn a lot about yourself. There is often only a short period of time that you’ll be sat with a person and it can sometimes initiate some of the deepest conversations you will ever have.

The easiest way to strike up a conversation with a fellow traveller is to say “hello” when they take their seat, otherwise I find you’re in for a really awkward journey.

Ask where they’re going, it could be a more interesting story than you’ve ever imagined, and if they ask you, tell them, after all you’ll probably never see them again.

This is usually enough to make the time you are travelling less boring and more interesting.

Britons’ tend to have very structured ways of life, including travelling; maybe we should start to break traditions?

Need for travel

UK students have recently shown an overwhelming interest in travelling and taking ‘gap years’, but travelling within the UK just never seems appealing to young people, we’re all in a rush to get somewhere and ignore the opportunities around us.

When asked about Britons’

attitude towards travelling in the UK and abroad, Kyle McLaughlin, 20, from Newcastle, said: “I don’t think people like it here because there’s no set communities,

“I just think the UK doesn’t have pride like other countries, we have nothing to show. everyone is totally different to the next person where outside of the UK there’s set cultures and they’re friendly and wanting to show off their country.

“I just think the UK doesn’t have pride like other countries, we have nothing to show. We’re a mess.”

Talking to those we come across can make travelling within the UK just as much fun as travelling abroad, nobody ever thinks to talk, which is the most basic of human interaction.

Always make sure you travel with your eyes open and you’ll

Where to find cheap train fares www.redspottedhanky.com www.trainline.co.uk www.crosscountry.co.uk

If you’re a student aged 16-25 don’t forget you can get a student railcard to get great discounts on rail fares!

Things to keep you company if you reallyare alone! ~ Cosmopolitan UK magazine for the girls! £3.60 from all good newsagents. ~ A trusty Apple iPod. £249 from Apple, or you can always fine one cheaper on eBay! ~Camera. A camera is a must have if you’re travelling, you never know what will pass you by!

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FOOD

Stuff yourself and your wallet Natalie Simm explores the challenges students face in the day to day chore of being bothered to make a nutritious meal at a low cost.

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on’t have time for food?

Too busy socialising?

Well here are some quick recipes for when you’re not in the mood to stand and slave over a hob for two hours when you could be hanging out with friends instead.

Don’t be baffled by ingredients you wouldn’t even think of picking up, if it’s simple and cheap then buy it - and try it!

Spaghetti bolognese is an easy dish to make and can provide you with a whopping four portions from one lot of cooking!

“I don’t have time to make proper meals.

I lack the cooking confidence.”

Students tend to think that because this is a “proper” meal, it’s going to take days to make.

Law and Politics student, Rosie Walker, 19, often makes quick, not very nutritious meals, she said: “I don’t have time to make proper meals because of my course, I lack the cooking confidence and I’m too worried about it tasting horrible so I just choose the easier option.”

Gina Platt, 19, on the other hand, has a very talented hand when it comes to cooking, and she studies for her Interior Design degree in her spare time of course.

She said: “I like home cooking and passing down recipes. I would say my dad’s spag bol is a favourite or my mum’s roast.”

Not all meals require Michelin Star quality chefs, and this recipe

has a maximum preparation time of 15 minutes, a cooking time of 90 minutes and everyone knows how to make pasta. Easy!

Supermarket sweep Want to buy decent ingredients but not spend a fortune?

Try these bargains: 500g Butchers Selection Beef Mince: £2.00 at Asda.

ASDA Extra special Unsmoked bacon: £2.00 at Asda.

500g ASDA Smartprics Spaghetti: 24p at ASDA. Tesco Everyday Value Chopped Tomatoes 400g: 31p at TEsco.

Vegetables are usually cheaper in a local green grocers and should cause no more than £3.50 collectively for your individual ingredients!

Total cost of recipe: £8.80 Total cost per meal £2.20 (Remember you can get four servings! Portion them and freeze until you want your fave spag bol again!

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Ingredients

500g spaghetti Pepper

Meat Sauce 4 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 garlic clove, crushed 4 rashers rindless bacon, chopped 1 carrot, cut into cubes 1 celery stick, cut into cubes 500g beef mince

50g Parmesan cheese, grated

150ml red wine Salt and pepper 25ml milk 400g can chopped tomatoes 1 tablespoon sugar I teaspoon chopped oregano

Method

1.Make the meat sauce: heat the oil in a saucepan and fry the onion, garlic, bacon, carrot and celery until soft and golden. Add the mince and cook, stirring occasionally, until brown.

2.Add the red wine and bring to the boil. Turn the heat down and cook over a medium heat until most of the wine has evaporated, then add a dash of salt and pepper.

3.Add the milk and stir well until the milk has been absorbed.

4.Add the tomatoes, sugar and oregano, turn down the heat and simmer, uncovered, for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced.

5.Cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions. Drain well and sprinkle with pepper. Mound up the spaghetti, add a good dollop of Bolognese, then sprinkle with Parmesan and enjoy!

To make this meal authentic, and taste like it’s from the Italian city of Bologna, which is renowned for its fine pasta, serve with garlic pizza bread and salad.

Takeaway Tasters

Takeaways are an easy option, but it will probably cost you the equivalent of a week’s shopping. Aside from that, they’re always fun, especially if you’re sharing with friends. There are some great deals for students at takeaways, and in general they can be quite generous!

Domino’s often leave leaflets with Pizza Express also do deals for students unions and in reception students (and your birthday) if you register with them online. You area of Universities. Take advantage of these money saving can get free wine off them when you dine in, or enjoy deals like pieces of paper, they will enable you to get a great meal and at a 2 for 1. There is always an offer small price. Remember Domino’s waiting for you. However, Pizza Express, unfortunately, doesn’t do deliver so if you’re feeling a bit rough after a night out why not deliver so maybe save this snazzy restaurant for when you have treat yourself? something to celebrate.

Ming’s Garden is a takeaway and restaurant, offering you the best of both worlds. Although they don’t deliver, they do offer 10% student discount which could work out pretty cheap if you’re ordering with friends. It’s right on the high street so it’s convenient if you live close to town.

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TV & FILM

By Penny Heaton

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resh Meat has returned to our screens for the second series, in perfect timing for going back to university.

Written by Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain (also accredited for The Peep Show), with more wit and humour than before, this new series definitely does not disappoint.

We see the return of JP, Kingsley, Oregon, Josie, Howard and Vod as they start their second year back at uni, in search of a housemate to take the place of Paul Lamb, the invisible man.

After turning the spare room in to a bong, the group finally get housemate Sabine, a Dutch mature student who attempts to bring in house rules after discovering the others have eaten her cake.

Within this series, we go through the highs and lows of student life; JP learns to his horror that his old friend Giles, with whom he used to take “friendly” showers with is openly gay.

Howard endeavors to set up a

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house security system which leads to his increasing paranoia after he learns of a spate of muggings happening around the university.

Josie has a new best friend Heather who she plans to spend the year with “forming a clique and mocking outsiders” until Heather hits it off with Kingsley, leading to many uncomfortable scenes in which Josie is trying to persuade them both they aren’t right for one another.

Kingsley starts to suspect that Heather is stalking him as he bumps in to her around campus a few times and Vod, still broke, is constantly asking to borrow money from Oregon, who is surprised to learn that her inappropriate fling, Professor Shales has been putting money in to her account.

This set of awkward characters leads to hilarious situations, which although cringe-worthy to watch, are easily relatable to the realities of student life, one of the reasons why Fresh Meat is probably still

thriving for the second series. It is a witty, funny and yet realistic portrayal of student life.

There is no glamorisation or exaggeration of drama, meaning we laugh along because we have probably all had very similar experiences!

Series Two is definitely one to keep watching!

Be sure to tune in to Channel 4 at 10pm on Tuesdays!

The Impossible

By Jennifer Hedges It’s only January but The Impossible is already set to become the most heart wrenching film of 2013.

The Impossible, directed by Juan Antonia Bayona, shows the true story of one family’s ordeal during the Boxing Day Tsunami that struck South East Asia in 2004 and effectively captures the terror and destruction that impacted thousands of lives.

Despite the tragedy of that day, Bayona attempts to take a more positive outlook and focuses on the theme of hope and the strengths of human compassion in times of crisis.

Whilst most critics have focused dominantly on Ewan McGregor’s portrayal of Henry, the role of Lucas, the eldest son, played by Tom Holland should not be overshadowed. This promising young actor steals the show and will no doubt be up for several awards following his magnificent performance in this biopic.

Every aspect of this film was crafted beautifully; it represented the true emotions of fear and hope and how the people of Thailand helped the Westerns even though they themselves were struggling.

The most powerful aspect of this film has to be how it is a true account. This film represents those that were killed and those that survived and how during times of pure terror the people united to help and protect one another even in there darkest hours.

Top 5 films of the month...

Les Miserables Released on January 11th with a running time of 158 minutes this musical tale of broken dreams and unrequited love is our most see this month!

Gangster Squad This action thriller set in the 1940s runs for a total of 112 minutes and is perfect for those of you with a hot date in the horizon. Guys will love the brutal blood bath and as the film stars Ryan Gosling women aren’t likely to complain.

Zero Dark Thirty Relive the story of Navy SEAL team tracking down Osama bin Laden, which comes out on The 25th January, and runs for 157 minutes.

Lincoln You history fanatics out there would be mad to miss this 150-minute biopic of Abraham Lincoln’s time as the President of the United States also out on the 25th January.

The Impossible Nobody will ever forget the Boxing Day Tsunami back in 2004 and now you can discover one family’s remarkable journey in this touching real life story that was released on January 1st and runs for 114 minutes.

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MONEY

Balance your budget

Given that it’s January the majority of you optimistic folks have probably decided that this is the year you’re going to sit down and budget your money.

Well we’ve decided to help you and have created a table below to help you keep tabs on how much you’re spending each week (we’ve given a few common examples of what you may buy).

Before you can get started you needed to work out how much money you have for the term, you can do this by logging into your online backing and seeing how much money you have been given by student finance.

If it hasn’t already you then need to make sure that your tuition fee has been paid, as this is not money you have to spend. The money remaining will be the total amount you have to live off.

Divide this by the amount of weeks in your term; Overall your sum should be this normally there are 12 weeks per term. account balance ÷ number of weeks = weekly spend

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Annie Mac

Saturday 2nd Februay The Stannary 9pm - 2am

£

Tickets £ 12.50 18+