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UniVerse The
Freshers’ 2014 Volume 23, Issue 1
REBECCA HARDING, KEALIE MARDELL AND EMMA LANGSCHIED | UniVerse
Are you ready for Freshers’ Week 2014? Kealie Mardell | Print Editor
It’s time for another year at the University of Hertfordshire (UH) and that means a new year within the Students’ Union and
student media too. I’m proud to be introducing our new team in this issue and we’ll be doing our best to bring you all the latest uni news and exciting features throughout the year.
Whether this is the beginning of your journey at Herts or the end, you should be making this year count. UH offers so many great opportunities and
events to be a part of, and it’s these experiences that can make your time here unforgettable. This includes the amazing events taking place each day and night
throughout Freshers’ Week, the groups and societies you can get involved with, and a whole realm of opportunities during your time as a student. (cont. page 2)
News •
Features •
Health •
Sport •
Introducing the UniVerse and BlueMoon’s new editorial team
Introducing your new elected officers
UH Societies - from Skiing to pharmacy! How to survive uni
Stay safe this freshers’ and get to know our campus pharmacy
Join our AU or play for fun with Active Students
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Editorial •
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Editorial •
Welcome freshers! Throughout the year your Students’ Union is here to provide you with countless opportunities including societies, volunteering, jobs and training. The team of staff and elected officers are on board to offer you the advice and support you might need during your time at uni. If you’re looking for a place to raise an issue or share your views, these are the people to talk to. For more about the services on offer visit www.hertfordshire.su Here at Trident Media we provide you with news, music and TV, from our three
outlets run by students, for students. You’ll be seeing a lot from our print team who produce the free UniVerse newspaper and BlueMoon magazine, Union TV, Crush Radio and Crush Underground DJs, as we bring you all the latest entertainment on campus. In this first issue of UniVerse we’ve brought you all the information you could need to know as a new fresher, from events at the Forum, to a guide to the local area, and how to save money and stay safe on a night out. If you think Trident Media is something you would
like to get involved in, visit the Students’ Union on either campus to become a member. If you’re a keen writer, have the eye for design or photography, want to present your own radio show, or start a new TV show, then we want to hear from you. It’s our job to express the opinions, interests and views of our students here at Herts, and we can’t do that without a great team. Members of Trident Media get access to the Media Suite where all our hard work takes place, a free Trident Media t-shirt, a certificate of
Introducing Print Editor
(cont.)
recognition and full training. It’s a great opportunity to gain hands on experience or develop a new skill within the media industry. Enjoy your start as a fresher and keep an eye out for the first issue of BlueMoon magazine coming out soon, with a fun freshers’ challenge for you all to take part in! Make sure you’re up to date with everything we have going on by following us on Twitter @TridentMediaUK and Facebook www.facebook.com/ TridentMediaUK
Written, designed and edited by UH students, and provided by Hertfordshire Students’ Union Print Editor Kealie Mardell print.editor@ hertfordshire.su Deputy Editors Brad Johnson Laura Noakes deputy.editor.print @hertfordshire.su Sub Editors Emma Langschied (design) Shelby Loasby (news) Mercedes Brazier (sports) Taveena A (features) Krystyna King (events) Rebecca Harding (photos) Copy Editor Sean Howlett Editor in Chief Shannen Rock Contact Us vp.comms@hertfordshire.su VP Comms & Media Hertfordshire Students’ Union College Lane Hatfield Herts, AL10 9AB
your new... print editorial team
Published by Iliffe Print Cambridge Winship Road Milton Cambridge CB24 6PP
Kealie Mardell Welcome to Herts and a new year with Trident Media! I’m Kealie and I’m excited to be taking on the role of Print Editor this year. Joining student media has been one of the most valuable experiences throughout my time at
UH and I hope that we can keep going with great success. Alongside media I’ve also been part of the Alternative Music Society and Raise and Give team, offering a chance to get involved with lots of exciting events.
I’d advise everyone to make the most of Freshers and use it to find out all about the things that you can get involved with. Enjoy all the opportunities that come your way, and make your time at UH an unforgettable one!
@TridentMediaUK www.facebook.com/ TridentMediaUK
• Editorial 3 Deputy Print Editors Brad Johnson
Hi I’m Brad Johnson, a third year studying Marketing with Events Management! Just a heads up, Freshers is awesome but don’t forget that so is the rest of the year! You’re gonna get on so well at Herts and don’t forget that you can ask anyone almost anything. If you’re lost or need help finding something, just ask! We are one Big Herts Family!
News Sub Editor Shelby Loasby
Hey I’m Shelby Loasby, second year studying History and Spanish. Freshers is amazing. Yes you will be a bit delicate in lectures after a night out. Yes the LRC will become your second home. But you will gain so much from your experiences at University. The first year is all about settling in, getting to grips with how uni works and of course making friends.
Sports Sub Editor Mercedes Brazier
Hello! My name is Mercedes and I’m going into my final year studying Event Management with French. I’ve loved every year here so far, and wish I never had to finish! I spent the last year in the South of France practicing my French and attending a Business School in Nice - An incredible experience, if your course offers it, do it!
Design Sub Editor Emma Langschied
Hey, I’m Emma! I’m a final year Mass Communications student now, and I can honestly say that I love everything about UH. The only down side is that our time here comes to an end so quickly. So... make the most of it freshers! Go to as many events as possible and put your name down for everything!
I’m Laura Noakes and I’m a Law student in my third year. Freshers is such a great week - it’s all about making friends, having fun and just getting used to university life. If I could give you one bit of advice it would be to enjoy every moment of Freshers and try to go to as many of the amazing eventst hroughout the week as possible. Have a great time, and as I said before, enjoy yourself.
Laura Noakes
Features Sub Editor Hey, I’m Taveena a second year English Language and Communication student. Freshers’ will probably be one of the best times of your life so make sure you make the most of it! Get to know as many people as you can and enjoy every moment, but don’t forget to work hard too!
Taveena Atsu
Events and Social Secretary Hey, I'm Krystyna King, a fourth and final year student, studying English Literature with Creative Writing. I've just had the craziest year studying in Australia, but can't wait for this year to start. Freshers’ week is all about meeting amazing people, so go out and enjoy- no regrets! Just like every year of University, you'll face new challenges, but just remember: If life gives you lemons, have them with Tequila!
Krystyna King
Photography Sub Editor I’m Rebecca, 3rd & final year Photography student! I’d say stock up on BREAD pre fresherseat tons of toast when you get in from a night out and you’ll be sorted for the busy jam packed week! Even though I’ll be working my butt off during my last year, I’ll be making the most of my last Freshers, see you guys around!
Rebecca Harding
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News •
Meet your new elected officers Brad Johnson | Deputy Editor the Students’ Union (SU) is there to represent you to all levels of the Did you know that as a member university! The SU is led by a group of the University of Hertfordshire, of elected officers. All the elected
Gurpreet Singh (President)
Gurpreet is your elected President. He studied Business and Maths at the University and has been involved with the SU throughout his whole university life. “Hey, I’m your President and I represent your views and ensure you are able to get the most out of your time with us. I am really excited about this year as we have some fantastic activities going on during #HertsFreshers2014 and many more opportunities to develop skills and have fun, throughout the year.”
officers are previous or current students of Herts and strive to make your student experience better! There are five full time
Jack Amos
elected officers and five part time elected officers. You will be seeing a lot of them throughout the year, trust us! So let’s meet them!
Rana Omer Farooq
(VP Democracy (VP Education & & Services) Welfare)
Jack is your Vice President Democracy & Services. He studied Geography at Herts, and also spent a year on an industrial placement. Jack has held numerous roles in the SU over the last four years, including Student Trustee and Raise & Give Officer. “I’m so excited for the year ahead, and am really looking forward to meeting you! Please contact if there’s anything I can help you with!”
Rana is your elected VP Education & Welfare. He studied Mechanical Engineering and has been involved with the SU throughout his whole university life, previously being elected your International Students’ Officer. “I am really excited to see you, I’m pretty sure you are going to have load of fun at UH”
• News 5
All of the officers can be found at the regular Student Ideas Forums that are held throughout the year. This will give you the opportunity to quiz them on what they are
working on. Make sure you look out for these guys all year round, they are elected to represent you, so if you have a problem pop in and see them or get in touch!
Shannen Bella Rock Colafrancesco (VP Comms & Media)
(VP Student Activities)
Shannen is your elected VP Comms & Media. She studied Business Administration and HRM at Herts and progressed from one of the consortium colleges that form part of Herts. She is point of call for all things media, no doubt she will be proof reading this whole paper to ensure its perfect for all you freshers.
Bella is your elected VP Student Activities. She studied Sport and Exercise Science as well as completing her Masters by research at the University and has been involved within university sports programme throughout her time at Herts. There’s not much she doesn’t know about your Athletics Union!
‘I can’t wait to meet you all, come and have a chat, I love it! It’s going to be an exciting year!” @HertsSUShannen IG: HertsSUOfficers
“I can’t wait to welcome you all back to what is going to be a fantastic year at UH! Tweet me! @HertsSUBella”
Email: contact@hertfordshire.su Instagram: @HertofrdshireSU Twitter: @HertsSU Phone: 01707 285000
Part time officers
Grainne O’ Monghain (de Havilland Campus Officer) Umer Liaqat (International Students’ Officer) Chelsea Anderson (Mature Students’ Officer) Touseef Javaid (Part-time Students’ Officer) Mahmudal Hasan (Postgraduate Students’ Officer)
Part time officers work on behalf of students for free. They are here to represent certain groups of students at the university. The part time officers work very closely with the full time officers on campaigns and issues arising that concern students.
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Volunteering & Raise and Give Brad Johnson | Deputy Editor
First of all, welcome to the best three or more years of your life! Coming to university is an amazing opportunity for you to develop your education but also yourself. Without a doubt, one way to develop is through volunteering or fundraising through your Students’ Union (SU). Today, more than ever, your degree may not be enough to secure you that dream job. Employers are crying out for evidence of volunteering or charity work and one of the best bits is, they’re the most rewarding and fun opportunities available at university. From travelling the world on Raise and Give challenges to working with local nursery children on the Teddy Bears Picnic project, there are so many rewarding opportunities available to you all!
Imogen Stuart, a final year Psychology student and SU Volunteer of the Year became an ‘East African Playgrounds’ project leader in 2013/14, she stated how she has been volunteering for many years and in response to people who asked “How do you have the time?”, she replied, “Making a difference is something I enjoy so it doesn’t seem like work all that often.” Imogen got the opportunity to travel to East Africa over the summer to build playgrounds for local children however if you want something a bit closer to campus, maybe a local events or projects may be more appropriate. Angela Vane, a second year Events Management and Tourism student who became a ‘Cedars Park Events’ project leader, praised the project for enabling her to “develop skills and gain knowledge in [her] area of study” proving how
giving a little to a worthy cause can be worthwhile for your own professional development. If you want to get deep into fundraising while at university, then Raise and Give is for you! It is the SU’s fundraising arm that raises vital funds for charities selected by you the students! Don’t worry, its not always bucket collecting! Raise and Give organises events in the EleHouse, sports events and even annual pub crawls. Giving your time during your studies could be one of the most enjoyable things you do. As Raise and Give Chair for 2014/15, I can say how important volunteering and fundraising has become in my life. I had never thought about it when I joined the university but I wouldn’t look back now, it has made my time at university amazing!
If you are looking to seek out more information about the exciting opportunities for this year, make sure you head into the SU on College Lane or on de Havilland for more information from our Student Activities team or the elected officers responsible for Volunteering and Raise and Give. facebook.com/hertfordshire.su Twitter @ HertsRAG
• News 7
Students attend Raise and Give Conference 2014 GEMMA FULTON | UniVerse
Brad Johnson | Deputy Editor During the summer break, your VP Democracy & Services Jack Amos and three students from Herts travelled to York University for the annual RAG Conference. This was an amazing opportunity to network with other Raise and Give teams in the country and meet some fantastic charities that Herts may wish to work with in the next academic year. Gemma Fulton, Event Logistics & Collections Coordinator for Herts RaG said, “I was delighted to be chosen to go to RAG Conference with the team and I can’t wait to implement what we have learnt on the trip in my new role.”
On Day two of the Conference, Jack Amos ran for election for the board of NaSFA at their annual AGM. Amos was successful in taking his place on the board. The conference also included the annual FIG National Student Fundraising Awards 2014 in association with ESSA’. where Amos was nominated for Student Fundraiser of the Year. The team met with some of the charities Herts RAG is already working with such as East African Playgrounds and Hope for Children whom Amos travelled to Uganda with at the beginning of September.
They also met with Make a Wish Foundation and the Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust regarding possible Awareness Campaigns during RAG Week. Amos said, “The conference gave the whole team some fantastic ideas that I can can’t wait to bring back to Herts.” The conference concluded on the Thursday afternoon after an enjoyable Awards Evening at the National Railway Museum. The whole team heading back to Hatfield or their hometowns to enjoy the rest of the summer break before freshers.
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UH Societies If you’re looking for something active, Hertfordshire’s SU hosts a wide variety of active societies, including; Archery, Cycling and snooker. A great one to consider is the HUSKIS (Hertfordshire University Ski and Snowboard Society). They meet every fortnight at Hemel Hempstead to use the indoor slope. These trips operate on a pay as you go basis so you can choose when you want to go. They also host socials, karaoke and movie nights. A tour has also been planned for next April where the HUSKIS will be heading over to the French Alps for a week of skiing. committee@huskis.info HARRY POTTER SOCIETY | SU
Want to join a society? Shelby Loasby| News Sub Editor Hertfordshire Students’ Union has over 130 societies ranging from active and cultural to social and subject-related. We can guarantee there’s definitely something for everyone and more societies are created throughout the year. If there is still nothing that interests you, then why don’t you make one yourself? There’s nothing to stop you. Joining a society can enhance your experience at the University and gives you an opportunity to meet new people. You can join something you are passionate about, or try out something you’ve never heard of. So what’s on offer? If you need any more information or want to contact any of the societies, head over to the Students’ Union website. Once you have registered on hertfordshire.su you can join a society by entering your details and paying the membership fee. Alternatively, you can go into the Hertfordshire Students’ Union building and sign up there, or at Freshers’ Fair on 3rd October from 11-3pm.
Another popular society is the Christian Union. The CU aim to spread the news of Jesus around campus in a variety of active and exciting ways. Anyone is welcome to join, whether you are Christian or not. You can get involved with their BBQs and socials all year round and attend their weekly Bible studies and prayer meetings on campus. You will often find them after a night out at the forum offering hot chocolate and biscuits -the perfect post-party remedy. The society love the occasional trip and this October they have one planned for Bosnall Camp, Derby, for a fun and relaxed weekend away. uhsuchristianunion@gmail.com If you want to gain some extra knowledge around your subject area, or any other subject for that matter, there are societies for that too.The Pharmacy society, for example, is there to support students both academically and socially. They organise events with learning and networking opportunities and even host the pharmacy ball. This year the society has decided to revive the pharmacy football and have plans for even more activities throughout the year. uhpharmsoc@gmail.com There are also a fair share of music societies, for those who are advanced and those who have never picked up an instrument before. The Ukulele society is perfect for this. Last year they won two Students’ Union Awards and have a growing popularity. The society meets regularly to learn and practice the Ukulele in preparation for performances at venues such as; the Elehouse, Forum, FolkStock Festival and even at the Summer Ball. The society is also involved in the community and often visits Howe Dell school to teach under 12’s how to play. The Ukulele Society has a lot to offer, especially in the following year, with hopes of more large scale events. ukesociety@gmail.com Drama Society is also one to take note of. For the past few years it has won ‘best society’ at the SU awards, which says it all really. They are a group of dedicated students with a passion for drama whether it’s acting, writing, directing or being behind the scenes. They hold two performances a year that are written by members of the society themselves and can be seen around campus and in the local area, often in front of audiences of around 200 people. Their biggest achievement to date was performing their own play ‘Gidding’s Ward’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2014. Go along to one of their regular meetings and get involved! uhsuds@hotmail.com This is just a taste of some of the socieities available, there are over 100 more to choose from!
• Features 9
UH Students on
Placement I am currently on placement at a global technology company called SAP. I am working as a Marketing Assistant, where I assist in managing and implementing demand generation campaigns. With the opening of the new ‘Experience Centre’ at our offices, my role also involves a great deal of event management, assisting in all elements of the event management process from invitation build and distribution, to delegate registration management and hosting on the day of the event. So far my experience at SAP has been amazing, with an intern community of 31 students from across the country, the atmosphere in the office is always fun and dynamic, and social events are organised all the time around London. As part of my on boarding, we even got to attend an out of office ‘team building’ day at
Thorpe Park! From day one, I have had good exposure to all elements of the business, including Sales, AGS, Recruitment, and Legal, and I have gained a significant amount of knowledge on these areas since starting my placement. At the moment, there is a two month handover between the old interns and us new interns, so most of my time is being taken up by shadowing current interns, learning how to operate different systems, and understanding how different elements of the business work. However, SAP operates a 70/30 policy, wherein I spend 70% of my time on my day to day tasks, and the other 30% of my time on individual projects. I have just started to take over a project called ‘LIFT’ with a group of new interns. This project aims to increase awareness of social media and its usefulness in the workplace, amongst all
employees. This is something I am excited to get involved in more, and I am hoping to host social media workshops in the offices for all employees interested. When I first started applying for placements, working in the technology industry, and in a businessto-business environment was not something that immediately stood out to me. However, since starting my placement, I have discovered that SAP engage in a wide diversity of different marketing activities, such as hosting technology showcases at events such as Wimbledon, Cirque de Soleil, and F1 racing. Overall, I am confident that I will return to Hertfordshire with a new found confidence and understanding of how marketing works in the real world, and I have no doubt that the quality of my assignments will benefit as a result.
I am currently on placement at Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club. For the last eight weeks, I have been working alongside two qualified sports therapists who have been involved in football all their lives. After finishing my second year I have had the opportunity to apply what I have learnt within the classroom into the working environment of a professional football club who have mentored and evaluated my performance. Whilst working in a professional club I have learnt and understood the immense
Sports Therapy Sam Clarke
SAM CLARKE | UniVerse
Marketing with Event Management Aimee McMullan
pressure placed upon sport therapists and physiotherapists to return players back to full fitness. Due to the nature of the industry it is not a nine to five, five days a week job. Working within football you will not have to work all weekend. It is not for everyone and some will find it hard because of this. At Dagenham I have been given the opportunity to work with all teams at the club including the first team who play on a regular basis in the 4th tier of English football. After working at the club for eight weeks my roles and responsibilities have
AIMEE MCMULLAN | UniVerse
grown and I am now trusted to rehab first team players as well as give immediate first aid to all players who require it. What I hope to achieve whilst at Dagenham is to improve and expand my knowledge of injuries so that I can work with a professional club once I have finished my degree. However, within the industry I have learnt that it is very pressured and hard working with long hours and days without breaks, but overall the job is very rewarding and enjoyable.
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Freshers’ at The
FORUM
Example will be playing at the Freshers’ Ball on the Friday 3rd of October
2014 Freshers’ Line-up Brad Johnson | Deputy Editor Coming this year to the Forum Hertfordshire are some of the biggest artists from around the world. From playing festivals in the summer to playing your freshers, Hertfordshire Students’ Union has really brought the A-list to Freshers’ entertainments. On moving in weekend, the Forum Hertfordshire is hosting your ‘Freshers Welcome Party’ where all you uni newbies get to mingle and make some new friends. Following this, Sunday night is getting foamy with the ‘Freshers’ Foam Party’. This is most likely your second night out during freshers so you’ll be meeting even more new faces. As we hit Monday, we are welcoming international recording artist, Fuse ODG to the Forum!
After playing the MTV Stage at V Festival, receiving three top ten singles and a MOBO Award, Fuse is hitting the stage for Fresher’s! Even by Monday, Freshers’ week is set to be one of the best on record. Tuesday night is getting down and dirty with the bass as Distort, the resident Drum & Bass and Dubstep night takes the Forum. Even better than this, the one and only Sigma are playing the main stage. Sigma are playing Hertfordshire as part of their freshers tour of universities following the success of their Number 1 single, ‘Nobody to Love’. Wednesday is getting crazy as the Forum welcomes Becky Hill for Midweek Madness! Some of you would have hit your 5th night by now so you may be feeling the constant partying. Just remember, you don’t want to burn out before the main event, the Freshers’ Ball.
Fuse ODG will be performing at the Forum on September 29th
For the rock chicks and dudes, the Forum’s rock night Breakout is taking over Thursday night of Freshers. Since playing Reading and Leeds this year, Deaf Havana are headlining the auditorium for a night of rock, punk and party classics. After six nights of partying and inductions, it is time for the BIG ONE! Following our annual Freshers’ Fair where you get to meet all of your societies and local companies, we are welcoming the one and only Example and DJ Wire to headline your Freshers’ Ball! Showing that Herts really hosts the best Freshers, we have booked a V Festival main stage act! Get your tickets at the ready for the Freshers’ Ball because it is always a sell out! After all of that, we are still not finished! Saturday brings music legends Pendulum to our UV Party!
Seven days and nights after moving into your new accommodation, we have come to the end of Freshers’ Week but don’t worry! You still have a whole year of fun ahead of you at the Forum Hertfordshire and at uni with your SU. Party hard but always stay safe and drink responsibly.
Sigma perform on Tues 30th September with Matrix and Futurebound
• Features 11 The ULTIMATE
FRESHERS’ WEEK
SURVIVAL GUIDE For many new students Freshers’ Week is what they look forward to most when they start university. It is a week of change: the giddy excitement (and nerves) of moving in and meeting your new flatmates, the experience of one too many Jaegerbombs on your first night out and the almost inevitable (and deadly) onslaught of the infamous Freshers’ Flu. Laura Noakes | Deputy Editor For many, the onset of Freshers’ Week means lugging 18 years worth of stuff into halls of residence. Moving away from home can be both terrifying and amazing but there are a few handy tips to make the experience a lot less stressful. - Prop your door open as you are unpacking - Your new flatmates are much more likely to approach an open door and say hello. - Remember to smile and don’t be afraid to chat to people. It can be daunting but remember that everyone is in the same position as you. After you are unpacked and your parents are gone it’s time to get ready for your first night out. If we’re all honest, going out and exploring the nightlife is the highlight of Freshers’ Week for many - and there’s a reason for that - It’s fun and a great way to get to know your fellow freshers. - Stay safe! Make sure you know how you’re going to get home Hertfordshire offers a great free shuttle service and there are also various local taxi firms. If you are walking home, make sure you stick in a group. - This one is for the girls - Pack a pair of flats in your bag. Your heels may be beautiful but after a night of dancing your feet aren’t going to feel too good.
If you’ve been going out every night you’re probably not feeling too great. Freshers flu is the unfortunate side effect of many a freshers’ week. Late nights, alcohol and junk food often end in feeling absolutely rubbish. - Drink water - there is nothing like rehydrating during and after drinking alcohol. - If you’re really feeling ill visit The Pharmacy or The Medical Centre on College Lane Campus that have trained staff on hand to assist you. Freshers’ may be a week of partying and drinking, but there are loads of other events on as well! - The Freshers Fair is held on the 3rd October from 11-3 at The Forum. There’ll be societies, activities, clubs and sports to check out, as well as loads of freebies (you’re a uni student now, freebies are your life). - Attending introductory lectures for your course is always a good idea. Not only do you get an overview of what you’ll be studying for the next year but you also get to meet your coursemates. - If you haven’t already, sort out your student bank account and get an idea of which shops do a student discount or loyalty card- It’s never too early to start saving money! LAURA NOAKES | UniVerse
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Money Saving Tips for Students Taveena Atsu | Features Sub Editor
Hey Freshers, just landed your student finance and ready to blow it all in one go? Having been a fresher myself I know how tempting
it can be. Finding ways to spend your money is so easy but what we students really should be doing is trying to save it, let’s face it, no one wants to be stuck eating 9p noodles for breakfast lunch and dinner for the last two weeks of term!
Cook at home For many of us it’s our first time away from home and we haven’t the slightest clue how to cook so we end up getting take outs. Not only can they be bad for our health but
they’re not too great for our wallets either! Check out simple recipes online or ask your friends and family for recipes and you’ll be surprised how much you save. Name brands don’t always make a big difference
either, so don’t be scared to pick up a brand you don’t recognize if it’ll benefit you in the long run.
Pre-drinks
Rail cards
During freshers’ week the first thing many of you will want to do is go out and emjoy your new freedom with a few drinks, but drinks can often be quite expensive. I’d reccomend saving money by having a drink with your new friends in your flat before going out. and you can also look out for drink deals when you’re out, such as 2-4-1 in the Style Bar. Always remember; drink responsibly!
Travelling to and from home can be massively expensive for those of us who don’t live near the Uni, but a 16-25 rail card allows us to get 1/3 off of journeys. For example, you can get a travelcard from Hatfield to London for as little as £11.90. (Price correct as of September 2014)
Budget
When you do feel like going on a big spend however, it might be useful to get an NUS card, which offers great savings on the high street and online. Some student accounts offer these for free.. But what is a student account? These are bank accounts especially for us, which typically offer an interest free overdraft and other perks, so choose wisely!
Budgeting and planning how to spend your money is a useful way to keep track of everything and will prevent you from having that ‘where did it all go?’ feeling when you check your account balance.
Buying books Sooner or later you’ll have to pick up a book or two but I assure you, university books do not come cheap. You’ll save loads looking for second hand books online; studynet is great for this too.
NUS cards and student accounts
Have you got some great money saving tips? Send them to us on twitter @TridentMediaUK
• Features 13
Your local area guide Krystyna King | Events Secretary Whether you’re new to Herts or a returning student looking for somewhere different to visit, we’ve found the best things to do that are right on our doorstep here at UH. While Hatfield has a lot to offer, including shopping at The Galleria, the Odeon cinema and Hatfield House, we’ve got more to be found that you might not have discovered yet!
1) Whipsinade Zoo How can you refuse a trip to the zoo? Whipsnade Zoo, the UK’s biggest zoo is only 35 minutes away. Plus, with your student card it’s only £21.28 for entry. See if you can get a group together, for even cheaper prices!
2) St Albans A beautiful historic country town, just outside of Hatfield includes shopping, markets and restaurants. Although the idyllic town is small in size, it has a thriving night life. Hidden just outside of the town centre, is the St. Albans cathedral. This is where us lucky University of Hertfordshire students will attend graduation.
3) Watford Watford is great for clubbing and shopping. Intu Watford at The Harlequinn is the local shopping centre, and keep an eye out for special events in the area. Watford is also the home of Warner Bros. Studios where you can take the Harry Potter tour! REBECCA HARDING | UniVerse
4) The Forum & Ele House Our very own club and pub, right on the College Lane campus. Big events for Freshers’ Week include the Freshers’ Ball, featuring Example and DJ Wire. The Forum’s most popular nights are Bonk on Wednesdays and Flirt on Fridays. You can buy your tickets for The Forum at www.forumhertfordshire. co.uk. The Forum also contains Style Bar, which often has 2-4-1 promotions and is well worth a visit. Ele House has a very lively atmosphere and will be very busy during Freshers’. It’s a great place to hang out, grab some food and a drink, with lots of events including quizzes and karaoke happen
througout the year here. Remember free buses are available to and from the de Havilland campus and the Forum.
5- London Being in Hatfield means being close to London! Just over 20 minutes away by train, you can spend a day sightseeing, shopping, eating and even see a show. There’s also a selection of museums, galleries and exhibitions which have free entry throughout the year.
6- Stanborough Lakes
8) Stevenage
Less than ten minutes from Hatfield, with 126 acres of land to explore, rowing boats to hire and all types of water sport activities available; this place is perfect for those summer months.
About 20 minutes away from Hatfield, Stevenage has a big town centre which is great for shopping, as well as a Cineworld Cinema and restaurants in Stevenage Leisure Park. The annual ‘Christmas Lights Switch-on’ is on Thursday 27th November, 4-6.30pm in the Town Square!
7) Welwyn Garden City Another historic town located less than ten minutes away. Welwyn Garden City is a great place to shop, eat and explore.
14
Health •
Wellbeing advice for students Taveena Atsu | Features Sub Editor
Tips for making friends
Starting university can seem pretty daunting to most, especially if you don’t know anyone. University is a huge place with lots of different types of people; this means lots of new opportunities for meeting others. Societies are great for meeting like minded people with similar interests to you, and because you’re into the same things it’s easier to spark up conversations with others. Music is a great way to connect with people too; during freshers week there’s no doubt that you’ll make new friends whilst out and about at different events. Don’t worry if parties and societies aren’t for you, there’s plenty of great ways to make friends while you’re out and about around campus.
Coping with work
Independence is definitely a skill that is needed in your studies at university; but this doesn’t mean you’re left alone when it comes to assignments and your work here. For some courses, you will be given a tutor who will guide you through your first year and will be there to help you out with your work worries. It might be hard to get the hang of it at first, but seeking the right help will ensure that you don’t feel swamped, as stress may be counterproductive when it comes to completing uni work. Also, don’t forget that getting exercise, eating well and making sure that you enjoy yourself may be just what you need to keep a clear mind. The advice and support centre is also there to make sure that the right people are around to help you out.
For more info call 01707285022 or email advice@hertfordshire.su
Home sickness
If you’ve decided to live away from home, the new found freedom can feel great. Nonetheless, the change of scenery can often lead to a bit of homesickness. Whatever you are feeling, there’s no need to go through it alone! If you speak to those around you, you will probably find that they are feeling the same way. The university also offers a counselling and wellbeing service on campus to give support and advice about any difficulties you are facing. For more information call: 01707284453 or go to counselling.centre@herts. ac.uk.
• Health 15
Stay safe wherever the night takes you Kealie Mardell | Print Editor It’s no secret that students can get up to all types of crazy antics on a night out, but it’s also important to look after your health and stay safe. If you are planning on drinking alcohol then there are some simple steps that you can take to drink responsibly. Before starting your night out make sure you eat something, as food makes the body absorb alcohol at a slower rate. You should also alternate alcoholic drinks with water or soft drinks to dilute the alcohol in your system. Throughout the night, keep track of how much you are drinking and be aware of your own limits. The NHS recommends that women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day, and 3-4 units per day for men. A standard beer or glass of wine is typically 2 units, whereas each 25ml shot of a spirit is 1 unit. If you have had an excessive drinking session, you should avoid alcohol for 48 hours to allow your
Campus Pharmacy Services
EMMA LANGSCHIED | UniVerse
REBECCA HARDING | UniVerse
body time to recover. It goes without saying that you should never drink and drive. If you need to travel home after a night out its best to arrange this beforehand, by asking a designated driver or planning to take a taxi. Where possible, try to travel in a group and always look after one another. If you have overindulged you are likely to spend the next morning nursing a hangover. While
there are no real cures for a hangover, knowing what causes them can help to ease the symptoms. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the body, causing many of the hangover symptoms. The best way to combat this is to rehydrate before you go to sleep, preferably with water. The next morning, you should continue to drink water and opt for nutritious food such as fruit with high potassium content.
Hair-of-the-dog, black coffee, and greasy foods are all hangovercure myths, and should be avoided. If you don’t end up spending the night alone, it’s important to maintain the practice of safe sex. This must be a consensual decision between two sexual partners, where you both take responsible precautions for your health. By practicing safe sex you reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy or contracting a sexually transmitted infection. Even if the woman is on the pill or other contraceptive method, you are not protected against STIs. Simply, the easiest way to ensure safe sex is by always using a condom. While you should definitely enjoy your nights out as a Fresher, make sure to stay safe and be responsible. If you need further information on responsible drinking or safe sex visit drinkaware.co.uk, a local sexual health clinic or the Campus Pharmacy.
Kealie Mardell | Print Editor The Campus Pharmacy is available for students and staff throughout the year to offer advice and support for a variety of health concerns, a full range of over-thecounter pharmacy services and a limited prescription service. Herts was one of the first universities in the country to have a campus pharmacy run by its own Department of Pharmacy, and aims to enhance the clinical training of pharmacy and healthcare students. The Campus Pharmacy is located on the College Lane Campus near The Forum. They are open on weekdays from 10-2pm or can be reached by phone on 01707 284054.
EMMA LANGSCHIED | UniVerse
The Campus Pharmacy offers: ● General health and nutrition information ● Minor ailments advice ● Travel health advice ● Chlamydia testing ● Emergency contraception
● Free stop smoking service ● Private consultation room ● Pregnancy tests ● First aid and medical equipment ● Safe medicines disposal ● Limited prescription service available
• Sport 17
Your Athletic Union
Mercedes Brazier | Sports Sub Editor
“The Athletic Union (AU) is the organisation, supported by the University and the Hertfordshire Students’ Union, through which the student representative clubs and other student sporting activity are managed. Any University of Hertfordshire student can be a member of a sports club by joining the Athletic Union, whether you are trying a sport for the first time or you are an experienced player. We believe that by offering the highest possible standards in terms of equipment, facilities and staff, we are giving the student the best sport experience. The Athletic Union office is located in the Sports Village on the de Havilland Campus.” www.uhsport.co.uk
The Annual Sports Fair offers a day of information and the opportunity to meet the AU Sports Clubs where you can receive information about the clubs from students like yourself. You will also have the opportunity to sign up for club trails which take place from Monday 6th of September. Whether you see yourself as a sporty person or not you will be surprised at what you will find at the Athletic Union. The Sports Clubs here are divided into two tiers depending on the type of sport. You’ll find everything from those you’d expect at a family game night, to things that are slightly out of the box and you might not even know were available!
The prices to join these sports range between the Tiers and you may also get discounts for joining more than one club, gym memberships and Athletic Union branded hoodies. I’ve always been very jealous of the people walking around campus with these on, maybe I should join this year! For more information go down to the Sports Fair and also visit: www.uhsport.co.uk where you will find information on the facilities here at UH, the number of Sports Clubs we have that you can join, and other important dates for your diary.
Mercedes Brazier | Sports Sub Editor
Freshers’ Week Sports Schedule Date Location
Orientation Week 21/09/2014 22/09/2014
Welcome to the SU - activities College Lane Campus Pongathon College Lane Campus
Freshers’ Week 29/09/2014 Laser Quest 2-6pm College Lane Campus Bubble Football 11-4pm De Havilland Campus 30/09/2014 UV Sports Party 3-7pm College Lane Campus 01/10/2014 Sports Fair De Havilland Campus 02/10/2014 Sports Fest 12-4pm College Lane Campus 04/10/2014 Colour Fest 11-3pm De Havilland Campus 06/10/2014 15/10/2014
Club Trials - 2 weeks Get into Football Day
De Havilland Campus De Havilland Campus
Sport here at UH is a big deal: it keeps you fit, healthy, offers a place to de-stress from your work load, and it is a great way to meet friends and feel that you are a part of something. That’s why the Athletic Union and the Students’ Union work to make sure there is something for everyone! Now you are most probably thinking that Freshers Week is all about going out and drinking every night, or that’s what you’ve heard through the grapevine, however here at UH we aim to provide you with a range of activities during the day to keep you busy. We’ve got the Halls and Sports Fest on October 2nd, on College Lane, or if you’re looking for something a little more… messy, then the ColourFest is for you! It is an un-timed race in which participants are doused from head to toe in different colours. The fun continues at the end with a colour festival on deHav. There is a £5 sign up fee which includes a free t-shirt, glasses, number and a bag of paint. Follow the event with #ColourFest.
18
Sport •
Get involved with Active Students! Mercedes Brazier | Sports Sub Editor Active Students is a three year project with the aim to increase student participation in sport and physical activity as part of the Sports England Plan. UH was picked for the project due to our amazing sports facilities and we have had fantastic results so far, something we hope we can receive funding for to carry on. Active Students was created for one reason – to see if it is possible to get students enthusiastic about exercise again, and to have fun whilst doing it. The aim is to provide free, fun and informal sessions for students, that are completely catch-free.
When people hear about Active Students they keep expecting there to be a catch because it sounds a bit too good to be true, but it is genuinely just a win-win situation allowing everyone to participate in a wide range of sports and activities. Students get to come and play sport and earn rewards for doing so, showing Sports England that it is possible to get students out of bed! With the increase in tuition fees, the recession, and student loans, a lot of students just don’t have the money to pay for gym memberships and sports clubs. Student Activators
are a team of 12 UH students who help deliver the sports to students as well as doing all the promotion work to raise awareness of the programme. They are the interface between the professionals and the officials of Sports England and the students who want to get involved. They are passionate about the brand, and if they can make other students passionate about it too then that’s great! They market the idea to the student body and if they can convince people that Active Students is just as awesome as it is and get people enthusiastic about it then they are doing a good job! As Activators they get to
talk to lots of new students, have ridiculous amounts of fun, play sports, and meet the most interesting people - It really is a rewarding job! All of the coaches are professionally trained and qualified; they are paid by Sport England and are able to deliver the same quality sessions as they are trained to do for free! There are around 50 sessions available to students. These are not like your boring P.E. sessions at school that you used to dread – fun is a huge element in the planning of the sessions. That’s why there are the classics like football, basketball, rugby and tennis, but also
new exciting activities like Bollywood dancing and roller skating! The most popular sessions are the classics sports, with some people put off from the outdoor ones once the weather takes a turn for the worst and it gets darker earlier. However, they have gotten around this by moving a lot of the sessions inside and hopefully as the weather warms up everyone will be eager to get back outside again! You can check online at www.uhsport.co.uk for more information about sports at UH and the Active Students project.
• Sport 19
Trident Media
wants
YOU! Run by students for students! Great experience for your CV Fantastic facilities and equipment Meet new people with similar interests Have loads of fun! To find out more and sign up online visit us at
Trident Media provides various platforms of communication to the rest of your university. Write for the student newspaper and magazine, be a radio DJ or get your face on TV!
www.hertfordshire.su/tridentmedia
T: 01707 285005 E: vp.comms@hertfordshire.su
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Get involved today!