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CLEAN BANDIT NEIL ON STUDENT LIFE AND THE LONG SLOG TO SUCCESS

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TIME IS CALLED ON PRE-DRINKS

Pubs and clubs say breathalyser tests are on their way ALICE DICKSON

HE AIN’T HEAVY: Nottingham Trent graduate Amy Watt, 23, plays with a Peruvian boy in the school she and close friend, Sarah-Anne Bee, 22, are working together to support full story p3

PUBS and clubs in Nottingham have signalled the end of early beers as they backed moves to introduce breathalyser tests on the door. They will coach bouncers to recognise signs of people having too many pre-drinks and will be able to ask punters to take a breath test before allowing them inside a late-night venue. Rock City, The Waterfront and Bodega are among 22 city centre venues to have signalled they intend to support the scheme. But student Jade Davis said: ‘I think in terms of crime prevention and rape prevention it’s a good idea but it just means that we’re going to be really self-conscious of how much we drink at pre-drinks, which is no fun.’ A third year at Nottingham Trent said: ‘I think it’ll just create alcohol problems in a different way. I reckon there’ll be way more house parties where people aren’t going to be breath-

Clampdown: Rock City alysed and will probably cause more problems to the public than if they’d been let into a club.’ A similar scheme in Birmingham saw pubs barring people with recordings of 70 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal driving limit is 35mcg. There will be no city-wide limit, although pubs and clubs may choose to introduce one, said Alex Castle-Clark, of Nottingham Crime and Drug Partnership. ‘Our focus is on identifying a problem, understanding it and

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Graduates from rival unis unite to support South America school

Our good turn for Peru boy

CAT lovers forbidden from having furry friends in student digs are being given the chance to get a fix of feline fraternisation. They can head to Oliver and Kate CharlesRichard’s Cat Café, which is opening after a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding appeal. The couple plan to open the three-storey cafe in Hockley early next month. There will be about 15 cats, including some of their Persian kittens, as well as older cats from shelters. ‘We’d have a section built outside where they can go out with playthings but they won’t be able to go out into the city,’ said Kate. The second and top floor will be for the cats. Third-year student Alex said: ‘I’ll definitely be visiting. I really want a cat but can’t because of the landlord.’ Georgina Marchbank

DANIEL ROBBINS GRADUATES Amy Watt and Sarah-Anne Bee went to rival universities but they are united in a common goal. After a trip to a school on the outskirts of Cusco in Peru, the pair were inspired to do something very special. They have vowed to use a portion of their salaries to support students. ‘We are funding Franklin through Ecoescuela School,’ said Amy, who left Notting- Support: Amy and some of the children ham Trent with a first in schedule and Peru was a place marketing and management. ‘He is 18 but is only at an 11-year- I always wanted to visit,’ said Amy. ‘I spent a month in each country old’s schooling level. He has no parents and he spends the night at dif- I visited and adored each project I ferent people’s houses each night in worked on – but the school in the mountains of Cusco stole my heart. exchange for manual labour. ‘Sarah had joined me in Belize and ‘Our aim is to raise enough to give more children a chance. If we could we were taken aback by the condiraise $1,000, it would be incredible tions the school was surrounded by. and go such a long way compared It is a two-hour bus journey because of the conditions of the road.’ to the cost of living in Peru.’ With her job already under way in She and Sarah-Anne met while working behind the bar at Dogma. Canada and Sarah starting work in Sarah-Anne, who achieved a 2:1 in February, the money will start going chemistry and maths from Notting- to the school very soon. See Facebook at www.facebook. ham University, joined Amy on her com/pages/Ecoescuela-Simatauctravels through South America. ‘It seemed like a no-brainer to ca/343631745799366?ref=ts&incorporate volunteering into my fref=ts for updates.

Pop to the café for a feline fix

Fun: SarahAnne larks around with a Peruvian boy

Adorable: But popular in halls

not

PICTURE: ALICE DICKSON

January 2015

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Lab rebuilding may become a burning issue ALICE DICKSON and HEATHER DEVANE TWO major building projects are set for completion over the next 18 months or so. Work at the Clifton Campus of Nottingham Trent is expected to be finished in time for September, while the fire-damaged University of Nottingham laboratory should be returned to its former glory sometime early next year. NTU’s New Pavilion, on the site of the old George Eliot building, will be the main centre for students. The Pavilion will have solar panels on the roof and landscaping that will attract bees and butterflies, sticking to

NTU’s commitment to environmental sustainability. A new teaching suite will house three lecture theatres, with room for more than 800 students. Some students are not happy, however. One said: ‘I don’t like that I have to spend my final year studying on a building site. ‘If they continue through exam period, it wouldn’t be fair at all.’ And a third-year student added: ‘I think the new campus will look amazing – but it’s annoying my fees are going towards funding the new build and I won’t even get to see it.’ Meanwhile, the University of Nottingham is expected

to announce the £20million project to rebuild the lab that burned down in September last year will begin shortly. Partly funded by GlaxoSmithKline, the new build will mirror the design of the former laboratory. ‘The rebuild planning is based on the same design principles and construction materials to deliver a carbon-neutral, sustainable chemistry laboratory building,’ said a uni spokeswoman. One Nottingham student said: ‘I’m not really sure they should go ahead with the same design. ‘I know it’s supposed to be carbon neutral but it’s also not supposed to be prone to combustion.’

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inBRIEF

Breath tests to kill pre-drinks

from p1

responding correctly,’ he said. ‘The breathalyser is part of that process.’ While it is unclear whether any testing has yet been introduced in Nottingham, Mark Smith, manager at Rock City, said: ‘We are happy to be part of this initiative, along with the police and other partnerships, to encourage our customers to drink responsibly and make sure they enjoy their night.’ Notts police and crime commissioner Paddy Tipping added: ‘Drink heavily before you come into the city centre and you may be refused entry to venues. That not only ruins your night out – it makes you vulnerable.’

January 2015

‘Wearable technology revolution’ to be driven by £3m funding STATE-of-the-art research and funding worth almost £3million could help revolutionise the fashion industry. Nottingham Trent University has been given the money to develop new

manufacturing methods for wearable technology. The four-year project will further the Advanced Textiles Research Group’s work on embedding LEDs, sensors and micro-controllers directly into

DANIEL ROBBINS NOTTINGHAM’S universities are among the best in the world for a raft of research topics. Much of the research conducted at Nottingham Trent and the University of Nottingham is classi�ied as world-leading or internationally excellent. The UoN was ranked eighth in the ‘research power’ league table, as produced by the in�luential Research Excellence Framework group. More than 80 per cent of its work was assessed as being in the highest categories – a steep increase from the 58 per cent

FUZZY-haired YouTube chemist Prof Martyn Poliakoff has been knighted in the New Year Honours. Sir Martyn, whose videos dedicated to explaining the 118 chemical elements were seen by millions, was knighted in recognition of his contribution as a global leader in green and sustainable chemistry. The University of Nottingham professor is vice-president of the Royal Society.

THE �irst challenge has been completed and next up is a showdown with Jeremy Paxman. The �ive students to lead the University of Nottingham’s bid for University Challenge glory have been named. Alice Lilly, studying PhD American studies, is captain. She is joined by Ben Scra�ield, Mark Dennis, Michael Alexander and Barnaby Martin. Heather Devane

yarns, which can then be made into anything from clothes to car seats. Group head Prof Tilak Dias said: ‘I believe �ibre electronics will initiate a second industrial revolution in textiles.’

Research rankings ‘put us on top of the world’

YouTube star prof knighted

Next up, we face Paxman

of 2008. Vice-chancellor Prof Sir David Greenaway said: ‘This is a powerful con�irmation both of Nottingham as a global research-intensive university, and of the quality, breadth and impact of our research. It is not just af�irmation of quality, but quality at scale. ‘It’s a re�lection of sustained and continuing investment in our research base – and, most of all, it’s a re�lection of the talent, dedication and sheer hard work of colleagues here.’ Similarly, research at Nottingham Trent was classed as having an international impact. Biomedical science (86 per

cent) and general engineering (84 per cent) were the major successes, with their research ranking in the categories of world-leading and internationally-excellent. Vice-chancellor Prof Edward Peck said: ‘This evaluation exercise demonstrates that NTU is a university that truly values ideas through the quality of its research and enriches society in the ways in which it ensures that it impacts upon the lives of us all. ‘It is evidence that world-leading research can �lourish in universities that are also teaching intensive.’

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Christmas jumper is an Urban legend EVERYONE loves a Christmas jumper – and, for one graduate, it could mean the start of something big in the fashion industry. Harriet Best’s fuzzy-knit sweater sold out online at retail giant Urban

Out�itters. Harriet, below, created the black mohair and gold tinsel yarn top for an Arts Thread competition. ‘The dream is to have my own range of knitwear,’ said Harriet, who graduated from Nottingham Trent in September.

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January 2015

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Scale the heights of Kilimanjaro to help child charity INTREPID students are planning to scale Mt Kilimanjaro for charity. The group from Nottingham Trent University will be raising money for Childreach International, which works with young people in Africa and India. The NTU 16-day adventure to Tanzania has been pencilled in for August and will cost students an initial £245. The onus is then on participants to raise an additional £2,750 through sponsorship and fundraising activities. The

charity wants to build better schools, with betterqualified teachers and better equipment. It also works to improve health care for the young and promote the rights of children. Childreach has been behind projects around the world, such as ensuring that children in Tanzania have better access to schools, renovating school buildings and running school farming projects. See www.childreach.org. uk for how to sign up. Fiona Smith

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ANIMAL ATTRACTION: Serbian artist Anna Rajcevic wears an animal-inspired headpiece which will feature in a provocative new exhibition opening at Nottingham Trent’s Bonington Gallery. She is one of the exhibitors in Anatomies, which explores how the human form has been imagined and interpreted in the past and 3892a_TT Advert 12Feb 2015_3892_TT A60207 Flyer 580 01-076419 05/01/2015 Crafting 15:17 Page 1 Call us now on how it will be in the future. Other works include biotechnology jewellery and plastic surgery-inspired clothing d: Student heartlan rs have their Councillo s eye on landlord MAMELENTZI PICTURE:

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Boozy students fuel £55m cost of alcohol abuse ALICE DICKSON DRUNKEN students are driving up the cost of alcohol abuse in Nottingham to more than £55million a year. Nottingham’s reputation as a party city is also pulling in drinkers from far and wide, adding to the burden on the health service. More than 20,000 hospital trips in the city were due to alcohol, costing taxpayers £55.1million in 2012/13, a report by charity Alcohol Concern shows. ‘It always has been a problem in Nottingham,’ said Nick Tegerdine, executive director of the Alcohol Problems Advisory Service. ‘We have high numbers of young people, particularly students, and traditionally Nottingham has always been

Overdoing it: Student drinking costs millions a party town. People travel here from a long way away to have a good night out and, inevitably, alcohol is a part of that. ‘The services that used to

be there to deal with a social problem aren’t there any more, thanks to the cuts. ‘People are left with having to go to hospital.’ Admissions to accident and emergency are on the up, as are long-term health issues related to alcohol. Some students disagree with the findings. One from Nottingham Trent said: ‘I really don’t think it’s much of an issue. Neither me nor my friends at university have ever gone to the hospital because we’ve done something when we’re drunk. ‘If you do stupid things when you’re drunk, you’re probably just as stupid sober.’ Another said: ‘When I go out, I go out to get drunk and I’m sure most other students are the same.’

A PERVERT caught masturbating in front of students �ive times has been branded ‘disgraceful’ by a judge. Scott Perry was given a three-year community order after admitting outraging public decency. The 42-year-old, from Clifton, was spotted in the University Park Campus area several times last summer. Judge Leo Pyle, at Nottingham magistrates’ court, said: ‘What you did was disgraceful.’ Perry has also been banned from entering university grounds. Heather Devane

£35 skin-tight party dress saved my life WHEN Nottingham Trent graduate Zoe Turner squeezed herself into her skin-tight party dress, she was feeling pretty good about the night ahead. Little did she know that within hours that plunging frock would save her life. She suffered multiple injuries in a car crash on the way home but doctors told her the superclingy Misguided dress prevented her bones from piercing her internal organs. ‘That tight dress held everything together and, although I didn’t come off lightly, the end result could have been a lot worse,’ said the 21-year-old. The psychology and criminology graduate said of her frock it was ‘the best £35 I have spent’. Zoe had attended her mother’s Christmas work do in Leeds and gone into the city to carry on partying with three

£40m D-day for sport plan THE future of the University of Nottingham’s plans for a £40million sports centre will be decided at the end of the month. The plan was rejected in December as councillors were concerned some oak trees would have to be felled. It was sent back to planners for a review.

Injured: Zoe lies in her hospital bed friends. They caught a cab in the early hours to take them home but it all went horribly wrong soon after. The cab was in a collision with a cement mixer, leaving the taxi driver and his passengers severely injured. Zoe suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured pelvis, fractured vertebra and broken sternum. Recalling what

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the doctor who cut her out of the frock told her, she said: ‘He looked at me and said: ‘‘That dress saved your life!’’ ‘If I hadn’t worn such a tight dress – which held in place my bones as the car impacted – I would have most de�initely punctured vital organs.’ She spent �ive days in hospital before being allowed home to Wake�ield in time for Christmas.

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They passed Grammar test ELECTROPOP trio London Grammar and explorer Adrian Hayes were among a host of graduates honoured in the University of Nottingham Alumni Laureate Awards. Dot Major, Hannah Reid and Dan Rothman formed the multiaward-winning band at university. Hayes graduated in 1994.

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Five-times ﬂasher is ‘disgrace’

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Caught by curse of social media BEN SAUNDERS-COURT SOCIAL media is as much a defining characteristic of our generation as the ‘war on terror’, Banksy and X Factor. In 20 years when you’re watching Liam Payne and Alex Turner on I Luv 2017, reminiscing over the birth of Facebook you will understand its scope. Your grandchildren will look up at you with their cherubic faces and ask: ‘Nana, did you really store all your personal information in the cloud and willingly put your photographs, birth date, phone number and address on a public forum?’ and you’ll reply, ‘Yes my little love’. ‘But why Nana?’ they’ll ask, and you’ll think about it and sigh, ‘because they told us it

would be fun’. That’s the truth, isn’t it? We post our most personal secrets online for everyone to see because we believe it is fun. We are told that it is the future. But this idea has worked a little too well. It has become ingrained in us. A couple of years ago people would talk about how beneficial it was to leave your phone off for a few days and have a little technological holiday. Nobody says that any more. We panic if they we haven’t checked Facebook for a couple of hours. Factor in Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp and you realise that something fundamental about our relat ionship with social media has changed. We have lost our sense of perspective. We have

closed off the emergency exits and wholeheartedly bought into the information age. We can’t even pin the badge of blame on the anonymous ‘they’. If ‘they’ jumped off a cliff would you follow? Maybe if it would get you a couple of extra levels on Angry Birds? The truth is that ‘they’ are, in fact, us. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram is all just software. We have lapped it up. You use these sites because your friends do. You got rid of Myspace because your friends did. We are changing our own constitutions, altering our physiology. That’s why you panic when you can’t feel your phone in your pocket or Instagram won’t refresh. We have blinded ourselves into believing that this is for the best.

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talkingPOINTS WRONG IMAGE: How much of your food intake is dictated by how it makes your body look? How many desserts do you dismiss because they’ll only taste like guilt? How much of your time and energy is taken up thinking about what you look like and how you can change it? This attitude has become the infectious disease in our society that the NHS has yet to immunise against. It is the black plague of the 21st century Kathryn Thomson

JOIN THE FRAT PACK: Many of us have heard of frats and sororities through films such as American Pie. They have mad names such as kappa phi delta, throw toga parties, cause havoc across the campus and drink beer like it’s water. The bit the movies leave out is the good that fraternities do for their universities. Members have to do at least ten hours’ charity work, they need to get above-average grades and the fraternity is expected to compete in a sporting league. Fraternities are much more than just parties – they are a way to make great contacts and, once you are in, you are in for life Elliot DaCosta

WHY BORING IS BAD: The great Marilyn Monroe once remarked that ‘it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than boring’. This is a lesson every student should learn. By now your flatmates probably reckon that they have a pretty good idea of who you are. Frankly, this is not acceptable. They should not feel safe or comfortable in your presence; they should feel nervous excitement whenever they see you Jack Meggitt-Phillips

PICTURE: JESSICA LAIL

MEDIA MYTHS: Being a media student is tough. It really is. There’s this stigma with being a media student because people think it’s a joke subject where we are ‘glorified camera operators’. It’s as if we all congregated together to do a media degree for lack of something better and that we probably wouldn’t be intelligent enough to be lawyers, doctors, teachers or physicists anyway Anna Landi

DASHED DREAMS: Every year the job market is flooded with graduates, fresh-faced and full of ideas about changing the world. ‘I want to be an environmental lawyer’ they cry; ‘I’m going to work with under-privileged kids,’ they shout. Check back three months later. Living back at home, their driving desire is just to find a job… any job. Sporting an ill-fitting Marks and Spencer suit they join the line of other graduate interviewees, beginning the process of becoming dead behind the eyes. They join the world of the depressed office worker, living for the increasingly s*** weekend in which cool uni friends have been replaced by bloated fortysomething colleagues promising a long and fruitful career in paperwork management Joe Evans

LACK OF RESOLVE: We’ve all done it. We’ve all had the thought: ‘This year I’m going to be different’. We will try to convince ourselves that we’ll change in the new year. Resolutions about being focused at university, making more effort with friends or changing our lifestyle are made, and broken, at the year’s end. Let’s be honest – we all stick to our resolutions for about as long as it takes for the new year fireworks to finish Kelly Smith

You can read fuller versions of these pieces at www.unipaper.co.uk. Then, let us know what you think; email us at comment@unipaper.co.uk

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January 2015

theINTERVIEW: Neil Amin-Smith Uni survivors: Clean Bandit members Neil Amin-Smith, far right, with Luke and Jack Patterson and Grace Chatto

Rather talented N

EIL AMIN-SMITH has to apologise for being late. It is the day after the night before, when Clean Bandit proved one of the highlights at the BBC Music Awards, winning another legion of fans with an orchestral version of Rather Be and breakthrough hit Mozart’s House. All is forgiven, though, as he laughs it off, explaining he was at an afterparty in Mayfair: ‘Sorry about that – I’m actually usually really good at getting up.’ We feel his pain. After all, he’s talking to students; we’ve all tried this little white lie when we’ve stumbled into a lecture an hour late smelling of the SU. Amin-Smith, 25, is still on a high after being nominated for song of the year, despite being pipped by Pharrell Williams’ ubiquitous

THEY are the breakthrough act of 2014, a year crowned with No.1 hit Rather Be. Clean Bandit’s fusion of classical and electronica has won them adoring fans worldwide and a nod at the BBC Music Awards. Violin player Neil Amin-Smith tells CAVELLE SIMPSON and JOSHUA EVANS about the slog to the top and surviving university ditty Happy. ‘It was amazing to be nominated,’ he says. ‘The list of songs and the list of artists to have been nominated are so huge.’ Since entering the spotlight with Mozart’s House, his band – Jack Patterson, 28, on beats, synths, and midi-saxophone; his little brother, Luke, 22, on drums; and Grace Chatto, 29, on cello – have been unstoppable. The story of the Cambridge undergrads who went from classical quartet to dance floor darlings is becoming familiar as they sweep up the accolades, including for their No.1 hit Rather

Be, featuring Jess Glynne. But how did the partnership come about? Amin-Smith says: ‘We actually had the whole song finished for a long time. It was just looking for the right vocals. Our label played us a track that Jess was on and we thought we’d give it a go with her because she was on our level.’ It proved a wise choice, hurling the four-piece to the top of the charts. But fame took time. ‘It was kind of a long slog,’ he adds. ‘The thing that really made a difference with us was when we started making music videos and posting them online.’ His group

INSIDE: What’s on in your city P10-13

are known for drawing on genres from classical to deep house. ‘Jack listens to a lot of jazz,’ Amin-Smith goes on. ‘We all listen to different kinds of music, like garage. In terms of how we present ourselves live, people like Rudimental are influencing us a lot.’ They are also the ultimate university survivors, having formed at Jesus College, where Jack would record then-girlfriend Chatto’s recitals and remix them. Any advice on how to get through university? ‘Don’t see it as something you have to “get through”,’ Amin-Smith smiles. ‘It’s over far too quickly.’

Did they have their wild moments, like the rest of us? He pauses for a second, before chuckling: ‘Grace and Jack once got caught… um, together… in a cupboard at our college library.’ Most of us have our favourite uni party venues. Amin-Smith prefers a more intimate set-up: ‘I like small clubs. I’m not really into massive super-clubs.’ For Clean Bandit, life after uni has been pretty sweet – and they’re not slowing down. ‘We’ve come to the end of a really relentless touring period,’ Amin-Smith says. ‘In March, we’ve got our biggest-ever UK tour. We’re really looking forward to that.’

Clean Bandit play 02 Academy, Birmingham, on March 9, 02 Academy, Glasgow, on March 10 and Apollo, Manchester, on March 11

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January 2015

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clubbingCALENDAR

Fire and swagger from live greats

MYSTERIOUS words like ‘cordian’ and ‘Dhalsim’ (as in the Street Fighter character?) were emblazoned across a giant pink screen as Kasabian belted out hit after hit at the Capital FM stadium on November 28. No-one knew what the connection was between the slogans and the international superstars – but as they chanted the tribal rhythms and played the erratic riffs of last year’s single Bumblebee, no-one cared. The �irst single from latest album 48:13, Eez-eh, also went down a storm, with a trippy Chemical Brothers vibe that harked back to the Leicester boys’ selftitled debut album. Treat, also from 48:13, saw the pace slow down to a

Dirty Mondays, Forum, tickets £5 Vice, Coco Tang, free TFIM, Oceana, tickets £6

chilled, bubbling groove. Most people were there for the hits that have become indie classics and there was little let-up as the band blasted through an impressive back catalogue, with Underdog and Fire sparking crowd sing-alongs. Effervescent frontman Tom Meighan (pictured) swaggered across the stage and had the Kasabian faithful hanging on his every word, while guitarist Serge Pizzorno smashed his instrument before the show had even hit full steam. The band once again showed they are a relentless driving force behind a stunning live show. In fact, they made it look Eez-eh. Alex Copley

wed, jan 28 Wednesdays, Ocean, tickets £5 Crisis, Rock City, tickets £7 Wednesdays, Coco Tang, free First Base, NTU SU Loft, free

wed, jan 14 Wednesdays, Ocean, tickets £5 Crisis, Rock City, tickets £7 Wednesdays, Coco Tang, free First Base, NTU SU Loft, free

wed, jan 21 Wednesdays, Ocean, tickets £5 Crisis, Rock City, tickets £7 Wednesdays, Coco Tang, free First Base, NTU SU Loft, free

thurs, jan 22 Quids In, NTU SU, free Tuned, Rock City, tickets £5 Gold Teeth, Bodega, tickets £5

thurs, jan 29 Quids In, NTU SU, free Tuned, Rock City, tickets £5 Gold Teeth, Bodega, tickets £5

thurs, feb 5

£5 M

Zoo, Oceana, tickets £4 Pressure, Rescue Rooms, tickets £1 Baacod, Baa Bar, free

Quids In, NTU SU, free Tuned, Rock City, tickets £5 Gold Teeth, Bodega, tickets £5

tue, jan 13 Zoo, Oceana, tickets £4 Pressure, Rescue Rooms, tickets £1 Baacod, Baa Bar, free

tue, jan 20

Kasabian – Capital FM Arena

D U T hh

mon, jan 12

fri, jan 30 The Big O, Ocean, tickets £5 Pop Confessional, Bodega, tickets £3 Ditto, Forum, tickets £5

fri, feb 6

sat, feb 7

The Big O, Ocean, tickets £5 Pop Confessional, Bodega, tickets £3 Ditto, Forum, tickets £5

Stealth v Rescue Rooms, Stealth and Rescue Rooms, tickets £5 Climax, NTU SU, tickets £5 Rise And Shine, The Cookie Club, tickets £6 Saturdays, The Revolution Bar, free

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Available to students only with a valid NUS or student card. Bella Italia reserves right to withdraw the offer at any time and without notice. bellaitalia.co.uk

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January 2015

clubbingCALENDAR thurs, jan 15 Quids In, NTU SU, free Tuned, Rock City, tickets £5 Gold Teeth, Bodega, tickets £5

fri, jan 16

sat, jan 17

The Big O, Ocean, tickets £5 Pop Confessional, Bodega, tickets £3 Ditto, Forum, tickets £5

Stealth v Rescue Rooms, Stealth and Rescue Rooms, tickets £5 Climax, NTU SU, tickets £5 Rise And Shine, The Cookie Club, tickets £6 Saturdays, The Revolution Bar, free

fri, jan 23

sat, jan 24

The Big O, Ocean, tickets £5 Pop Confessional, Bodega, tickets £3 Ditto, Forum, tickets £5

Stealth v Rescue Rooms, Stealth and Rescue Rooms, tickets £5 Climax, NTU SU, tickets £5 Rise And Shine, The Cookie Club, tickets £6 Saturdays, The Revolution Bar, free

sat, jan 31

sun, feb 1

Stealth v Rescue Rooms, Stealth and Rescue Rooms, tickets £5 Climax, NTU SU, tickets £5 Rise And Shine, The Cookie Club, tickets £6 Saturdays, The Revolution Bar, free

Party Classics, Yates’s, free Sunday Night, Tantra, free

sun, feb 8 Party Classics, Yates’, free Sunday Night, Tantra, free

sun, jan 25 Party Classics, Yates’s, free Sunday Night, Tantra, free

mon, feb 2 Dirty Mondays, Forum, tickets £5 Vice, Coco Tang, free TFIM, Oceana, tickets £6

mon, feb 9 Dirty Mondays, Forum, tickets £5 Vice, Coco Tang, free TFIM, Oceana, tickets £6

wed, feb 10 Crisis, Rock City, tickets £7 Wednesdays, Coco Tang, free First Base, NTU SU Loft, free

sun, jan 18 Party Classics, Yates’s, free Sunday Night, Tantra, free

mon, jan 19 Dirty Mondays, Forum, tickets £5 Vice, Coco Tang, free TFIM, Oceana, tickets £6

mon, jan 26 Dirty Mondays, Forum, tickets £5 Vice, Coco Tang, free TFIM, Oceana, tickets £6

tue, jan 27 Zoo, Oceana, tickets £4 Pressure, Rescue Rooms, tickets £1 Baacod, Baa Bar, free

tue, feb 3 Zoo, Oceana, tickets £4 Pressure, Rescue Rooms, tickets £1 Baacod, Baa Bar, free

wed, feb 4 Crisis, Rock City, tickets £7 Wednesdays, Coco Tang, free First Base, NTU SU Loft, free

thur, feb 11 Quids In, NTU SU, free Tuned, Rock City, tickets £5 Gold Teeth, Bodega, tickets £5

fri, feb 12 The Big O, Ocean, tickets £5 Pop Confessional, Bodega, tickets £3 Ditto, Forum, tickets £5

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comedy January 17: THE BEST IN LIVE STAND-UP COMEDY (ANDREA HUBERT, Andy Robinson, Carl Donnelly, Mickey D), Glee Comedy Club, tickets £10 January 23: THE BEST IN LIVE STAND-UP COMEDY (MATT RICHARDSON, Liam Williams, Gary Little, Suzi Ruffell), Glee Comedy Club, tickets £10 January 24: THE BEST IN LIVE STAND-UP COMEDY (MATT RICHARDSON, Liam Williams, Gary Little, Suzi Ruffell), Glee Comedy Club, tickets £10 January 30: THE BEST IN LIVE STAND-UP COMEDY (STEVE WILLIAMS, TBC, Michael Fabbri, Henry Parker), Glee Comedy Club, tickets £10 January 31: THE BEST IN LIVE STAND-UP COMEDY (STEVE WILLIAMS, TBC, Michael Fabbri, Henry Parker), Glee Comedy Club, tickets £10 February 6: THE BEST IN LIVE STAND-UP COMEDY (OWEN O’NEILL, Charlie Barker, TBC, TBC), Glee Comedy Club, tickets £10 February 7: THE BEST IN LIVE STAND-UP COMEDY (OWEN O’NEILL, Charlie Barker, TBC, TBC), Glee Comedy Club, tickets £10 February 12: COMEDY TOUR SHOWRUSSELL KANE & FRIENDS, Glee Comedy Club, tickets £13 February 12: OMID DJALILI, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, tickets £23

Boy band Charlie eyes solo success

New sound: Former Busted star Charlie Simpson has broken into alt-rock

THERE is a seemingly endless list of former boy band singers persuing solo careers – think Robbie Williams, Ronan Keating and Justin Timberlake. Ex-Busted frontman Charlie Simpson has taken the same route via alt-rock band Fightstar, successfully making the transition from teen idol to rocker. After his promising debut album, Young Pilgrim, Simpson released his second offering, Long Road Home, charting the highs and lows of being an artist. Catch him at Rescue Rooms on February 1. Dan Robbins

THE UNIVERSITY PAPER NEEDS YOUR HELP! If you’re in the know about student life, outgoing and keen to work with a fantastic team of people, we’re on the lookout for new recruits to help with distribution, street teams, promotions and more. Fantastic rates of pay. If you’re up to the challenge, please contact: editor@unipaper.co.uk

what’sON theatre January 13: SLEEPING BEAUTY, Nottingham Playhouse, tickets £9 January 19-24: THE LION IN WINTER, Lace Market Theatre, tickets £9-£11 January 20-January 24: MATTHEW BOURNE’S EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, Theatre Royal Nottingham, £34.50-£38.50 January 24: VANESSA MILLAR SCHOOL OF DANCING SHOWCASE, Nottingham Playhouse, tickets £11-£15 January 25: EPISODES 15, Nottingham Playhouse, tickets £7-£9 January 27 to January 30: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS, Theatre Royal Nottingham, £21-£30 January 29: BRENDAN COLE, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, £29-£36 February 3 to February 7: BARNUM, Theatre Royal Nottingham, £30-£45 February 6: CERI DUPREE – FIT FOR A QUEEN, Nottingham Arts Theatre, tickets £16-£18 February 6-8: MOSCOW CITY BALLET, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, £21-£31 February 7 and February 8: FREEDOM DANCE & PERFORMANCE, Nottingham Arts Theatre, tickets £8.50-£12.50 February 9 to February 14: BARNUM, Theatre Royal Nottingham, £30-£45 February 11 to February 15: LES MISERABLES, Nottingham Arts Theatre, tickets £8-£14

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January 2015

what’sON

Our comprehensive guide to entertainment in Nottingham. If you have an event you would like included, please email us at whatson@unipaper.co.uk

I’m doing it off my own back

Got the X Factor: Blues singer Louis Antoniou is forging a music career while working towards a degree

music January 14: JAMES VECKGILODI, Bodega, £10 January 14: BBC PHILHARMONIC, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, £10 January 15: MOTOWN’S GREATEST HITS HOW SWEET IT IS, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, £18-£25 January 16: J MASCIS, Rescue Rooms, £10 January 17: MOOSE BLOOD, Rescue Rooms, £7 January 19: AMON AMARTH, Rescue Rooms, £15 January 19: MARTIN STEPHENSON, Theatre Royal Nottingham, £9 January 20-21: STRICTLY COME DANCING, Capital FM Arena, £50-£72 January 21: LIAM BAILEY, Rescue Rooms, £7 January 21: FIRST AID KIT, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, £20

January 23: JILLIAN MICHAELS, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, £35-£150 January 23: BLUES GUITAR - CHARLES MACDONALD, Theatre Royal Nottingham, £10 January 23: BETHAN LEADLEY, Bodega, £8 January 25: DENES VARJON, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, £10 January 26: ROB LYNCH AND FRONT PORCH STEP, Rescue Rooms, £8 January 24: QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT, Capital FM Arena, £66-£77 January 26: SLIPKNOT, Capital FM Arena, £44 January 26: ALVVAYS, Bodega, £8 January 27: SINFONIA VIVA, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, £19.50-£25 January 28: PIANOS BECOME THE TEETH, Rescue Rooms, £10 January 29: MILK TEETH, Rock City, £3 January 29: SICK OF IT ALL, Rescue Rooms, £15

Bad education: Kaiser Chiefs’ tour bus will stop in Nottingham

January 30: GEORGE HOLROYD, Bodega, £4 January 31: NOTTINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, £7-£20 February 1: CHARLIE SIMPSON, Rescue Rooms, £15 February 2: HELEN MCCOOKERYBOOK, Theatre Royal Nottingham, £7 February 4: THE STAVES, Rescue Rooms, £12.50 February 4: SAM BAILEY, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, £29.50 February 6: ONE NIGHT ONLY, Rescue Rooms, £9 February 7: KAISER CHIEFS, Capital FM Arena, £31 February 7: WOLF, Rock City, £12 February 7: THE USED, Rock City, £17.50 February 7: BETRAYING THE MARTYRS, Rescue Rooms, £10 February 8: KING CHARLES, Rescue Rooms, £12 February 9: MINERAL, Bodega, £12.50 February 9: HUDSON TAYLOR, Rescue Rooms, £11 February 10: BLACK RIVERS, Bodega, £10 February 10: CROWN THE EMPIRE, Rescue Rooms, £12 February 11: SAINT RAYMOND, Rock City, £10 February 11: THE HALLE, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, tickets £19.50-£27.50 February 12: SKIES IN MOTION, Rock City, £5 February 12: JETTBLACK, Rescue Rooms, £10

PICTURE: FACEBOOK

ENDLESS open mic nights, unpaid gigs, late nights, precious little gratitude... It’s tough breaking into the music business. It’s even tougher when you have to study for a degree at the same time. So, why would someone put themselves through this, all to follow a ‘dream’? Blues singer–songwriter Louis Antoniou explains. ‘All I think about is music. When you’re on the circuit, it’s all about doing stuff off your own back,’ the Nottingham Trent University student says. ‘You have to get gigs, record, distribute and promote yourself. A lot of people think if you are trying to break into the music scene, someone will do these things for you – but that’s not the case.’ With shows such as The X Factor and The Voice

bombarding our TV screens, how tempting is it to swap pride for a cheesy smile and a boy band hair cut? Mocking Simon Cowell’s regular response ‘I didn’t like it – I love it’, the 21-year-old says: ‘I don’t dislike X Factor... I hate X Factor. It started this whole reality TV show madness which dominates like a plague. It’s so conformist and money-centred.’ The hard-working singer recently recruited a drummer and has an EP on the way. He adds: ‘I’m playing my blues, gigging every week. Sometimes it’s to the barman and two others – but it’s off my own back and not Louis Walsh’s.’ Catch Louis at The Orange Tree on January 21. Tania Brown

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A full version of our interview with Rae Morris appears at www.unipaper.co.uk

I took opportunities... even the bad ones M

OST people were �irst introduced to Rae Morris as the ethereal voice on Bombay Bicycle Club’s single Luna last year. But her loyal fans have been appreciating her music since she set out on the road to stardom three years ago. The 22-year-old’s debut album, Unguarded, will be released later this month before she heads out on tour. TUP caught up with her to �ind out more. Is there a different process when producing an album, as opposed to working on EPs and singles? Mentally, I knew I had to create a whole body of work. So, I was quite nervous at �irst, but the producer just said: ‘Look, don’t be scared – because what’s the

worst thing you can do?’ Would you say your hometown of Blackpool has been a positive place for you as an emerging artist? Absolutely. I think the good thing about Blackpool is that because it’s so small, it makes you stand out a little more. I realised at the time that if I was in London coming on to the scene and playing open mic nights, it’s musically so vast and such a big city that it’s easy to get lost. Does the media compare you to your contemporaries and do you �ind that a problem? I’ve never really had a problem with being compared to the people I’m in a peer group with. I’m a massive Kate Bush fan,

so often people say about my music, ‘that sounds a bit like Kate Bush’. And obviously that’s not true. I am inspired by her – but I don’t sound like her. What would be your advice to young artists struggling to get their music heard? Take the opportunities. I don’t mean be desperate or sell yourself or anything like that – I just mean never say no to anything just because it doesn’t sound great. I took a lot of gigs where I was like, ‘Oh, gosh, I’m not sure – I don’t think it’s going to be a good one’. And then you get there and it happens to be the best gig you ever played. Mollie Carberry

theBEAT Star in the making: Rae Morris has her ﬁrst album out this month

tourDATES Catch Rae on tour: February 1, Kazimier, Liverpool; February 3, King Tut’s, Glasgow; February 4, The Wardrobe, Leeds; February 5, The Institute, Birmingham; February 6, Gorilla, Manchester; February 14, The Thekla, Bristol; February 15, Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

www.unipaper.co.uk

theBEAT

January 2015

Love your music? So do we! Tune in here for all the latest interviews, previews and reviews

Inspired by dad’s wisdom I

T’S a mantra we would all do well to follow: Always do what will make you happy. For rising star Billy Lockett, the words of his late father, John Luce, have underpinned his determination to forge a career in music. And, so far, it is paying off. Lockett, 22, is climbing to the top despite having yet to sign a record deal. He has supported the likes of Lana Del Rey, Birdy and KT Turnstall, most recently touring with Scottish songstress – and Ed Sheeran protégé – Nina Nesbitt. In March, he embarks on his own four-date headline tour, while his latest single, Old Man, is a beautiful tribute to his father, who died earlier this year from prostate cancer at the age of 62. ‘I sort of hated him sometimes,’ says Lockett. ‘We had a lot of fights but a lot of laughs. Overall, it was great to have someone that cared

How rising star Billy was urged to follow his dream so much about me and about what I do.’ His father, a well-known artist in his home town of Northampton, was constantly pushing Lockett to follow his dream and his words have stuck: ‘Make sure that whatever you’re doing you’re enjoying. Make sure you’re constantly doing something that makes you happy.’ It’s hard to pinpoint Lockett’s musical style, as each song varies from soothing melodies to more upbeat rhythms, all intertwined with charming piano and guitar. Raw emotion can be heard in his soulful, expressive voice as he reminisces on his life. So it’s odd to hear his love of music grew from a childhood

obsession with Eminem. He says: ‘I love his lyrics and everything about him really. I wouldn’t really say he inspires me, because he’s nothing like me, but he was one of the first people that really got me into music.’ Lockett knows he has yet to crack the music business. ‘It’s great knowing that everyone’s there to see you when they’ve bought tickets for your gig,’ he says. ‘But I also love trying to win people over as a supporting artist.’ And despite admitting that ‘things could be easier’, he declares: ‘I don’t want to do anything that’s going to make me depressed in the long run.’ Clearly, he’s been listening to his dad. Eloise Vanstone

KNOW THE INSIDE

DO headline tour: Where you can catch Billy on his nge, Manchester Lou y Rub The Sunday, March 22: gow Glas s, Monday, March 23: King Tut’ tol Bris kla, The 25: ch Mar Wednesday, , London Thursday, March 26: Bush Hall

tourDATES

Boys find a fresh voice... with a little help from their friends THANK heavens! The Bastille boys are back and they’re mixing with some of the best in the business. The indie four-piece have returned with their second album and have invited the likes of Haim, GRADES and Rag ’N’ Bone Man to join them. Although Dan Smith’s haunting vocals still

YOU

T R AC K O N

CAMPUS?

Bastille in VS. (Other People’s Heartache Pt. III)

dominate, the band explore new genres and styles, finding fresh inspiration while playing around with their old sound. It’s the perfect mixtape for the walk to lectures or revision – a chilled offering you’ll find yourself singing along to

without even realising your lips are moving. If you’re going to spend your student loan on one CD this month, make sure it’s this one. Trust me – you won’t regret not having spent that tenner on vodka trebles for this. Henrietta Painter

IF SO THE UNIVERSITY PAPER WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU. We are scouring the UK for student journalists, so whether you are looking for work experience or simply spending too much time in the SU, get in touch today. We are on the look out for opinion leaders and change makers who can write engaging copy. Your pieces will be printed in The University Paper which is read by thousands of students across the UK and you will get that all important byline - perfect if you are looking to build a portfolio. Not to mention that age old adage, it will look great on the CV. So if you would like to be an influential voice for the student community or just have a strong front page tell us what is going on - pitch your ideas to The University Paper, email: editor@unipaper.co.uk

January 2015

hiTECH

www.unipaper.co.uk The latest in everything gadgets and gaming

It’s war but not as we know it

XAMS are over and you’re looking to treat yourself to a �irst-person shooter, packed with cinematic explosions and futuristic weapons. Look no further than the latest offering from the Call Of Duty series. Advanced Warfare is set in the battle�ields of the future, providing combat in an age of robotic exoskeletons and private military contractors. The setting has had more

Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare

than just a super�icial lick of paint, with both weaponry and mechanics getting an overhaul. Double jumping, lasers from space, arm-mounted grenade launchers – they’re all here. The campaign mode has all the �lair you’ve come to expect of a high-budget �irstperson shooter. And with its

Glimpse into the future: The game offers all-new tech

Rating: 4/5

Hollywood explosions and Kevin Spacey taking on the role of lead protagonist, the game’s storyline is grand in scale. Advanced Warfare is the most signi�icantly changed Call Of Duty since Black Ops 2 – it represents a genuine departure from the morose battle�ields of the past, bringing something a little

fresher and more exciting to the table. Like other titles in the series, you’ll be �ighting in locations around the world, such as Argentina and Antarctica – but the real draw is the multiplayer mode, and that you’ll �ind as thrilling as ever. Developer Sledgehammer Games has tweaked the winning formula – but don’t worry, you can still

build up your player and unlock new kit. The only issue comes to the fore over long periods of game play, with online play stuttering on occasion for little discernible reason. Even so, Advanced Warfare is heaps of fun and comes highly recommended for anyone with some downtime and the desire to score a few headshots with friends. Michael O’Connell-Davidson

out soon Dying Light HORDES of flesh-eating zombies are everywhere and it’s down to you to stop them. During the day, you traverse the virtual world, helping survivors and picking up supplies. By night, as the infected grow stronger, you change from hunter to prey. New enemies, such as the Predators, will only appear at sundown – meaning you must find safety. The game’s RPG element allows you to build your own style of playing. But will you go for silent killing or all guns blazing? James Williams Rugby 15 WITH the World Cup just months away, a rugby-based video game was inevitable. However, such games are notoriously difficult to produce because of rugby’s intricate rules. HB Studios’ attempt allows you to play in the world’s top leagues or for your country – but the game looks similar to any other, except for a new rucking feature that adds a real-life element. With average graphics and game play, you’d be better off stepping back in time and getting EA’s Rugby 08. Matt Bullin Saints Row IV: Re-Elected

Pass it on: Play friends as though you’re in the same room

Share a journey back to the ’90s FOR twentysomething gamers, childhood evokes memories of basking in the warm glow of a TV at a friend’s house, rejoicing in the multiplayer nirvana of GoldenEye 007 and Mario Kart 64. It was an era when split-screen reigned supreme. But the popularity of the ‘couch multiplayer’ dwindled with the advent of online gaming. Now, with Sony’s latest system software update on the PlayStation 4, the couch is back. Introducing Share Play – the ability to play games online with a friend as though you were back on that patterned ’90s

couch once more. Share Play lets you effectively ‘pass’ your friend your controller, allowing them to take control of your game as you see it on your screen. Alternatively, you can pass them a second controller and play local multiplayer online. Buzzwords such as ‘game-changing’ and ‘revolutionary’ are industry prerequisites for marketing campaigns nowadays – but this really is the next level for gaming. With all the releases January has to offer, Share Play is the console exclusive worth having. All hail the couch! Graham Wardle

PICTURE this: you’re president of the US and aliens invade, intent on enslaving humanity. What do you do? Well, in Saints Row IV: Re-Elected, you go out and kick some ass. The game is a revamp of the excellent Saints Row IV for the new generation of consoles. If you ﬁnd Grand Theft Auto too stuffy, you’ll enjoy the unique humour of this series. In GTA, you can break the law; in Saints Row IV, you can break the laws of physics. If you’ve got an appetite for the ridiculous, it’s a no-brainer. Michael O’Connell-Davidson

Menaces: Destroy aliens

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January 2015

onSCREEN

Love a good night at the movies? Or perhaps you need a quiet night in front of the TV? Read on to �ind out what’s on...

How they saved our Saul Return of Breaking Bad rogue

Flying high: Channing Tatum with heir to the Earth Mila Kunis in Jupiter Ascending

out soon Wild (Jan 16) AFTER a series of tragic events, Cheryl Strayed embarks on a gruelling quest — hiking 1,100 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail. Based on a true story, Wild sees Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) come to terms with the death of her mother, using heroin and getting divorced. The film is adapted from Strayed’s autobiography by screenwriter/novelist Nick Hornby and director Jean-Marc Callée, who mixes scenes from the lead character’s turbulent past with challenges from her journey. Emily Lewis Kingsman: The Secret Service (Jan 29) SMALL-TIME crook Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin (Taron Egerton) is taken under the wing of gentleman spy Harry Hart (Colin Firth). Unwin’s tough first assignment is to deal with global threat and mad techterrorist Valentine (Samuel L Jackson). Armed with innovative weaponry, such as Oxford Blades and the Gunbrella, can the pair save the day? Kate Johnson

ENT lawyer Saul Goodman reached cult status in hit show Breaking Bad. Now, the lovable rogue is back in the muchanticipated spin-off from creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. Better Call Saul sees Bob Odenkirk reprise the role of Saul, real name Jimmy McGill, as he struggles to make his name as a lawyer six years before the events of Breaking Bad. However, rumour has it the prequel will also deal with events during and after. Although RJ Mitte, who played Walt Jr in Breaking Bad, has said the new series

Spin-off: Bob Odenkirk is back as bent lawyer Saul Goodman has ‘nothing to do’ with the Emmy award-winning show, its success should guarantee Better Call Saul a global audience. Despite funnyman Saul taking the lead, the show is set to be just as gritty as its big brother, with Odenkirk insisting it will be ‘85 per cent

drama, 15 per cent comedy’. With Jonathan Banks also returning as ice-cool hitman Mike Ehrmantraut, Breaking Bad fans will be able to sate those withdrawal symptoms. The show is to premiere in the US on February 8 and will hit UK Net�lix shortly after. Josh Mcloughlin

New look: Spy Colin Firth. Below, Reese Witherspoon Inherent Vice (Jan 30) PRIVATE detective Larry ‘Doc’ Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) investigates the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend’s (Katherine Waterson) new lover, Mickey Wolfmann (Eric Roberts). This drama-comedy, also starring Owen Wilson and Reese Witherspoon, is adapted from the Thomas Pychon novel of the same name by writer and director Paul Thomas Anderson. Rebecca Cattell Mordecai (Jan 23) ENGLISH gent, debonair art dealer and part-time rogue Charlie Mortdecai (Johnny Depp) wants to get his hands on Nazi gold. Standing in his way is an international terrorist, the MI5, angry Russians and

almost everyone else. The ﬁlm’s trailer offers cheap laughs, poor English accents and the same post-Jack Sparrow Depp that lost its charm a long time ago. Gwyneth Paltrow plays beautiful wife Johanna Mortdecai and Ewan McGregor, investigates as Inspector Martland. Morgan Hinton

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Jupiter Ascending (Feb 6) AN ALIEN life force plans to wipe the planet clean, keeping only the humans it deems worthy. Enter down-on-her-luck earthling Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis), who also happens to be a potential heir to the Earth. Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), a genetically engineered interplanetary warrior, is sent to tell Jones she is royalty and protect her from the bounty put on her head by evil alien Balem. Daisy Edwards

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January 2015

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Fashioning their future with words

Lauren Kelly

inSTYLE

Julia Ward

Four student fashion bloggers give ELLA ROSE POYZER advice on how to dress with style for lectures and reveal how blogging has changed their university experiences

HAT is your go-to outfit to wear for lectures? Lauren Kelly: Skinny jeans for comfort and I always have a blazer on to smarten everything up. If anything is scruffy, it’s my hair – never my outfit. You can’t tie that up in a bun with it still looking presentable. Julia Ward: I like to dress smart-casual. A pair of highwaisted jeans with a cami-top

and a kimono or cardigan is just the right amount of smart and comfy. Eleanor Danks: I tend to stick to jeans, a top and my trusty leather jacket. Aisling McGarrigle: Always some sort of jersey skirt and a casual top or jumper, some tights and usually brogues. For a typical university night out, what kind of outfit is always your first choice?

% 5 2

R O F F ITY PAPER OF S IVER S UN

READ

Eleanor Danks Eleanor: My disco pants or velvet leggings, a bralet or crop top and heeled boots. I prefer boots to heels – heels hurt so bad! When on a budget, what shops are your favourites? Lauren: H&M for basics,

Aisling McGarrigle New Look for jewellery and pumps. Both give easy ways to make a simple or recycled outfit look new – and without breaking the bank. Julia: One of my favourites has to be Primark. I can guarantee I will find

something I love in there every time I go – and, of course, it’s great on the purse strings. I also love Matalan. You’d be pleasantly surprised at the number of great quality pieces and accessories you can find in there. Do you feel as though blogging has enhanced your university experience? Julia: Life at university isn’t all about getting your degree. Granted, that is important – but it’s also important to have something extra that makes you stand out from the rest. For me, that something extra is blogging. It’s the perfect escape from university work and something I look forward to doing after a long week. Aisling: I studied zoology, which is a far cry from make-up and beauty, so I feel like my blog has opened doors for me that wouldn’t have been an option normally. I recently got a job in The Body Shop and I feel my blog had so much to do

with it, as it was clear I was passionate about the brand and products. What advice can you give for any student thinking of starting a blog? Julia: I’d say to just go for it. My blog is for me, not to impress anyone. It’s a way of expressing my passion. If people read it and love it, then that’s an added bonus. Eleanor: Have a good think about what your blog content will focus on – start planning and scheduling your posts, research the best photo editing software and look at other blogs for inspiration. Don’t forget to network – it’s a great way to build connections and friendships with other bloggers to increase your readership. Aisling: Plan your time and posts effectively. When I started, I was just posting whenever I felt like it – but I wasn’t happy with my posts. Now I have more structure, I feel my blog is much better and is well put together.

Follow Julia at www.blondeambition13.tumblr.com; Lauren at www.laurenmariesreveries.blogspot.co.uk; Eleanor at www.dreamlovelivefashion.blogspot.co.uk; and Aisling at www.rosysmiles.blogspot.co.uk

Little White Lies is a British, London based brand bringing timeless quality pieces to the 18-35 year old fashion conscious women. Little White Lies creates exquisite collections, each piece has a unique point of difference- a trim, beautiful buttons or hidden pockets. Every garment has been thought about in detail from beginning to end creating contemporary modern pieces with a nostalgic retro charm.

We use the highest quality fabrics to create soft dresses and separates; with the use of delicate velvets, vegan leathers, silks and georgette overlays. Attention to detail is what makes this brand so charming. This is carried throughout all designs, giving a feeling of femininity with an urban edge keeping Little White Lies in touch with premium fashion trends. The brand is stocked across the UK, Europe and the USA making a name for itself as Drapers Young Fashion Brand finalist. To celebrate the growing success, Little White Lies would like to offer University readers 25% off their next shop online at www.littlewhitelies.com

Go to www.littlewhitelieslondon.com and enter code LWLU25 to claim your discount Can be used on full price items only, cannot be used in conjunction with other coupons.

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inSTYLE

January 2015

News and views from the world of fashion... all with a student budget in mind

Reem: Towie’s Joey Essex takes time out for a snap, right. Above and left, faux fur and flowing skirts steal the show at CSL

Dozy Joey heads fashion followers at annual style fest

Glitz with a ditz

HEY gave us neon and New York; they had the greats and not-so-greats of the fashion world; they even had Joey Essex. Now in its 26th year, Clothes Show Live arrived at Birmingham’s NEC with all the hoopla and celebrity endorsements you might expect of an event that launched the modelling careers of Erin O’Connor, Holly Willoughby and Nina Porter. It attracted about 100,000 visitors between December

A star-struck SHANICE ABBOTT sneaks a peek behind the scenes as Clothes Show Live rolls into town for its 26th year

5 and 9, with the 500,000 sq ft-plus of the NEC transformed by 400 stalls, each plying every kind of clothing from cheap and chic to vintage. There were complaints this year about the lack of bigname stars – but Amy Childs, Joey Essex, Millie Mackintosh, Lauren Goodger, Peter Andre, Henry Holland and more were in attendance. Cheeky Towie star Joey Essex,

who was there to meet fans and sign his 2015 calendar, said: ‘I’m looking forward to meeting the models.’ Flashing his famed Rolex, the fashion fan said that, while he loves his bling, he remained unable to tell the time. As though to prove his point, ever-ditzy Joey finished the conversation by asking what day it was. When informed it was Friday, he laughed: ‘Oh, my

watch says Tuesday – I don’t know where I am in the world.’ Fellow reality star Amy Childs could be spotted selling her stunning women’s clothing collection, while Peter Andre was there to sign bottles of his latest perfume, Scarlet. House Of Holland founder Henry Holland presented a heavily choreographed catwalk show, with themes including neon, winter and New York. And headliners Neon Jungle kept the crowd entertained as celebrities mingled with fans.

Chelsea boy: Spencer Matthews of Made In Chelsea fame shares a hug with our reporter, middle. Left and right, bold prints dominated the catwalk at this year’s CSL

PICTURES: SHANICE ABBOTT

yourNIGHT your

Enjoyed a big night in Nottingham? We have all the pictures from the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hottest nightspots... see if you can spot yourself.

January 2015

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mealBREAK Our fantastic selected recipes are tried-and-tested favourites among students who want to eat well on a budget but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. So, get cooking and enjoy

Top chocs: These iced treats are great to share with friends

Chicken arrabiata

Ingredients: Chicken breast, sliced; three rashers of bacon; tin of chopped tomatoes; half a pepper; whole chilli; two tbsp tomato purée; chilli powder; garlic powder; mixed herbs; salt and pepper; low-calorie spray Method: 1. Spray a pan with low-calorie spray and wait for it to heat. Add the sliced chicken and cook on a high heat until golden 2. When the chicken is almost cooked, add the bacon 3. Meanwhile, chop the peppers and chilli, adding to the cooked chicken and bacon 4. Stir in the tinned tomatoes and tomato purée 5. Add the chilli powder, garlic powder, mixed herbs, and salt and pepper 6. Simmer on a low heat for ten minutes 7. During this time,

breadcrumbs, garlic, lemon zest and herbs and season well. Pour in the butter and mix with a fork or your �ingers, until combined 3. Cover the �illets with the crumbs, pressing down on each 4. Cook for about 20 minutes or until the crust is golden Aramide Pearce Vanilla cupcakes with chocolate icing

cook the pasta 8. Once cooked, combine the pasta and sauce 9. Add grated cheese to the top to enhance the �lavour Tip: If you’re feeling brave, try adding two chillis to the sauce Shannon Barrett

Herb-crusted ﬁsh

Ingredients: Two �ish �illets; two garlic cloves, crushed; 10g butter, softened; one tbsp fresh basil, chopped (dried is �ine, too); lemon zest, grated (juice is �ine, too); breadcrumbs (made

by grating two slices of toast); salt and pepper Method: 1. Heat oven to 200C. Place the �ish on a large greased baking tray and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper 2. Combine the

Ingredients: For the cupcakes: 100g unsalted butter; 100g sugar; 100g �lour; two medium eggs; one tsp vanilla extract For the chocolate icing: 100g unsalted butter; 260g icing sugar; 40g cocoa powder; four squares of baking chocolate; three tbsp double cream Method for the cupcakes: 1. Preheat the oven to 180C and line a baking tray with cupcake cases of your choice 2. Cream together the sugar and butter in a mixing bowl until light and �luffy 3. Crack both eggs into the bowl and add two tbsp of �lour, plus the vanilla extract

4. Fold in the remaining �lour until combined. Do not over-work the mixture as you will extract all the air and the cupcakes will not rise 5. Divide the mixture evenly between the cake cases 6. Bake for 15 minutes – they should be golden on top and spring back into place when you press down on them. Wait until the cupcakes are cool before you attempt to ice them Method for the chocolate icing: 1. Beat the butter until light and �luffy; it should turn a very pale colour, which is key to getting the perfect icing 2. Add the icing sugar, 100g at a time 3. Add the �inal 60g of icing sugar along with the 40g of cocoa powder 4. Melt the four squares of baking chocolate and add to the mixture 5. Next, add the double cream until the icing is light and �luffy 6. Place the icing mixture into a piping bag and ice the cupcakes 7. Sprinkle with decorations of your choice and share with friends Shannon Barrett

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January 2015

mealBREAK

We’ve all got to eat. So whether you fancy preparing something at home or popping out for dinner, we have the recipe for a great meal

Go global with your grub Y

Finish off with fudge

LET’S face it – running to the shops and satisfying your sweet tooth is easier than cooking yourself. However, nothing beats homemade treats. Check out this easy, inexpensive chocolate fudge recipe that will sate those cravings. Ingredients: 450g caster sugar; 50g unsalted butter, diced into small cubes; 170g can of evaporated milk; 150ml milk; 150g plain chocolate Method: 1. Grease a square tin, roughly 18cm by 18cm, with margarine 2. Gently heat the butter, sugar, evaporated milk and milk, until the sugar has dissolved 3. Bring it to the boil

Fine ﬁnish: Satisfy your sweet tooth and stir for 30 minutes 4. Remove from the heat 5. Break the chocolate into pieces and melt in the microwave

PICTURE: CLARE HORRIGAN

6. Stir the chocolate and fudge mixture together, and pour into a tin 8. Leave to set overnight Clare Horrigan

OU’RE on a budget, you can’t afford to travel. But that shouldn’t stop you from getting a taste of the exotic straight from your very own kitchen. Why not invite your friends over and treat them to the �inest cuisines from Guadalajara to London via Barcelona? Mexico: Tacos Pockets of happiness you can �ill with anything. Popular �illings include fried meats, cheese and sour cream – but why not try something more unconventional? Raid the cupboards and give whatever you �ind a try. For drinks, you are spoilt for choice — margaritas, mojitos, Sol or even tequila! Sombreros are optional. Italy: Pasta There are endless choices. Tomato Neapolitan sauce, creamy carbonara or,

Get a taste of the world without leaving home of course, spag bol. To save cash, make loads and keep some in the fridge. There’s a bonus, too: it may be the only legitimate time to consume gallons of wine while staying in theme. Spain: Tapas The ultimate sharing food – little plates of nibbles, be they hot or cold, that you can throw out in large quantities safely knowing there’s something to tickle everyone’s fancy. Excellent for get-togethers and nights in with the television. Drink whatever you fancy – but sangria is always a start. Thailand: Green curry Subtler than its Indian cousin, this still goes in the comforting, cheap

and easy-to-make category. All you need is some chicken, green beans and a jar of paste. Pour in some coconut milk and lime juice and you’re almost in Bangkok. Feeling adventurous? Then make your own paste; it’s only ground up garlic, chilli, spices and soy sauce, after all. Eat with rice and sink with Singha beer England: Casserole Leave the meat and veg to cook in wine and stock at a low heat in the oven. It will �ill you up for ages and leave you with a warm glow like proper comfort food should do. Drink tea and listen to the gasps of joy that echo all around. Lauren Bailey

Download the GBK app to unlock your 30% Student Discount gbkapp.co.uk/uni

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January 2015

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an you match the quote to the well-known person?

A: ‘I have this weird thing that, if I sleep with someone, they’re going to take my creativity from me through my vagina.’

B: ‘First, my mother was Spanish. Then, she became a Jehovah’s Witness.’

C: ‘I definitely want Brooklyn to be christened, but I don’t know into what religion yet.’

D: ‘I just want one day off when I can go swimming and eat ice cream and look at rainbows.’

E: ‘I created punk for this day and age. Do you see Britney walking around wearing ties and singing punk? Hell no. That’s what I do. I’m like a Sid Vicious for a new generation.’

Take a break and put your grey cells to work with our selection of puzzles

Who said what? 1 Paris Hilton, 2 Mariah Carey, 3 Gwyneth Paltrow, 4 Geri Halliwell, 5 Chris Brown, 6 David Beckham, 7 Avril Lavigne, 8 Ashton Kutcher, 9 R Kelly, 10 Lady Gaga

F: ‘I think every decade has an iconic blonde, like Marilyn Monroe or Princess Diana and, right now, I’m that icon.’

G: ‘Can I get your number? I promise I won’t beat you!’

ANSWERS

2 8 5

2 8 3 8 9

J: ‘All of a sudden, you’re like the Bin Laden of America.’

6 3 4

4 1

3 2 5 9

1 9

5 4

H: ‘I’d rather smoke crack than eat cheese from a can.’ I: ‘The number of lines in your forehead tells how many lives you’ve lived.’

6 1 9

1 8 6 4

2 5

8 9

5 1

3 6

Can you unscramble these singers’ names?

1. MURY OLLS 2. WHEN BOARD 3. WARGER DAY 4. WACK JHITE 5. EJJE SIS 6. ZAKIES

2 8

3 8

in a

muddle

7. LEEK 8. LOIN PAIN OUT ANSWERS

1 Olly Murs, 2 Ben Howard, 3 Gerard Way, 4 Jack White, 5 Jessie J, 6 Kiesza, 7 Kele, 8 Paolo Nutini

brainTEASE

A10 B4 C6 D2 E7 F1 G5 H3 I8 J9

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January 2015

competitionCORNER

Your chance to win fantastic tickets, trips and treats

WIN pizza for a year Great prize is worth a lot of dough

WIN

Hoping for an excuse to stay in?

IZZA? Free? For a year? What more could any cash-starved, deep crust-loving student want? We’ve teamed up with Pizza Hut to offer one lucky reader a £30 voucher for every month of 2015. The winner can pick from a menu featuring the �laming hot blazin’ inferno or famous deep-pan meat feast, each accompanied with unlimited salad and soft drink re�ills. You can even add a pudding from the selection of warm cookie-dough desserts. Or what better way to keep the hunger pangs at bay by heading for the unlimited buffet every weekday?

ARE you dreading stepping outside into the winter weather? Thanks to HBO UK Home Entertainment we are offering the perfect excuse to stay indoors. We have a haul of hit series up for grabs including Band of Brothers, The Paci�ic, True Detective and Boardwalk Empire seasons 1-4 to keep you and your housemates entertained.

To enter, email your name, university and year of study to win@unipaper.co.uk

Slice of luck: Why not use your winner’s voucher to treat your friends to a spicy blazin’ inferno or tuck into unlimited salad?

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Gateway Programme Terms and conditions: Offer finishes on the 20th February 2015. Emails received before 20th February will receive the eLearning course. By emailing us for this promotion you agree for your email address to be added to the Uni Paper database and the QA Gateway Programme database.

To enter, email your name, university and year of study to win@unipaper.co.uk

To receive your FREE eLearning course worth £99 go to: https://kvgo.com/qa/ learn2code

January 2015



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

Horoscope 

What’s written in the stars for you this month

ARIES: MARCH 21APRIL 19 January is not a time to sit still, Aries. The new year will bring exaltation and energy but don’t get too carried away. Pay particular attention to �inances and relationships TAURUS: APRIL 20MAY 20 Luck will be on your side this month,Taurus. The world is your oyster this year and it will feel as though you have just hit the jackpot. Just remember to trust your intuition GEMINI: MAY 21JUNE 20 The new year is an exciting time for you, Gemini. It will

be as though a veil has been lifted and for the �irst time you are seeing everything from an entirely new perspective CANCER: JUNE 21JULY 22 Have you been thinking of changing something up for a long time, Cancer? Now is the time to do it. Currently, you have everything you need so what are you waiting for LEO: JULY 23AUGUST 22 Time to focus on yourself, Leo. The new year will enable you to discover talents you didn’t even know you possessed. And, you know what they

say, practice really does make perfect

VIRGO: AUGUST 23SEPTEMBER 22 The new year brings positivity for you, Virgo; however, an unthinking step could land you in trouble, so stay in control and you will make great changes

LIBRA: SEPTEMBER 23OCTOBER 22 Don’t jump the gun, Libra. Stay a few steps ahead and consider all possibilities. Complicated situations will arise but stay in control and they can be solved with ease SCORPIO: OCTOBER 23NOVEMBER 21 You are going to have to

take responsibility for the actions of others this month, Scorpio. Even if you are not in the driving seat, be ready to accept the consequences SAGITTARIUS: NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 21 Those around you may be shrouded in negativity, Sagittarius, but don’t let this throw you off. Don’t be afraid to �ight back as it is best to trust your intuition right now CAPRICORN: DECEMBER 22JANUARY 19 There is no time like the present, Capricorn. A goal you have been working towards for a



long time is beginning to manifest and you will have luck on your side like you never have before

AQUARIUS: JANUARY 20-FEBRUARY 18 You are about to enter a very content phase, Aquarius. You have been working very hard of late and everything is about to fall into place, so why challenge fate for more? PISCES: FEBRUARY 19MARCH 20 You are responsible for every aspect of your life, Pisces, so if you are unhappy with certain aspects now is the time to make change. Don’t doubt your inner strength

Rock it... but ditch the booze In his latest column on LGBT issues, masters student FILIP BIGOS argues you don’t need to drink or take drugs just to conform to a hard-partying stereotype

E Go online to: www.unipaper.co.uk for more quizzes.

VERYBODY likes a good party. The music, the rush, the heat… When the beat drops, alcohol starts pouring and we get going. Especially the gays. Everyone knows gay clubs are the best – we know how to rock it. Fun, alcohol and drugs is pretty much what the gay community is all about. Or, at least, seems to be. Wherever we go, whatever we do, people always drink. And with age (and depending on how rich their sugar daddy is) they move on to drugs. To switch off. To loosen up. There is an awful lot of pressure on us to drink,

let’sTALK

and very often to do chems and slam. Yet owners of gay venues don’t tend to think about alternatives for people who don’t want to get wasted every day. I apologise for targeting gay men but they are the group most guilty of this. It damages our reputation and shames our community. It is possible to party without alcohol. I am a 22-year-old gay man – I don’t drink, yet I still date and have a great time. Most importantly I will remember it from start to �inish. This requires a real pair, because although I am gay, I am still a man and I am myself.

Little and often: Short bursts will help you focus

Festive fun is �inished, now get revising

CHRISTMAS is over and the exam period is back with a vengeance. Before you start panicking, take a deep breath and check out these �ive revision tips. 1. Write it all down: It may be a pain but it is guaranteed to help you remember all those facts and get them imprinted into your brain 2. Start with the tricky bits: It’s only natural to go for the stuff that we �ind the easiest but consider how stressfree the last few days of revision would be if you were working on the stuff you already understood the most 3. Try short, sharp bursts: Two to three hours of revision each day should do the trick. Accumulated over January (and hopefully some of December, too), that’s a lot of study time 4. Colour-code your notes: Research shows that a splash of colour can make all the difference 5. Reward yourself: Whether it is your favourite chocolate or a night out with friends once you’ve �inished a topic, you deserve a treat. Ellie Connell and Kelly Smith

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January 2015

let’sTALK

Relationship trouble? Sex worries? Feeling low? We’ve got wise words to set you right

Alice ask

getting on with life – and so are your family and friends – but they will always be there for you. That much will never change.

Y STUDENT loan didn’t come in on time so I took out a payday loan. I thought I wouldn’t have to admit it to anyone – but I’m still waiting on student finance and now I owe double the amount I borrowed in the first place. Josh, Bristol

Y BOYFRIEND dumped me on New Year’s Eve... over champagne, no less. If that wasn’t bad enough, I tried so hard to make him happy. I often put him before studying. Now, exams are just weeks away and I feel like I’m drowning. I’m starting to wonder whether I should continue with my course. Rebecca, Liverpool Exams are exactly what you need right now, Rebecca – hear me out. Throw yourself into revising, not re-reading every text you ever sent each other. Break-ups take time to heal. Nothing can beat a night in with the girls right now – but you also need a distraction. Before you know it, you’ll be back on your feet. Besides, let’s be honest – a guy who breaks up with you on New Year’s Eve isn’t worth your time. Your course, however, is.

Lovers’ tiff: But revision can provide the perfect distraction

OME isn’t home anymore. When I went back for Christmas, my parents showed me to the guest room – which was, in fact, my bedroom until four months ago. But the biggest

shock is my friends. I don’t feel like I’m part of their lives any more. I spent so much of the first term feeling homesick – and now it’s as though I don’t even have a home. Tom, Birmingham

Club drugs... why the song and dance? T

HE drugs market is changing fast. Traditional substances, such as heroin, are in decline, while newer, synthetic chemicals are flooding the market. Last year, 81 new psychoactive drugs were detected on the European market – the highest number on record. Many of these substances are virtually unheard of. What’s more, many are entirely legal and can be bought via the internet. Probably the best-known legal high is mephedrone, or ‘meow meow’. Many others are known by their brand names, or simply as ‘research chemicals’. But are they safe? It’s a difficult question to answer.

We’ve all been there, Tom. As much as everyone loves living in halls, it isn’t home. But, as you said – go home and you feel like a teenager again, having to tiptoe around. Do you know what, though? You are

DR OWEN BOWDEN-JONES founded the Club Drug Clinic, a London NHS service aimed to inform young people about the effects and dangers of new substances Because they have been manufactured to mimic the effects of drugs such as cocaine and cannabis, these new substances can be stimulants, sedatives or hallucinogens. There is no doubt that some of them are extremely powerful and, when substituted for drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy), the effects can surprise the user and even lead to overdose. In the long term, some legal highs cause similar problems to more traditional drugs – dependence, psychosis and depression have all been seen in users. So, despite being cheap and legal, there

is no doubt that at least some are really harmful. If you do decide to take a chance on a research chemical, take care of yourself by starting small and telling your friends what you are using. If you run into trouble, they can tell the ambulance crew. Don’t mix – this includes alcohol. The more types of drug you take at the same time, the bigger the risk. Stay hydrated by taking regular, small sips of water. Don’t drink more than one pint in an hour, otherwise you might over-hydrate. For more information, visit www.clubdrugclinic.com.

Submit us your questions and get the answer in next months issue

Don’t sit on this any longer, Josh. Head straight to your university and talk to someone in student services or the students’ union. There will be a support fund for people experiencing financial difficulty. The amount awarded will depend on your assessed needs and you will not have to pay it back. In future, steer clear of payday loans – the interest rates alone will leave you in much worse position than you were in before. Struggling with your studies, wrestling with a relationship or is your social life at a standstill? Contact our agony aunt on alice@unipaper.co.uk

Nottingham Beeston Join online today puregym.com We’re always open with over 50 free classes and no contract. #Reasonstojoin from

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January 2015

moneyMATTERS

We’re all on a budget... here are our ideas on how to make it stretch as far as possible

£10,000 masters stroke? caseHISTORY

Worth it: Faye Saville worked more than 70 hours a week, juggling a job with her studies

My 13-hour days for an MA IF GETTING a masters wasn’t hard enough, imagine having a fulltime job on top. But that’s exactly what recent graduate Faye Saville did to avoid exorbitant debts. Juggling a PR role with 30 hours of weekly study towards her MA in strategic communication at the University of

Central Lancashire, Faye found herself working up to 13 hours a day. ‘It’s a mental test,’ the 28-year-old said. ‘You have to push yourself to the limit – but you do amaze yourself with how mentally strong you are.’ Her friends, family and employer backed her over the three years it

took to complete the course – and she said she would do it that way again, rather than take on the proposed loan. ‘Of course, there are always times when you think, “Can I really do this?”’ she added. ‘It was hard. I didn’t go out much and socialise – but I got there in the end.’

superSCRIMPING IT’S a new year, so the partying is over and, predictably, you’re broke. After chucking away all of your money over Christmas, here are some apps that will help you keep hold of your cash in 2015...

 Organise your

outgoings: If 2015 is the year you have decided to get organised with your outgoings, then the Goodbudget app is for you. Splitting your spending

between different categories, this free app allows you to easily keep tabs on your expenditure. It can also be synced with other mobile devices – perfect for splitting household bills

 An eye for a bargain:

Your bank balance may have taken a hit over Christmas but that doesn’t mean living like a hermit in January. Offering discounts at retailers such as H&M, Pizza Express and Tesco, VoucherCodes

uses GPS to ﬁnd the best deals closest to you

 Get cash quick: Why

not make some money out of your unwanted Christmas presents? While eBay is the obvious choice, there’s a cheaper auction site out there – eBid. The app allows you to ﬂog your stuff and for a fraction of the price. With more than 3.5million bids last year, there’s a good chance someone will bite

OR many masters students, their degree has been a battle of survival. They have had to �ind ingenious ways to fund their extra year or two of studies. Some borrow money from their families, while others take on a part- or, even, fulltime job while keeping on top of their course. Now they have an alternative after the government announced a funding scheme that will allow those aged under 30 and studying towards a masters degree to get a loan of up to £10,000. The plan, which is planned to come into force in the 2016/17 academic year, will replicate the undergraduate model, where students only start paying back their loans once their earnings reach above a certain level. James Coe, vice-president of University of Liverpool’s students’ union, said: ‘I am

Loans ‘will help more than 40,000 students’ pleased the students’ movement won this. We must continue to �ight for these loans to be extended for students over 30 and an education system that does not force such high levels of personal debt on to our student members. ‘Postgraduate loans are an important step in widening access to this type of study.’ The government predicts the loans will help more than 40,000 students and enable about 10,000 more individuals to undertake postgraduate study each year. Sam Smith, a third year at the University of Liverpool, praised the proposal, despite masters degrees being funded on his

course. ‘To become a chartered engineer, a masters degree is needed,’ he added. ‘In the long run, the loan will be bene�icial to others, as it allows people to get further in their job.’ However, students could leave university with debts of more than £60,000, while undergraduate and postgraduate loans will be paid off at the same time. Luke Stevenson, a Liverpool John Moores University English graduate, said: ‘It’s a trap – a pathetic token measure by the Tories to attract gullible students. ‘Forget loans – we want no tuition fees. Education is for everyone, not just the elites.’ Charlotte Seddon

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January 2015

beyondUNI

Strike a balance between study and job

MANAGING deadlines can be hard enough without having to work as well. For some students, though, money can be tight and a parttime job is required. Unfortunately, there can be a down side to having a job while studying – trying to balance everything. Here are some useful tips on how to keep on top. 1. Planning: When it comes to writing an essay or preparing a presentation, knowing where you are going to start saves lots of time. Try writing ideas in your phone, so you can add to it on the move 2. Plan your diary: When deadlines are approaching, it is great to know when you have free time. For example, if you work nights and have a couple of spare hours before a shift, you could spend that time researching your masterpiece 3. Release that stress: Juggling everything can take its toll, both physically and mentally, so take time to relax. Find what works best for you and incorporate it into your time 4. Remember: A parttime job is only for now. Make university work your priority. After all, that’s what you’re there for Jasmine Martin

Need a job? Considering a gap year? Graduating and struggling for inspiration? Then, read on...

Rising star: YouTuber Alice Taylor discusses her life

More vlog, less slog

Want to earn money sitting on your sofa? Just talk and upload

MAGINE sitting in front of a camera and filming yourself taking on stupid challenges or capturing everything you do throughout the day, from what you eat at lunch to what you watch on TV. Now controversy last month after imagine getting paid for it. admitting her book (which It sounds too good to was the fastest-selling debut be true, but that is exactly novel ever) was ghostwritten. what vlogging is all about. Looking to recreate her With audiences of between 2 and 6million, the best vlogs get thousands of views each day. Perhaps the most famous vlogger is fashion and beauty adviser Zoella, Go for it: You could earn cash from vlogs who caused

success is 18-year-old Alice Taylor, an up-andcoming YouTuber who creates comedic videos about her day-to-day life. Speaking to TUP, the former student, who now works in TV and film, said: ‘If you are lucky enough, then vlogging can compete with conventional careers. ‘Digital content is becoming more prominent, so there’ll be jobs popping up all over for it.’ With its rise in popularity, vlogging has become a job

for many of these big-name content creators. Top brands are approaching YouTube stars to reach younger audiences and are offering large sums of money for an advertising opportunity within their videos. With a sizeable income (let’s just say enough to cover the rent… and then some), these internet sensations can afford a luxury lifestyle without a nine-to-five job. However, Alice added: ‘YouTube can be seen as both a hobby and a job – but

Spot the spelling errors and count the cash

PROOFREADING is a necessity of university life. We have all had to do it for stressed-out flatmates or ourselves. But proofreading is also big business. There are a number of online proofreading agencies – and most will pay students to work for them. Such agencies look for neat handwriting for hard

five to try

n www.proofreadingagency.co.uk n www.freelance-proofreaders.co.uk n www.globalproofreading.com n www.academicword.com n or why not offer your services via Gumtree.co.uk?

copies, methodical readthroughs and, of course, excellent English. It is

also advantageous to be a graduate or undergraduate in any discipline, as a

technical knowledge of a specific subject can help. The benefit of proofreading professionally is that the work is freelance, so you can work from home and choose your hours. With different payment methods and variable salaries, it is best to find a legitimate, well-established website to work for. Charlotte Pick

if my channel ever got to a level that it supported me, I still probably wouldn’t quit my current job.’ So, does the rise of vlogging mean we should we all quit our degrees, rush out to buy cameras and start filming our beans-on-toast dinners? Fraser Green, an Australian YouTuber with more than 4,000 subscribers, said: ‘YouTube is a new creative platform that the majority of society still doesn’t understand, mainly due to ignorance.’ The point is, do your research, build a following and, maybe, one day, you can make your money by sitting at home, eating food in front of the computer. Ryan Lynch Eagle-eyed: The only tools you need are an eye for detail and a pen

January 2015

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yourSPACE

Beat the chill with a freeze on spending T

HE summer has gone, leaves have fallen from the trees and winter is upon us. Of course, you cannot afford to put the heating on full-time, so how can you stay warm without busting the bank balance? 1. Layers are important: No wonder you think the house feels like the North Pole if you’re only wearing a vest and shorts. Wear jumpers – even put on your �luffy onesie. By now, I’m sure your housemates have seen you at your worst. 2. Shut the door: This

insulates the house and stops cold air creeping in. There is no point in putting the heating on only for all that lovely warm air to escape through the gaps, so make sure you shut your windows, too! 3. Get a hot water bottle: Who needs a partner to keep your bed warm in the winter? It’s as simple as boiling the kettle, �illing it up and, as if by magic, you instantly have something warm you can

Spare yourself pipe pain

Keeping snug: To save cash and stay warm, why not put on some layers, invite your friends round and watch a movie, huddled up under a duvet? spoon to sleep. Better still, there are no strings attached. 4. Pour a hot drink: They work as a perfect hand warmer and take the chill off your body, too. Also, who

can honestly say no to a hot chocolate? Furthermore, there isn’t any chill that a hearty meal can’t banish. 5. Huddle up like penguins: Invite all your friends round and make sure they bring duvets, sleeping

bags and blankets. Bundle together in front of a good �ilm and order a takeaway! 6. Use heating sparingly: An hour in the morning and at night on those really chilly days won’t break the bank. Hannah Southern

A BURST pipe is an all-too-commonplace winter hazard. Freezing causes the water to expand, leading to a rupture. Here’s what to do if you suspect this is happening to one of your internal pipes: 1. Turn off the water supply immediately 2. Ensure all cold taps are turned on. This leaves room for the thawed water to escape 3. If you ﬁnd the frozen pipe, try warming it gently with a hairdryer 4. Remove anything from the room or area where the frozen pipe is, in case it bursts 5. If you ﬁnd a leak, contact a plumber as soon as possible Hannah Southern

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January 2015

yourSPACE

Finding the right place to live, choosing the right people to live with and keeping your place right

Graduating? Do it all again Y

OU’RE graduating in a few months. Your parents and lecturers go on about you finding a job. But, first things first, where are you going to live? Moving back home is the obvious choice after university – but after three years of freedom, it will be difficult to take orders from your parents again. You might begin to wonder what all that maturing and independence at university was for. Of course, moving back isn’t the end of the world; it’ll only be a year or two and you’ll be able to save up, find the right place and get the best job. The classic five-year plan. But that’s not the only option. University has taught you the basics about renting and the costs, so why not do it for real? If, for you, it’s about employment, then let the job lead you – apply everywhere and be prepared to begin an

In it together: Living with other people makes life fun – and cheaper

It should have been done in December but there is never enough time to clean the fridge. Now, the dire consequences face the house. Mouldy carrots left from Christmas dinner and grease on the oven tray that may never be the same again Rebecca Solomon

ALPHA housemates are the organisers who everyone listens to and everyone aspires to be. They’re the kings and queens of halls. So how do you go about usurping them? With sabotage, naturally Hannah Froggatt

For fuller versions of these go to www.unipaper.co.uk

PICTURE: LAUREN KNIGHT

Wise steps that will help you buy WE LEAVE university with tens of thousands of pounds of debt so, to most of us, buying a first home seems like an impossible dream. With house prices spiralling and banks refusing mortgages and restricting the amount you can borrow, it is easy to feel condemned to years of living at home or in shared rented living. But there are ways in which graduates can make themselves more attractive to lenders. First, show lenders that you are ‘stable’. Let them know you have held down a steady job and that you have regular income. Try to limit your student finance. The thought of

having £7,000 put into your bank account every year sounds great – but added to the £9,000 tuition fee, you could end up saddled with £48,000 of debt. Make an effort to clear your student overdraft and credit card debts. If lenders see that you have too much credit available that you do not use, this could affect your credit rating. Finally, and most crucially, start saving for a deposit. Even without student debt, lenders will still expect you to pay a percentage of the house costs. That may mean working through uni, saving your student loan or moving back in with your parents for a few more years. Nakita Capp

Up sticks instead of heading for home adventure into the unknown. You’ve moved to a new city before; you can do it all again. Another fresh start can be scary but your new workmates will be able to recommend places to live and perhaps introduce you to your new city. When you get round to looking at your new rented home, remember the basics. Do you need a parking space? Can you make it a home? Can you afford the rent? Have you got the best deal with your bills? Remember, too, you’ll have to pay council tax. It may also be time to find some new housemates. You’ve had your first taste of community living in halls and in your shared student home,

so why not carry on? We need company. Humans are not the kind to sit alone doing our own individual things. As students, it is the reason we get so little work done when we need to. Companionships and friendships are what we strive for, so why neglect our natural instincts when we move away from the safe haven of the university campus? Besides, rent is cheaper when the cost is spread out – as are utility bills, food shopping and the TV licence. They say university opens doors; this may be literally true when you leave and start looking for your first home. Lucy Robinson and Megan Haddaway

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January 2015

yourSPACE

Finding the right place to live, choosing the right people to live with and keeping your place right

Choice is hall yours ... but pick who you live with carefully

HAT time of year is upon us again – househunting season. No matter how long you’ve been at university, choosing next year’s accommodation is a big decision and one that tends to weigh people down for a few weeks every year. Many students look back on their first year in halls – the glory days when heating and electricity bills were still a problem only for grown-ups – fondly, while others love the independence and maturity that comes with their freezing cold eight-bedroom house, complete with mould spreading across the walls. University-owned accommodation is, in the main, fantastic. Most flats come with

en-suite bathrooms and cosy bedrooms. The tightly packed layout of halls means that there’s always a buzzing atmosphere at home and you never feel lonely – something you may suffer when treading the numerous narrow corridors of student housing. However, the relatively peaceful atmosphere of a suburban neighbourhood triumphs every time over the constant loud noises from surrounding flats in halls. University accommodation is usually far more hygienic and attractive, while private

HALLS v houses: Liverpool students offer their views to SOPHIE CORCORAN Emma Jones, 19, has stayed in halls for her second year. She said: ‘It is a lovely place and is nice and secure with friendly staff. The flat is really nice and I am sharing with lovely people.’ Emma Keeley, 19, lives in a rented student house. She said: ‘I love the house we live in but halls were better. Ours was homely and we socialised with neighbours a lot more. It felt safer and it also meant we didn’t have to spend a fortune on taxis.’

Best of both: Halls are cosy, a house can be peaceful accommodation can fit the grimy, dingy student housing stereotype. Whichever option you choose, remember that

a great group of friends can compensate for those stained curtains and cracked windows. Don’t rush, and

choose your housemates wisely – finding a place to live will seem easy after that. Harriet Stevens

David McLaughlin, who also lives in a student house, said: ‘As much as I loved halls last year, I turn 21 in April and next year will be my last studying at university. Halls were a really good way to meet people and have fun – but the workload wasn’t as high as it is now.’

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January 2015

wellFIT

Advice for a healthy lifestyle and staying in shape

Get buff...but on a budget Shape up when funds are thin

How to stay focused

Cut-price weights: Why bother reading a book when you can use it to keep ﬁt?

F THERE’S a time of year when you’re most likely to join a gym, it’s January. After eating, drinking and making merry for most of December, you might be ready to ful�il that new year resolution to get �it. There are some great deals for joining gyms – but, if your budget won’t stretch to a membership, then here’s our position and clear a space for – make it into a race. If you guide to keeping �it for free… burpees and planking. don’t feel like leaving the Weights: If you want to High-intensity interval house, try running up and use weights but can’t afford training: A great way to down the stairs. any, make the most of what burn fat, especially if you’re Circuits: You don’t need a you already have. If you have short on time. HIIT focuses lot of space to set up a minia particularly large book on short bursts of intense circuit in your living room. from your course, use it as a exercise, with a less intense Use a chair to do arm dips, weight to hold to your chest rest period. Head to the lean on a wall to support 27947-Kexgill Quarter ad.qxp_Layout 12:48 Page 1when squatting. Use tins of park with a mate and page sprint yourself1in03/10/2014 a handstand

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down – acknowledge that you know you can do better next time 6. Moral support: It’s natural to feel selfconscious about exercising alone. Why not get a running club together with your housemates? Having a training buddy can help you push harder 7. All the gear: It’s important to have good training shoes. Any new kit can boost your conﬁdence 8. Remember why you started: When you’re tired and it’s freezing, staying indoors in your onesie is often more appealing than training. Remember why you started – visualise your goals and think how much better you’ll feel afterwards SC

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baked beans for bicep curls and hold your full laundry basket while lunging. Run: It may seem obvious, but go for a run. If you’re feeling the pressure of coursework deadlines, getting outdoors can relieve stress and help restore your focus. Samantha Coles

1. Be realistic: If running for the bus leaves you gasping for breath, it’s probably not a good idea to sign up for a marathon. Set yourself reasonable goals 2. Fuel: Unfortunately, going for a ﬁve-minute jog doesn’t give you an excuse to have two pizzas for dinner. You can’t out-train a bad diet 3. Mix it up: Never do the same workout. Increase your speed, weights or reps each time you train to challenge yourself 4. Rest: It can be tempting to go hell-for-leather in the ﬁrst two weeks. Don’t push yourself too hard to begin with, as this can result in injury 5. Stay positive: Bad training sessions happen. Don’t let them get you

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January 2015

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sportNEWS

Emma and Chris lead England to victory TOM REES NOTTINGHAM Trent student Emma Vickers is celebrating after clinching the Six Nations table tennis title. Vickers, representing England, beat her doubles partner Karina Le Fevre in the �inal having scraped past fellow NTU student Alice Loveridge, who represents Guernsey. Vickers, studying a PhD in sports psychology, won seven of her ten matches in the team

event, held in Scotland, to help England to the women’s title. And the success story for NTU didn’t stop there. History and politics student Chris Doran won all of his singles matches and dropped just one match in the doubles to help England men to the team crown and claim the individual title. Loveridge, who is studying English and creative writing, won her games against the English but, ultimately, her

Focused: Emma Vickers, above, and Chris Doran in action for England PICTURES: TABLE TENNIS ENGLAND Guernsey team was not strong enough. NTU high performance sport of�icer Fieke Rongen said: ‘Chris, Emma and Alice have shown themselves to be very

PART OF A SPORTS TEAM? Get a write-up in this month’s paper.

Contact: editor@unipaper.co.uk

talented during their time at Nottingham Trent University by consistently delivering high-level performances for the university as well as their countries.’

Why a sports club could be right for you BACK at university with nothing to look forward to other than end-ofyear assignments and dissertations? What you need is something to clear your mind, so why not join a sports club? The University of Nottingham’s athletics club has special recreational sessions including a steady paced three-mile run, which takes place twice on Mondays and Fridays, starting outside the Jubilee Campus Sports Centre. Trent’s athletics

club has a park run on Saturday mornings, while also offering two circuit sessions a week for those looking for a more intense workout. If trainers and the track isn’t your scene, then the UoN’s rambling club offers a less sport-focused way of getting a bit of exercise in the nearby picturesque Peak District. NTU’s mountain biking club takes its members farther a�ield. with trips every fortnight. and even provides them with free access to its mountain bikes. Tom Rees

Gym bunnies: Get outside and into the fresh air

Olga and Kieran’s heroics all in vain THE University of Nottingham badminton team saw a two-nil lead slip away to Midlands rivals Birmingham Lions. Playing only their second match in the new National Badminton League, Nottingham’s Kieran Merrilees and Olga Konon secured wins in the singles to put their team in pole position. But Birmingham won all three doubles matches to secure the win. The 3-2 defeat leaves Nottingham �ifth in the six-strong franchise line-up. They will next face bottom-placed Loughborough on January 26 at the Albert Hall in Nottingham, with the game being televised live on Sky Sports. Tickets are still available through Sky. Tom Rees

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January 2015

sportNEWS

A knockout success THE inaugural University of Nottingham amateur boxing show drew competitors from across the country to battle it out at University Park Sport Centre. The event was the ﬁrst organised by the club in over eight years and competition secretary Jordan Langham-Lopez spoke to TOM REES about the success of the show. HOW did the event go? For a �irst-time event, it went very well; a couple of teething problems but we’ve had nothing but positive feedback from UoN sports and the students’ union and all that attended. We really wanted to aim for a showcase, gala-style event and feel we pretty much achieved that. We had a few victories, but even the boxers that lost put in strong performances and, considering the visiting universities all have very experienced clubs - everyone should be proud. How did the event come about? When I �irst joined the club four years ago, it wasn’t being run very well. We weren’t af�iliated with the ABAE (Amateur Boxing Association of England) and we didn’t have quali�ied coaches or really any way of developing boxers towards competition standard. So, last year, myself and the other committee members made a lot of big changes. We regained ABAE af�iliation (which means we can compete at BUCS), had students qualify as ABAE level one coaches and we hired a head coach, Ray Ricketts. We also sent our �irst competitor to BUCS last year, Mike Hazelwood, who reached the semis, and we sent many members of

our club to their �irst bouts at local club shows. After the success last year, we decided to further legitimise the club by hosting our �irst show. The university was a little apprehensive but I feel we demonstrated this could be a highlight feature of the university sports calendar. Is interest in the sport increasing? The club has always had quite a strong membership. People have always been interested in the �itness side, which boxing is well known for. Probably around 60 per cent of our members attend only to get �it. We’d hope the show has done a lot to promote the competitive side of boxing and we’d like to push for our team to become elite competitors. What is the club trying to achieve this year? We are looking to send around �ive competitors to BUCS and further strengthen our competing team. We now have a full team training schedule, with dedicated sessions four times a week. We are always looking to advance boxers at all levels and want to deliver the best coaching, from beginners to our top boxers. Any future events planned for the club? We’d hope that this event will become an annual one,

Highlight: The club hopes to have convinced university bosses the event could become a ﬁxture of the calendar really making it a great formal event that both the university and the club can be proud of. We’d also like to push for a varsity amateur show, though this depends on Trent’s af�iliation. BUCS starts in February, with a weekend of quarterand semi-�inal bouts. How can other students get involved? If you’ve never done it before, just pop along to one of our sessions. There’s no obligation to compete, so if you just want to come to get �it you’re very welcome. Beginner and intermediate sessions are 5pm-7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the University Park Sports Centre.

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