FRESHERS
3 things I love about you: an international student’s guide to soton
How to make halls your home away from home
Lessons from first year
EDITO R Charlotte Colombo editor@wessexscene.ac.uk DEPUTY EDITO R Hermione Cook deputy-editor@wessexscene.co.uk H EAD O F PRI NT DES I G N Sop hie Pea ch design@wessexscene.co.uk H EAD O F I MAGERY N ina Panno ne image@wessexscene.co.uk WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER K ayleigh Littlemo re HEAD OF OUTREACH Simran Mann publicity@wessexscene.co.uk H EAD O F EVENTS Nathaniel Oluwadamilola Ogunniyi events@wessexscene.co.uk SUB-EDITORS Hazel Jonckers
A NEW CHAPTER! Hi everyone! Whether you’re reading this as an escape from the buzz of events or found it discarded on a chair somewhere (press F to pay respects), let me take this opportunity to give you a warm welcome to Southampton. You might be going into your sixth year of study as a PHD student, recently arrived here from the other side of the globe or have finally left home for the very first time to start your undergraduate journey. No matter what path you took to get where you are today, and whatever stage of your University journey you’re at right now, consider this the first day of the rest of your life. Yes, I know that might sound like something your mum will have printed on her wall or something you might read in a dodgy self-help-book, but I do really think that’s true. Freshers is a peculiar time of year which, although overwhelming, is full to the brim with possibilities. You get to meet new friends, attend all these incredible events and get more free pens than you ever thought possible.
Gaby PulestonVaudrey
Everyone is keen to show you what the University has to offer, and the best thing you can do right now is fully immerse yourself in not only your studies, but also the holistic experience of University.
Jordan Truong FE ATURES EDITO R B e t h A blett features@wessexscene.co.uk CREATIVE WRITING EX E CUTIVE T illy Ro ber ts features@wessexscene.co.uk OPINI O N EDI TO R Linnea Lagerstedt opinion@wessexscene.co.uk POLITICS EDITO R Patrick Lowe politics@wessexscene.co.uk SCIENCE & TECH EDITOR Lea S o ler science@wessexscene.co.uk LIFESTYLE EDI TO R Marco Preta ra lifestyle@wessex sce ne .c o .uk IN T ERNA TIO NAL E D I TO R H e n ry S ha h international@wessexscene.co.uk T RAVEL EDI TO R Megan Crossman travel@wessexscene.co.uk SPOR TS EDITO R Luke Ebbs sport@wessexscene.co.uk PAU SE EDITO R Tom Ford pause@wessexscene.co.uk N EWS & INVESTIGA TI O N S news/investigations@ wessexscene.co.uk
You could learn a sport, try a new hobby, or get involved with the student paper (see how I slipped that cheeky plug in? You’re welcome) … Wessex Scene is not only great fun, it’s also award-winning and one of the oldest student publications in the UK. We promise prestige, great banter and a banging CV. Everything you see is the hard work of over 30 student volunteers, so Wessex Scene is the chance for you to help create something truly amazing. You’re probably getting enough information right now, so I’m not going to overload you with any more. But if you want to see your written work or illustrations published online or in print, check out our website/social media links at the bottom of this page to get in contact with us! Before you go and read these genuinely insightful and useful snapshots of the student experience, I just wanted to say that it’s ok to take time out for yourself this week. With everything going on during Freshers, you might feel a bit overwhelmed, like you’ve been caught up in this relentless, never-stopping whirlwind. But remember to look after yourself and relax too; take some time to process everything that’s going on. After all, as a wise man once said: ‘Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, you might miss it’
Your editor, CHARLOTTE COLOMBO Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this magazine belong to each author alone - Wessex Scene is a neutral publication which aims to publish views from across the student body. To respond with an opposing opinion, please contact opinion@wessexscene.co.uk or join our Opinion Writers’ Group.
FRONT COVER IMAGE BY Sophie Peach FRESHERS
Kenny Field
Ben Dolbear
Imy Brighty-Potts
FEATURES LESSONS FROM FIRST YEAR 04 JOIN A SOCIETY! 06
OPINION 11 WHY JESTERS REALLY IS THE PALACE OF DREAMS 12 UNDER PRESSURE: FRESHERS SEASON AND THE THREAT OF #STUDENTLIFE 13 DOES RECORDING LECTURES INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY OR ENABLE LAZINESS?
SCIENCE & TECH 19 HOW DOES READING ABILITY CONTRIBUTE TO THE GENDER GAP IN STEM? 20 DON’T WORRY ABOUT YOUR CAREER IN STEM!
INTERNATIONAL 24 3 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT YOU: AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT’S GUIDE TO SOTON
LIVING INDEPENDENTLY AT 07 UNIVERSITY GOING TO A UNI IN A CITY YOU’VE 08 NEVER SET FOOT IN: MY CLEARING EXPERIENCE A WARM WELCOME 09
POLITICS SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT: LABOUR 15 SOCIETY THE GREAT FREE SPEECH DEBATE 17 POLITICAL PROFILES 18
LIFESTYLE HOW TO MAKE HALLS YOUR HOME 21 AWAY FROM HOME BEST RESTAURANTS IN 22 SOUTHAMPTON 2 SIMPLE RECIPES THAT DON’T 23 COME FROM A TIN
TRAVEL IT’S NOT TOO LATE: HOW TO ADD A 27 YEAR ABROAD TO YOUR DEGREE WHERE I WENT THIS SUMMER
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31 A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO WEIGHTLIFTING 33 FOOTBALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
PAUSE A TOTALLY RELIABLE GUIDE TO 34 SOUTHAMPTON A SIMPLE CONTRACT FOR EVERY 35 UOS STUDENT
W ESSEX SCENE. CO . UK @ W ES S E XS CE NE FRESHERS
F B . C OM / W S C E N E @OF F IC IAL W E S S E X S C E N E 3
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Lessons From First Year Your first year of university is the tutorial phase of higher education and, quite often, adulthood. It’s a clumsy, volatile period, but this uncertainty holds as much opportunity as it does liability. Here are my reflections as one of last year’s fresh faces, bearing advice for the Freshers of 2019/20. First year doesn’t count—so use this time wisely As everyone will be eager to tell you, ‘first year doesn’t count.’ Your flatmates will remind you of this through a roguish grin, as bottles appear on the table and they settle on tonight’s motive. You’ll hear it from upper-years in the wistful tones of a retired athlete during their advice on how to spend your first year. And they’re right, it doesn’t count towards your eventual degree classification. But if you’re at university for the right reasons, you’ll bear in mind that it definitely counts as the foundation of your academic success. First year is your opportunity to settle on your workflow: how you work best, where you work best, and when you work best. The library or your room? Lunchtime or after hours? Taking notes before, during or after lectures—if at all? There are many more questions. Figuring out early on how to be productive will serve you in the years ahead when your workload grows in both quantity and significance. Depending on what you’re studying, your first year is between a fifth to a third of your progress at university. Have fun, but don’t miss out on reaching your potential. There’s time for your needs This goes out especially (but not exclusively) to medics, engineers, and the rest of us maxing out on contact hours between lectures, labs and tutorials. There is time for breakfast. There is time to meet up. There is time to stay within budget and cook dinner at home. There is time to go to the gym or attend that practice session. There is always time for life 4
outside of education. Tempting as it may be under a surge of deadlines and contact hours, never treat your wellbeing as optional. Health and satisfaction are the root of productivity - without them, you’ll find yourself constantly restless. Maintain a life and tasks outside of your coursework and you’ll be more receptive whenever you sit down to work. That’s how you save time: being functional.
Whatever happens, you can make up the difference Something will happen. Maybe you’ll drink too much one night and skip a crucial lecture your second week in (or an entire day’s worth, like I managed). Maybe you’ll get food poisoning and for a week you’ll struggle to walk 6 minutes to the nearest Co-op for meds and food, let alone face your coursework. Maybe it’s the winter weather that’ll do you in, be it through flu or seasonal depression. Something will happen and all of a sudden, you won’t be at your best. When it happens, don’t spiral. While you’re in the thick of it, your first and only priority should be your recovery. After that, your go-to is the holy trinity: Blackboard, your Personal Tutor, and your department’s Student Office. Be sure to register with your nearest GP as soon as you’ve settled in Southampton - you want easy access to a doctor’s note.
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Blackboard (or any internal equivalent) is where course notes, materials and recordings are archived; your Personal Tutor is who makes note of disruptions to your studies and coaches you accordingly; the Student Office is where you can apply for special consideration, including extensions and resits. You have more resources than you realise or will remember. There’s a near-literal tonne of resources and helplines within the University for both the short and long term, which is as reassuring as it is overwhelming. Spanning mental health, academic skills, financial support, legal advice and more, you won’t find out about them all in one place and you certainly won’t memorise the list. Good news: you shouldn’t need to. Between SUSU representatives, halls receptionists, faculty staff (especially Personal and Senior Tutors) and the Internet, finding a lifeline should just be a matter of strategic questioning. Look out for leaflets and posters in the background as well; every now and then, pause and take a proper look so that you can keep them in the back of your mind.
Show up. To events, to tasters, on applications— literally just show up. The biggest takeaway from first year is that you have more experience and initiative than you realise, and most opportunities will meet you halfway as a beginner. New experiences, new hobbies and new connections always await you in the background; the key to constant fulfilment is to keep surprising yourself. Good luck, newbie.
WORDS BY FARIDA YUSUF IMAGES BY SUPRIYA BHONSLE (VIA MIXKIT) & AVILA DIANA CHIDUME
Need a day off? Don’t ask yourself twice Fact #1: Full-time education is taxing. Fact #2: Independence is freedom as to how much time and energy you spend meeting your commitments. Now is when you’ll discover how to use (versus abuse) this autonomy. You won’t be at your peak 24/7. You’ll have those days where the weekend seems too far away. Sometimes, you’ll just need to skip something; as long as you’re not jeopardising anyone and you can make up for it later, there’s nothing inherently fatal about working around your own mood from time to time. Guilt is a useless emotion when you’re the only party involved. Show up, ask questions later How do you run into all the life-changing activities and discoveries you’re promised during your time at uni? FRESHERS
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JOIN A SOCIETY!
‘Join a society!’ is a phrase you’ll have probably heard before even starting at university - most likely from family and friends who have already graduated or are still attending. Even if you have not heard this before, it is something that, when you start at university, you will find is highly encouraged by events such as Bunfight, which displays the University of Southampton’s 200+ societies. My biggest regret at university is the fact that I did not join a society until the second semester of my first year. However, joining a society saved my university experience as, if I had not done so, I would not be surrounded by the amazing friends I have now. I may have even dropped out. Coming to university, I was already not in the best headspace, but I was determined to change this. Due to starting at university earlier, many people I knew from back home had already made new friends in their halls, so I was excited to do the same. However, what I learnt about halls is that it is very much a lucky dip. Now that I look back on it, I know that sometimes, there are people that you simply do not connect with; and that’s okay, its simply a fact of life. What made things worse was that I saw people I was close with get on with their flatmates and, if I am being honest, I was jealous of them. Despite feeling this way, I still had hope that things would change. Bunfight finally came around and I got to see the societies the University has to offer. I went and picked up pamphlets, flyers and business cards from over 20 stalls, but I did not join any of them. For whatever reason, I just felt like the energy and determination I needed to change the headspace I was in was completely drained, so I did nothing. I love doing my History degree, but having only 7 scheduled hours a week meant that I had a lot of free time and nothing to do with it. I found myself feeling lost and not knowing what to do, as I thought I had left it too late to do anything.
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By January, a few things had changed. I was lucky enough to have met someone on my degree that introduced me to their flat, and most of them became my second year, and now third year, house mates. Despite now knowing more people at the University, I still felt like I did not belong. At the end of January, I decided I was going to stop feeling sorry for myself and finally message one of the societies I had visited during Bunfight. I had done debate in both secondary school and college, so I decided that the University of Southampton Debating Union would be the perfect fit. I found their Facebook page and messaged: ‘Hello, I’m really interested in joining this society and was just wondering if I still can because it looks like a lot of fun. Thank you.’ Although this message is a tad cringe for me to look back on now, it is the best message I have ever sent. By joining Debate, I saw myself become happier. I am now the President of the society that completely changed my university experience for the better. It is also the reason I became a committee member for Wessex Scene, as it gave me the confidence to join other societies. So, if I could give advice to anyone starting university, it would be to join a society! If you do not join one straight away like I did, then also know that it is never too late to join one. Even if you are lucky enough to make friends in halls, it is always worth making as many more as you can, as well as giving yourself a chance to find new interests or develop ones you already have. Ultimately, societies are a massive part of your university experience and are something you do not want to miss out on.
WORDS BY KAYLEIGH LITTLEMORE IMAGE BY TILLY ROBERTS
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LIVING INDEPENDENTLY AT UNIVERSITY At 18 looking at universities, I couldn’t think of anything more exciting than getting away from home. As great as my relationship is with my parents, I was desperate for independence and my own life far away. When the time came to look at universities, I didn’t look at anywhere remotely close to me. In fact, the closest place was a threeand-a-half hour drive away, and that was just to appease my parents who desperately wanted me to consider somewhere closer. Southampton is at least an eight hour drive, or five-and-ahalf hours, two trains and £100, away from home. Usually I take the cheap twelve hour bus option, which I definitely did not consider when looking at universities, although having made the friends that I have it is all worth it. My first taste of independence was on my gap year travelling, where I was surviving off the cheapest possible two-minute noodles because I was poor and had zero experience of cooking for myself. Two years deep into university I think I have finally started to learn how to live successfully with this independence.
you can bang a meal in the microwave, and you’re sorted. Budgeting, I will admit (and all of my friends will tell you) is not my strong suit. I have a reputation for forever struggling to get out of my overdraft. If you do plan on sticking to a budget, I have a few tips on what not to do. Don’t live on ready meals and takeaways. Instead, as above, cook for yourself. If you order the Uber, make sure you’re vigilant in asking for money from the other passengers. It may seem awkward and a bit stupid as ‘oh, it’s only £1.50 each, that’s nothing, it’s on me’, but trust me, it adds up fast. We’re all poor students; people will understand. Don’t buy things you don’t need. As tempting as a new mug, a new outfit, or a new book may seem, remember you do have to buy food to survive and you will no doubt want that money for a night out.
Try to plan ahead. You no longer have mum pestering you to do your homework, reminding you about appointments or buying shampoo before you’ve realised it’s run out. Keep a diary. Write down deadlines and exams and a to-do list. What seminar preparation needs to be done? When for? Prioritise. It is hard at university, but if you can keep If, like me, you were rarely forced to make family meals, on top of things for as long as possible, it helps massively. you may feel a little out of your depth when you make it Don’t let a deadline catch up on you. to university. I spent a lot of first year living on smoothies, chicken nuggets and cereal. If you do want to get into Ultimately, living independently is great and a wonderful cooking, I suggest finding recipes online or searching taster of what is to come. Sometimes, being independent through your parents’ old cookbooks. Make a list of what is a lot and it’s scary - but, whilst you may wish you were you need, buy it and then, my greatest tip: cook in bulk. back at home, once you are home for a little while you will Cook like you’re cooking for at least four people - I usually realise how liberating university really is. double up. Meals can be easily portioned - put some in the fridge for the next couple of days and the rest in the freezer. WORDS BY MEGAN CROSSMAN That way the next time you have had a long day (or are maybe hungover) and you really don’t feel like cooking, IMAGE BY AIMEE ORCHEL
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Going to a Uni in a City You’ve Never Set Foot In: My Clearing Experience Results Day was a stressful experience for everyone. Whether you got the grades you wanted, completely missed the mark, got into your first choice or just got into your insurance, it was very stressful. I got in, had made my decisions, was going to my first choice - then, I took a minute and realised that I didn’t want to. So, there I am, looking at my results with my mum. She’s really proud of me, and I am too. With the amount of work I had done, I didn’t really understand how I had pulled off those grades. I breathed a sigh of relief - I was going to a good Russell Group university, to do a tricky degree. It was the university all of my family had really rooted for, and I liked it too. It would’ve been the icing on the cake after my years at school and sixth form. But I had this overwhelming feeling that I just didn’t want to go to my firm or my insurance. So, I was released into Clearing, and there were a lot of questions and raised eyebrows from my family and friends.
write, make amazing friends from around the world and minor in Creative Writing alongside my Philosophy and Politics degree. There is such a stigma at A-Level about going through clearing, not getting into the best possible university and going to somewhere you’ve never been to Open or Applicant Days for. But if you end up in a city you’ve never been in, you can still have an amazing and fulfilling university experience.
In to Clearing I went and it was a minefield of long phone calls, paperwork and worry. I got offered a spot at Loughborough, the wrong paperwork was sent to me, and it got to the end of August, nearly September, before we knew there had been a mistake. So, I was back in Clearing. Now, however, there wasn’t much left. So I just put my course into the website, up came Southampton, and I had the right grades. I told my mum and she just urged me to go for it. And I did. I had never been to Southampton before, except to go to the airport, but once I got here, I knew I’d made the right choice. The perfect combination of city and campus, brilliant halls environments, amazing transport, and a course I genuinely like. It has given me opportunities to join so many societies, work for the Students’ Union, do shows,
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WORDS BY IMY BRIGHTY-POTTS IMAGE BY CRONULLA FOLK (VIA MIXKIT)
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CREATIVE WRITING
A WA R M WELCOME! Tread lightly, they can hear the doors slam. But dance madly at Jesters till 3am if you can
All you happy freshers, So glad to be free, Shed your parental parenthesis, Get your very own key
To blurry nights, and early rises, Girly fights, and drinking prizes. Let the first year knock your socks off, Please, you’ve earned it, and you’ve paid your fees
It’s a magical time to be alive, At 3 am in McDonald’s drivethrough, September to Christmas, It’s not long! Fill it with learning, and many a song!
WORDS BY TILLY ROBERTS IMAGE BY NINA PANNONE
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OPINION
Why Jesters Really Is The Palace of Dreams Your years in Southampton will be full of amazing memories: some sober memories and some not sober memories. As a student, a lot of your evenings will probably be spent in one of Southampton’s many pubs, clubs or bars - a student favourite being Jesters. Often known amongst students as our ‘Unofficial Students’ Union’, it truly is iconic; some would even go as far as to call it ‘The Palace of Dreams’.
Jesticles The Jesticle, with its top-secret recipe, is specific to Jesters. With its signature colours and various alcoholic ingredients, this pint cocktail will set you back £4. A Jesticle is like budget rocket-fuel: it’s cheap, has a taste you’ll get used to and rest assured it will get your night started very quickly. The best thing is that the minimum card charge in Jesters is £5, so you basically have to buy two!
Dressing fancy is not encouraged, but fancy dress is Toilets One of the main reasons why Jesters is the best club in Southampton is that there is absolutely no pressure to dress fancy. In fact, it is recommended that you invest in a pair of ‘Jesters shoes’: these are cheap, flat, closed-toe shoes that you can cope with saying goodbye to after 3-5 visits… Yes, this means that Jesters is a bit grim, but it’s a special kind of grim - a grimness that keeps drawing you back. To sum it up, Jesters is a club where ‘Shit Shirt Nights’ are encouraged and tight bodycon dresses and heels are most definitely not. This makes it the most perfect low effort, last minute night out. Practically free entry for the whole year Entry to Jesters is actually £4; however, if you complete the ‘Jesters Gold Card Challenge’, you gain free entry into Jesters for a whole year. The Jesters gold card challenge requires you to spend 12 hours in The Palace of Dreams… if you stay for the full 12-hour-stint, you’ll earn yourself a prestigious Jesters Gold Card and free entry for the whole year.
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They say that women never go to toilet alone, and with the ‘twobicles’ in Jesters, you literally never have to! These are cubicles with two toilets in them, so although they’re not for the shy gals amongst us, they’re great for when you can’t do up that playsuit you’re wearing. It’s also a useful way to get to know your new flatmate really quickly. The Post-Jesters Munch For kebabs, cheesy chips or chicken nuggets, Chick-oLand is the place to go. However, if you fancy a more sophisticated end to your evening, then take a stroll to Manzils for your £6.95 student curry deal and meet the legend that is Tariq Manzil.
WORDS BY AMY PENN IMAGE BY ALIVIA OSBORN
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UNDER PRESSURE: FRESHERS S E A S O N A N D T H E T H R E AT O F
#STUDENTLIFE
If I think back to the summer of 2016, I remember walking around open days at different universities, conjuring up images in my head of the “uni life” that everyone seems to experience; an expectation aided by student hall windows lined with alcohol bottles resembling trophies of a night out. It feels as though this innate expectation manifests itself when we step over the threshold and become part of the student community and feel the pressure to mimic behaviour we’ve digested, consciously or not, on TV, film, and through mainstream media. But what happens when the reality of your university life doesn’t match up to this expectation fed to so many of us? Apart from a brief stint during Freshers, my social life at university appears on paper as a dramatic shift - almost a rebellion-against those around me. This rebellion in my eyes, also included my three siblings - all of whom have been and done their time at university. Like most, I felt compelled to be a typical Fresher and take part in the socially constructed induction into student life; drinking until I couldn’t walk in a straight line to the club, sitting in a toilet cubicle smiling to yourself (the clearest indicator of alcohol intake and lack of sobriety), and deciding at 3am it was time to get chips and fall face-first into bed. Post-Freshers induction, I didn’t continue with the #StudentLife, and the insecurity of that quickly set in. Even after two years at university, there is still a social pressure to adhere to the student stereotype which is propelled, like so many things today, by the rise of social media. Fifteen years ago, my sister was a student and social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, which promote
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instant sharing of every moment, didn’t exist. Though photos from her nights out found themselves eventually on Facebook, it was a process to get them there: digital cameras were taken to the club, the photos transferred to her four-inch-thick Dell laptop and then, eventually, were uploaded to MySpace or Facebook. She wasn’t able to see every other minute what her friends across the country were doing, but I can. This dramatic shift in socialising and technology is the perfect breeding ground for insecurities. This constant comparison to other people that (try as we might to avoid it) happens on a daily basis makes us think that everyone is having a better time than we are - and when it comes to the student life, I was able to see people perfectly matching the societal expectation when I wasn’t. Two years into my student life and there are still minor moments of insecurity, but in general there is a lack of care for this social trope that really carries no significance. However, this pressure will continue to exist among those heading to university for the first time as the majority continue to publish the stereotypical student life on social media. Perhaps more people talking about their “boring” experiences of #StudentLife can help to lift the pressure and propagate the realisation that being a student is whatever you want it to be. So, with Freshers season in the air, the only big sister advice I would dish out would be to live your student life however you want to live it, doing whatever makes you happy.
WORDS BY ZARAH AKHAVAN-MOOSSAVI IMAGE BY HERMIONE COOK
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OPINION
DOES RECORDING LECTURES INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY OR ENABLE LAZINESS? As it currently stands, the recording of lectures is not a mandatory requirement in any one of the University’s departments. Subsequently, as a student with a disability, I find it hard to believe that there are subjects I wouldn’t have been able to study, simply because of a lack of accessibility. The lack of accessibility to universities is a worldwide issue for people with disabilities, and the lack of access to recorded lectures is merely a drop in the ocean of the countless limitations disabled students face. Also, it is not only these students who often rely on recorded content: those with mental health problems and learning differences also need access to these types of resources. Due to my disability, I was able to secure a Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA), which provided me with my own recording equipment. During my first year, I was able to attend pretty much all of my lectures: however, in many of them I faced issues concentrating, staying awake, and understanding the content. As I still managed to get to the lectures I was able to record them myself, but this factor was aided by the fact my student accommodation was close to where I would have my lectures. In my second year, I’m not going to be as close and won’t have a free bus pass to utilise, so on days when I’m feeling really fatigued, I may be less likely to be able to make it out of the house to attend my lectures. Ultimately, if this were to happen, I would come to rely on recorded lectures or face falling behind. This story is all too familiar to other students like myself who face daily struggles with disability and mental health. I believe that being able to access recorded content is fundamentally important to the academic success of these students. It’s a simple fix, yet many departments still struggle to understand the importance of consistently providing access to recorded content. After talking to fellow students, I found out that some ‘lecturers were definitely discouraged’ by their departments to record their lectures as a method of incentivising attendance. Quite frankly, I think this is a terrible way to encourage attendance. If it’s felt that actions like this are needed, then maybe the lecturers should be thinking FRESHERS
of ways to make their topics more interesting rather than creating a standard practice of inaccessibility. In all likelihood, many students who would frequently miss lectures would do so regardless of whether or not the content was available online. Now, that’s not to say that all departments are as ableist as each other. Several people I spoke to shared good experiences, where all lectures are recorded, with some lecturers even opting to provide transcripts to their students. In my experience, it’s been a mixed bag. In my first semester, I had a lecturer who would record his own audio and input it into his presentations, which were uploaded to Blackboard. Whilst, at the same time, I had a lecturer who didn’t even know how to use Panopto (the university’s recording software), and would regularly upload recordings with no audio attached. Ultimately, the University should ensure teaching staff are trained properly to use Panopto, or other recording equipment/software if necessary. By doing this, the quality of study for all students, not just those with disabilities, learning differences and mental health problems, would be improved.
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Society Spotlight:
Labour Society
Disclaimer: Wessex Scene are not affiliated with any political party or society. The political views of this society do not reflect Wessex Scene. The Southampton University Labour Society (SULS) is the political society on campus representing students who align with the values of the Labour Party at both the University of Southampton and Southampton Solent University. We have meetings every Monday at 6:30 pm in Building 58 (Murray Building). Our meetings cover a range of important issues such as climate change, where we have hosted speakers from Extinction Rebellion, Sweatshop Free, and People and Planet. These events have been very successful as they can give different perspectives, greater awareness, and useful campaigning skills. It’s also a great way for Southampton students to get involved in national debates and demonstrations! The committee delivers meetings which are centred around what Labour means for students and what we can do, particularly as student politics is so important in today’s society. We have also held discussions on topics like Universal Basic Income and anti-Semitism, where external speakers and experts made the meetings even more interesting.
have included women’s rights, sexual consent awareness, neurodiversity, climate change, and LGBT+ rights. We like to bring in speakers to show different perspectives and provide first-hand accounts. Finally, there are loads of fun socials we put on throughout the academic year like the PMQs Drinking Game, where we watch PMQs and drink if certain things happen, like if Bercow shouts ‘order’! We also do loads of movie nights and BBQs, which are always fun. Our tradition is that we always go to the pub after meetings, but any social suggestions are also welcome! The committee this year are Joel Jordan (President), Parth Pandya (Vice-President and Welfare & Equity Officer), Elliot Alexander (Treasurer), Tori Crawshaw (Secretary), Harry McSweeney (Membership and Publicity Officer), Patrick Lowe (Events and Campaigns Officer & Liberation Officer) and Jack Gilpin (Social Secretary). We would all be open to any suggestions you guys may have! Do you want your society to be the focus of our next ‘Society Spotlight’ feature? Get in touch with our Features Editor at features@wessexscene.co.uk.
The Labour Party is a central focus for our meetings, and local councillors or representatives from the national party come regularly to discuss themes both local and national. Maintaining local links is really important so we always help out the party with door-knocking, the local elections, and community workshops like Southampton Transformed. This is where we can have a direct impact and talk to the Southampton community about what Labour can do for them. Last year, our society introduced liberation meetings which occur once a fortnight. These are designed to be a safe space to improve awareness and campaigning LGBT+ considering specific social issues. Previous meetings
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LGBT+ FEATURES
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FEATURES | POLITICS
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The great free speech Debate In an era of populism, growing political extremism, and continuing rampant discrimination, there is increasing concern about how to manage difficult political conversations within British universities. Universities have long been a bastion of free speech, but many feel that this has been misused. Others, meanwhile, feel that free speech is a non-negotiable right which is heavily endangered. Universities pride themselves in containing a broad spectrum of political ideas, and Southampton is no exception. The University of Southampton’s student body presents a diverse range of political ideologies, from Conservatives to Marxists. Other cross-party societies include the Politics Society, the Debating Union, and Logos, a free speech discussion group. Some, however, see the tradition of free speech at universities as being under attack and a variety of policies are blamed for contributing to this alleged decline. For instance, universities and student unions have been involved in ‘no-platforming’, in which certain speakers and organisations have been banned from participating in university events because of their political beliefs. By extension, many universities have also implemented policies creating ‘safe-spaces’, whereby vulnerable students are protected from hateful speech and triggers. But how well do the University of Southampton and the students’ union (SUSU) protect free speech? Spiked, a pro-free speech magazine, has ranked British universities and student unions according to how well they protect free speech. The University of Southampton has been awarded an ‘amber’ status, which Spiked puts down to the university having policies which have hampered free speech on campus. This included banning a conference at the university which was critical of Israel back in 2016, effectively no-platforming them. Nonetheless, in the university’s code of practice, the university states it is committed to ensuring people of all political beliefs are not denied access to the university. Meanwhile, SUSU received a ‘green’ status, with there being no evidence of censorship by the union. This compares favourably with the rest of the UK’s student unions, with only 12% being given the same green ranking by Spiked.
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Logos is perhaps the society most associated with free speech at Southampton University, with events usually involving one speaker presenting their opinions, followed by a question and answer from the audience. Logos heavily emphasises the importance of free speech in its organisation, describing itself as ‘a discussion group, committed to free speech’. It has often aired controversial topics, such as abortion, as well as inviting controversial speakers such as Peter Hitchens. From the perspective of free speech activists, free speech is an essential part of university life which helps develop academic vigour and understanding amongst students. Nonetheless, some argue that the threat posed to free speech has been exaggerated. Free speech, it is argued, should not apply to those who seek to ‘misuse’ it for negative purposes, at the detriment of wider society. This would mean excluding groups which, for example, indict violence, something the university’s code of practice does. Free speech advocates are right: free speech is often targeted at British universities. However, this comes at a time when political extremism is on the rise, and some argue that free speech can be exploited. Ideally, a middle ground needs to be reached on campus, where lively debates occurs but are done with respect for all groups of students. Although Southampton hasn’t always ensured free speech is protected, both SUSU and the university have tried hard to preserve it. Lively free speech and participation in student politics exist, but equally the university tries to make all students feel welcome on campus.
WORDS BY GABRIEL STIRLING IMAGE BY SHANNON WHITELOCK
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Political Profiles:
Steve Brine, Royston Smith, Alan Whitehead and Caroline Nokes The University of Southampton’s Highfield campus sits within the boundaries of the Southampton Test constituency. Meanwhile, the constituency of Winchester encompasses the Winchester School of Art. I will proceed to shortly summarise the records of MPs who represent Southampton and Winchester students. Southampton Test Southampton Test is the seat currently held by the Labour Party’s Alan Whitehead MP, who has held it since 1997. In 2017, Whitehead’s majority increased from 3,810 to 11,508. He gained 27,509 votes (58.7%) in a turnout of 66.8%. During his years in Government (under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown), Whitehead largely voted with the whip, although he made two significant rebellions. Firstly, he voted against renewing the Trident nuclear weapons system (unsurprisingly, due to his previous membership of Southampton’s Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament). Secondly, he voted against the Iraq War. In Opposition, Whitehead has been a member of several select committees and Groups - including the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, in which he currently sits. In 2016, he supported Owen Smith during that year’s Labour Party leadership election. He is also a member of the UK Parliamentary (Men’s) Football Team. Winchester The constituency of Winchester is the seat of Steve Brine MP, a Conservative and Unionist who has held the seat since 2010. In 2017 he held it with a majority of 9,999. Brine received 29,729 votes, which was 52.0% of those cast, in a turnout for his constituency of 78.8%. During the Coalition years of 2010-2015, Brine almost always voted on the Government’s side. However, Brine has since rebelled a little more often, such as voting against investigations into the Iraq War. He also voted against same-sex marriage. After having campaigned to Remain in the European Union, Brine has since voted 18
consistently against continued membership, as part of voting with the Government. In March 2019, he resigned from the Government (in which he had been a Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State for Health with special responsibility for public health and GPs) due to his disagreement with the Government’s Brexit policy. Southampton Itchen Southampton Itchen has been represented by Conservative and Unionist MP Royston Smith since 2015. In 2017, Smith held the seat with a majority of just 31, meaning this seat is not safe for the Conservatives. Smith received 21,773 votes (46.5%) in a turnout of 65.2%. Royston Smith MP is in favour of leaving the European Union and campaigned for Brexit during the referendum. He was one of 72 Conservative MPs who, personally deriving an income from renting out properties, voted against a January 2016 amendment proposed by Labour which would have required private landlords to make their homes ‘fit for human habitation’. Romsey and Southampton North The final of the four local constituencies, Romsey and Southampton North, is the seat of the Conservative and Unionist Party’s Caroline Nokes (as it has been since its creation in 2010). Caroline Nokes MP held the seat in 2017 with a majority of 18,006, having received 28,668 votes (57.1%) of those cast, in a turnout of 74.7%. Caroline Nokes MP was first voted into Parliament in 2010, and her maiden speech was on the topic of a High Skilled Economy. In 2014, she was declared the ‘most responsive MP’ by an independent survey of all 650 constituency MPs (completed by the think tank mySociety), in which she gave a ‘response rate of 100%’. During the EU referendum of 2016, Nokes backed Remain. However, following the result, she voted with the government on its Brexit position. Since Boris Johnson MP became Prime Minister, Nokes has returned to the backbenches.
WORDS BY ALEC TAYLOR-DURANT
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FEATURES |&OPINION | POLITICS SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY
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How Does Reading Ability Contribute to the Gender Gap in STEM? It is widely acknowledged that science, technology, engineering, and maths (collectively known as STEM) have historically been male-dominated fields. Although women are now encouraged to study STEM subjects and progress into a STEM career, there remains a clear gender divide.
While the study did not focus on comparing the academic abilities of boys and girls, it did suggest that boys perform slightly better than girls in maths. Despite this, the difference was not statistically significant, accounting for less than 10% of the gender gap in STEM careers. This gender difference in maths performance is so small that it However, in order to close the gender gap in STEM, we first cannot single-handedly explain the gender gap that is so need to understand why it exists. commonly seen in STEM. Many factors contribute to this gender gap. For one, STEM has long been perceived as a non-feminine career field. In fact, some reports suggest that in TV and film, male characters are twice as likely to be seen in a STEM role than female characters. High levels of gender-based discrimination are also reported by women in STEM. One example of this can be seen through Sir Tim Hunt’s comments made at the 2015 World Conference of Science Journalists regarding female presence in the lab. At this conference, he commented that ‘three things happen when they are in the lab: you fall in love with them, they fall in love with you, and when you criticise them they cry’ Although his remarks may have been intended as light-hearted, they expressed the deep-rooted stereotypes held about women in STEM, even by those well regarded in their field.
So what could be contributing to the gender gap? A comparison of students’ maths and reading abilities revealed a significantly larger difference in females compared to males. It turns out that girls are, on average, just as good at maths as boys. However, their reading ability tends to be much greater than their maths ability. Because of this, a trend has been observed in which girls steer towards the subjects that they are better at, such as reading-centred subjects, regardless of how well they perform in maths. As expected, students in the assessment who chose to pursue maths as a subject and future career path were more likely to be male. The study claims that the difference between girls’ relative abilities in maths and reading could explain up to 80% of the gender gap in STEM subjects and careers.
A recent study by Thomas Breda and Clotilde Napp, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has This highlights a potential area that needs addressing in revealed another factor that may be contributing to the order to encourage women into STEM. Students are often under-representation of women in STEM. praised for their strongest abilities, which may lead to their other achievements not being recognised and celebrated. The data was collected through the Program of International While it is natural to follow a career path that highlight Student Assessment - a series of tests and careers-based your strengths, it is important to realise that being good questionnaires conducted every 3 years. The assessment, at maths and being good at reading are not mutually covering 64 countries, involved 300,000 students of 15 exclusive. Plenty of reading-focused careers involve the years of age - an age which was recognised as the time when analytical and problem-solving abilities that underpin students begin to start planning for their futures. STEM subjects, especially research and management roles. Likewise, reading and communication skills are essential to succeed in STEM.
WORDS BY HANNAH TAYLOR IMAGE BY GEORGIA BISHOP
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Don’t worry about your career in STEM! ‘Where will that take you?’, ‘What do you plan to do after?’, ‘So, you’re gonna get a well-paid job, right?’, and ‘Do you like research?’ are just some of the questions you will inevitably be asked over and over again as soon as you mention you’re a STEM student... It’s a rough life. And all too often it feels like you need to have it all figured out else you’ll be pushed around onto certain paths that you only have vague ideas of. Well, I’m here to tell you not to worry.
But wait, there’s more! You may be surprised to hear that those aren’t the only options after you graduate. With skills like scientific literacy, research abilities, and problemsolving, not to mention all of the technical skills and knowledge you are taught along the way, STEM degrees are rightfully recognised as being very employable in fields unrelated to your degree subjects, such as finance and management - which, admittedly, does have a certain When applying, I remember looking at the all-important reputation. “subject-related employment” and “further study” percentages of graduates, as if I had a plan for after graduation. The truth What if none of those has piqued your interest? It’s always is, it’s quite ridiculous trying to predict where you’ll end up in possible to use your passion for science and the abilities your career before you’ve even enrolled in your course. you pick up as an undergraduate to make real change in the way science affects society! Science communication is Perhaps, like me, you pictured completing a PHD after your an area that is picking up gravitas, teaching both the public degree and sailing through academia? Or maybe, instead, you and professionals about science and research, as well as imagined that as a graduate you’d do an internship and then places like the Office for Science; which advises the highest rise through the ranks of an industrial career? Or possibly, you ranking policymakers in government on evidence-based didn’t think of either of those things and you don’t know what decisions that affect finance, legislation and society as a you want to do. Maybe you just love the subject? Anything but whole. selling your soul and going into finance, right? Final thoughts? Don’t stress over what comes after your Don’t leave university! Do a PhD, then work your way up to degree; enjoy the three or four years you’ll spend here. become anything from teaching associate to tutor, research Don’t listen to those who say ‘first year doesn’t count’, since assistant to research fellow, or even assistant lecturer to that advice normally sets you up to fail (literally), and professor. instead use the freedom of first year to learn how to study and prepare yourself for everything that comes next. And Leave university! Either with a bachelors or masters, go into finally, don’t be afraid to engage in the artsy-fartsy stuff industry - that magical term which is thrown about so often in like student media, performing arts societies, and the reference to STEM careers. Working in industry as a graduate other things that often draw an eye roll from typical STEM leads you to a huge array of jobs from a developer to a kind students. of analyst to a specialist engineer to some sort of “ologist”... WORDS BY KENDALL FIELD-PELLOW The options are endless. You can also enter industry as a postgraduate and bypass the lower-level positions. Summer IMAGE BY NINA PANNONE and graduate internship programmes are the perfect gateway to these careers and give you the chance to decide what you prefer.
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FEATURES | OPINION | POLITICS | SCIENCE & TECH | LIFESTYLE | INTERNATIONAL | TRAVEL | SPORT FRESHERS
How to make Halls your Home away from Home Halls may seem like the furthest thing away from your 1. Real plants. Small, potted plants or flowers are easy to bedroom at home, but this room of furniture is the perfect manage and add a lot of life to a room without needing to blank canvas to do whatever you want! splash too much cash. Cacti are a good place to start, as if you forget to water them or leave them over the holidays, Lighting they won’t die on you immediately. In halls, the lighting is pretty simple. It usually consists of one main light on the ceiling which is either blindingly bright or pretty dull, depending on the last time the bulb was changed. However, there are many quick, easy (and cheap!) solutions to create a well-lit space.
2. Artificial plants. If you’re not green fingered at all, artificial flowers can inject a pop of colour and they are guaranteed to survive. TOP TIP: Start with artificial flowers or plants as an experiment, before committing to the real thing.
1. Fairy lights. The staple of any university room. Whether they are around your bed, hanging on your noticeboard Remember that this is the ideal opportunity to put your or framing your window, there is a place for fairy lights in stamp on your own space. This is your chance to make halls every bedroom, and they help to create a really relaxing your home away from home! atmosphere. TOP TIP: Make sure they are battery powered, as plug-in lights are not allowed in halls. 2. Lamps. In my first year room I had two lamps,:one for my bedside table and one for my desk. They allow you to choose where and how much lighting there is in the room, which always helps when doing work or just watching Netflix in bed. TOP TIP:Look out for the deals at the start of university! You can get lamps very cheaply from Argos, which you can Click & Collect for free from Sainsbury’s Portswood. Photos and Posters A simple, but effective, way of filling the blank walls is by using either photos or posters. 1. Photos. Why keep all of your photos stuck in your camera roll? Why not get them printed and cover your walls in precious memories? Download a photo printing app, like FreePrints, which allows you to print 45 free photos a month from your phone that are delivered to you for a small delivery fee. You can then pin these up on your noticeboard or use frames. TOP TIP: Use Command Strips to attach frames to walls. They stick on very easily and leave no marks when removed. 2. Posters. Every year during Freshers week, there is a poster sale on campus. They offer a wide selection of posters, from arty prints to film posters. Posters are a great way to fill empty space on your walls. TOP TIP: Don’t use Blu Tack on your walls. Make sure you use White Tack to avoid leaving any marks. Flowers and Plants Bring the outdoors indoors with some house plants, whether they are real or artificial.
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WORDS BY MEGAN GAEN IMAGE BY SOPHIE PERCY 21
LGBT+ FRESHERS
B E ST R E STA U RA N T S I N S O U T H A M P TO N Moving to Southampton can be daunting. Being a bustling city with so many cafés, bars and restaurants means that the hunt for a good burger can seem like searching for a needle in a haystack. But to make things a little easier, I have narrowed down my top student-friendly restaurants which, as a self-proclaimed foodie, I highly recommend trying out with your friends! The Bridge The Bridge is one of my favourite spots to study and grab lunch. It is conveniently located on campus in Building 42 and is run by SUSU. The coffee is the cheapest on campus, which means that fuelling a study session doesn’t break the bank. The food is reasonably priced and there are a wide variety of dishes, from calzone to sweet potato chip butties. There is also a meal deal on popular lunch dishes which includes a soft drink. The Bridge do a fantastic Sunday roast, as well as Quiz and Curry nights which are great fun. Consequently, the Bridge is a student favourite. It is a great place to meet up with friends between lectures and is the perfect spot to study, as well as somewhere to enjoy the 2-4-1 cocktails in the evening! 7Bone Burgers I would argue that 7Bone do the best burgers in town. Located on Portswood Road, a 5 minute walk down the road from Sainsbury’s, it is a regular spot for students. The red basket deals mean you can get a burger with a side of your choice for around £10. This is the perfect restaurant if you are looking for friendly staff, a chilled atmosphere and incredible burgers. When you inevitably get hooked, the loyalty card is great because it offers good value rewards every few visits. Top tip: the Apple and Cinnamon Pie milkshake is to die for! Trago Lounge Trago Lounge is another firm favourite. It is an all-in-one café, bar and restaurant which caters to every occasion, from curing a hangover with a big full English breakfast, to being the perfect spot to take your parents when they visit. What makes Trago Lounge stand out is that the menu is extremely diverse (including full vegan and gluten-free menus), ranging from tapas to all day breakfast. The atmosphere is warm and the staff are extremely friendly, making this a great lunch and dinner spot close to uni. 22
Trago Lounge has a sister restaurant in Ocean Village, Maritimo Lounge, which is a bus ride away on the U1C. Maritimo Lounge offer the same delicious menu, so if you’re feeling fancy you can enjoy your favourite dishes with an Instagram-worthy backdrop of the ocean front. Thaikhun Thaikhun is on the pricier side of this list, however for a ‘nice’ meal out this restaurant is a winner! Thaikhun offers a 20% student discount and the menu is utterly delicious. Additionally, if you are seeing a film at Showcase Cinema De Lux in the town centre, you can get a discount if you show your cinema tickets. This makes Thaikhun the perfect addition to an evening watching a blockbuster. I would recommend the Pinto set menu, which is ideally suited to sharing between 2 or 3 people - you can choose three dishes from a range of stir-frys, Thai curry and noodle dishes, allowing you to try a wide variety of food without paying full price. If you feel like treating yourself to a cocktail, I recommend the ‘Good Time Girl’ which is not only delicious, but also decorated with sprinkles and a bright pink!
WORDS BY EMMA SHEPHERD IMAGE BY SHANNON WHITELOCK
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LIFESTYLE
2 S I M P L E R E C I P E S T H AT DON’T COME FROM A TIN Moving to University and having to learn to cook for yourself can be daunting to say the least, but with these 2 recipes, you won’t have to miss out on any of your favourite home-cooked meals. I’m not promising that they’re going to be as good as your meals at home but, if nothing else, they’ll be tasty and easy on the wallet. Both of these recipes serve 4, so they’re perfect for making with your friends! 10 Minute Peanut Butter Noodles (VEGAN) - Serves 4 The 1 Pan Roast Dinner - Serves 4 This recipe is quick, cheap and easy to make, so sack off the trip to Westquay for a Wagamama’s and make it with Not only is this recipe easy to cook, but it will satisfy your pals at home. those Sunday dinner cravings and there is also minimal Ingredients washing up needed… winner winner chicken dinner! 250g pak choi 1tbsp clear honey Ingredients 4 spring onions, plus extra to serve 1 red chilli 1 lime 1 whole chicken Handful of salted peanuts 1 lemon, halved Bunch of fresh coriander 2 cloves of garlic, crushed 2tsp mixed herbs 2tbsp crunchy peanut butter 750g of new potatoes, chopped into chunks 3tbsp soy sauce Knob of ginger 4 carrots, each chopped into 3 chunks 200ml vegetable stock Olive oil 400g wok ready rice noodles 100g frozen peas Instructions 300ml chicken stock Smash up your peanuts and set aside. Slice your ginger into strips and finely slice the red Instructions chilli. Throw them into a hot wok with some olive oil and allow them to soften. Add 2 cloves of crushed garlic to the wok. Mix together Heat the oven to 220C/200C Fan/Gas Mark 7. with 4 finely sliced spring onions. Allow to soften, then throw in your pak choi stalks, saving the leaves for later. Remove the packaging off of the chicken, cut off any Give them a stir and add 2 heaped tablespoons of peanut string and place in a large roasting tin. butter and 200ml of veggie stock. Stir until the peanut butter has dissolved and then allow to bubble for 2 mins. Shove the lemon halves inside the chicken (gross I Add a heaped tablespoon of honey and 3 tablespoons of know… but it will taste amazing). soy sauce to the wok, then mix together. Chuck in your rice noodles, stir them into the sauce and Rub the butter, herbs and seasoning all over the chicken. then add your pak choi leaves, a handful of coriander Place the potatoes and carrots around the chicken in the and the juice of a lime. Once the pak choi has wilted, add a handful of the roasting tin. smashed-up peanuts, mix and remove from the heat. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and Serve in a bowl, topped with more peanuts, chopped spring onions and coriander leaves to taste. toss everything together. Recommended Student Recipe Books Roast for 20 mins, then turn the oven down to Although I have given you two banging recipes here 200C/180C fan/Gas Mark 6 and roast for 50 mins more. to get you started on your culinary adventures, it will Remove from the oven, stir the chicken stock and peas not be enough to keep you fed for 3 years, so here are a couple of books that I use when cooking at university. into the tin and then return to the oven for 10 mins. Jamie Oliver’s ‘5 Ingredients’ recipe book Miguel Barclay’s ‘Super Easy One Pound Meals’ recipe book
WORDS BY AMY PENN
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Happy cooking!
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3 Things I Love About You: An International Student’s Guide to Soton
I thought moving to Southampton would be like moving into matter if I’m in a taxi, in line at Sainsbury’s, or having a chat a Dickens novel; and whether you’ve been in Southampton at the bus stop, somebody is going to ask me where I’m for two years or two minutes, you know how funny that is. from. There will also be the inevitable (read: inexplicable!) ‘I love American accents!’ or that moment when you overhear But that’s the kind of the point, isn’t it? When you move someone tell their friend: ‘I just met an American!’ (Another somewhere new, you’re filled with all kinds of hopes and pro tip: when they yell out: ‘The American!’ at Stakks, that expectations about where you’re going and who you’ll be can be describing both the style of pancake and me). when you get there. If you’re moving from another country, those fantasies are just supersized. But even though After almost a year in Southampton, it’s funny to me, but it’s Southampton doesn’t quite have the Victorian glamour also one of my favourite surreal experiences. This is because I’d been dreaming of, it’s still found a special place in my being an international student makes you think of yourself heart for reasons I never anticipated. Indeed, if you’re an differently. Suddenly, you’re not just you anymore—you’re international student too, here’s a little teaser of what you someone else’s window to another culture, even if you’ve have to look forward to. never thought of yourself or your home as all that unique. So, take advantage of it! Cultural differences make an You’re Automatically Interesting awesome conversation starter and it opens the door to loads of new experiences. Enjoy it! (Not really). At least, I know I’m not interesting. But apparently no one else got the memo. Because it doesn’t
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INTERNATIONAL You’re Kind of a Permanent Tourist But in a fun way! Sure, part of that means making silly mistakes—like my very sincere conviction that Slug & Lettuce was an up-and-coming hipster bar and I’d discovered it (thanks again to all my British friends for setting me straight on that one)— but it also means that everything is a little more wondrous. Because Southampton (and all of England) is new to me, nothing’s lost its glamour yet. I get to be excited about the history of Southampton and yes, I’m a sucker for castles, old buildings, and even old walls. I get to immerse myself in a new town and a new culture, to care about what’s going on locally and in the country as a whole. I’ve had the fun of discovering new places that evolve into cherished favourites, to forming new relationships and creating a home. The place where you’re from will always be special to you, but there’s something different about the home that you adopt. So, dive in! Let your local friends give you all the touristy facts and teach you the stuff they’ve grown up with. Take every opportunity to make your new home yours.
going for it. Amongst the best qualities of Southampton are local businesses and the people. (Shout out to SO: Cake, the actually unique little cake shop which is rapidly becoming my house). One of the perks of a town like Southampton is that it’s big enough to feel like a city—sort of—but small enough that you can also become a regular at local restaurants. It’s also small enough that, in my experience, people are still willing to take time out of their day to give you directions, answer your questions, and make you feel welcome in their city. They’re willing to make an effort to connect with you and make you feel at home. Plus, SUSU has a lot of great resources for supporting international students while they adjust, and that’s not even counting karaoke night at Stag’s.
Southampton may not be everything I imagined, but I think it wound up being exactly what I needed. No, it doesn’t have a beach—I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t a deciding factor in my choice to come here—but it’s close to quite a few different beaches and close enough that you can easily go to London for the day by train. It’s also just a few miles from places like Winchester which, yes, is definitely closer to the Dickensian glamour of my dreams Southampton Has It’s Hidden Gems seriously, that cathedral is amazing). Between the people, the tutors—all of whom, in my experience, are 1000% Okay, so maybe Slug & Lettuce isn’t one of them and, of dedicated to genuinely helping you—and the local places course, Southampton isn’t London, but it’s still got a lot to love, there’s a lot to be said for Soton at the end of the day. All you have to do is be ready to embrace it.
WORDS BY ALYSSA-CAROLINE BURNETTE IMAGES BY CRONULLA FOLK (VIA MIXKIT) FRESHERS
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TRAVEL
I T ’ S N O T T O O L AT E : H O W T O A D D A Y E A R A B R OA D T O YO U R D E G R E E
While you have the opportunity to start your time at Southampton with a year abroad already in the works, chances are that if you’re not a language student, it isn’t something you’ve considered much. When I came to university, I was planning on spending three years getting my BA in Southampton and then travelling, but for the next academic year I’ll be residing in Hong Kong. If you’re reading this and think studying abroad might be a cool opportunity, it’s not too late!
At the University of Southampton, you have the chance to spend either a year or a semester abroad with one of the university’s partner institutions. With places across the globe, you’re bound to find somewhere that suits you, and the process isn’t that difficult. You have first year to decide if you want to add a year abroad to your degree. To switch, you simply have to visit your student office and acquire a form for a change of degree programme. This sounds dramatic but all you’ll be doing is, in my case, going from a BA in English to a BA in English with a Year Abroad. Once the form is filled out and signed by your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), your student record should update within a week. For a semester abroad, you can choose to go either in the first or the second semester of your second year, meaning that the form must be filled out and processed earlier, within the first semester of first year, but otherwise the process remains the same. Once the YA is officially a part of your degree is when the real work begins. Before you begin your year abroad, you must complete a YA preparation module with your department. This means a lot of very boring lectures about things you probably know and a disgusting amount of paperwork, but if you just buckle down, you’ll get through
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it quickly. The amount of paperwork you need to complete also depends on where you’re going. Since I’m travelling to Asia, I had to complete a 15 page visa application, including a financial statement, a scanned picture of my mother’s passport, and a medical record. Needless to say, it’s not for the faint of heart. On the other hand, depending on how Brexit goes, if you decide to go to Europe, you just have to pack your bags and leave after you’ve completed the compulsory risk assessments and learning agreements for the university. When considering a YA, you also need to recognise the financial aspects involved. While it’s only 15% of your tuition fees, a YA is far from cheap. I’ve not even left yet and I’ve already spent well over £100 on application costs, deposits, doctors letters and much more. Not to mention living in a different country comes with a different cost of living. I’ve been working 50-hour weeks all summer to save up for my time in Hong Kong, and while I’m sure it will be worth it, studying abroad is undoubtedly a financial stress. However, this is something the University is aware of and try to help with. With Erasmus schemes and the Southampton Opportunity Scholarship, you can get some of your costs covered. While it is a big decision, it is definitely something I think every student should consider. Not only does it look good on your CV, but studying abroad can be be both an amazing learning experience and the trip of a lifetime. I never thought I’d end up doing my year in Asia, but if you keep your mind and your options open, you are bound to find something that suits you.
WORDS BY LINNEA LAGERSTEDT IMAGE BY PATRICK LOWE
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Where I Went This Summer As students, our time at University is filled with lectures, assignments and nights out. It can seem like you never stop, and can be overwhelming. Even the relief of the Christmas and Easter holidays is short-lived, with deadlines and exams ominously looming. Then comes summer. Three months of nothing, not even some assigned reading. If you’ve managed to save some student loan, or worked hard and saved some cash, it is the perfect opportunity to relax and take a trip. Whether you stay in Europe or visit a different continent, travel with friends or travel with family, whether you’re chilling on a beach or walking down the streets of musical history, a holiday is a worthy relief from a year of stress. Here, three writers share a snippet from their holidays this summer. Nice, by Imy Brighty-Potts: My summer of rehearsals, working and writing was punctuated nicely by a week long trip to Nice on the Côte d’Azur. A couple of friends and I found a great deal in the new year for flights and a gorgeous AirBnB. By the time it came round, the stress of second year, moving house and being crazy busy was pleasantly broken up by the gorgeous beach, clear sea (aside from one pesky jellyfish, which we won’t dwell on because frankly it’s still a sore topic), lovely wine and the best food. Cathedrals, churches, museums, bars, clubs and markets line the streets of the Old Town so we always had something to do. We even did some water sports, and getting chucked around in the sea was great to cool off. If you go, spend as much time on that stunning beach as you can, and try plenty of sea food because it was amazing. Up 15 flights of stairs and a hill we had a lovely little flat with a beautiful view. We spent the days wandering around the Old Town, dozing with a book on the beach, and exploring the nearby towns of Monte Carlo and 28 28
Cannes. We shopped in gorgeous stores and saw millioneuro yachts and flashy sports cars, but we also drank cheap wine on the beach while the sun set, playing cards and taking a break. It was crazy hot, and I’ve never walked up so many stairs in my life, but it was exactly the break we needed and didn’t break the bank. Lanzarote, by Beth Ablett: This summer, my family revisited Costa Teguise in Lanzarote for the seventh time, not because we’re unadventurous, but because this has always proved to be a reliably fantastic holiday destination. It truly feels like a home away from home, yet the dramatic landscapes littered with cacti and volcanoes never fail to take my breath away. You can always depend on sunshine and hot weather, and there are plenty of beaches dotted all over the island where you can cool off and enjoy the scenery. Lanzarote hosts a variety of excursions, including exploring the stunning Cueva de los Verdes (the Green Caves), which feature an amazing optical illusion: Caesar Marique’s Jameos del Agua caves. You can find white crabs and a stunning natural lake; and, of course, Timanfaya National Park, which offers bus tours around the volcanoes and a restaurant that cooks your meals over an active volcano (I can confirm that this was the best steak I’ve ever eaten). A short ferry trip from Orzola on the north coast of the island takes you to the small isle of Las Graciosa. There, you have the option of remaining within walking distance of the port, where you can find restaurants serving delicious fresh fish and quaint markets, or cycle to one of the many beaches on the island, some of which have been compared to the Caribbean. I have had so many fantastic experiences in Lanzarote, and highly recommend it as a holiday destination. FRESHERS LGBT+
TRAVEL
Memphis, by Ben Dolbear: After being struck by an oppressive Southern heat glaring at our necks, it was the odd location of Elvis’ Graceland home that provided tourists with a passing curiosity. Downtown Memphis is not an affluent area, and crime is high. Elvis Presley was making $5 million dollars annually by the age of 20, and this seems a strange place for him to settle his family. Memphis was not always the place it is today. Inside Elvis’ Graceland mansion, we were taken back to 1957, when Elvis came into possession of the home, once part of a 500-acre farm. In the Jungle Room, Elvis’ tropical mancave, recorded conversations of the King played over instrumental rock songs; a truly immersive historical experience. The tour ended at his resting place, where Elvis lays alongside his parents and twin brother. At $41 it was expensive - but the atmosphere was sombre and poignant, definitely worth the cost. We descended on Beale Street, America’s most iconic street, famed for its live music scene and history as the location of the assassination of Dr King. Bars run the length of the two mile road and we found ourselves in the bustling King Jerry Lawler’s Hall of Fame Bar and Grille, where a small-time four-piece band called Kings and the Queen rocked out to the likes of Proud Mary and Purple Rain until late. Everyone was on their feet, singing and dancing; the spirit of Memphis was alive. We slept at a run-down motel near the home of Elvis and then moved along to Nashville, America’s other music city.
WORDS BY BETH ABLETT, IMY BRIGHTY-POTTS, BEN DOLBEAR AND MEGAN CROSSMAN IMAGE BY SOPHIE PEACH
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A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO WEIGHTLIFTING WORDS BY LINNEA LAGERSTEDT IMAGE BY TILLY ROBERTS
Weightlifting as a sport differs from just going to the gym every now and then. While it does require hard work and dedication, anyone can do it. There are the intricacies of weightlifting competitions, but ultimately, in weightlifting, your main competitor is yourself. This article will give you the basics of how to succeed in heavy lifting and gaining strength. Going to the gym can be intimidating. You don’t know where to go or what to do. That’s why the biggest mistake people do is not following a programme. Even if you plan a workout prior to entering the gym, if you don’t maintain those same exercises over a prolonged period of time, you won’t see much strength gain. In order to build muscle we need to achieve progressive overload, i.e. the gradual increase of stress placed upon the body during exercise training. This is achieved by ensuring that over time you are either adding more weight or more volume to your workouts. If you don’t, you will plateau and just maintain the muscles you have. By following a programme for 6-8 weeks, you ensure that your workout split stays the same each week so you can monitor your progress and add more weight when necessary. There are great workout programmes to buy online, or you can create your own. I structure my training as a five day split. I do three lower-
body days and two upper-body days. During more stressful times of the semester I recommend training three days a week, full body. Begin your workout with a cardio warmup to increase body temperature and do a few dynamic stretches to ensure proper blood flow. Once you begin the workout, start by doing one or two compound exercises, such as the bench press, overhead press, deadlift, squat and hip thrust. Compound lifts work multiple muscle groups and are the main focus in weightlifting, as these are going to be your heaviest lifts. In order to do your best in these lifts and to gain overall strength, adding accessory work through isolation exercises is a great tool, so add 3-4 isolation movements once you have completed your compounds. Recovery is essential to weightlifting. Besides having rest days, it’s beneficial to split your programme into two phases: accumulation and deload. During a deload you still move your body, but at a lower rate of exertion, allowing your body to recover from the phase of intense progressive overload it has just experienced. A deload phase is one or two weeks where you might hit the gym as many times as before, but do your exercises at 40-60% of your one rep max weight. A deload may also consist of volume reduction and incorporating more bodyweight movements. The most important thing you can do to avoid injury is ensuring a focus on form over weight. It doesn’t matter that you’re lifting heavy weights if you don’t do so with proper form. Film yourself if you have to. Everyone has to start somewhere - just remember that consistency is key. Nobody stays motivated forever, and weightlifting isn’t a means to an end. While it can get you into amazing shape, it’s important to focus on incorporating the gym into your everyday routine if you want to stick with it. Lastly, be careful of who you follow. Just because someone on Instagram has big biceps or a perky butt, that doesn’t mean that they know what they’re doing. Some of my personal favourite influencers who base their advice in science are Brett Contreras, Jeff Nippard and MegSquats. Not to mention, there’s both a powerlifting and an Olympic weightlifting society at the University if you want to get involved.
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FOOTBALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON The University intramural league undoubtedly offers the most
with a significantly higher level of quality of football on display.
competitive football in England, let alone at university. The three
Without being too partial, Southampton University FC are the
leagues comprise of teams loosely based on accommodation,
dominant university football team on the South Coast. They’v
subjects, and societies, with matches played on Wednesday
won two consecutive Varsities - on home soil and rival territory -
afternoon and Sunday morning at Eastleigh’s equivalent of
as well as being victorious in the BUCS Western 2A. Their socials
Wembley, the Wide Lane Sports Ground.
appear to match the quality of football on display: it is extremely difficult to miss the football team on a night out, especially on a
Those that play in the former are often your keen footballers who
Wednesday night, where they can be easily distinguished in their
want to make use of their spare time midweek to showcase the
shirt and tie in one of Oceana’s booths.
talent that they once had, and as a way of keeping fit. Those that play on a Sunday equally want to stay fit, and are most likely your classic Sunday league footballers: they rock up to kick-off with a nasty hangover and boots perhaps a size too small, and what they lack in pace and skill they make up for with their endeavour, crunching challenges, and sense of fun. It remains to be seen whether Connaught FC can continue to dominate division one of both the Wednesday and Sunday leagues, or whether other teams can challenge them to the title. As competitive as intramural football can be, the social aspect of it is often as important, if not more valued by teams. Each team tends to have a social event on a regular basis, varying from one a month, to as frequent as a social every week. Socials vary from the staple welcome freshers social and end of year awards, to pub golf and nativity-themed socials... and some have even been known to discuss tactics! These socials allow players to bond and meet people in their halls who they may not have encountered before, which allows players to fully immerse themselves into the university experience, and meet new friends. Additionally, these socials enable the older group of players to revisit their halls of residence and fondly look back at some of the memories of Freshers. The University has three football teams which are far more serious,
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LGBT+ FRESHERS
A TOTALLY RELIABLE GUIDE TO SOUTHAMPTON Welcome to Southampton, and congratulations on giving up on life so early. I’m kidding— that’s the welcome speech for Solent freshers, and it’s a great introduction to the first and most important thing you need to know about UoS: we’re not Solent. On that note, anyone who asks:‘Which Soton university do you go to?’ and gets offended when I say, ‘The actual one,’ has just proven my point. But, now that we’ve got the most important lesson out of the way, allow me to introduce you to your definitive and totally reliable guide to your time at Southampton. That’s right— beneath the shiny brochures and Open Day pomp lurks the abyss that will be your university experience, and we’re delving into the deep. Only Freshers Wear Heels to Sobar …and it’s a mistake they will only make once. Falling down the stairs at Sobar is a Soton rite of passage and you’ll do it at least once in your university career. It just hurts so much more in heels. So, heed my advice and get ahead of the game. Knowledge is power, people. Jesters Take a good sniff when you first step into Jesters, kids, because Soton’s most popular student nightclub — ironically known as the” Palace of Dreams” — has somehow managed to capture the scent of drunken texts to your ex, your most cringe-worthy moments, and the feeling you get when that Blackboard submission window closes. It’s a scent you’ll keep with you for your entire degree, and the first thing your friends will notice about you when you go home. However, there’s a reason people still go there… and it’s totally for the Jesticle.
Highfield Campus Great when you need it, but beyond that, you’ll forget it exists. Mostly because any time you look at it, you’re reminded that this aesthetic is the price of not getting into Oxbridge. It hasn’t been updated since, well, forever, but on the bright side, there are lots of pretty flowers and semi-aesthetic statues that you’ll choose as a backdrop for your requisite graduation selfies. Your 20s will primarily be spent getting drunk and going to the grocery store Not so much a Southampton fact than simply a sad universitylife/adulthood fact, but it’s still applicable. Also, there’s nothing to do around here, so wandering the aisles at Sainsbury’s is a sweet bet. So, given that all of this is 100% true and definitely not snarky in any form… what are you waiting for? All of these elements of the Soton experience—and so many more—will now be yours for the next three years! Go forth and become one of us, so that you too may one day be found crying and revising in a pub.
WORDS BY ALYSSA-CAROLINE BURNETTE IMAGE BY HERMIONE COOK
Stags Karaoke If you haven’t sung at Stags on a Thursday night with your mates, you don’t go here. The Bridge isn’t a real bar …but it has a special place in my heart. The cocktails are 2 for £7.95, they’re delicious and it’s probably the only bar where you can unironically bring your laptop. So, if you’re ever looking for a sweet spot to revise with a martini… you’re welcome. Sincerely, someone who did all of her coursework at The Bridge. The walk up Church Lane to campus definitely counts as a workout Pro tip: on days when you only have the motivation to drag yourself to a lecture, you can also brag about making time to exercise, because walking up Church Lane so counts! However, if you’re hungover, just know that even the threat of failing your whole degree is not necessarily sufficient motivation to brave this hill. And on that topic… 34
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September 2019 Dear students,
WORDS BY AMY PENN IMAGE BY AVILA DIANA CHIDUME
You have accepted your place at the University of Southampton and will begin your studies on 30/09/2019. You will experience 3 life-changing years here, which require your consent to the following terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions of Consent Clauses (the University) There shall be no attempt made to save you any money during your studies at all, ever. There shall be shameless plugging of lecturers’ own books during lectures, seminars and of course on your reading lists. There shall be potential political scandals that result in a national debate. During feedback sessions with your personal tutor, there are no rules regarding how far they may go to berate your work and we may not be held responsible for any emotional turmoil that is caused. There shall be gross overpayments of our Vice-Chancellor, which are completely okay. There shall be at least 3 occasions on campus per year where you can pet farm animals/therapy dogs. Every attempt shall be made to ensure that these are the best 3 years of your life and that you graduate. There shall be attempts made to embarrass ‘the student’ in lectures by asking them questions that they are very unprepared for. Every attempt will be made to schedule all essays, assignments and assessments for the same week. Where possible, we will ensure that Hartley Library is kept extremely overcrowded during exam season.
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