FREE
JANUARY 2019
ISSUE 284
£70 Studio Tour Taith Stiwdio
24.03.19
Transport & Entry Trafnidiaeth a mynediad 01792 203235
travelshop@swansea-union.co.uk
06
13
25
Liberation
Wellbeing
Crime
Why am I still being told how to dress?
How to adult
The Chappaquidick incident
08
14
26
Features
Relationships
Photography
Is Instagram bad for my mental health? Hit or Miss?
Agont Aunt Best of SwanCrush Exam stress & relationships
Escape the exam stress
10
19
28
Puzzles
Study abroad
Music
Number cross Addition block
Learning a new language while studying abroad
How to make the ultimate pres playlist Live music at Swansea uni
11
21
31
Tech
Film
Sport
SimRace 1 review
Rotten Tomatoes & the box office
Seal of approval for SUSAC
22 Food A New Years resolution on palm oil Brunching at its best
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
FILM
Carys Svendsen
Matt Walker
waterfronteditor@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontfilm@swanseastudentmedia.com
DEPUTY EDITOR
FOOD
Megan Thomas
waterfrontdeputyeditor@swanseastudentmedia.com
PHOTO EDITOR
Jacob Fleming waterfrontfood@swanseastudentmedia.com
LIBERATION
Charlotte Husbands
Zoya Chisti
waterfrontphoto@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontliberation@swanseastudentmedia.com
DESIGN & ARTWORK
Tom Robertson, Carys Svendsen & Iain Fisher waterfrontdesign@swanseastudentmedia.com
MUSIC
Fin Hardie & Joshua O' Mahoney waterfrontmusic@swanseastudentmedia.com
PROOFREADING
PUZZLES
Caitlin Jones & Kathryn Hayne
Laurence Brown
proofreader@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontpuzzles@swanseastudentmedia.com
NEWS
SPORT
Polly Manning
Jessica Hayden
waterfrontnews@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontsport@swanseastudentmedia.com
CREATIVE WRITING
STUDY ABROAD
Rory James
waterfrontcreativewriting@swanseastudentmedia.com
CRIME
Bronwen Beard & Lauren Lewis waterfrontstudyabroad@swanseastudentmedia.com
TECHNOLOGY
Becky Barnfather
Henry Burgess
waterfrontcrime@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfronttech@swanseastudentmedia.com
CULTURE
Open position (contact our editor to apply for this role) waterfrontculture@swanseastudentmedia.com
TRAVEL
Meryl Hanmer waterfronttravel@swanseastudentmedia.com
FASHION
Open position (contact our editor to apply for this role) waterfrontfashion@swanseastudentmedia.com
WELLBEING
Emily Williams & Olivia Rogers waterfrontwellbeing@swanseastudentmedia.com
FEATURES
STUDENT MEDIA COORDINATOR
Canisha Chakadya waterfrontfeatures@swanseastudentmedia.com
Iain Fisher
iain.fisher@swansea-union.co.uk
THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS Zoya Chishsti • Julia Cook • Polly Manning • Jacob Fleming • Laurence Brown • Polly Manning • Henry Burgess Emily Williams • Katie Brewster • Jodie Melberg • Lauren Lewis • Matt Walker • Eleanor Maunder • Kellie Ayres Charlotte Husbands • Alex McDougall • Josh Dobbins • Toby Humby
WATERFRONT IS A FREE PRINT AND ONLINE PUBLICATION FROM SWANSEA STUDENT MEDIA AND YOUR STUDENTS’ UNION. SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
hello from your editor Carys Svendsen Editor-in-chief Oh hey 2019, I didn’t see you there; I swear I just welcomed 2018… It’s a new year, and with every new year there’s new adventures and opportunities! You’re probably reading this in a revision or coursework panic (this introduction is my way of procrastinating), and I wish you the best of luck for this month. Let Waterfront be a quick break for you as each page reveals new articles. With discussions about mental health and instagram, how to make the best playlist for pre-drinks as well as several reviews, I hope Waterfront is a good study break for you! If not, well, let me know or just check out our website for even more articles. Until next month (the slightly less stressful month), Carys
ISSUE 284 JANUARY 2018
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
Why am I still being told how to dress? BY ZOYA CHISHTI
While the Quran does not explicitly state that this is the clothing that women should wear, it calls for both men and women to ‘cover and be modest’. As with most religious scriptures, the specific rules surrounding attire are open to interpretation, and have adapted and evolved over centuries of changing cultures, spread throughout various nations. Although some scholars, predominantly those in more conservative communities in the Muslim world, argue that it is a religious obligation, this is not necessarily the case. Naturally, when there are over a billion people in a movement, ideas, values and interpretations will vary. Modesty is a very relative concept, where what might be modest to one person, may be alternatively be seen as provocative by another. It is a subjective concept that is personal to every individual. So what is the problem? In his column for the Daily Telegraph which talked about the “Burka Ban”,
The “Burka Ban” has been at the centre of much conflict over the course of the last few years. With a growing global concern for public safety, many countries around the world have introduced legislation to prohibit people from wearing any item of clothing that covers their face, the most recent one of these being Denmark, who introduced the ban earlier this year. Now although this legislation in Denmark does not explicitly target Muslim women, a majority of the people affected by this ban are Muslim women. ex-foreign secretary Boris Johnson wrote, “If you say that it is weird and bullying to expect women to cover their faces, then I totally agree. I would go further and say that it is absolutely ridiculous that people should choose to go around looking like letterboxes.” He went on to say that if “a female student turned up at school or at a university lecture looking like a bank robber,” he would ask her to remove her face covering in order to speak to him. Johnson stated that humans “must be able to see each other’s faces.” Johnson took it a step too far. His inflammatory and hateful comments angered many members of the Muslim community, feminist groups and MPs. He not only further aided the anti-Muslim rhetoric that has been dividing communities for almost two decades now, but successfully managed to further isolate a massive segment of society that is already struggling to integrate. Can you blame them? When the people who are meant to represent you hold these bigoted views and are able to spout
hatred and go unpunished for their actions, you have no inclination to be a part of that community. British Muslims across the country live in fear of discrimination and fear for their safety because of people like Boris Johnson. But that isn’t even the main problem with any of this. We’re now in 2019, and yet people are still trying to dictate what women can and cannot wear. In many conservative Muslim nations, women are forced to wear the burka. This is just as oppressive as the fact that some are unable to exercise their right to religious freedoms and not wear their burka in public without facing a fine. These laws not only take away the people’s right to practice their religion, but equally strip away a part of their identity, whilst also forcing women to dress in a way that may make them feel uncomfortable. The issue is not one of public safety or religious freedom, it’s greater than that; we need to let people, not exclusively women, take back control of their bodies, what they wear and how they wear it.
LIBERATION ZOYA CHISHTI
7
What are the differences between the Hijab, Chador, Niqab and Burka? Hijab A general term meaning 'to cover' or to 'veil', most commonly refers to a headscarf that covers the hair and neck, but not the face.
Chador A full-length cloak worn by many Iranian women, typically held closed at the front by the wearer's hands or under their arms.
Niqab A veil covering the face, but not the eyes, usually worn with a loose black garment (abaya) that covers from head to feet.
Burka A veil that covers the entire body and face, with a mesh window or grille across the eyes for a woman to see out of.
ISSUE 284 JANUARY 2019
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
Is Instagram Bad For My Mental Health? JULIA COOK
With nearly one billion users, Instagram is one of the biggest social media platforms around. A free, easy to use app that allows people to share photographs and videos on their feed with followers, collecting likes and comments as a way to interact. On the surface, it can seem like a great way to engage with friends and celebrities alike. But is Instagram really that good for us? A poll commissioned by The Royal Society for Public Health asked almost 1,500 young people aged 14-24 to rate social media apps on a wide range of mental health categories. Instagram was ranked the worst for wellbeing and mental health, out of all the social media apps, including Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. According to the survey, Instagram can contribute to anxiety, depression, loneliness and self-esteem issues. But why does Instagram cause these issues? Firstly, social media has become somewhat of a measuring stick - a way to compare yourself to others, when really we’re not seeing the full reality. In short, everyone is sharing their highs, but no one’s sharing their lows. And really, no one has an airbrushed, incredibly happy and amazing life 100% of the time. That’s just not realistic.
Luckily, it’s not all bad. Instagram can be a great way to market yourself, a brilliant way to build your brand, and a way to connect with those around you. It can be a support system, somewhere to find your people, and a way to learn more about the world you want to live in. These days I’ve become better at realising what’s truly good and bad behaviour for me, and even so, I’ve realised that I’m not quite ready to give up Instagram for good. It can be a fantastic tool, and a great way to connect with people you love. But now I stop and think, “am I doing this because I love myself, or because I don’t?” And why am I trying to portray this perfect life, when actually I have anything but? I now know that feelings like sadness and self-doubt aren’t necessarily problems to be solved, but instead problems to be managed. The waves never get smaller, we just get better at choosing which ones to surf. And sometimes the greatest thing you can do is just to know when to log off.
It’s not just the fact that we can all feel like we don’t have the perfect body, or career, or social life, it’s that that these means of self-comparison are available 24/7. In the past, it used to be a comparison of ourselves against the glamour of models in magazines, but now it’s the envy of our friends, who really think they are “just like us”, but somehow seem to be doing better and having more fun. Do I really need to know what my friends are doing every second of every day? With the rates of anxiety and depression rising to over 70% in young people in the last 25 years, we have to ask ourselves: do we really need social media, and if so, at what cost?
Other people’s lives are now more accessible than ever, and it can feel impossible to feel like enough when you’re spending your life on social media. Noticing this allowed me to take a step back, and truly evaluate what I wanted from Instagram - a place to connect with my friends; to share moments that move me; to see what my favourite athletes, bands and actors are doing; and to acknowledge that their lives aren’t actually the fantasy we perceive. Perhaps the most important thing I’ve learnt is to not compare your behind the scenes moments to everyone else’s highlight reels. You’re doing great as it is.
Do we need to share the lows as well as the highs?
Can we really measure happiness online?
FEATURES CANISHA CHAKADYA
If you need it, help is always at hand. Visit mind.org.uk/needurgent-help/ Or visit the Advice and Support Centre
FEATURES CANISHA CHAKADYA
Is Tik Tok Killing Online Creativity? You’ve heard it all; you’ve seen the compilations on YouTube; you’re aware of the memes it’s producing. Tik Tok is the new platform on the block, spawning tonnes of lip-synching content for the masses to consume. Changing from their original format under the title Musical•ly, the app has become a worldwide hit. But is it killing creativity? The short answer should be yes. Musical.ly was criticised by users and online content creators for simply ripping off the work of others without giving any credit. The longer answer is what makes this question so frustrating to answer. There are those who make some genuinely funny parodies of others who take their content way too seriously. At its base, it should be given
BY JACOB FLEMING
as much hatred as Musical.ly for generating unoriginal content that does not acknowledge the original creators. To best describe these videos, I would say they do nothing and mean nothing, requiring a childlike mental capacity to create. The so called ‘challenges’ that occupy the search page are cringe-fests that inspire such little artistic flair, it truly makes you miss the days of Vine. However, to great surprise, there are glimmers of hope within the app. Thanks to the ‘duet’ mechanic, some users exercise some form of creative scope. From “I’m already Tracer”; to “Hit or miss? I guess they never miss
NUMBER CROSS
huh?”; combined with a barrage of Fortnite dances; we have things that class as borderline original content. Meme artists Granday and Dolan Dark have been sure to make their own interpretations of these duets that are indisputably hilarious. What this forces us to realise is that the funny content depends upon the cringe coming first. This is just how meme culture works. All things considered, Tik Tok is awful. It is a platform that encourages no imagination by shamelessly ripping off people’s own unique creations, tarnishing the memory for what they used to stand for. Going forward, let’s leave Tik Tok in 2018. If it continues to spew out what barely passes for content, then we may indeed be facing the end creativity as we know it.
ADDITION BLOCK
BY LAURENCE BROWN
19
INSTRUCTIONS
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+ 2
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+ +
+ 6
3
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x +
+
9
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1 /
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4
NUMBER CROSS Try to fill in the missing numbers. Use the numbers 1 through 16 to complete the equations. Each number is only used once. Each row is a math equation. Work from left to right. Each column is a math equation. Work from top to bottom. ADDITION BLOCK Try to fill in the missing numbers. The missing numbers are integers between 1 and 9. The numbers in each row add up to totals to the right. The numbers in each column add up to the totals along the bottom. The diagonal lines also add up the totals to the right.
4
2
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17 2
9
27 6
29
16
21
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32 22
29
TECH HENRY BURGESS
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SimRace 1 Review
Looking for indoor entertainment in the winter months? Organising a social for your society? Or just keen to try out virtual reality? Try SimRace1. Offering a VR car racing experience with TopGear style leaderboards, the casual competition and welcoming staff make it a great place for solo visits or group trips. BY HENRY BURGESS
Five simulators are all equipped with the incredibly immersive 2020 4k resolution headsets which offer 90 frames per second, providing a very real racing experience. One of the most appealing aspects of SimRace1 is the group opportunities on offer, such as the group multiplayer and endurance racing both ideal for small parties. The group multiplayer can include up to 5 players and is a great way to compete against your friends and sessions are available to book for 25-50 minutes. Alternatively, there is the endurance racing which offers a slightly more intense experience; an experience for groups and racing enthusiasts alike. This innovation of multiplayer gaming typically involves groups being split into pairs or threes and the competition is essentially relay
race. The endurance racing has the edge over the standard multiplayer option as it’s more accommodating for larger groups, and the relay aspect enables a regular turnover of drivers, meaning that everybody can get involved and is a great option for society events. Unfortunately, the endurance racing does not use the VR headsets, instead, the gaming is on the monitors; although the headsets replicate a more real experience, the monitors do not disappoint with the high quality of the graphics. The staff are very friendly and quickly introduce you to how the headset and simulator work before allowing you to take to the wheel. Although the experience with the headsets is a lot of fun, there is some post racing dizziness, which is why the recommended time for beginners is approximately half an hour. The staff take particular care with the clients’ dizziness and tailor the sessions to each individual player.
The price for these sessions is £6 for 30 minutes or £10.70 for 55 minutes, and if neither time slots are long enough for any reason, then slots can be booked one after another. It’s suggested that for parties or large groups it’s better to book online or ring in advance so that the centre can be prepared for your event. The centre’s ambitions go beyond just wanting to offer immersive gaming experiences, as they see VR becoming beneficial to those learning, or wanting to learn, how to drive. The stimulators can be used in manual and automatic, making it accessible to both sets of learner. As a learner myself when I tried out the VR, I could see it becoming helpful supplementing the normal lessons, and would highly recommend the experience. You can contact SimRace1 by going to their website www.simrace1.com or visit their Facebook page for updates and to learn more.
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
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ISSUE 284 JANUARY 2018
WELLBEING EMILY WILLIAMS & OLIVIA ROGERS
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How to Adult Moving to university for the first time can feel as though responsibility has been catapulted at you whilst you were looking the other way. BY EMILY WILLIAMS
Juggling university work and reading, trying to keep your room tidy, remembering to do the shopping and trying to find time to socialise all at the same time can feel like way too much. If you’re anything like me, you may take a look at all of your responsibilities and decide, “This is the perfect time for a nap”. Being an adult is difficult. Organising my time was much easier when my mother was screaming at me to do my chores, but when there’s no one nagging you to do anything it’s very easy to decide to do nothing at all. Having been at Swansea for over 2 years now, I’ve managed to figure out a few strategies that have helped me juggle my responsibilities. WRITE A TO-DO LIST One of the best ways to get things done is to write a to-do list before you begin the day. Although I have never actually completed a to-do list, at least I’ve managed to complete some of the activities written on there and that’s better than nothing, right? I also tend to either lose my to-do list or forget about it… However, one of the most important things about a to-do list is that it enables you to break down tasks into smaller steps which can help you feel less overwhelmed. So, try not to write things such as ‘clean the entire house’ on your to-do list because you’ll look at it and decide to do nothing all day instead. Remember, it’s better to do some of an activity than do nothing at all so try not to set your expectations
too high by writing an impossibly long to-do list because again, chances are you’ll become too overwhelmed and then decide to ignore all of your responsibilities. If you struggle to do small, boring tasks like me then it may also be helpful to break down a task into chunks. For example, if you can’t be bothered to take the bins out then your list could say: Step 1: ‘Walk to the kitchen’, Step 2: ‘Pull the bin bags out of the bins’, Step 3: ‘Put bin bags in the empty bins’ and so on… It may seem a little silly but every time you check off a step you feel a sense of achievement and the feel-good chemical dopamine starts to release in the brain, which helps motivate you to continue doing the task. MAKE BORING TASKS INTERESTING For example, when you need to clean your room, pop in some headphones or play music from a speaker to help keep you motivated. I find hoovering pretty boring, but I don’t mind it as much when I’m able to listen to music. When you’re revising for your exams, try writing with coloured pens. I personally find that this makes revision a lot more interesting than writing in black. Colour also allows you to remember things a lot better!
REWARD YOURSELF I think I would find it impossible to complete a task if there wasn’t a reward involved after I’d finished. I often use food as a reward system but this isn’t always healthy, mainly because the food I eat is usually chocolate biscuits. Perhaps do a task you enjoy as a reward for your hard work. For example, I always play video games after I have completed some work, or I write a blog post. Don’t forget to take regular breaks, at least once an hour, as spending hours on something without a break leaves you even less motivated next time you come around to doing it. BUY A WHITEBOARD Or you can just use your tablet or phone. I recently bought myself a whiteboard and have found it very useful, especially for remembering things. My whiteboard is usually where I write my to-do lists, as having it written in big writing on the wall helps me stop forgetting about them. I also think it’s important to write my deadline dates for my assignments there, so that I don’t forget that I have an upcoming deadline and then end up starting my assignment last minute.
ISSUE 284 JANUARY 2018
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My birthday is coming up and I have a strong feeling my boyfriend is going to propose but I think we should wait till I graduate. Suggestions?
BY KATIE BREWSTER
As I have said before honesty is the best policy, just confront him and let him know how you feel. Or you can take a subtler approach and drop hints about how it is “too soon” or “silly to get engaged in uni”. Although remember that getting engaged doesn’t mean you have to start planning a wedding straight away - it’s just another way of showing your commitment to one another. My friend seems to be ghosting me and a few other friends for no reason and I’m not sure why. Should I confront her? I am a firm believer that friends who don’t make an effort aren’t worth your time, but I would confront her first to make sure there isn’t a deeper reason for her ghosting. She could be struggling with something personal that is making her act this way.
I recently had sex with my boyfriend and after we had finished it transpired that he hadn’t worn a condom. I was furious and threw him out. However, half an hour later I realised that this was not the case. What should I do? Just talk about it! Admit it was a mistake and it's just something you feel really strongly about. They should understand that sexual health is very important, especially if this is a new relationship. You had a right to be upset but unfortunately, these things do happen!
My straight friend has a crush on me but obvs I’m not into guys… Help? Speak about it honestly, it will probably be awkward but it’s for the best. Some space for a bit would also be good just so he can move on. Socialise together in groups rather than just the two of you, this removes the risk of it feeling like a date. If your friendship is truly important to the both of you, you will move past it.
Started dating this guy and I’m a bit nervous about having sex with him as I haven’t done it in over a year. The nerves are understandable, but the best thing to do is make sure you are comfortable with the situation. If this person genuinely likes you then being honest with them won’t put him off. Being understanding of your feelings should relax you. And just have fun! It’s sex!
I truly dislike one of my flatmates.Any suggestions on how to cope? Surround yourself with those you do like. If you are in a situation with just the two of you just leave or call a friend to avoid talking to them. It’s good to be civil for the sake of the others but that doesn’t mean you have to be friends. It’s never easy but unless it’s taking a serious toll on you mentally than just stick with it - time will go much quicker than you think.
RELATIONSHIPS KATIE BREWSTER
Best of SwanCrush All of you should know of the Swansea gem that is SwanCrush! As it’s a new year I thought we should all take time to appreciate these beauties and set the new year off with a laugh!
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RELATIONSHIPS KATIE BREWSTER
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Exam Stress and Relationships
BY JODIE MELBERG
January exams. It’s the topic of all conversation and nothing feels worse than revising – except not revising. Coming back to university after spending the holidays with your family can be tough enough, and that’s without the added stress of deadlines and the guilt of not having done quite enough work over the break. Exam anxiety is experienced by students all over the world, but it can be extremely difficult when you don’t have your family close by for comfort. Instead, we have housemates and coursemates and (maybe) a romantic relationship to help us through the stressful period – although it’s very easy for these relationships to be tested throughout the exam season. At university, the people we are surrounded by and spend all of our time with are also students, so we are all in the same boat. With many of you panicked and stressed this can raise tensions in your relationships. It’s normal to “offload” on your friends but sometimes offloading stress to someone else who also feels anxious is not the answer. Arguments are bound to happen over things that normally wouldn’t, so I would suggest taking a laid-back approach to those friends who are being a bit snappy – rows are not going to benefit anyone! Remember that they are probably feeling the same way you are! It can become easy during the exam period to lock yourself away in your room to avoid the guilty feeling we can get from doing anything other than work. Sometimes this can cause more damage than good. Try and arrange to spend at least an hour
of the day with flatmates or other friends, even if it’s doing something small, such as all eating your evening meal together. Revising with a study group at the library also works for some students. Having no human contact during exam time can make anxiety levels even higher. Find ways to release negative energy other than through arguments. I like to use exercise or meditation. This may not seem like great time management during exams, but a ten-minute run could really leave you feeling fresh and with a clear mind to crack on with some revision. While it's important to let those close to you know if you’re really struggling and feeling low, know that there is also help available at the university for those struggling during the exam season, including Wellbeing@campuslife. All details can be found on the university website, and the Advice and Support centre is always there, should you need it. Try and remember that while exam season is tough, it doesn’t last forever and there are always a range of different options and a mass of support available to you – don’t let exam stress come between you and the people you care about. Good luck everyone!
Enterprise - What's on Get involved to increase your entrepreneurial and employability skills
Swansea City AFC Hackathon
February 2019
Launch and Information Night
HACK Weekend Saturday & Sunday
�icket for S�ans City �ame @ Liberty Stadium Included
The Big Pitch March 2019
�itch yourself or a business idea to �in� - �unded entrepreneurial �ork placements - Seed corn funding - Incubation space - Mentoring
Accelerator Programme Monday ��th - �riday ��st �une ���� �rom business idea to trading in a �eek Sessions run by Industry e�perts All aspects of business co�ered Start up finance a�ailable Mentoring sessions follo�ing the programme �ntrepreneurs@s�ansea�ac�uk
S�ansea �ni�ersity �nterprise
STUDY ABROAD BRONWEN BEARD & LAUREN LEWIS
19
Learning a new language while studying abroad The thought of moving to a new country for a year abroad can be an exciting, but equally terrifying, experience, even more so when you’re moving somewhere where English isn’t the first language. BY LAUREN LEWIS
When I first set foot on German soil last September and became acquainted with my fellow year-abroad peers, I was both surprised and relieved that the majority of them were not fluent in our host country’s language. I undertook the experience expecting to be inundated with strange phrases and peculiar dialects, but it did not feel as intimidating knowing that my friends had also gotten lost in this frenzy of fresh vocabulary. I found that many of us were also taking English-taught subjects, and many of them were sat next to me in my classes. After lectures, we would carry on our discussions about the work in our mother-tongue, and guiltily slip into what language-learners call the ‘English trap’. As the weeks passed, I found myself speaking less and less German with my peers, simply because speaking English provided a kind of safety blanket for us in those first few weeks. However, as the first month drew to a close, a few friends and I decided that we were ready to join our efforts and push each other to use as much of the new language as we could with each other. This meant greeting
each other in German and practicing the language to the best of our ability. We sent each other text messages in our host language (often involving the use of Google translate), and even held a few movie nights where we watched the dubbed version of the Harry Potter films. I also put away an hour alone whenever I had some free time to revise key phrases and topics. I also happily discovered that if you undertake a year abroad, your host university will also more than likely hold a language class out of university hours to help you on your way - the help I’ve received from teachers here has been exceptional! Improving in a new language was, and always is, a gradual thing. It doesn’t happen all at once as we’d like it to. But when I successfully order a certain dish in a restaurant or ask for directions and actually find myself there, I know I’m going in the right direction. And when I make a mistake and a native speaker corrects me with a smile I know that hey... at least I’m trying. It is immeasurably fulfilling to be able to connect with others through a new language, because it not only gives you a broader understanding
of a different culture, but you also experience a whole new way of life. It’s also important to consider that learning a new language will offer you a lot of job opportunities in the future; it could end up being the deciding factor that differentiates you from the other candidates. Several studies have concluded that speaking another language every day has significant cognitive benefits, such as improvements in observancy, an increase in concentration, and a reduced risk of developing diseases (for example, Alzheimer's) later in life. Language learners have even been shown to score higher on standardized tests involving vocabulary and mathematics, so learning a second language can actually make you smarter in some very unconventional ways. Even if you hold only a GCSE in another language, don’t let your fears hold you back. Take up the chance to do a year abroad. You’ll probably find what I discovered; the best way to learn a new language is to immerse yourself in it completely, and you’ll love almost every second of it.
YOUR NEW LOCAL MONDAY-FRIDAY 9.30 - 00.00
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 12.00 - 00.00
2ND FLOOR, FULTON HOUSE, SINGLETON CAMPUS
FILM MATT WALKER
21
Rotten
Tomatoes and the
Box Office ‘Rotten Tomatoes’ has been around for many years now and is subject to much debate. The generated scores (film are deemed as “rotten” or “fresh”) can make or break how your movie performs both with audience opinions and box office takings. However, how reliable of an indicator of quality is the dreaded Tomatometer? And how do audiences themselves respond to this? These are the questions we’ll be tackling as we take a look at Rotten Tomatoes and the effect it has on box office rankings. In 2016, Rotten Tomatoes was bought by the American company Fandango. Fandango handle a lot of ticket presales for major cinema chains in the US. This means that over the last 2 years, Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango have essentially become a one stop shop for film in one of the biggest markets for film studios. The company itself can generate the buzz for a movie via Rotten Tomatoes and capitalise on that through its ticket pre-sales. So then by extension it’s in Fandango’s interest to put out a good Tomatometer score for movies in order to entice people to buy tickets from them, but what happens when that doesn’t happen? Take, for instance, The Greatest Showman. The hit musical from the tail-end of last year was a critical misfire from reviewers, garnering a comparatively measly 55% - certified “rotten”. But right next to the critics Tomatometer score is something not
BY MATT WALKER
many people pay attention to: the audience score at the time of writing sits happily at an impressive 87%. 2018 has been the year of “critic proof” movies and The Greatest Showman is no exception to that, with the film ending it’s run with an impressive £434 million worldwide, almost making it’s entire budget back 5 times over. Hugh Jackman’s lovechild actually had the smallest second week drop in box office takings of any movie. Period. In fact even more interestingly so, the opening weekend of “The Greatest Showman” only grossed 5% of its final box office. Those final two facts are perhaps the most interesting in assessing the affect a negative Tomatometer score has on a movie. Negative reviews for movies usually end up in a drop in box office takings. For instance, the recent
Fantastic Beasts sequel dropped almost 30% into it’s second week after receiving a 40% tomatometer score. That movie currently has a 66% audience score which places it worryingly close to being deemed “rotten” on both accounts. So, in a time where film performance and opinions seem to be becoming increasingly dominated by critic opinions, there really is no better indicator than a good ol’ audience opinion. This writer, for one, did not take to The Greatest Showman as much as some did, but at the end of the day the numbers speak for themselves. I hope to see many more “critic proof” movies emerge over the coming years. As I’ve always said, film is as individual and as personal as any other art form and deserves the standard of debate that comes with it. So the next time you see a Tomatometer reveal, take it with a pinch of salt, and most importantly, go and decide for yourself!
ISSUE 284 JANUARY 2018
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
A New Year's Resolution on Palm Oil
With Iceland’s banned advert becoming a viral sensation, palm oil is on everyone’s minds. Deemed “too political” by advertisement board Clearcast, it details the story of a homeless orangutan and the environmental impact of unethically sourced palm oil. The ban did little to stop it becoming, in my opinion, the best Christmas advert of 2018. But why should we care about this? Annually, we use 66 million tonnes of palm oil. That’s 27 million hectares! Put into perspective, that’s the size of New Zealand. This is having a devastating effect on the environment. Vast quantities of the rainforests in South America, Southeast Asia and Africa are being destroyed to cultivate these trees, as they only grow in conditions these countries provide. These plantations destroy habitats for animals and native groups. The practice of using palm oil as a biofuel is three times more detrimental to the planet than using traditional fossil fuels. Be sure to visit rainforest-rescue.org for more info. If you’re thinking about lowering your carbon emissions, and are trying to figure out how to do that as a skint
BY ELEANOR MAUNDER
student, then omitting palm oil is an easy way to go. Not only will you be reducing carbon emissions, but you’ll also be standing up for the animals facing extinction and for the indigenous groups whose homes are being destroyed. The best supermarkets to shop in which don’t offer any products with palm oil are: Marks and Spencer, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Iceland. I acknowledge that M&S and Waitrose are hardly high up on the list of student haunts, but Iceland is very affordable, especially with the Food Warehouse in Parc Tawe. Here you can bulk buy your food whilst knowing that Iceland’s
products are palm oil free. (I recommend the No Bull burger, which is also gluten free and vegan!) However, if you are just popping into Tesco there are many tricks which you can look out for! You could simply swap your margarine spread for a block of butter, or choose palm oil-free brands such as Warburtons, who have pledged to use 100% sustainable palm oil. Furthermore, if you see 'elaeis guineensis oil', 'glycerin' or 'sodium lauryl lactylate/ sulphate' in the ingredients, these are just other names for palm oil! Don’t let these scientific names trick you. So, join me in my New Year’s resolution. Let’s do our best to avoid palm oil, be it in food, hygiene or cosmetic products.
FOOD JACOB FLEMING
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Swansea is full of great places to go out to brunch, so much so that the sheer choice can sometimes feel daunting. As someone who spends more time out at brunch than I do in lectures, I’m here to tell you about the eight best places on offer. Happy brunching, Swansea! BY JULIA COOK
Rag & Bone West Cross Occasionally missed due to being tucked away up in West Cross, Rag & Bone is a gem. It has arguably the best coffee in Swansea and an exciting, ever-evolving menu, so you’ll never leave disappointed. The Optimist Uplands Great variety, amazing food, and incredible coffee all make The Optimist well worth a visit. Whether you’re looking for something sweet or savoury, you won’t be disappointed. The people behind The Optimist are in fact taking over 360 in a joint venture with former Swansea City player, Leon Britton. We’ll soon have a lot more of their greatness to enjoy!
One Sixty Port Tenant Tucked away in Port Tennant, this joint offers a great variety of classic brunch foods, coffee and smoothies.
Maisie’s Uplands The new kid on the block. Born from the closure of the popular Crepe Vine, Maisie’s is just the place for anyone missing those pancakes, also bringing their incredible waffles into the mix. Peg 2 Mumbles If you’re looking for a cafe that takes their social responsibility seriously, then Peg 2 (and their sister cafe in Sketty, Square Peg) is certainly worth a visit. The food is delicious and fulfilling, with a great vibe and the ethos to match.
Langland’s Brasserie Gower After a long walk in the Gower, is there anything better than brunch on the seafront? Incredible views accompany a variety of choices, from classic brunches to a wonderful selection of tapas. There’s something for everyone and, with the stunning beach and cliff top walks, this is not somewhere to miss.
Boo’s Kitchen Mumbles Boo’s is a perfect plantbased cafe. Great flavours, brilliant menu choices and the knowledge that the food you’re eating is locally sourced all make Boo’s a must-visit. Hoogah Brynmill Placed in the heart of student living, Hoogah offers a cosy and relaxed feel. Even though it’s one of the more pricey places on the list, you get what you pay for. The food, coffee and beer are ALWAYS exceptional.
CRIME BECKY BARNFATHER
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The Chappaquiddick Incident Kopechne was attending a party on Chappaquiddick Island with five of her friends from the presidential campaign of Robert F. Kennedy. The party brought them together as a form of reunion, organised and hosted by Senator Kennedy. However, the night would turn deadly for Kopechne as Kennedy’s car overturned and landed upside down in the water. Kennedy would survive, but Kopechne would drown. Kennedy continually argued that he had repeatedly tried to swim back to rescue Kopechne from the car, diving down seven or eight times. When this was unsuccessful, Kennedy claimed to get help from Joseph Gargan, and Paul F. Markham. When all three were unsuccessful, they returned to the Shiretown Inn. At 9:45am the next morning, Kopechne had been discovered, with Kennedy reporting the incident, admitting he was the driver of the car. The circumstances surrounding Kennedy and Kopechne’s departure are suspicious. Kennedy had told only one person, John Crimmins, that he was leaving with Kopechne. Neither Kennedy nor Kopechne had stopped to tell their friends that they were
leaving which was especially strange as Kennedy was the host of the party and Kopechne had arrived with friends. Not only this, but Kopechne did not pause to take her handbag or her room key, raising suspicions that Kopechne had expected to return, or perhaps had not wanted to leave in the first place. As well as this, both Kopechne and Kennedy had crossed the route to the ferry landing several times during their stay, each would have been familiar with the road, even in the darkness. Edward Kennedy maintained that he had taken a wrong turn, became confused, and the small bridge came upon him quickly, causing him to slam on the brakes in panic. This apparently sent the car over the edge of the bridge, which was easy to do as it had no guard rails. Despite its precarious appearance, in all the years the bridge has been standing, Kennedy remains the only person to have ever driven off it. What Kennedy decided to do next became the most mystifying actions of the case. After the incident, Kennedy left the scene and walked back to the cottage where the party had been held. Kennedy passed several houses, many of which still had their lights on and he also passed the
Chappaquiddick: a haven of isolated beaches. Perfect for the cyclist and the hiker; attracting the tourist and the sportsman; the leisure seekers and the adventurers to sandy shores and quaint towns. The illusion of sanctuary was broken on the night on July 18th, 1969, when Senator Edward Kennedy’s Oldsmobile hurtled off Dike’s Bridge and killed his passenger, 28-year old Mary Jo Kopechne. Yet, nearly 50 years after the incident, the events of the night remain questionable. BY KELLIE AYRES
island’s fire department, yet did not stop to report the incident until the following morning. One theory was that Mary Jo and Ted Kennedy had been involved in an affair which had resulted in a pregnancy. Mary Jo’s parents reportedly filed a petition to prevent an autopsy due to the belief of Kopechne being pregnant. Another theory has always been that Ted Kennedy had not been the one driving and that Mary Jo had been driving, which may have been an explanation as to why he survived. There were also those who claim that she had been both drinking and driving. Even if he’d not been the one driving it would have made more sense for him to say that he had and to plead guilty to the lesser offense of leaving the scene and failing to report the incident. Ted Kennedy was sentenced to two months in prison, which was suspended. He walked away with just a brief suspension of his driver’s license. Vital questions on what happened the night in question remain unanswered, even now. Two vital questions remain: what happened on July 18th, 1969? Did Edward Kennedy get away with murder?
ISSUE 284 JANUARY 2018
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
Mumbles in Sunset
Escape the Exam Stress BY CHARLOTTE HUSBANDS
Christmas has been and gone in a flurry of family days and drunken nights, and it’s now that dreaded time: exam season. Even reading the words is enough to make any student cower in fear, but finding the perfect place to escape the stress, as well as the most relaxing activities to do in your down time, is exactly what every student needs. Below are some of my favourite spots to revise and take photos, along with some methods to help take your mind off the forthcoming exams.
The perfect place to study with some perfect views The first thing I would recommend for any student who likes to take photos is finding the perfect coffee shop. I only have one requirement: a table big enough for my books and to be able to spread out. For my first couple of semesters, it was Brynmill Coffee House. I liked it because it’s close to Singleton Park and the Botanical Gardens, both of which are fantastic spots to bring your camera along to. However, this year I
settled on Starbucks in the Callaghan building, because being a few steps away from the library is always a bonus. If you ever find yourself needing a five minute break away from the University itself, take your phone or camera and walk along the beach, there’s always something interesting to capture. Alternatively, if you don’t mind a bit of a walk to find the perfect location for studying, then I would suggest taking a trip to the Mumbles. There are many interesting coffee shops between campus and Mumbles pier -
PHOTOGRAPHY CHARLOTTE HUSBANDS
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Take a walk from Swansea some with beautiful interiors to take photos of in five minute breaks, others offering a different view of Swansea Bay. If you make it all the way to Joe’s or Verdi’s then reward yourself with an ice cream and take some photos of the bay. Even better, choosing to revise in either of these places means that you can also keep rewarding yourself with ice cream too! I usually always take my camera along the walk and snap a couple of photos along the way, but at some point you have to remind yourself to squeeze in some hard work. Although, as long as you manage your time well, going out and taking a couple of photos isn’t going to hurt.
Take a breather, everyone needs a break So, you have found the perfect spot, with some beautiful views for your mini revision breaks. But if five minutes every couple of hours isn’t enough, find some activities that will occupy you for a longer amount of time during the week. Everyone needs more than a few minutes to relax! One great way to destress is exercise.
There are many ways to incorporate working out into your revision schedule, even if it’s getting a group of your mates together and going for a run along the seafront. When I run, I stop to capture anything I find along the way. However, in this cold weather I would also suggest going to the gym. Stretch the muscles, listen to music that will get your heart pumping, and then you’ll feel motivated to go to your favourite revision spot and get some work done. Some gyms are even open 24 hours, which is perfect for anyone regardless of their schedule. If you haven’t got a gym membership, you can either pay for a workout class, or during exam time the University offers sessions, such as yoga, as part of their StudyAid programme. StudyAid provides anything from hand massages, to free tea or coffee in the library, to – and this is my favourite way to take a breather: puppy cuddles. Yes, you did indeed read this correctly, the Students' Union offers a couple of days every exam period where students can have the chance to relax through hanging out with some fourlegged friends. However, sign up early because it’s first come first served and
the places fill up quickly. Keep an eye out for those emails! Be sure to take in the view! If any of you and your friends are avid photographers, like me, I would suggest forming a group and going on day trips just to take photos. For example, last year I used to go every other Thursday morning in a group of six to explore our surroundings. We would go to a new location every week and just see what we could discover - you’d be surprised by what there is to see in Swansea. We continued this through various exam and coursework periods, and those three hours on a Thursday morning gave us the time off we desperately needed. So go out, take some photos and give yourself a well-deserved study break. And, most importantly, good luck! If you wish to contribute to Waterfront's photography section, or even just show us where you alleviate exam stress, please contact the editor at waterfrontphotography@ swanseastudentmedia.com
ISSUE 284 JANUARY 2018
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
how to make the ultimate pres playlist BY ALEX MCDOUGALL
It’s 8:00pm, you’ve done a house clean to standards your mum would still find disgusting, and your mates are only an hour away. As resident DJ, you begin to get butterflies before the big performance. The rest of your house either shower or run to the Co-Op to rinse the reduced section, whilst you begin to piece together a playlist for the night from your Spotify collection. A playlist so good that it will make you forget impending deadlines, the £1,400 you owe Barclays, and that burning sensation when you pee. Everybody coming has queue jump to Sin Savers. There is no copping out: this is the big one. Three hours of binge drinking and people listening to your very own baby: the playlist you’ve been working on for years. The heat is on. Pull this off and the night will be legendary, your folklore will be told for years. Fail, and you’ll never be passed an aux cord again. A good pres playlist isn’t just about having the best songs or the coolest new artist, it’s about allowing people to enjoy themselves. The pres could be in a house infested with black mould or your sweet mother’s kitchen. The venue is unimportant. So, what do you play to appease your friends? As people begin to arrive, you start the night off with a few songs they’ll recognise but probably won’t know the words to (the classic bangers come
later). I’m talking about Rejjie Snow, Milky Chance and maybe even a bit of Loyle Carner; good songs, but nothing that’s going to blow anyone away just yet. The numbers are increasing, so you start rolling out some tunes. Some classic Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys and Gorillaz - well-known songs that people love to hear and get you in the mood for a night out. Anything that reminds you of being 16 and all the activities that followed, the nostalgia adds to the playlist’s effectiveness. 9:30pm rolls around, and the masses begin to pour in. People begin to turn up with their wheelbarrows full of cans. As everybody has now arrived people want to start getting royally ruined. The best way to start is through drinking games, and this is when you bang on Roxanne. You watch as your friends binge drink to Sting’s
everlasting words. As everyone falls to the sofa after spending 3 minutes and 11 seconds necking their drinks, you hit them with the big guns: Toto’s Africa. Some may even say that it’s the greatest song of a generation. One of the key aspects of any great playlist is balance, you want to maintain some variety. As much as it may appeal to some, you can’t just have 80’s banger after banger. So you throw in something different, maybe a bit of Kendrick Lamar, Anderson Paak (basically anything off his new album) or Childish Gambino. By 10:00pm, everyone has turned up, and you’ve even attracted a few randoms after word of your banging playlist got out. Everyone is smashed. You’ve had a bit of Indie/Alternative, you’ve had some great new age Hip Hop - you may have been ballsy enough to throw in some old school stuff like a Tribe Called Quest. At this point, you want to begin to build up the tempo to get people bopping. You’re heading out soon and want to send your mates off to Sin raring to sink four VK’s. Now I am not the biggest fan of Drum & Bass, Jungle or Techno, but my flatmates have informed me of some reliable tunes. You cannot deny that a bit of Macky Gee or General Levy will guarantee a step up in the quality of the night. 11:00pm: The end of pres is nigh, and Sin is calling your name. Going out songs get a bad rep, but everyone loves a sing-a-long. Whether it be Robbie Williams’ preferred anthem for football lads, some classic ABBA, or Neil Diamond’s enduringly popular Sweet Caroline, you chuck one on. You then proceed to herd your friends into the taxis to a cacophony of shit. Obviously, this is a generalised idea of how a pres playlist could be great, so change it up for your crowd or the event you’re going to - have fun with it. Congratulations! You’ve held a successful pres with a superb playlist. Now go out, have a great time, and think about the Tom Misch and Rex Orange County mashup you’ll be listening to with your greasy takeaway at the afters.
MUSIC FIN HARDIE & JOSHUA O' MAHONEY
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Live Music at Swansea Uni If you were asked to name live music events around Swansea, you’d probably struggle to think of any beyond the Summer Ball. However, live sessions and recordings are now more accessible than ever, with live music going beyond the odd music show that pops up on Wind Street once or twice each semester. Rory Clark has spent the last year recording and producing covers and originals, available to stream for free on band camp. These recordings include the two-piece, Holy Home Video. Regulars of the open mic held at JC’s will undoubtedly recognise the harmonies of Cadi Rhind and Sam Baggott, who return again in their song 'Snake Don’t Rattle'. They have a signature blend of vocal harmonies and acoustic guitar. These, combined with drums and the occasional flare of electric guitar, create a calm, soothing melody. Bands are also a prominent sight in the University music scene. Enter Part Time Models, a five-piece band who “combine folk lyrics with funky solos and punchy drum beats for a unique mix of genres.” They boast a vast array of instruments beyond the standard drums, bass, and guitar you’d expect.
BY JOSH DOBBINS
The saxophone, in particular, makes a surprising yet welcome addition to their cover of 'Feel It Still' by Portugal. The Man This rendition departs from the fast tempo and upbeat tone of its predecessor, as they transform the song “into a brooding atmospheric track with haunting vocals and shimmering guitars.” The group thanks Rory, as well as the Live Music Society, who have helped them to perform, hone and develop their musical talents. Alpha-Zoo also counts itself among the plethora of musicians coming out of the University. Not only does the group own an extensive list of previous gigs including the Bucket List, Sin City, and Summer Ball - they’ve also released a 3-track EP. These songs invoke the classic indie rock feel and provides an enjoyable, light and upbeat tone in comparison to their previous songs. Whether you are looking for fastpaced songs to dance to, or simply smooth guitar to relax to, there will almost certainly be something that fits your musical needs. From Spotify to Band Camp, these musicians (and more) are available to listen to now, with live performances coming in the near future.
SPORT JESSICA HAYDEN
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SEAL OF APPROVAL FOR SUSAC
It was a sunny October Sunday at Oxwich Bay and we had just surfaced from a brilliant dive on the Solor, a Norwegian ship sunk in the Second World War. After conducting a short rescue exercise at the surface, we decided to bring our boat JAFFA into shore for some chips before departing for our next dive. BY TOBY HUMBY
We hopped off the boat to guide her onto the beach when a little grey head popped up at the stern. Expecting the seal to have a quick look at us and swim off again, we all had a little glance and continued about our business - but the seal had other ideas! Our visitor came up and nuzzled the legs of one of our divers, so naturally we all got in the water to have a better look. Turns out the seal decided to stick around for a little play! After half an hour of seal-selfies with Simon the Seal (who actually turned out to be a Simone the Seal) we walked the boat into shore and to our surprise, our new friend followed us! We were just chatting to some families who had gathered to watch, explaining our confusion at this peculiar circumstance when an RSPCA officer approached us, revealing that she’d been trying to catch
the seal all day but she’d so far evaded her best efforts. It turns out Simone the Seal was so friendly because she’d been rescued and reared previously and so saw us humans as an easy food opportunity! Early Autumn is the time of year that some young grey seals can begin to struggle to find food, especially after large storms have passed through. Since Simone was on the skinny side, the RSPCA had decided it would be best to bring her back in to feed her up before winter comes around. With the use of a few towel-barriers and the promise of a fish dinner, we helped the RSPCA Officer coax Simone into her transport kennel, making her comfy and ready for her holiday at the seal sanctuary. A very happy end to an amazing day! In a statement from the RSPCA, they highlight that although some encounters like ours can be friendly, it’s important to remember that at the end of the day, seals are wild animals and should be
treated with caution: “This unwell and underweight seal clearly needed our help – but we would urge people to stay away from seals as they have a nasty bite." “Should somebody find a seal pup abandoned that looks fit and healthy and shows no signs of distress, they should monitor it first from a safe distance for 24 hours and contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 if the mother does not return in that time." “This seal has now been transferred to specialist wildlife facilities. Rescuing wildlife like this injured seal is a huge part of the RSPCA’s work in Wales, and we’re just pleased to have been able to help this distressed animal. We’d like to thank everyone at the beach who assisted with this rescue.” In return, we would like to thank the RSPCA for their professionalism, friendliness, and dedication to this amazing animal and wish our new friend all the best in her future.