Wessex Scene Freshers' Mag 2017 by Wessex Scene

University of Southampton’s Student Magazine

FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

WessexScene.co.uk October 2016

WESSEX SCENE

ED I T OR f reya m i l l a r d editor@wessexscene.ac.uk D EPUT Y E D ITO R C ameron ri d g way deputy-editor@wessexscene.co.uk HEA D OF D E S IG N mac k enzi e B r o w n design@wessexscene.co.uk D EPUT Y H E A D O F D E S IG N Hannah eg e r to n design@wessexscene.co.uk HEA D OF IM A G E R Y herm i one c o o k image@wessexscene.co.uk HEA D OF M A R K E TIN G l au ra s w i nb u r n e publicity@wessexscene.co.uk FEA T UR E S E D ITO R am y p i c k nell features@wessexscene.co.uk POL I T I C S E D ITO R zac hari ah s h a r i f politics@wessexscene.co.uk OPI N I O N E D ITO R c harl ot t e co lo m b o opinion@wessexscene.co.uk L I FEST Y L E E D ITO R ju l i a b eazl e y lifestyle@wessexscene.co.uk SCI EN CE & TE C H E D ITO R jam es mos e l e y science@wessexscene.co.uk T R A V EL E D ITO R c hel s ea s m i th travel@wessexscene.co.uk

CONGRATULATIONS! This next chapter of your life is one that you cannot even begin to imagine until it’s happened – so brace yourself. The University of Southampton will be a mixture of the most incredible and yet daunting experiences that will shape you and your future. Ask any alumni, in three/four years’ time you won’t be the same person who arrived here this September, and it’ll be the best thing that has ever happened to you. University is challenging, it’s sometimes terrifying but it’s always exciting and there’s so much more to be gained from coming to Southampton than just a degree. The opportunities in front of you now are endless, and the best advice I could ever give you is to try everything and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Our range of societies is beyond impressive and you’ll definitely find something perfect to suit your interests; whether that be sports, film, politics, media or even Quidditch. Our incredibly talented team of editors, writers and illustrators have made this magazine for you, which is filled with everything you’ll need to know about being a student at Southampton University. Use the content of these pages as your Southampton Bible, because you’ll find no greater advice than advice from students who have already lived what you’re about to experience. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all the student news you’ll ever need. Good Luck and Welcome to Wessex Scene

THE EDITOR

I N T ER N A TIO N A L E D ITO R i van m orri s pox to n international@wessexscene.co.uk SP OR T S E D ITO R dam i an mea d e n sport@wessexscene.co.uk SUB - ED ITO R fari hah c ho u d h u ry SUB - ED ITO R hannah b ee so n SUB - ED ITO R megan hart V P D CI EVI E REI L LY vpcomms@soton.ac.uk

FRONT COVER IMAGE BY HERMIONE COOK FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

WESSEX SCENE | WELCOME

FEATURES THINGS I LEARNT AS A FRESHER 04 THE ULTIMATE UNIVERSITY OF 06 SOUTHAMPTON FRESHERS BUCKET LIST

OPINION 12 THE BEST... JOBS FOR UNI STUDENTS

Q&A: INTRODUCING YOUR UNION 08 PRESIDENT - FLORA NOBLE JESTERS SURVIVAL GUIDE 10

13 STOP MAKING EXCUSES - THE FUTURE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT

UNIVERSITY: IS IT WORTH IT? 11

14 CAN A STRICT CAREER PATH BECOME DAMAGING?

POLITICS IN SOUTHAMPTON 18

POLITICS

SCIENCE & TECH 20 MUST HAVE GADGETS EVERY STUDENT NEEDS

LIFESTYLE HOW TO MAKE YOUR HALLS MORE 22 HOMELY

INTERNATIONAL 26 FRESHERS’ TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD

THREE EASY RECIPES FOR NEW 23 COOKS OUTFITS TO AVOID ON A NIGHT OUT 24

TRAVEL UNIVERSITY AND TRAVEL; A MATCH 28 MADE IN HEAVEN SOUTHAMPTON CITY LOW DOWN 30

SPORT 32 TEAM SOUTHAMPTON: AN INTRODUCTION 34 THE IMPACT OF PLAYING SPORT ON UNIVERSITY LIFE 35 WHY I’VE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH EASTLEIGH FC - AND YOU SHOULD TOO

WE S S E XS CE NE . CO . UK @WE S S E XS CE NE FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

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

FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

FRESHER THINGS I LEARNT AS A

WORDS BY AMY PICKNELL IMAGE BY JAMES WORSFOLD

WE HAVE ASKED SOME WONDERFUL EX-FRESHERS TO SHARE THE ADVICE THEY WISH THEY HAD KNOWN DURING THEIR TIME AS A FRESHER, AND HERE ARE SOME OF THEIR TOP TIPS ON HOW TO SURVIVE YOUR FIRST YEAR AT SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSITY. THEY’VE MADE THE MISTAKES SO THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO!

KNOW WHEN EACH CLUB HAS THEIR STUDENT NIGHT, AND AVOID A WEEKEND SESH: Going to the right club on the right night is key to saving money at uni. Student drink prices will be the difference between affording your weekly food shop and starvation. As expected, drink prices double at the weekend, so choose your night out wisely: Monday – Jesters, Tuesday – Sobar, Wednesday – Oceana, Thursday – Café Parfait, Friday – Switch… you’ll thank me later.

CHURCH LANE IS AN ABOMINATION: It’d be a life-changing experience on a sled in the snow, but unfortunately, Church Lane is usually associated with the endless, upward gradient of pain, misery and mental devastation (especially when drunk or hungover). Take it one step at a time, have a bottle of water handy, and try very hard not to think about your 9am lecture being the only reward for passing this challenge. May the odds be ever in your favour.

GET THE RIGHT BUS: Living in halls you are blessed with a free bus pass, but getting the right bus is important to avoid accidentally ending up on a trip to the docks or the airport! (Also – they have USB charging ports for your phone so don’t forget your charger!) SOCIETIES CREATE A BALANCED, HAPPY UNIVERSITY LIFE: Whether it be a sport, immersing yourself in media, or joining in on an evening of card games. By indulging in a broad, diverse range of activities at university it will not only help to combat stress, fatigue and boredom, but also reward you with some amazing friends, fantastic experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. And hangovers. Plenty of hangovers.

FIRST YEAR DOES COUNT! It’s been drummed into you ever since A-Levels; the first year of university doesn’t matter. Incorrect. Sorry. Whilst it’s completely true that your marks won’t count towards your overall degree, getting into good practice with your studies before it’s too late is essential, and the sooner you strike a balance between work and play the quicker it’ll be reflected in your results. TRY AND AVOID FRESHERS FLU: Eat proper meals, keep your kitchen surfaces and utensils clean, and try not to freeze to death on every night out… but let’s be honest, it’s inevitable you’ll get ill during freshers, even if it’s just a sniffle. So drink plenty of water, try and eat as much fruit and veg as you can and stock up on the Lemsip and painkillers… mum and dad won’t be there to look after you this time!

FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

ALDI IS A LIFESAVER: Once you’ve stepped inside the doors of the gloriously cheap haven that is Aldi, you’ll never go back to Sainsbury’s for your weekly shop ever again. It’s worth the extra walk for another few drinks at Oceana, trust me.

CIRCUIT LAUNDRY WILL BREAK YOUR HEART: £5 minimum top up? £2.60 for a wash? Circuit is a heartbreaker. It’ll take everything you have and claim it’s still not enough.

DON’T BUY EVERY TEXTBOOK ON YOUR READING LIST: I’ve saved so much money from borrowing books from the library or using their e-book versions – some textbooks can be over £50, which is crazy! Just keep renewing the loan date of most books from Hartley Library.

BATCH COOK! Set aside one day every fortnight where you’ll stay at home and make big pots of soup, chilli, pasta bake, whatever you like eating. Divide it up into tubs and freeze them; as long as you remember to take them out the night before you want to eat them you’ll have homecooked food ready and waiting for you, and it’s significantly cheaper than buying food on campus or a take away.

FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

BLINK AND YOU’LL MISS IT: First year is likely to be one of the best years of your life; you’ll have new found freedom alongside incredible opportunities as long as you’re willing to take them. But the year will go by quickly and if you don’t make the most of every moment you’ll regret it when second and third year come around, where you won’t have as much free time and will be buried by the pressures of adulting. So go out when you can, try out as many societies as you like, and make the most of what’s new and interesting about university life.

BREAK OUT OF THE STUDENT BUBBLE: University life is incredible, with all the social opportunities and student-only events and facilities, but that’s not all there is to Southampton. Don’t be afraid to explore the city and see what it has to offer – there are so many amazing green spaces, like the Common, and loads of events in the city centre. You’re going to be spending at least the next three years of your life here, so get to know where you live!

FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

The Ultimate UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON Freshers Bucket List WORDS BY SOPHIE OLVER IMAGE BY SOPHIE WILLIAMS BEING A FRESHER CAN BE BOTH EXCITING AND NERVE-RACKING; MEETING NEW PEOPLE, LEAVING HOME, AND LIVING A COMPLETELY NEW LIFE. SO TO HELP YOU SETTLE IN, WE HAVE DEVISED THE ULTIMATE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON FRESHERS’ BUCKET LIST TO GET YOU THROUGH THE YEAR AND ENSURE YOU HAVE THE BEST TIME POSSIBLE. WHETHER YOU COMPLETE IT AS A FLAT OR FEEL LIKE A CHALLENGE AND WANT TO COMPLETE IT YOURSELF, GOOD LUCK AND HAVE AN AMAZING YEAR!

Experience the Palace of Dreams we all call Jesters ☐ Have a £2 quad-vod on Sobar Tuesday ☐ Join a society ☐ Have a Jesticle ☐ Get on stage at The Stags karaoke ☐ Complete the 7-night challenge – booze every night of the week ☐ Go on a shopping spree at West Quay ☐ Pull an all-nighter ☐ Get thrown out of a club ☐ Do a club crawl around Bedford Place ☐ Prank your flat mates ☐ Get an Indian at Tariq Manzils ☐ Experience an AU sports social… ☐ Meet SUSU the cat ☐ Get the whole flat on a night out ☐ Take on the Fellowship Quest at The Hobbit ☐ Get wavy at Retro Jam at Junk ☐ Have a BBQ on Southampton Common ☐ Jump in the university pond ☐ Get blackout drunk ☐ End the night in the 5* Chick ‘o’ Land ☐ Realise your eyes are bigger than your stomach in Sprinkles ☐ Taste the Sprinkles rival, Scoops ☐ Experience Southampton’s very own Common People festival ☐ Down a drink ☐ Play never have I ever ☐ 6

☐ Explore the library drunk ☐ Cement your friendship in Jesters twobicle ☐ Host a banging pres ☐ Write an article for Wessex Scene or The Edge ☐ Wake up in another halls ☐ Go to a house party ☐ Take part in Jailbreak or Lost99 ☐ Go on tour with a society ☐ Visit Winchester Christmas Market ☐ Support Southampton at Varsity ☐ Order a Text-a-Toastie from the Christian Union ☐ Visit the Isle of Wight ☐ Watch a film at the Union’s very own cinema ☐ Pig out in the Union Diner ☐ Go to a ball – Boat, AU, Subject, society, freshers’ ☐ Pub crawl down Portswood ☐ Run the Southampton half-marathon ☐ Have a flat Christmas Dinner ☐ Get a Jesters Gold Card ☐ Visit the New Forest ☐ Go for a quiz and curry at The Bridge ☐ Play hide and seek in Ikea ☐ See the fireworks ☐ Switch Fridays are a must ☐ Café Parfait Thursdays also a must ☐ Meet someone who studies ‘football studies’ at Solent FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

Cook a meal by yourself ☐ Have brunch at Trago Lounge ☐ Walk along the Marina quayside ☐ Go to a Halloween event ☐ Have cocktails at Turtle Bay ☐ Have cocktails on the rooftop of Vodka Revs ☐ Submit an essay minutes before its due ☐ Go to a lecture that has nothing to do with your degree ☐ Go to the Christmas lights switch-on ☐ Do the Centurion Challenge ☐ Get a free booth and bottle of vodka at Oceana ☐ Get Freshers flu… ☐ Be the last person in the club ☐ Don’t make it past pres ☐ Experience Jesters’ very own Baywatch ☐ Have a friend from home down to visit ☐ Do the walk of shame ☐ Have Dominos at 3am ☐ Take part in Pub Golf ☐ Go on a date ☐ Have a flat day out ☐ Actually go to the library to study ☐ Get a Jubilee gym membership ☐ Have a flat party ☐

☐ Do the funnel ☐ Go to an alpaca farm ☐ Visit all three of Southampton’s Nandos ☐ Show your skills at Hollywood bowl ☐ Run for the bus ☐ Make friends with someone from Solent ☐ Try something new ☐ Drink Pimms on campus in summer ☐ Get someone to buy you a drink ☐ Buy someone a drink ☐ Make a chunder chart ☐ Own a pair of ‘Jesters shoes’ ☐ Have a lecture at the top of the Maths building ☐ Make friends with the taxi driver ☐ Cheer on The Saints at a football match ☐ Visit Southampton’s Town Walls ☐ Eat out at an Ocean Village restaurant ☐ Be initiated into a society ☐ Initiate a chant on the bus to the club ☐ Successfully walk down Sobar steps ☐ Successfully walk down Café Parfait steps ☐ Get a pint in Stags after your last exam ☐ Pass the year ☐ Don’t take yourself too seriously

WHETHER YOU’RE A FRESHER OR A RETURNING STUDENT, SEE IF YOU’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO COMPLETE THE ULTIMATE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON BUCKET LIST! ENJOY! FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

Q&A: INTRODUCING YOUR UNION PRESIDENT

FLORA NOBLE WORDS BY DAMIAN MEADEN IMAGE BY SAM ELSTON

AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE WAS JUST THE BEGINNING FOR FLORA; HER INVOLVEMENT IN SOCIETIES, SPORTS AND HALLS COMMITTEES HAVE ALL LED HER TO THE LEAD ROLE OF PRESIDENT AT SUSU, THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENTS’ UNION, FOLLOWING A YEAR AS VICE-PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT COMMUNITIES. SO WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING THE FULL STUDENT EXPERIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON, FLORA NOBLE IS SOMEWHAT OF AN AUTHORITY. Elected by the student body during the second semester of the last academic year, Flora now has responsibility for the running of the Union as it looks to deliver a positive, enriching student experience (although it is reputedly unable to reserve a booth for karaoke in The Stags every Thursday, but we live in hope). She also heads up the team of Full-Time Sabbatical Officers – currently: Evie Reilly (Democracy and Creative Industries), Stephen Gore (Sport Development), Dan Varley (Engagement), Sam Higman (Welfare), Arun Aggarwal (Student Communities) and Samuel Dedman (Education). The Union exists to represent the voice of the student body at the highest level to the university, as well as ultimately making your time in Southampton memorable and enjoyable! This is achieved by providing opportunities in fields such as sustainability, charity, creative industries and the local community, support for students on a range of issues via the Advice Centre, the opportunity to get involved in Representation through annual elections and the AGM. As well as, of course, places to relax and unwind: The Stags pub, The Bridge, The Cafe, Bar Three and UnionFilms.

Wessex Scene sat down with our commander-in-chief to fill in some of the blanks for the latest wave of Freshers to land on the south coast.

WS: FN:

“SO, TO THE UNTRAINED FRESHER – WHO ARE YOU, AND WHAT DO YOU DO?”

“So, I’m President of the Students’ Union, which basically means I oversee everything the Union does on a day-to-day basis and represent the student body to the university at the highest possible level.”

WS:

“HOW IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HAVING BEEN A STUDENT HERE IN SOUTHAMPTON, AND NOW LOOKING TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES FOR THE NEXT INTAKE OF STUDENTS?”

FN:

“It’s really great, I get to see all the changes I would have liked as a student, and then implement them!”

FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

WS: FN:

“WHAT CAN FRESHERS LOOK FORWARD TO FROM YOU AND THE UNION NEXT YEAR?”

“A Union that can support you for life – helping you evidence skills and celebrate all the amazing things you’ve done. Also, a lot of fun – I’m not known for taking myself too seriously!”

WS:

“WHAT FACILITIES AT THE UNION WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO DRAW FRESHERS’ ATTENTIONS TO?”

FN:

“I would probably say UnionFilms – there aren’t many students’ unions that can say they have a commercial quality cinema.”

WS:

“HOW HAS YOUR START TO THE ROLE BEEN? IS IT DIFFERENT TO YOUR PREVIOUS SABBATICAL ROLE?”

FN:

“It’s definitely at a higher level – I get to meet high-up members of university staff a lot, but I still get to be a part of an amazing Union with fantastic students!”

WS: FN:

“HOW IS THE DYNAMIC AMONG THE NEW FULL-TIME SABBATICAL OFFICERS TEAM?”

“They’re fabulous! We’ve spent a lot of time getting to know each other, and I think we’re going to be a really great team!”

STUDENTS CAN CONTACT FLORA DIRECTLY WITH ANY CONCERNS OR COMMENTS THROUGH HER UNIVERSITY EMAIL ADDRESS AT PRES@SOTON.AC.UK

FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

1. ACCEPT DEFEAT You must accept that anything is possible in Jesters. Forget your phone, forget your wallet, hell even forget your standards. Accept that you may lose all of these things. Set the expectations of survival low – if you keep any of these three you have done well. Remember that. Do give it your all though – portable chargers are definitely the best investment on any night out.

Jesters Survival Guide WORDS BY ZACH SHARIF IMAGE BY SAM ELSTON

Jesters; incredible tunes, unrivalled banter and toilets less hygienic than a Glastonbury portaloo. And that’s if you like it. Even if you’re not a Jesters lover, there will come a time when you must be thrown kicking and screaming (dancing and singing) into what I can only describe as a substitute for ecstasy mixed with early 2000s bangers. It truly is the Palace of Dreams.

Clubs can be busy. But the struggle of a Monday night at Jesters is something else. The claustrophobic mess should make your night worse, but it doesn’t. Apart from that one mate who thinks he’s Mike Tyson after a couple of beers, getting chucked about a bit is a harmless part of the experience. But your poor clothes will get ruined. You may emerge from the dancefloor whole, but your drink definitely won’t. You might not even spill any drink on yourself, but everyone else will. The Jesticle stains are unavoidable and frequent. What you wear is vital to not ruining your wardrobe every week, bringing us onto the most well-known piece of advice…

2. BUY JESTERS SHOES The most famous shoes in the South Coast; Jesters shoes are absolutely vital to avoid ruin. Look for the cheapest and most knackered shoes you can – an old pair will do. It doesn’t matter that they look like they’ve come from the spare kit in the P.E department or that they don’t really fit you. As long as they’re comfortable and are never worn anywhere else. Nobody’s going to see these once you’re inside, and frankly, even if they do, nobody will care. Nothing ruins shoes like Jesters. The mesh of mixed alcohol, dirt, grime, and whatever else stains the floor will turn white shoes black, and good shoes bad. Even my phone’s audio stopped working for a good 3 days as what I can only describe as ‘Jesters juice’ was clogging the speaker. Ensure a good phone case. Freshers in a state are not the best co-ordinated. You’ll want the toughest phone case around that will be as reliable as a Nokia without looking like one.

3. IT’S A MESS, BUT IT’S YOUR MESS Jesters, voted the worst nightclub in Europe, is a madhouse. The stench of booze, sweat and flooded excuses for toilets fills the boxed, bricked and baking hot building that calls itself a club. Yet students regularly pack the small sweaty dancefloor, belting out ‘Let it Go’. Most students love it. I love it. It’s smelly, dirty and cheap. But so are you. Jesters plays the old school bangers celebrating your youth. The drinks are so affordable you can forget any worries at all for a few hours and just let yourself go. I wasn’t initially a fan, and you might not be too at first. But it is the people who make it what it is. Who doesn’t want to bounce up and down to ‘Stacey’s Mom’ every week? The optimism surrounds you. The look on everyone’s face says it all. Pure Happiness. And that’s what Jesters is. FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

he top band of universities, with a good solid course, T will eventually yield a worthy degree that will lead to employment. So the theory goes. Largely, this is true. A high

UNIVERSITY: IS IT WORTH IT? WORDS BY ZACH SHARIF IMAGE BY HERMIONE COOK Students are estimated to have around £44,000 worth of debt upon leaving university. This is the UK average, as in London the figure is closer to £60,000, not to mention 4 year courses. Tuition fees, that make up the bulk of this debt, are waived after 30 years, meaning most students will probably never pay back their full fees with a currently rising interest rate of 6.1%. This means that for most students, the fees will act as a form of a university tax. With this in mind, it’s important to ask the question: is it worth going to university?

employment rate, though this doesn’t tell the whole story, may indicate that university is worthwhile in terms of getting a job.

But with apprenticeships offering good, worthwhile prospects post-18 with a guaranteed job at the end of it, this may seem a better option. Some are even paid. These are no longer just for the young plumber, miner and chimney sweeper, but represent a genuine career opportunity. Top financial institutions like KPMG, Deloitte, PwC and even Lloyds are excellent options if you’re headed in that direction as a youngster. Apprenticeships can range from Microsoft, to the BBC, to BMW, but the limitations of this should be known also. Degrees carry with them a weight of flexibility. Your degree isn’t tailored to a particular job, its point is a display of your hard work, and natural intelligence. For this reason, the possibilities at the end of it can be extremely diverse. An English degree can lead to a career in writing, journalism and publishing. But it can also lead to advertising, web design, television. Apprenticeships give a fantastic head-start, a real experience-driven push in the direction you want to go. Yet it’s knowing this that’s the problem. For hearts set on a career after they leave school, apprenticeships should be considered, but their viability depends on this interest. If you might not know what you want to do for the next 50 years of your life, you may feel differently. Degrees, though full of tireless strain and effort (as well as a lot of partying), give you that security of having a diverse range of options when they are eventually obtained. The amount of people getting them though, has caused a few problems in recent years. This social aspect of university is what, in my opinion, makes it worthwhile. It doesn’t make it worth “it” (it being the £44,000 worth of debt), but it certainly makes it worthwhile. Being chucked into a group of people who are a similar age to you, immersed in a culture of partying, pursuing your interests and living away from home and with friends is probably the best thing that could happen to many people who have finished school. Of course there’s amazing gap years and all sorts of ways (working being one) of providing a similar personality boost. But in my experience, there’s nothing quite like going to university to, as the cliche goes, “find yourself ”. Southampton does this social side very well with its societies, events and nightlife but in truth, most universities do this because well, that’s what universities do. The best education you can get is from learning from others; nobody can “teach” a suitable personality, you have to go out and become it. Of course, the opposing argument is that while this may be true it doesn’t mean you have to pay £44,000 for it.

FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

THE BEST... PART TIME JOBS FOR STUDENTS WORDS BY KATJA STOUT IMAGE BY AVILA DIANE CHIDUME

H av i ng a part tim e job wh ils t at u n ivers it y c an h elp yo u b u i l d yo u r C V, e a r n so m e e x t r a c a sh a n d so c i a l i se ou t side of your ac a dem ics. I’ve gat h ered evid en c e f ro m t h e s tu d e n t b o dy a b o u t t h e t y p e s o f j o b s m o st su i t e d t o t h e u niversit y li fe style, and why. So, h ere are f ive o f t h e bes t / mo st c o m m o n st u d e n t j o b s a n d w h at t o c o n si d e r w i t h e ach one…

S tu d e n t A mba ssa d or (Un ive rsit y )

Retai l

S atis faction R ating: 7. 6/ 10

Satisfac tion Ratin g: 6.7/10

Being a student ambassador for the university is great for flexibility and pay; you can work as and when you’re free with no commitment to working a certain number of shifts.

Working in retail can be great as a student. Shifts tend to be regular, meaning you can plan your time around when you’re working.

T h i n g s to c o n s id e r :

Thin gs to c onsid e r:

•

The downside to this is that you are unlikely to have a regular income. Getting paid is a complete faff, since you have to submit a form every time you work, and obviously the hours are based on when the uni needs you. The application procedure is very long: think application form AND two interviews.

•

Though regular shifts can be useful, this can make it tricky working around exams or other commitments. You may need to arrange to swap shifts or take holiday. It is also very important to remember that Christmas tends to be one of the busiest times for retail, and your employer may not be happy to let you off working around this time so that you can go home.

T ut or S atis faction R ating: 7. 6/ 10

Cl ub Promoter

Tutoring younger students is a great way to earn money. Typically, the pay is very good (think £10+ an hour) and the work isn’t all that difficult. You also get a sense of satisfaction knowing that you’re helping struggling children.

Satisfac tion Ratin g: 5.6/10 If you love partying, this can be an excellent way of bringing in some extra cash and getting cheap nights out. Promoting is also a great way to gather a big circle of friends if you’re a social butterfly.

T h i n g s to c o n s id e r : • •

Remember to take into consideration the timing: how long will it take you to travel there and back, and to prepare for each lesson? Search for tutoring sites online to find clients.

Thin gs to c onsid e r: • •

Ba r Sta ff S atis faction R ating: 7. 2/ 10 Working in a bar is an excellent job for students: it fits around studies well (no missing lectures due to midweek shifts), often pays well -plus good tips – and it also means that you get to enjoy the atmosphere of a night out whilst getting paid.

T h i n g s to c o n s id e r : •

•

If you choose a bar which is part of a larger organisation (think Revolutions; Wetherspoons etc.) shifts tend to be more formal with greater expectations on time. This can be great if you want to be able to progress, but isn’t as good if you’re just looking for a casual part time job. Remember to consider how you’ll get home when you finish (remember, buses might not be running). Safety first!

Promotional work tends to be paid on commission so is not a reliable source of income. It also relies on you having a big network of people who like to go out regularly. Being a promoter might make you money but you need to be careful how far you take it. Many people get fed up with constantly seeing posts and being invited to events.

Top ti ps from current students: • • •

“Don’t let employers pressure you into doing more hours than you are capable of when trying to balance the demands of your University studies. No job is worth sacrificing your degree for.” “Having a part time job helps balance the work load and time management.” “Do something fun where you can be sociable, it’s not just about the money.”

W h at e v e r you c h oos e to d o j u st r e m e mber t o p u t you r d e gree a n d t im e at u n iv e r sit y f irs t. You ’ r e on ly here on c e ( p r oba b ly ).

S T O P M A K I N G E XC U S E S – YO U A R E I N C H A R G E O F YO U R F U T U R E WORDS BY CHARLOTTE COLOMBO IMAGE BY AVILA DIANE CHIDUME If you’re a fresher reading this, congratulations! Against all odds, you’re here! If you were successful with your results, you were probably happy to accept Aunt Margaret’s congratulations on your ‘hard work’. Maybe some of you, however, didn’t get exactly what you wanted. Maybe you narrowly missed a grade or got in through clearing. At this point, what would you consider? You’d probably put it down to how the exam was extremely unfair, or how your teacher didn’t come in that one time in November. In some cases, that’s probably true. But in other cases, is it just easier to shift the responsibility? Many students experience extenuating circumstances. I have different cognitive functioning due to a diagnosis of Asperger’s, which means I am not physically able to do things as quickly as others. Like many other students, this means that I get things like extra time in exams to level the playing field. From that point, it’s up to me. The education system ensures (for the most part) that everyone is treated fairly. Provided this has been achieved, I would argue that one shouldn’t blame the system for their own misgivings. Julian Rotter theorised that the way we determine the cause and effect relationship in our lives is along a scale called the ‘locus of control’. If you have an external locus of control, you live your life as a victim. When you don’t get what you want, it’s always because the world is out to get you. On the other side, you have those with an internal locus. They believe that how they interact with the world determines their fate. I’ve learnt that the route to success in university and life is is to have that latter perspective. As humans, we all make mistakes, but who we hold accountable for them makes a huge difference. If we are willing to admit we were wrong, we can fix it and do better next time. We can grow and develop and have a better quality of life.

I had this teacher for English who, despite having a Masters in literature, was only capable of communicating in a series of ums and ahs. The paper files we used for our coursework were more animated than her. She was complained about half a dozen times, but to no avail. We were stuck with her. There were two types of results that year: really good or really bad. Those who spent the year purely complaining about the poor quality of teaching failed; and of course when they received said grade it was blamed on Miss Gruntington. What about the other group, then? Surely their grades can’t be credited to that cardboard cutout of a woman? Both groups got the grades they deserved. Whilst life in this case was working against them, they did have time on their side. The latter group utilised that time to find ways around the problem, rather than passively accepting their fate. From this, can you guess which categories these two groups fell into? We aren’t always as limited as we think. Life can be an unfair at times, but that alone shouldn’t stop us. In a place like uni, where the emphasis is placed on independence, it’s important for us to take that seriously and be resilient. We can’t wait for success to happen, or else it will pass us by.

Is it wise to hinge an entire article on a theory that’s over 60 years old? Maybe not, but let’s try and learn something anyway. I’ll give a bland little anecdote to illustrate. In Year 12,

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Can a strict career path become damaging?

Is it essential to have a career path in mind when starting university? Can a strict plan for your career prospects become damaging? It’s a tricky question, but from my own experience, I can say I’ve learned that the answer is this: having a career path in mind is great, but learning to be flexible with your life plan is even better. University is filled with a ton of unexpected twists and, until you begin your degree, you may not know if the course you’re on is really the one for you. I began university as a Computer Science student. I was so excited to begin my degree. I am notorious for being one of those people who likes to plan everything, and my career path was no different. I was set on my course, the job I wanted when I graduated, and even where I would live. People would constantly tell me how lucky I was to know exactly what I wanted to do with my life – but I soon learnt that that wasn’t really the case.

WORDS BY MACKENZIE BROWN IMAGE BY AVILA DIANE CHIDUME

I was so set on what I wanted to do with my life that when I realised that computer science just wasn’t what made me happy, I was upset. Would I disappoint my parents? What would my friends think of me? And most importantly: what the hell was I going to do with myself? I never gave myself enough flexibility to think “what if ” and because of that, I was stuck. I was coming to the end of my first year of university, on a course I didn’t like anymore, with no idea what I wanted to do. This plan I had so meticulously made for myself was suddenly out the door.

I later decided that the best course for me would instead be Mechanical Engineering. It combined all of the subjects I loved into a single course, and the crazy thing is: had I not been so set on this ‘life plan’ I had created for myself, I may have realised long ago that this was really the course for me. I’ve now completed my second year of the course and I couldn’t be happier. I have finally found something I wanted to do. Do I still make career plans? Of course. But do I allow myself to be open to other possibilities? Certainly. So when you worry if you should have a strict career path in mind when going to university, all I can say is this: be flexible, because things do change. If things don’t go to plan, it’s often for the better. Of course there are certain aspects of your degree to keep in mind, but nothing is worst than being stuck in a plan that’s not you anymore! Enjoy every bit of university: the ups, the downs and the unexpected twists! FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

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POLITICS EDITOR ZACH SHARIF CAUGHT UP WITH THE LABOUR SOCIETY’S PRESIDENT BEN SEIFERT.

POLITICS

Labour greatly overachieved in the last election, mobilising an unprecedented number of young people, what do you attribute this overachievement to?

SOUTHAMPTON

Well I think that a lot of it was the manifesto. Corbyn fought both his leadership campaigns and the general election on policies over personality, and I think the policies Labour put forward – fully funding public services, investing to grow, building council houses, etc – resonated with a lot of people….although it also helped that the Conservatives went to the country with a policy offer of fox hunting, grammar schools, and the dementia tax! Corbyn actually challenged the status quo, and presented a clear alternative vision for society, helped enthuse young people and drive our campaign forward.

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A MORE POLITICALLY ENGAGED YOUNG POPULATION, WITH AN ESTIMATED RECORD OF 70% OF 18-24 YEAR OLDS VOTING IN THE LAST ELECTION. POLITICS TODAY IS INCREASINGLY TURBULENT, RADICAL AND OUTSPOKEN. SOUTHAMPTON’S SOCIETIES COVER JUST ABOUT EVERY ACTIVITY AND GROUP YOU COULD THINK OF, INCLUDING POLITICAL BELIEFS. WE INTERVIEWED OUR SOCIETIES FOR THE LARGEST UK POLITICAL PARTIES: THE CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION (SUCA), THE LABOUR SOCIETY AND THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS.

What do you say to the criticism that these policies were ambitious but unrealistic? Well I don’t think that’s true at all. The policies are incredibly achievable, many were either previously in place in this country or are in place in other European nations – with strong evidence of success – and the manifesto was backed by over 120 top level economists (including Nobel laureates) as being what is needed for the UK. We are the 6th richest nation in the world, it is ridiculous to say we can’t afford to pay our nurses a decent wage, make sure our kids aren’t going to school hungry, and provide free education to our citizens. We used to do all of these just fine many years ago, despite the country having less overall wealth.

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THOSE WERE BEN SEIFER, PRESIDENT OF THE LABOUR SOCIETY’S THOUGHTS. LISA VEIBER THEN INTERVIEWED CHARLIE POUND, PRESIDENT OF THE CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION. To what do you attribute the Conservatives’ underachievement during the GE?

Why do you think they were unpopular among students?

I attribute a poor manifesto and a poor campaign towards our underachievement. It was tightly controlled by a very select group of people – this was a major mistake. The manifesto was extremely underwhelming and uninspiring; it lacked a lot in content and policy. This meant Labour dominated the policy narrative with popular policy initiatives. The campaign failed to pivot around Brexit where the Conservative stance was very popular but since this didn’t work we ended up in the position we are today.

I think they were unpopular among students because Corbyn inspired a lot of young people to vote Labour. His policy ideas are very popular among that demographic and I don’t think there is much we could do about that. I think the Conservative digital strategy is also extremely off-putting to a lot of young people and the improvement of our digital policy and our digital campaigning could do something to alleviate Labour’s lead with students but until people see first hand how Corbyn’s policies will fail, I don’t see much changing personally.

THAT WAS CHARLIE POUND OF THE CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION. CAMERON RIDGWAY THEN INTERVIEWED THOMAS GRAVATT OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS. You stood as a candidate for the Southampton Test constituency in the last general election. What’s your view of the party’s popularity among students at present? The Liberal Democrats are gaining popularity with students again. We have a large and active society that has both regular social and campaigning events. Although we did not perform particularly well in the general election we largely held our own. Southampton Test was one of the Conservatives’ main target seats for the election and a key seat the Labour party didn’t want to lose. In the face of such a well-funded and large-scale campaign we did well to keep our share of the vote up. Massive amounts of money were spent by the national parties in the constituency. With the Labour party in a much stronger position in Southampton Test we would very likely increase our share of the vote in the event of another general election. In the face of such a well-funded and large campaign we did well to keep our share of the vote up.

Why should freshers get involved with the Lib Dems and what is the best way to do so? Freshers should get involved with the Lib Dems if they don’t like the way politics functions and they want to change the world! All Lib Dem policy is decided on by the members, if you join you can vote on, debate and even write our policies moving forwards. The best way to get involved is to keep an eye out for our events on Facebook and just turn up, alternatively you can drop me an email or Facebook message and ask anything you like! (www.facebook.com/UOSLibDems or www.facebook. com/ThomasGravatt). There’s always something happening whether it is a social event, campaigning event or discussion of local policy. There’s something for everyone and you can do as much or as little as you like. I got involved properly in my second year at university and by my third I was running for parliament. If you want to see a UK that embraces its multiculturalism, sees immigration as a benefit and bases its policies on evidence not ideology then the Liberal Democrats are the party for you.

AN EXTENDED VERSION OF THESE INTERVIEWS WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT THE WESSEX SCENE WEBSITE. DO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THESE SOCIETIES AT THE BUNFIGHT! FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

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The Top 5 Essential Pieces of Technology for the Coming Year WORDS BY JAMES MOSELEY IMAGE BY SAM ELSTON

Being a student can be difficult and the only way many of us can make it through those long lectures and cold dark nights is to utilize the advances of modern science in the realm of technology. Here we have compiled the top 5 most essential items of technology that you will need to survive this year as a student. Special Mention: Battery Bank

This nifty little item will keep your phone and iPod from dying when you’re out and about. A minor inconvenience around town, but losing charge in a lecture can turn a double lecture into the longest two hours of your life. Without your phone, you might actually have to pay attention to what’s going on, and nobody wants that…

Special Mention: Projector

Although not essential, this nifty piece of technology certainly adds to the student old tradition of binge watching series. At a budget of just £50 you can get something that will transform your small laptop screen to an entire wall, perfect for drinking games with the flat or sitting back after a long day and booting up the Xbox. You’ll survive without one, but you’ll enjoy uni a lot more if you invest in a projector early on.

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5 Headphones, the good quality kind

Pretty much everyone owns a pair of headphones, but you’ll find that you will need to invest in a top notch pair. You won’t need to go spending a crazy amount, but it’s time to throw out those old travelling headphones your mum gave you and pick up something new. They need to be something that has very little audio leakage, unless you want to be on the receiving end of some dirty looks in the library.

4 Kitchen Appliances

They may not be the sexiest items on the list but they are definitely essential if you want to make it through the year. Student houses and accommodation won’t be providing electrical appliances due to legal regulations so unless your predecessor has left behind his unwanted goods, you’ll need to plan a trip to Wilkos. On your list you should definitely include a kettle, microwave and toaster. Anything else is down to personal preference, you can always chance your luck and hope your flatmates have some appliances to bring (and share).

3 Printer

Yet another rather mundane item on the list, and one that might not seem necessary with the printing facilities made available by the University. However, there have been multiple occasions when I have been caught short in terms of printing and have had to disturb one of my housemates. I’m only a Physics student, but for Humanities students, a printer is essential. One student comments, “A printer has been invaluable for last minute assignment printing”. It’s worth investigating the people you are going to be living with and seeing if anyone already owns a printer, after all, you only really need one per flat/house.

2 Chromecast

Once you have all of your technology set up, there can be a jungle of wires and cables all over the place. Chromecast can save you the hassle of following a wire from start to finish to see what it is connecting to and enable you to be able to binge Netflix with ease. Just make sure you’re a tad mindful of who you are living with, as others on the same wifi will be able to Chromecast to your devices as well, meaning you could end up with some rather unexpected viewings… That said, Chromecast won’t eliminate your need for plenty of HDMI cables, so don’t go leaving them behind.

1 Speakers

When I asked other students what the most essential piece of technology was for them, speakers came out on top by a long way. They add a soundtrack to your student life and will help you on your way to an entertaining pres. The debate around speakers revolves around whether you want to get a nifty small set that you can carry easily or get a massive set with some serious bass. Personally, if you’re the go-to flat for pres, then you will want to go big (if you can afford it!). My flatmate last year had speakers so big that it took two of us to move them, and when they were on, the bass reverberated through the whole block. However, we did get quite a few complaints from resident services… If you go down the smaller route, there are plenty of speakers that although small, pack a serious punch. It means that you can easily move from room to room with ease. Whether you go big or small, some high quality speakers are a must.

So there we have it, the essential list of technology that you will need to survive this academic year. What item would you add?

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HOW TO MAKE YOUR HALLS MORE HOMELY WORDS BY GEORGIA JACKSON IMAGE BY SOPHIE WILLIAMS Despite the exaltation of post-exam success and the excitement of what Freshers’ week has in store, the thought of moving away from home and starting a new life at university can be a daunting one. However, this anxiety can be relieved by giving your uni room some TLC and adding your own personal touches. By giving your uni room its own sparkle, it will seem less frightening, and more like home. Homeware shops are the perfect place to find items to make your bedroom feel unique. There are so many different products that can help give your room its own identity. You will be spoilt for choice with everything from rugs to photo frames and fairy lights. Some of these items can be pricey and so, understandably, you may think that pimping your uni room on a student budget is an investment that you can’t quite afford. However, do not fear! It is possible to give your new room some personality without breaking the bank. Here are my top three ways to make your room more homely and less dreary without plunging into the dark depths of your overdraft.

BUNTING Bunting is an extremely cost effective way to spice up your room and make it more individualistic. Get your DIY cap on and cut and stitch a variety of different fabrics to your heart’s content. Choose your favourite patterns and designs and make it personal to your own style. You can really get creative with this little project using an array of spots, flowers, Aztec patterns and more. Once you have done all the cutting and stitching all you have to do is simply string on your fabric triangles to an old washing line and there you have it, your own homemade bunting. If you are not the creative type, you can still purchase a variety of different types of bunting cheaply online or from fabric 22

stores. I love bunting and my floral set definitely added a splash of my personality to my uni room when I lived in halls.

POSTERS Keep your eyes peeled at the Student Union fairs for the poster sale where you can purchase a variety of different ones for discounted prices. You will be spoilt for choice with posters of pop stars, films, quotes and so many more. However, if the poster sale doesn’t live up to your expectations there are a multitude of websites where you can have a browse and find the right one for you. One crucial top tip that I would give you is to make sure that you use white tack instead if blue tack when sticking up your new purchase. You don’t want the hassle of having unwanted marks on your wall during room inspections.

PHOTOS Putting photos on display is the best way to make your uni room feel more familiar. Not only is it a daily comfort to see memories on your wall of your family and friends but it can also be a great conversation starter. Your flatmates may ask about particular photos and therefore this provides you with a chance to share stories with them so they can get to know you a bit more. If you are not already provided with one then I would highly recommend that you invest in a pin board. You can attach loads of pictures onto it making it far more cost effective than wasting your money on photo frames. There is really no need to feel down and dreary in your uni room. It may be skeletal when you arrive but you can personalise your new space and make it a familiar and welcoming place where you can feel at ease and you can definitely do this all on a low cost budget. You don’t have to break the bank to turn your halls into your home.

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THREE EASY RECIPES FOR

NEW COOKS WORDS BY HANNAH BEESON IMAGE BY ABI BARTHEE

squash and black bean chilli

BEEF ENCHILADAS

Chicken with Red Pepper and Goat’s Cheese

With the start of a new university year, it’s time once more to find some simple and quick recipes that anybody can follow! Don’t believe us? There’s only one way to find out. Throw your toast aside and head to Sainsbury’s! Ingredients: • 1/2 small red pepper This recipe is everything you • 1 tbsp onion marmalade would want as a beginner: • 50g full-fat goat’s cheese (or cream it’s quick, it’s easy and it’s cheese if you prefer something slightly unbelievably delicious! The milder) portion sizes have been • 1-2 chicken breasts adapted to serve approx. 1-2 • A sprinkling of paprika for people. seasoning, along with salt and pepper. Remember, it’s up to you so you can season the dish however you’d like!

This is already a popular recipe and the extra cheese in this makes it truly amazing. If you want a really easy option then use a packet recipe that will come with pre-mixed spices and tortillas and that will definitely last a few days.

Method: • Preheat the oven to gas mark 6 (200°C/180°C fan) and line a roasting tin with baking paper. Heat some oil in a frying pan and fry the thinly sliced peppers on a high heat for about 5 minutes. • Tip into a bowl to cool, then add the marmalade and cheese and season with salt and pepper. • Arrange the chicken in the tin, season with salt and pepper, then spoon the cheese mixture on top of the chicken pieces, sprinkling with paprika if you wish. • Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Method: • Preheat the oven to gas mark 5 (190°C/170°C fan) and prepare a baking tray. Ingredients: • Cook the beef over a medium to high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s cooked through and then drain. • 100g beef mince • Pre-mixed enchilada sauce • Stir in half the enchilada sauce and the chillies with the cooked beef. • Spread some of the remaining sauce evenly in an oven-proof dish. • A small handful of chopped green chillies • Fill the tortillas with the beef and sprinkle some cheese over. • Enough tortillas for one person • Wrap the tortillas tightly around the filling and place in the oven-proof • As much grated cheese as you want! dish. • Top with the enchilada sauce, then sprinkle with as much of the remaining cheese as you’d like! • Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Method: • Preheat the oven to gas mark 7 (220°C/200°C fan). • A handful of butternut squash, cut into • Arrange the cubes of squash in a single layer in a baking tray and drizzle This is a great vegetarian cubes with oil. Season with salt and pepper. version of a really popular • 1/2 red onion • Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes. recipe! Feel free to double • 1 garlic clove • Heat some oil in a pan and add the onions, garlic and chilli and fry on a up the portions suggested • Chilli mix (for the easy option!) high heat for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle in the chilli mix and fry for a further here and then freeze any • 200g chopped tomatoes or 1/2 a minute. leftovers. • Add the tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and bring to the boil. 400g can of chopped tomatoes Cover then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. • 200g of black beans or 1/2 a 400g Stir the mixture, add the beans and squash, then cover again and simmer can of black beans for a further 10 minutes. Ingredients:

These are such easy and delicious recipes; perfect for any fresher wanting to broaden their horizons from the likes of toast and pasta. You could even send a photo of one of these meals to your parents to prove that not everything you eat comes out of the microwave!

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OUTFITS TO AVOID ON A NIGHT OUT WORDS BY JULIA BEAZLEY IMAGE BY ABI BARTHEE 24

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As we all know, getting ready for a night out can often be the best part: choosing your outfit, your shoes, deciding whether to curl or straighten your hair and wondering how much highlighter you can possibly get away with without blinding everybody else on the dance floor. However, though some outfits may look gorgeous when you’re posing for photos before the taxi arrives, they may not be too practical once you’ve indulged in a Jesticle or two. The first item of clothing to avoid is the notorious bodysuit. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that they have their pros (namely not having to worry about re-tucking your top into your skirt after every loo visit). You can rely on a bodysuit to stay put all night…if you are able to redo the atrocious poppers after those dreaded bathroom breaks. I believe that bodysuit poppers will go down in history as the most inconvenient element of clothing of all time. The inevitable, nightmarish crouch and peer under your crotch to attempt to drunkenly match the poppers in a rowdy bathroom cubicle, then thinking you’ve managed it when actually you’ve mismatched them and one is now hanging down aimlessly. Bodysuits aren’t a wise decision for a night out especially if you’re drinking and therefore frequenting the toilet. If you want to wear a leotard, go for it, but whatever you do, don’t break the seal. The second no no, infamous throughout time for their ability to inflict excruciating pain whilst simultaneously giving you a Kardashian bum, creating the ultimate Sophie’s Choice: high heels. I’m not denying that they make us all look fabulous, but they are to be avoided. The blisters, the falling over, the endless complaining to others throughout the entire night. The pain doesn’t even stop when you take them off; it’s as if your whole foot has now been permanently forced into the shape of the shoe and needs all night to relax back into its original shape. However, if you have a higher pain threshold than me, which is likely, then, by all means, knock yourself out. However, I urge you to buy some fold up flats to keep in your bag. Rollasole is a great option for some comfy shoes to throw on if your feet start to hurt, without taking up unnecessary amounts of space in your bag. Thirdly, stay away from extremely textured clothes like sequins and fur. As nice as they look, you won’t be happy when someone inevitably spills a drink over your fur coat, and you either have to stand under the hand dryer in the bathroom in a weak attempt to salvage it or to continue dancing looking as though you’ve been caught in the rain. I’m also in shock as to how these coats can be worn all night without the wearer either passing out or melting into a puddle. Sequins also cause issues throughout the night; you will become increasingly aware of the trail you are likely to have left behind you as you walked. Also, you will definitely get caught on other people and either ruin your clothes completely or slowly get dragged FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

off with whoever has accidentally attached themselves to you. On a night out, you’re likely to do lots of dancing and generally lots of extreme movement, therefore, it may also be a good idea to avoid the colour grey. If you are not one to perspire then potentially skip this piece of advice, but I for one think it’s a staple to remember when selecting your outfit for the evening. Wearing a grey or light coloured top in a huge room with however many other people jumping and grooving in a small, enclosed space could mean trouble. Not only for sweaty reasons but also because of the guaranteed klutz who will spill a full vodka coke all over you, making your initially grey top appear a murky black. The fifth fashion faux pas to avoid on a night out is the playsuit. I know they look great, but you’ll truly understand the error of your ways when you need the loo in a club at 2 am and have to strip down completely and sit on the toilet in the nude. Furthermore, playsuits are an issue with their inconvenient fastenings: lots of small buttons, long zips. If you’re determined to wear one, you’ll need to drag a friend in there with you. As long as you aren’t alone in the cubicle carrying out a small reenactment of the chicken dance whilst you attempt to reach behind you and hoist a small zip from the small of your back to the nape of your neck, then you’ll be alright. Finally, I would like to remind readers of the unreliability of pockets. When I try on a dress and then discover it has pockets, my heart skips a beat. It is a beautiful moment. However, on a night out, beware of what you trust your pockets with. What with all the jumping around and the drunken lack of attention being paid to your belongings, it is unexpectedly easy to lose everything you came out with. By all means, use your pockets for objects you’re not relying on, but when it comes to your phone, your keys and your money: make sure they’re zipped away. Hopefully these tips will help you when the treacherous task of choosing what to wear in Freshers occurs. I hope it saves you the ‘panic in the bathroom cubicle’ that too many of us must endure.

ION

UNIV

T Y RAD T I S IT

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ND THE W

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Exploring some of the more unusual university student traditions elsewhere in the world, including Europe’s largest decorated ball, dropping pianos off roofs and one of the world’s largest scavenger hunts.

Dropping Pianos

P o ly b a l l

ETH Zuri c h, S wi t ze rl and The grandest of all university balls is held every year by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland in a tradition dating back to 1886. The Polyball, taking place at the end of November in the university’s main building, is the largest decorated ball in the whole of Europe and plays host to approximately 10,000 dancers, musicians and party-goers.

M a ss ac hus e t t s Inst it ut e o f Te c hno l o gy ( M IT ) , USA To celebrate ‘drop day’, the final day when students can choose to drop classes at the institute, residents of the sixstorey high Baker House dormitory drop a piano off their roof. This tradition started in 1972, supposedly due to the need for the dormitory to be rid of two non-working pianos and it being cheaper to get rid of them in pieces than as whole pianos. Pianos aren’t the only object to be flung off the roofs of the MIT – every Halloween a mass pumpkin drop takes place from the roof of the 295-foot high Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (DEAP) building. FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

WORDS BY IVAN MORRIS POXTON IMAGE BY LOUISE REGAN

Prosh Week

U n i ve r s i t y of M elb ou rne, Au stralia Prosh Week is a tradition at several Australian universities, but Melbourne’s is the largest. It is a week during the Australian freshers or ‘orientation’ period where students form small teams to try their hand at the most daring and embarrassing challenges they can think of. The winning teams are awarded trophies at the end of the week. These can range from virtually anything, from lecture pranks, to go-kart racing. In one incident in 1971 remembered as one of the greatest-ever pranks during Prosh Week, 500 students descended upon one shop’s toy department protesting for the rights of teddy bears to be respected.

Mechoneo

C h i lean U niversit ies An ancient tradition in Chile, the mechoneo acts as an initiation ceremony for first year students. All first years are paired up with older years, who proceed to blindfold the first years, cut their hair, rip their clothes and pelt them with raw eggs, not to mention other foods. The first years are then escorted to a swimming pool filled with horrible substances like rotting fruit and must then complete a series of challenges and dares for the rest of the day. The students who are perceived as tackling the tasks best are crowned queen ‘mechona’ and king ‘mechon’ respectively. However, this isn’t necessarily the conclusion of the ordeal first years are subjected to – they then may have their belongings, including money and mobile phone, confiscated from them and must beg on the street to raise a certain amount of money to regain their possessions (usually £20 worth). The funds raised then contribute to large student parties around March time. While many students view it as an important tradition to continue, increasing numbers have misgivings that it can turn into a form of vicious bullying, an accusation which the next tradition has received and further…

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Rub-nong

Tha il a nd Univ ersities Similar to the mechoneo in being the induction of freshers into university through a series of initiation rituals, rub-nong is thought to have been partly inspired by the British public school system. Although defenders argue it instills the values of SOTUS (Seniority, Order, Tradition, Unity, Spirit), others believe it to cause great suffering for some students. Indeed, there have been cases of individuals dying during some of the rituals, including one from a rub-nong which involved a person being beaten up as part of the ritual. Some university traditions, clearly, can develop into something certainly not intended by the original founders.

The Tree Adorned with Shoes of Love Murray State Col l ege, USA

Any students who fall in love with one another at this institution and then later marry, are supposed to gain good fortune if they fit a pair of shoes to symbolize their coupling at the bottom of a tree. This has resulted in over 50 pairs of shoes affixed to the bottom of the tree currently in use (the first for this tradition was unfortunately struck by lightning). Even more heartwarming, on significant anniversaries couples often return to mark the year on their pair of shoes and some have even brought baby shoes to celebrate children born. A n d f i n a l ly. . .

Scavenger Hunt

Univ ersity of Chicago, USA Many universities around the world host scavenger hunt competitions, but Chicago’s easily dwarfs any others for the number of participants and complexity of tasks set. The list of items to collect typically numbers in the hundreds with it thus being impossible to complete every single one in the 4-day time period. Past items to obtain have included a breathing elephant, Stradivarius violin and a nuclear reactor built in a shed, the latter challenge completed by two enterprising Physics students in 1999.

FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

UNIVERSITY AND TRA VEL A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN IMAGE BY HERMIONE COOK

You’ve arrived at university, for the first time, second time or even last time, after a summer filled with adventure and you are already wondering where to get your next travel fix. Sound familiar? Don’t worry; you may not know it but there are so many opportunities to travel while at university, whether it be within your course, within a society, or volunteering abroad.

Volunteer During summer last year, I volunteered with East African Playgrounds in Uganda. My time there was unforgettable and managed to satisfy my wanderlust for the summer. I would have never even heard of this amazing charity if I wasn’t at university and following RAG – the first place to look for your next summer adventure. RAG is the university’s raise and give group run by students to raise money for a number of charities. Southampton RAG partner up with external charities to take you to some of the world’s most amazing places. With various fundraising targets this year, RAG is offering to help get you either; up Kilimanjaro or Everest Base Camp, running the Budapest Marathon, or to Uganda for a gorilla trek, your choice. Like the Southampton RAG Facebook page to keep your eye out for the trips information evenings. – CHELSEA SMITH

Get Course Lucky As a Geography Student, I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to participate in fieldwork, both locally and abroad. Last March, along with the other Second Year BA Geography students, I travelled to Amsterdam for a week-long field course. The field work provided plenty of opportunities to explore the city, whether this is visiting the zoo or looking at how you experience the city differently whilst walking or cycling. This research enabled us to explore the city and also see areas you would be unlikely to visit as a tourist. Provided with ample opportunity to visit the tourist sights and enjoy everything that Amsterdam has to offer, the field course had an inherent undercurrent of travel that made it a far cry from the dated trips of school. Tourist visits included the Anne Frank House, hiring bikes and walking along the canals, as well as shopping, visiting the flower market and even relaxing in the bar in the evening. Field trips are a great way to travel during your time at university and are usually cheaper than going to these places on holiday. On this trip flights, accommodation and meals were paid for, which therefore made this a great way to travel on a student budget! Many courses have core field trips, and others offer optional modules providing trips abroad. We are lucky enough to have this opportunity to use our education to see a different side of the world; make sure you take it and don’t miss out! – EMILY CHANDLER 28

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Get Sporty with the Ski So ciety Whether you’re a beginner on the mountain or a seasoned pro of the slopes, the SUSSC ski trip is the place to be this December. A week of skiing, snowboarding and partying on the mountains, it’s always a great time. This year we’re heading off to Les Arc in the French Alps with over 300 other Southampton students, making this one of the biggest trips we’ve ever run. There are plenty of things to do on the mountain from spending a day in the snow park, cruising the whole resort or even just sitting in a restaurant with the best view you’ve ever seen. Then when the slopes close the real party begins. With a different event on every night, you won’t be forgetting this week in a hurry. When you get back from the trip you’ll no doubt be waiting for next Christmas so you can do it all again… But why wait; we have an Easter ski trip as well! For more details and booking info see the SUSSC Facebook page. – SIMON WALKER, SUSSC

The So ciety Designed for Wanderlusters TravelSoc is for all of you out there who love travelling. It’s a friendly society where everyone has a shared passion for travelling, meeting up once a week to discuss all things travel related and of course the occasional social. Maybe you’ve been on a gap year; or have an interesting travel story; perhaps you just want to find friends with the same love for travel as you? Either way, TravelSoc is growing and connecting people with the same passion for travel, and we want you to be a part of this! The society has a strong international presence so is perfect for both international students to settle in and to learn more about cultures around the world. We host both alcoholic and non-alcoholic socials and are planning to run trips throughout the year both in the UK and abroad! Get involved in a new way of travelling and find us on Facebook by searching @travellingsociety. Look forward to seeing you soon! – JAMIE KELLY, TRAVELSOC PRESIDENT FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

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SOUTHAMPTON CITY LOW DOWN WORDS BY SOPHIE OLVER IMAGE BY HERMIONE COOK

M O V ING T O A C OM PLETELY NEW C ITY CAN BE H AR D. I CAME TO SO U TH AMPTO N BAR E L Y KN O WING T H E C ITY , BUT NOW I C A N D EFIN ITEL Y SAY IT FEE L S L IKE H O ME. SO , TO H E L P YO U OUT W E H A V E COM PILED A LOW D OW N ON SO U TH AMPTO N ’S TO P TH IN GS TO DO AN D PL ACES TO GO .

TH I N GS T O DO:

SH OP PI NG SPREE A N D B O W L I N G A T W E S T Q UA Y Living on a student budget can be tight, but you deserve a treat sometimes! West Quay is home to over 100 shops and over 40 dining options, so you’re not stuck for choice. Additionally, West Quay’s new Hollywood Bowl is the perfect place to let off some steam. THE BIG SCREEN Southampton is home to 5 cinemas. Showing up-to-date films for only £3, The Union Cinema should not be overlooked. The Harbour Lights Picture House even offers E4 Slackers Club (a free film for students) once a month. GET OUTSIDE Southampton Common is a beautiful green place; perfect for taking a relaxing study break or to bring along your new friends and have a BBQ! Alternatively, why not discover Southampton’s Medieval Town walls and Old Town for free, even wander the Titanic trail and visit the SeaCity Museum for a dose of history. O2 GUI LD HALL A N D M A YF L O W E R T H E A T RE Fancy a show? The O2 Guildhall and Mayflower Theatre offer a variety of entertainment from music to comedy, to touring West End musicals – a great way to spend an evening.

RES T A U RA N T S:

P O R TS W O O D Just a short walk from campus, Trago Lounge is perfect for brunch, and a relaxing place to study. The American diner, 7Bone, is raved about for its burgers and dirty fries, while The Rockstone is also not to be missed. Portswood’s rivals Sprinkles and Scoops are home to the most glorious ice cream, waffles, and crêpes.

CI TY CEN TRE West Quay is Southampton’s Queen of cuisine, offering fancy restaurants to fast food take away, American, Portuguese, Mexican, Italian, and Asian – there is something for everyone. As a student, Ocean Village is perfect for a date or a family meal – where mum and dad can pay! It’s not cheap, but restaurants such as Steak of the Art, Banana Wharf, and Pitcher and Piano, are divine.

B AR S AN D N I G H T LI F E :

P O RTS WO O D Wild Lime is a popular bar down Portswood, with excellent food and cocktails, and insanely cheap £2 pints every Wednesday, perfect stop before either of the next two clubs. Offering up two of Southampton Uni’s strongholds, Jesters and Sobar. Not a lot needs to be said about Jesters, you’ve heard the rumours; most of them true. Have a few Jesticles and you’ll see why it’s the Palace of Dreams. Sobar is an equally good night with £2 quad-vods. That’s right Quads, £2; messy nights. Your friends will most likely be divided into Sobar lovers and Jesters enthusiast, decide which group you fall into. CI TY CEN TRE Turtle Bay’s happy hour with 2 cocktails as cheap as 2 for £7.15 is perfect for casual drinks or a flat night out. Venturing further into town and the likelihood of coming across Football Studies students from Solent increases, but so does the choice of club. Choose from Oceana Wednesdays, Café Parfait Thursdays, Switch Fridays or go to them all but be prepared to have your liver hate you. That just leaves you with Bedford Place, the King of the Club Crawl with clubs and bars including Buddha Lounge, Orange Rooms, Popworld and Junk. With Junk’s Retro Jam event is thoroughly recommended.

I H O PE T H IS GIVES Y OU A USEFUL LOW DO WN O N SO U TH AMPTO N TH R O U GH A STU DEN T’S EY ES. HA VE AN AMAZ IN G YE AR ! 30

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Team Southampton: AN INTRODUCTION

For most students at the University of Southampton, the closest encounter with exercise is a hungover ascent up the feared gradients of Church Lane, or the trek up the seemingly endless hill to Glen Eyre, staring wistfully at the U2B you just missed out on at the Interchange five minutes earlier. But, for those select few who possess “the gift” and are able to resist that next episode on Netflix to pursue physical exercise, the Union’s sporting arm – Team Southampton – exists to support and develop athletes of all abilities in a positive and enjoyable environment. Students of all abilities are able to engage competitively in a diverse range of sports for the university as a member of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) organisation, along with intra-mural competition between subjects and faculties and casual participation. Wide Lane is the university’s 76-acre, re-developed sports facility in the north of Southampton, with a pair of synthetic flood-lit turf pitches supplemented by eight tennis courts, a large number of grass pitches to compliment a wide range of sports and the ‘Team Southampton Gym’ – a dedicated strength and conditioning facility for athletes – all overlooked by the conference and bar facilities at the Pavilion. The £8.5 million Jubilee Sports Centre on Highfield Campus is equally well-equipped, housing a 6-lane, 25m indoor swimming pool alongside two Sports Halls totalling twelve indoor courts, a split-level, 150-station fitness suite, indoor martial arts and cycling studios and a bouldering wall, all complimented by additional facilities in the neighbouring SUSU building. A 60-station fitness suite and studio is available for students at Mayflower Gym, whilst the University Watersports Centre caters for those interested in water-borne activities.

Whilst the cost for use of these facilities currently set by the University’s Sports and Wellbeing service – not Team Southampton or SUSU, the student’s union – is best described as ‘extortionate’, the health and social benefits of including sport and regular exercise in your routine are welldocumented. The highlight of the annual sporting calendar is undoubtedly the clash for Varsity honours against the nearby University of Portsmouth – despite only defeating ‘The Stags’ once amid a scoring controversy in 2013, ‘the enemy’ must be commended for continuing to turn up for their annual punishment at Southampton’s hands. Newly-elected Vice President Sport Development, Stephen Gore, is looking to create a positive, unified mindset surrounding Varsity for this year, with Southampton taking their bi-annual turn at hosting the event. “Portsmouth surprised us last year by their level of competition and determination, and almost caused a big upset,” admitted Gore. “This year I’m determined to have our teams come back stronger than ever by building a unified Team Southampton mind-set throughout the year. For the first time, students will be able to buy Team Southampton kit from the Shop on Top all year round, and we’re upscaling our Varsity merchandise – so expect to see a lot more team colours this year.” For the first time, Gore is also looking to implement one of the key points of his election manifesto, and create a two-day Varsity event as opposed to the current single-day setup. “Portsmouth seems to be on board with the plan but we’re still in the early stages of drafting the Varsity constitution. As a project very close to my heart you’ll all be hearing about it as soon as details are confirmed!”

WORDS BY DAMIAN MEADEN IMAGE BY LUCY WHELLER-PARR

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THE IMPACT OF PLAYING SPORT ON UNIVERSITY LIFE WORDS BY CAMERON RIDGWAY IMAGE BY KYLE GENTLEMAN With so many opportunities available, your time at university is a great opportunity to pick up a new sport or further the ones that you are already interested in. We asked students about the impact that taking up a sport at Southampton had on their university life. 26 students responded to a Wessex Scene poll which was conducted over the summer. The majority of those who responded were undergraduates (23.1 per cent were first years, 26.9 per cent were in their second year and 34.1 per cent were in their third year). The remainder of respondents were in their fourth year or above. All were involved in sport at Southampton to a greater or lesser extent, ranging from occasional visits to the gym to being on teams for sports as diverse as badminton, cheerleading and hockey. Overall, students judged sport to have a positive impact on university studies. 50 per cent of those who responded believed that sport enriched their degree and allowed them to perform better academically. A further 44 per cent were passive and believed that sport had no effect on their academic performance, while only 7.7 per cent believed that being involved with a sport has had a detrimental impact on their academic performance at university.

Southampton across halls and campuses, it would appear that main university-run gyms and sports centres are the most popular. 73.1 per cent of those surveyed said that they were most likely to use the Jubilee Sports Centre, which includes a pool and a large gym in addition to many other indoor facilities. The next most popular area was the outdoor sporting facilities at Wide Lane, which are used for the annual Varsity competition against Portsmouth and many team sports – 7.7 per cent of those questioned said that they were most likely to use the complex. Encouragment for freshers to get involved with sport was also high. 88.5 per cent of those questioned said they would recommend that new arrivals take up some form of sport during their time at Southampton, and a further 11.5 per cent said they would at least recommend regular use of the gym facilities available to stay active and for health benefits. Some also shared the benefits that being involved in sport at Southampton had given them. For one MSc student who found it hard to socialise, it had given them ‘a social life and a great way to de-stress’, while another respondent said it gave them something to focus on outside of their degree. Others hailed it as the best decision that they had ever made at university, both due to the health benefits and the people they had met through it. Competing at a national or inter-university level, such as in the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) leagues also shows the issues that being deeply involved in sport as an extra-curricular activity can raise. While one respondent acknowledged that sport had benefited them both physically and socially, they also spoke of the difficulties in balancing the high effort required to compete for the university with their studies and their frustration at having to prioritise their degree over competitions which they do not receive credits for.

The impact of being involved with sport at Southampton on the social lives of those questioned was overwhelmingly positive. 92.3 per cent of those who answered the survey believed that playing a sport had ‘regularly improved’ their social life, while only 7.7 per cent believed that sport had not influenced their social life in either direction. None of the respondents believed that being involved with sport had negatively impacted their social life. Out of the wide range of sporting facilities available at 34

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WHY I’VE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH EASTLEIGH FC – AND YOU SHOULD TOO WORDS BY DAMIAN MEADEN As with most students at the University of Southampton with even a passing interest in football, the lure of Premier League action a mere three miles or so from Highfield Campus at St. Mary’s Stadium, the home of Southampton Football Club, proved difficult to resist. Several enjoyable evenings have since been spent, both in the afternoon sun or shivering underneath the floodlights, watching the Saints take on both the domestic heavyweights of the nation’s favourite sport along with some renowned names from abroad – Liverpool, Arsenal, Inter Milan and so on. With the cost of tickets ever soaring and in dire need of capping in the top flight, a cost-effective alternative exists for students, and one which I’m inclined to argue they maybe should have invested in to begin with. Eastleigh Football Club currently ply their trade in the National League, just a single step on the English footballing pyramid from the Football League, and with the Saints set for another season squabbling over the bottom reaches of the Premier League top-ten, the short journey to the Silverlake Stadium may prove a more satisfying day out. At the time of writing, the Spitfires have made a positive start to the season under returning manager Richard Hill, with new signing Ben Williamson firmly in form after departing Cambridge United earlier this year. The National League is no pushover either, with seasoned Football League sides including Aldershot, Dagenham & Redbridge, Hartlepool, Leyton Orient, Macclesfield and Tranmere Rovers all set to make a trip to Stoneham Lane over the next nine FRESHERS’ MAGAZINE

months. That professional experience is reflected in Eastleigh’s squad, with the vast majority having plied their trade at higher levels before joining the Blues. Make no mistake about it – this is a football club assembling an arsenal capable on rewarding it’s loyal supporters with League football in the near future. The club is just as ambitious off the pitch as it is on it too. The north terrace has a strikingly different aesthetic to it this season after the completion of a brand-new hospitality and conference venue in the summer – and more improvements to the spectator areas are firmly in the pipeline. There’s something special about lower league football, and Eastleigh certainly captivates the imagination. Southampton are undoubtedly the dominant side on the south coast – but is there really anything rewarding about parting with £25 to watch a dull 1-0 victory against West Brom, when you could spend less than a third of the price to watch the Spitfires claim a resounding home victory that really means something to the club? For the more invested supporter, Eastleigh make a welcome habit of rewarding fans where possible, a recent example being the use of unexpected television money to subsidise away travel to Leyton Orient for supporters, reducing return fares to just £2. Watching Southampton play football is something every student should experience whilst it exists on their doorstep – but if you want a gripping story to engage with this season, do yourself a favour – head to the Silverlake Stadium instead. You might just find yourself witnessing the birth of a new Football League side. 35