Issue 0 (Freshers' Week 2015) by Wessex Scene

WessexScene.co.uk

University of Southampton’s Student Magazine

Freshers’ 2015

your freshers’ survival guide Page 06

+ Freshers, Strive to open

+ The 7 student wonders of

Starting University is a great time for a fresh start

Believe it or not, Southampton is home to some “Wonders of the World”

your mind at uni 10

southampton 26

+ Who, what and Where of

Southampton Politics 14

Samuel Williams shows you what’s what

Welcome

BRIDIE PEARSON-JONES Editor

WESSEX SCENE TEAM Want to write for us?

Get in touch with a section editor. Editor BRIDIE PEARSON-JONES editor@soton.ac.uk

Deputy Editor MICHAEL OLIVER

deputy-editor@wessexscene.co.uk

Head of Design SEBASTIAN STEELE design@wessexscene.co.uk

HEAD OF IMAGERY JORDAN STEWART image@wessexscene.co.uk

Features ELLIE WERMTER

features@wessexscene.co.uk

Features ALICE HEARING

features@wessexscene.co.uk

Science and Environment TRINA DAVIES science@wessexscene.co.uk

Politics SAMUEL WILLIAMS

politics@wessexscene.co.uk

Opinion FREYA JEFFRIES

opinion@wessexscene.co.uk

Travel NUALA MCBRIDE

travel@wessexscene.co.uk

Lifestyle Laura Cox

lifestyle@wessexscene.co.uk

International CAMERON RIDGWAY

international@wessexscene.co.uk

Sport JACK PETHICK

sports@wessexscene.co.uk

Sport SEAN O’BRIEN

sports@wessexscene.co.uk

News REBECCA LAKE

Hello there Freshers and welcome to the University of Southampton! This is Wessex Scene, your official multi-award winning student magazine. We’re here to keep you updated on all the things you need to know from news, to politics, lifestyle, sport and more! We also have our own website to keep you updated twenty-four seven, and to showcase the talent of our incredible team of writers and illustrators. In this special issue, you’ll find all sorts of helpful and entertaining articles for your Freshers’ week. How to avoid Freshers’ Flu, how to make your University room nice and homely, your guide to Southampton politics and even (perhaps a little controversially) a guide to your Halls. We hope this issue wets your taste buds for an exciting year ahead, as Wessex Scene have so much planned. Next month, we’ll be releasing a special ‘Black History Month’ issue, in partnership with The Edge, and African Caribbean Society. We also have lots of exciting competitions ahead, as well as some exciting conferences, special issues and award ceremonies! Everything you see is this magazine is created by students, the design, the imagery and of course, the words. We’re a team of fun and hard-working individual and everyone involved in Wessex Scene is a full-time student. There’s loads of fantastic opportunities for new students to get involved, and it’s not all about journalism! If you’re a budding illustrator, writer, photographer, or marketing guru there’s so many opportunities for you to get involved! It’s a lot of fun, and it always looks good on your CV to be working with one of the oldest and most prestigious student publications in the country! If you’d like to join us, (even if it’s only for the socials), email me at editor@soton.ac.uk and I’ll help you get started on the first steps of your Wessex Scene adventure! If you see us at the Bunfight, or wondering around campus in our bright red hoodies, come say hello, we’re a friendly bunch that would love to have you on board. I hope you enjoy the rest of the issue! Bridie

news@wessexscene.co.uk

News TOM MORGAN

news@wessexscene.co.uk

Pause TOM RANDALL

pause@wessexscene.co.uk

MARKETING DAN LINSTEAD

publicity@wessexscene.co.uk

VP DCI KERRY SCLATER vpdci@susu.org

FRONT COVER IMAGE BY JORDAN STEWART WELCOME

LIFESTYLE 22 How to Make Your New Room A Home - Dan Linstead. Image by Bethany Westall

ISSUE 0 freshers’ 2015

FEATURES

LIFESTYLE

LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS AT UNIVERSITY

HOW TO BUILD YOUR CAPSULE WARDROBE

YOUR FRESHERS’ SURVIVAL GUIDE

06 08

HOW TO MAKE YOUR NEW ROOM A HOME

HOW TO AVOID THE INFAMOUS FRESHERS’ FLU

TRAVEL

OPINION

FRESHERS, STRIVE TO OPEN YOUR MINDS AT UNI

TO DRINK OR NOT TO DRINK?

SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT

CALLING STUDENT wildlife photographers

The 7 student wonders of southampton

INTERNATIONAL

TOP 10 TIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

SPORT

POLITICS

wessexscene.co.uk

SUNSHINE, SAND & SEA

Who, What and Where of Southampton Politics

speaking to the political societies of southampton

SPORTING TIPS FOR FRESHERS

TOP TEN SPORTS TO EXPERIMENT WITH DURING FRESHERS’

PAUSE

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SOUTHAMPTON HALLS OF RESIDENCE

@wessexscene fb.com/wscene WELCOME

Long distance relationships at Uni Many Freshers begin university with a long distance relationship that began in their home town. Relationships that start close but become distanced are, of course, brittle. Often the miles between can be fatal. Even though this isn’t always the case, they’ll always mean you have to work harder at the relationship. ALICE HEARING IMAGE BY ZOE COLLINS

ot only freshers suffer from distanced love. Students often get together with other older students who may graduate before they do and their boyfriend or girlfriend’s homes are far from university. Under any circumstance, any relationship that suffers from long distance is hard. If you’ve been in a relationship before freshers begins and both of you are planning to go to different universities, the dilemma is all too real. Should you break up before you go or should you stay together and work at it? There are relationship success stories and failures, so I will not advise you to do one or the other. Instead, there are factors to consider when deciding whether you’d like to continue. Can you see yourself with this person in three years time (or however long your course is)? What do you value in a relationship and how will university affect that? How far away is their university and how easy will it be for you to spontaneously see each other? Spontaneity is often a way of keeping a long distance relationship exciting. Many who break with their other half during their first term are able to compare how life was during and after being in a relationship. This is an advantage as you will realise that your social life will inevitably be affected if you devote every other weekend to visiting your girlfriend or boyfriend. However, if you choose to see how it goes during the first term, you have to get through freshers week. A real danger lies here. What about freshers flings? Some will want to be single for freshers week and they’ll want to meet new people. The temptations of freshers can be very strong and often the drunken weeks of madness and horny students become the make or break point of a relationship. Another thing to consider is the fact that, in moving to a new university and a new place, you will be leading a new lifestyle, making new friends and all together making a lot of changes. Your partner might not fit in with your changes and that’s okay. However, if you work hard, it can absolutely last. FEATURES

Relationships are much easier nowadays with social media. The likes of Facebook and Skype and of course phone calls make for suitable long distance communication. On the other hand, there’s only so much you can get out of a phone call. At the end of the day you make the decision that is best for you and you decide how is best for you to communicate. All couples are different in how they interact and how often they see each other. Remember, this decision is down to you. Think about only your future, even though you may have sympathy for your girlfriend or boyfriend. After all, it is you and your life that matters and it is your future that you are deciding upon. Do not let anyone else persuade you into doing something that you do not want to do. Nor should you let anyone make you stay in a relationship that is suffocating or is making you unhappy.

“It is you and your life that matters and it is your future that you are deciding upon.” 5

Freshers, you have left the comforts of home and you have been thrust head first into university life. The road ahead is daunting but, never fear... Wessex Scene are here to help with your very own handy survival guide! Rip it out and keep it in your back pocket in case of emergencies.

If you follow this simple guide, you will glide through freshers relatively hassle free.

LOGISTICS

Pack as light as you dare; Do not take your entire bedroom. You will not use nearly half of what you bring. You probably won’t need that TV or games console either. Someone else will probably bring a games console and their room will become squad HQ for the next year. Books for pleasure are nice to have, but they are heavy, bulky and likely won’t get read. Take a minimal selection of your favourites (good for making friends), or get a Kindle.

If you have a musical instrument, take it. Even if you think you suck, take it. However, a piano might not fit in the car. Write lists; even if you think you’re organised, it sucks not to have a kettle to make tea when you first move in. Post-its are the way forward. Tea, coffee, cup soups, and instant noodles make you friends.

NEW PEOPLE

Your Freshers’ Survival Guide

There are loads of new people to meet. Meet them. Talk to them. Some of them you’ll really like, some of them you won’t. That’s fine. You won’t find your people if you don’t talk to any to begin with. Trial and error is a suitable method. Many people will use university as an opportunity to reinvent themselves. That’s something you can definitely do. But, if you do it, make sure you’re being true to yourself. Be honest. Everyone’s made mistakes, no-one is perfect. You won’t need to fabricate stories to fit in with the people you’re supposed to be hanging

out with. See above about being true to yourself. Ask questions. You are no doubt a wonderful person and a truly special snowflake, but bringing everything back to you and your experiences is boring. Be inquisitive. Respect other people. Everyone has had different experiences in their lives up to this point. Be as sensitive as you can, assume nothing, and take no-one for granted. Respect yourself. Make sure you’re surrounding yourself with the best possible people and experiences for you.

FEATURES

HEALTH

actually need it. Get paracetamol, ibuprofen, plasters, condoms. You’ll be glad they’re there, even if it’s just to help friends asking you if you have any.

course

Check for second-hand course books rather than buying new; so much cheaper, and you could end up with useful notes in margins. Look out for people selling course books on the various Facebook pages. The first year exists to get everyone up to roughly the same standard. Don’t be daunted if you don’t understand everything all the time - you’ll have different strengths and will have been taught differently to other people in the past.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You have paid to be taught, you owe it to yourself to give yourself the best chance of understanding the material. In most universities, first year doesn’t actually count towards your final degree mark, so you just need to pass. Obviously do the best work you can, but don’t stress out. When given the choice between tweaking that essay to get a first-class grade and going to the pub/social event/society meeting, choose the latter.

Extra curricular

ALICE HEARING IMAGE BY SOPHIE EDGERLEY

Make sure you’re eating well and regularly, drinking lots of water, and know your limits. GET SOME SLEEP. Seriously. Freshers flu will hit hard if you don’t. Sleep might also help if you want to get up for those 9am lectures. You will very likely get ill quite early on due to meeting lots of new people with new germs. Bring medicine with you, or buy some early before you

Do at least one (creative/social) thing regularly that is in no way related to your degree, however much you think you’ll love your course. Even just having a go at something is worth it. When given the choice between going out and staying in, always go out, at least at first. This doesn’t have to be drinking or going to clubs, just socialising and meeting people. You won’t regret it. University societies and clubs are where you’ll

‘actually’ make friendships (and ones that last); so do your research, and also try lots of things you might not usually consider, and see what you like. I tried Judo once and never went again. Either way, I don’t regret having the experience. There is always so much going on besides the ordinary pub/club/drinking scene. Investigate, find out what is going on, and go. Whether it is university organised (such as Laughter Lounge or Karaoke at The Stags)

FEATURES

HOW TO AVOID THE INFAMOUS FRESHERS’ FLU You’re shivering, sneezing; have a fever, a dry cough, headaches and a general feeling of grogginess? Yep, you’ve most probably been warned about it, this is Freshers Flu- the dreaded side effect of the first few weeks of student life for many!

ELLIE WERMTER IMAGE BY JORDAN STEWART

espite its name, Freshers Flu isn’t technically a flu, it’s just a really bad cold that derives from a combination of psychological and physical factors you face in your Freshers’ fortnight. Obviously, moving out of your family home and into halls full of strangers is a stressful experience, and stress does not have a positive influence on your immune system. Next, you’re mingling with hundreds, sometimes thousands of new people at your freshers’ events- this involves lots of hugging and hand-shaking- a breeding ground for cross contamination of germs and viruses that perhaps you are not yet immune to. Once you’ve made all of your new friends, you can then head out for fourteen nights in a row to party with them. Your consequential lack of sleep wrecks havoc with your immune system, making you more susceptible to viruses, and the copious amounts of cheesy chips after a night out (or even the morning after) is doing nothing to replenish your body with its much needed energy and vitamins. The amount of alcohol your body consumes within these two weeks is potentially dangerous, as binge drinking on this scale without a doubt affects your body’s defenses to viruses too. Aside from hiding in your room 100% of the time, (not a wise idea if you want to make any friends) there are a few things to do which can protect you from contracting the infamous Fresher’s Flu:

1. Use lots of anti-Bacterial hand gel throughout the day, this will ensure that your hands stay clear of the germs that cause viruses and colds.

2. Drink lots of water and remember to keep hydrated, especially if you have been out the night before as alcohol dehydrates the 8

body. It is often a wise idea to leave a pint of water on your bedside table for when you get in, and forcing yourself to drink it at 4am will make you feel a whole lot better in the morning.

3. If for whatever reason you forget to consume your pint of

water at 4am, help is on its way in the form of two life-saving products, Berrocca and Dioralyte. Dioralyte is technically a product to give to children after a bought of diarrhea but is an incredible hangover cure as it is an intensive rehydration method which prevents the horrible dehydrated feeling the next day. Having a Berrocca with your breakfast boosts your vitamin levels and gives your body some much-needed energy.

4. Consume some Vitamin C. Avoid the junk food as much as you can

(as tempting as it is with a mighty hangover) and try to force yourself to eat lots of fruit and veg instead. This will give your body a fighting chance against all the new viruses it will be coming up against. If this doesn’t sound up your street, then get some vitamin C tablets and pop one a day over freshers’.

5. The beauty of having no lectures for a week means that you have the luxury of lots of sleep. Get those zzzz’s in and give your body a rest.

Hopefully these tips and tricks should keep the dreaded Freshers’ Flu at bay enough for you to enjoy your Freshers’ Fortnight to the fullest. Freshers’ is one of the most liberating, enjoyable and fun-filled periods of your time at university so make sure you’re well enough to get out there and seize it. And for those of you who are stuck down by Freshers’ Flu, don’t be afraid to take it easy for a few days, and get well soon!

FEATURES

Freshers, Strive to Open Your Minds at Uni Your university years are pretty much the only point in your life when you’ll live within such a close proximity to such a massive range of people. Now you’re well and truly emancipated from the cliques and social constrictions of school, you have the chance to roam free, break down social barriers and explore how diverse and varied university life can be.

f course, you don’t need me to tell you that there’s so much more to university than your degree. You already know about the incredible range of societies, opportunities and events that go on at uni. That’s why I’m going to be talking about the more abstract opportunity available to you; the chance to open your mind. Now, I’m definitely not calling anyone close minded. However we all have our ignorances, assumptions and preconceptions, caused by the unfortunate affliction of only having direct access to one human brain. But luckily there are things we can do to tackle this and university is a fantastic place to fight our ignorances. Starting university is a chance to have a fresh start. It’s a great time to let go of the past and start university excited to explore life and learn new things. If you arrive without any fixed idea of the ‘sort of person’ you get along with and no preconceived notions about what kind of activities and societies you will take part in, you are sure to be surprised by just how much you discover. So without further ado here are some ways you can ‘open your mind’.

FREYA JEFFRIES IMAGE BY JORDAN STEWART

OPINION

“Starting university is a chance to have a fresh start. It’s a great time to let go of the past and start university excited to explore life and learn new things.”

Be Curious (not judgemental) Many freshers choose to study their degree because of a deep curiosity for their chosen subject, which is really cool. So why not try to apply this curiosity to the rest of our lives? However passionate you are about Chemistry or however committed you are to your History degree, you will inevitable get immersed in university life outside your degree. Although you hopefully enjoy your degree and you want to do well, it’s extremely enriching to branch out and make the most of the opportunities available to you.

of opportunities to have your eyes opened to certain ways of thinking, even if they don’t fit your own ideas.

Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in. Isaac Asimov Ultimately, don’t get hung up on being wrong. Instead think about how much you can enrich your understanding of the world by being proven wrong.

The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people Avoid Getting Cliquey will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it. Everyone wants to make friends Terry Pratchett So if you think a university society seems really weird or ‘lame’, attend a taster session! You’re only a fresher once. Even if you decide that it’s definitely not for you, you might come out of it with a deeper appreciation of Quidditch, or a new admiration for pole dancers or gain a better understanding of feminism, LGBT+ issues or even the benefits of picnicking. Use your university experience to learn more about humanity (you can tell I’m a humanities student) and by this I mean try to learn more about people, the world and yourself. This doesn’t mean living a really extroverted life if that’s not you - it just means being open to befriending anyone and taking up a couple of new activities.

It’s OK To Be Wrong University is absolutely full to bursting with different people with different mindsets, views and interests - and this makes for a campus full of opinions. However don’t let this deter you, it’s a really good thing. Throughout university you will hang out with, live with, work with and study alongside people from various cultures and social backgrounds, each with their own set of ideas, influences and personalities. Be willing to have your mind changed and be educated about certain issues you were previously unaware of, and make the most OPINION

at university and, understandably, many people worry that they won’t. Because of this, freshers week can seem kind of like an insecurity and overcompensation parade. This can result in people getting cliquey - once someone feels comfortable and accepted within a group they may stop trying to make new friends. But this simply limits you. Don’t push away the flatmate you think is a ‘social outcast’ for fear of people rejecting you, and don’t ignore the friendly student who strikes up a conversation with you on the bus just because you’ve already got ‘your group’. Individual friendships and even random conversations with strangers who you’ll never see again can be enriching and eyeopening.

Identity Is Fluid As cheesy as it sounds, you will also learn a lot about yourself throughout your university journey as well. You might start university adamant that you hate sport and graduate a Basketball pro. Or you might begin your degree determined to put all your energies into your uni work and then leave uni a passionate activist. Don’t be put off something just because you’re not a blank kind of person. Of course, this is just one person’s take on how to make the most of university. My views will probably/definitely change throughout the rest of my degree - just like everyone else’s and that is a really good thing! 11

Opinion

TO DRINK OR NOT TO DRINK? Have A Fantastic Freshers’ Either Way! Freshers’ is a fantastic time to meet new people, share great experiences and form some amazing memories – and all of this can be done without alcohol!

FRAZER DELVES IMAGE BY CHESTER FRAMPTON

o you’ve opened your results, received an offer and enrolled as a student at the University of Southampton. Congratulations, you’ve done it! Before you know it, you’ll be unpacking your bags, waving goodbye to loved ones and getting to know other students also ready to embark on a new chapter in their lives. University is a fantastic time to meet new people, experience new things and form incredible memories that will last for a lifetime. And although there’ll be plenty of opportunities during the first few weeks for wild pub crawls and crazy nights out, you can have just as good a time without having to consume vast quantities of alcohol. This time last year, The Telegraph reported that first year university students were forecast to spend on average around £215.83 in pubs and clubs during freshers’ week alone. Whilst you can expect to receive lots of coupons offering cheap drinks deals and offering free entry to venues on selected nights, you can have a great time simply just by chilling out, having a Netflix marathon and tucking into a pizza with friends. Also The Stags and The Bridge offer great food and provide a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, so there is something for everyone. The Students’ Union also has its own cinema run by student volunteers, which puts on a range of showings throughout the year at a great price. During Freshers’ Week, SUSU also holds its annual bunfight, where you can sign up to join the hundreds of clubs and societies on offer to students. This exciting event is proof that there’s much more to university life than drinking, and joining a society is a great opportunity to make some great friends who share your interests. 12

The key message to take away is that if drinking isn’t your cup of tea, you don’t have to do it! Students who don’t drink may well by in the minority at most universities today, but whether it’s for health, religious or personal reasons, the choice to remain sober is entirely down to each individual. And chances are there’ll be many more people at uni who prefer not to drink than you might expect. So welcome to Southampton, your home during your degree! Have an amazing time in the coming weeks and months and remember, the choice of whether to drink or not is entirely down to you.

“University students were forecast to spend on average around £215.83 in pubs and clubs during freshers’ week alone.” OPINION

CALLING STUDENT WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHERS

The focus is on you

University is a place where people often get caught up in all things university. It is easy to forget that whilst we are hungover or under library lockdown, there is a world around us and the seasons are changing. This year the Wessex Scene plans to change this, exploring the world of wildlife through publishing your pictures. Whether you’ve snapped a photo worthy of David Attenbourgh commentary or whether it is just a heartwarming snap of a squirrel holding a nut, we are interested in sharing your photos and your stories. To kick off this series, we’ll head straight to the secret underwater forests of Abu Dhabi. Horizontally full of vast deserts and vertically pushing the sky with scrapers, the Emirates seem an unlikely place to find forests. Wildlife photographer Leanna Crowley finds the coast is home to a different type of forest to those on land; one which requires a kayak to get to. Mangroves present a unique maze of submerged salt tolerant trees, which have long captured the curiosity of biologists and the fancy of small fish and waders. Mangroves are rich in nutrients from the decaying trees, providing an ideal home for small invertebrates and a nursery ground for young fish. Yet in the tidal waters of Abu Dhabi, 40 km2 of mangrove still remain a bit of a question mark, despite the fact that they make up 75% of the mangroves of the UAE. The species ID guides currently available remain hazy and uncertain as to what wildlife inhabits this secret stretch of underwater forest. During the summer, wildlife photographer and Southampton university student Leanna Crowley paddled out into many a warm Arab night to set matters concerning feathers straight. Swashing through water which glowed under the light of the kayak and equipped with a large lens which she likes to affectionately call ‘the creeper’, she ventured out to form a new and improved wildlife ID guide for a local eco water sports company. She found herself pleasantly surprised by the diversity of birds, which comically strutted and paraded around the shallow mangrove waters. ‘I didn’t expect flamingos’ said Leanna, ‘I had no idea that there would be flamingos in the Arab states’. 14

That would have come as a surprise to me too. Surely these flamingos must be migrants? ‘Yeah they are. I’m told that in winter this place is filled with flamingos, and more birds in general. They all come here to avoid the cold. There were 3 flamingos that I could find, which apparently are a trio that stay behind every summer, whilst the rest of the flock leave. Nobody really knows why’. Aside from the purpose of providing good photographs, these flamingos may be loitering over summer due to alternate reasons. Climate change is suspected to be shortening and changing flamingo migration patterns. According to research, flamingos will not migrate unless they absolutely have to. Maybe these particular flamingos are simply quite comfortable in Abu Dhabi waters. So aside from flamingos what other species of bird do you get in the Abu Dhabi mangroves? ‘Mostly wading birds, like herons, sand plovers and spoonbills who fly down from their nests to feed at dusk. The herons amuse me, they try to sneak up on their prey by hiding behind tiny stalks. Somebody needs to kindly tell them that they are clearly huge and visible. ’

TRINA DAVIES IMAGES BY LEANNA CROWLEY SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT

Science & Environment

It sounds like an incredible habitat to photograph. Although it must be challenging photographing birds you haven’t seen before with limited ID guides?

known about them for a long time. But the country Abu Dhabi itself is still new, it is only about 60 years old and things are still catching up.’

‘Definitely. In comparison to the UK there is very little research here. I mean the ancient Arabs actually were the ones to originally create the word for mangroves, so people have

To share your wildlife photos and stories too get in touch at:

SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT

Facebook- Wessex Scene Science + Environment 15

Speaking to the Political Societies of Southampton JAMES EDWARDS

hy do political societies matter? According to Sonia Huda, President of the Southampton University Politics Association:

“

I think any politics society provides a great opportunity to have open dialogue and debate on just about anything. Whether they are on the economy, social issues or an international crisises, politics societies allow us on commune with others both like minded and different.

But what do other political societies think?

Southampton University Conservative Society:

The Southampton University Conservative Association (SUCA) promotes the Conservative party at a student level. Aside from this we also aim to provide opportunities for Conservative students to meet up and discuss their views with likeminded individuals and promote political debate throughout the whole university. While the next General Election is almost five years away, it is vitally important that we do not rest on our laurels between now and then! One third of the Labour controlled City Council is up for re-election in the spring of 2016, so we have much work to do supporting our local candidates. It’s important to have political societies mean our opinions are challenged and we learn more information which may change our opinion. Johnathan Kirk, SUCA Treasurer

Southampton University Labour Society:

What makes you a student worth less than any other member of society? We in the Southampton University Labour Society don’t know either, and yet you get paid less, your interests are ignored as the £27,000 worth of debt proves. We campaign for student issues with the local Labour party, supporting local candidates in the upcoming council elections as well as the society leads the charge on issues such as Britain remaining in the EU. It has never been more important to have political societies as active as possible without them there is neither the same quality of debate, and even more worryingly students will be completely ignored as the last five years has proven. James Edwards, Labour Society President

Southampton University Lib Dem Society:

The Liberal Democrat Society over the next five years will be focusing on specific campaigns such as a campaign to preserve the Human Rights act. We also try to keep the Conservatives to account for neglecting their environmental and moral responsibilities. The Liberal Democrats will be strongly opposing the direction in which this government is taking the country, while fighting for a fairer, more tolerant and 16

“

more liberal Britain The society also works closely with Lib Dem candidates nearby and on pro-European campaigns. A vibrant political atmosphere at university, encouraged by the presence of political societies, ensures students don’t become disenfranchised. Julien Poulain, Lib Dem Society President

Southampton University Young Greens Society:

The University of Southampton Young Greens is a growing political movement, and offer a chance for students to get involved and give back to their local communities. In between now and the next general election the Young Greens will be campaigning on campus on emotive issues such as fair pay etc. We are already preparing for the next general election by getting a feel for residents’ concerns. It is crucial to have active political societies at Southampton otherwise students can become apathetic without a channel for their political concerns. Rosie Pearce, Young Greens Co-Chair

Southampton University Marxist Society:

Soton Marxists is an affiliated member of the Marxist Student Federation as well as SUSU. We work with other Marxist societies around the UK to educate ourselves on Marxist ideas. Britain’s students have been under a Tory government that has proven that capitalism offers no future with all their austerity measures they have imposed. Unlike other societies we function in a different way rather than building up to campaigning in a general election we organise weekly discussion meetings with a wide range of topics such as Ukraine, the EU crisis etc. The best way to protect our own future interests is by joining together and supporting and organising unions. With young people being hit the hardest now is the time for us to act, hence why political societies are so important. Mert Cal, Soton Marxists Secretary

POLITICS

Con Gain

Southampton Itchen is a marginal seat which takes its name from the Itchen River to the east. It became one of the key battlegrounds on the south coast in the 2015 General Election. The seat was held by Labour MP John Denham from 1992, but in 2015 the constituency was won by local Conservative MP, Royston Smith. Whilst serving as the leader of Southampton City Council, Smith disarmed a sailor who fatally shot Lieutenant Commander Molyneux RN on board HMS Astute whilst on an official visit, as a result was awarded the George Medal for gallantry. Southampton Itchen is also the sight of the infamous Sausage Roll-Gate incident involving UKIPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kim Rose inappropriately handing out sausage rolls at a campaigning event.

Southampton Test MP: Dr Alan Whitehead

Lab Hold

Southampton Test takes its name from the River Test to the west of the city and following the 2015 General Election is the only Labour seat in the county of Hampshire and one of only four seats not held by Conservatives on the south coast. Dr Whitehead holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Southampton and was also the President of the Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union during his time here (and he wrote for Wessex Scene). He has held the constituency since 1997. Highfield, Boldrewood and Avenue campus all sit within the Test constituency.

Winchester

MP: Steve Brine

Con Hold

The Conservative safe seat of Winchester is represented by Steve Brine MP, who has held the seat since 2010. Winchester had been a Liberal Democrat seat since 1997. The Winchester School of Art is represented in this constituency.

2010

2015

2010

2015

2010

2015

SAMUEL WILLIAMS IMAGES BY SEBASTIAN STEELE

Con 49.7 Lib 41.3 Lab 6.4 UKIP 2.6 Con 54.5 Lib 17.7 Lab 11.9 UKIP 11.4 Green 4.6 Lab 36.8 Con 36.3 Lib 20.8 UKIP 4.3 Green 1.4 TUSC 0.4

MP: Royston Smith GM

2015

Con 41.7 Lab 36.5 UKIP 13.4 Green 4.2 Lib 3.6 TUSC 0.5

Southampton Itchen

2010

Lab 38.5 Con 33.0 Lib 22.3 UKIP 3.9 Green 2.0

Romsey and Southampton North is safe Conservative seat which encompasses many of the University halls to the north of Highfield Campus including Montefiore and Glen Eyre. The constituency is represented by local Conservative MP, Caroline Nokes who has represented the constituency since 2010. Previously, the seat of Romsey had been represented by Liberal Democrat Sandra Gildey, who was one of the many MPs highlighted in the 2009 expenses scandal.

Lab 41.3 Con 32.5 UKIP 12.8 Green 5.9 Lib 4.9 Ind 1.8 TUSC 0.9

Con Hold

Con 48.5 Lib 43.1 Lab 5.5 UKIP 2.0 EDP 0.9

MP: Caroline Nokes

Con 55.0 Lib 24.4 Lab 8.3 UKIP 7.5 Green 4.8

Romsey and Southampton North

POLITICS

Lifestyle

How to Build Your

s the start of term approaches, the weather becomes colder and the high street shops fill with tempting new season treats. However, you don’t need to blow your student loan on new pieces for a wardrobe to be proud of. Instead, follow our tips for building a capsule wardrobe comprised of easy to wear pieces which you can mix and match to create a range of different outfits. A capsule wardrobe is a great way to keep your spending on clothes in check - the pieces will see you through season after season. Laura Cox ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALEXANDER MAVRONICHOLAS

1. The Breton Top The Breton Top is the ultimate easy to wear staple. Throw it on with dark skinny jeans for a nod to Parisian chic or team with a denim dungaree dress for an Alexa Chung-esque day time look. This top from Joules is £24.95 and a student discount of 15% is also offered too.

2. The Leather Jacket Although a real leather jacket is a great investment piece and will continue to look better as it ages, faux options can easily be found for a fraction of the price. A leather jacket is the perfect item to toughen up a lacy dress or team with Mom jeans and your Breton top for a classic look. It’s a useful jacket to take with you when going out (if you don’t mind paying to use the cloakroom) as it will keep you warm but isn’t too heavy.

LIFESTYLE

Lifestyle

Capsule Wardrobe 3. The Chelsea Boots Chelsea boots are the ultimate year round boot - they work well in the Autumn/Winter seasons and can be combined with summer dresses for a festival ready look. It’s definitely worth investing in a good quality pair of Chelsea boots as a cheap pair often won’t last you long. Chelsea boots from Dr. Martens are designed to be hard wearing and look great at the same time. If you’re a fan of Dr. Martens already, you’ll know that the boots often take a little while to break in! However, your DM Chelsea boots will fit your feet in no time at all as they tend to be softer than traditional Dr. Martens lace up boots. I know they seem expensive upfront, but the cost per wear really makes them worth the money! Keep an eye out for the boosted student discounts offered by Office and Schuh, who often provide either 20 or 25% off around the start of October.

4. The black polo neck No Autumn/Winter capsule wardrobe is complete without a black polo neck. It’s such a versatile item and provides any outfit with a nod to the ever popular 60s mod look. On a more practical note, it also makes a great layering item when the weather turns colder. Team it with your leather jacket, Chelsea boots and jeans for a quintessentially cool Parisian-esque look. It also looks great layered underneath smock or pinafore dresses.

5. The Denim Jacket The denim jacket is one item which never goes out of fashion! Of course, the washes and fits of the denim jacket change from season to season. However, when picking a denim jacket, it’s best to go with what suits you, regardless of the High Street trends of the season. From oversized acid wash to cropped dark denim, the jacket is the ultimate throw on and go piece. Layer it up when it gets colder with your trusted black polo neck and add a chunky scarf to cosy up for those chilly walks home from your lectures.

Don’t forget to take your student ID with you when you visit the shops, as many retailers in West Quay offer student discount!

LIFESTYLE

Lifestyle

How To Make Your New Room A Home Photos and Posters

Soft Furnishings

Everyone loves a photo collage, and they really help to personalise your room and make it feel homely. Not only are they relatively cheap, with many online photo service offering free prints too, but they are such a simple way of decorating a room. Whether you just want to put a few photos up or create a whole collage, they are something that can be built on as the year goes on, providing a source of emotional support at first when most photos are of friends and family from home, but then go on to remind you of all the good times you have throughout the year as more photos of new friends are added! Equally, posters show your interests off and help to personalise your room, covering a lot of blank space that would otherwise be unused. But be cautious with both posters and photos though, halls rules prevent the use of Blu Tack whilst some private contracts have rules regarding Blu Tack, white tack or pins, so double check with your contract before you cover your wall with photos.

One thing everyone takes for granted at home are cushions, throws and lamps, and they all make a real difference in making your room feel more homely. Not only are they all very practical, but they add style and comfort to your room, and with a throw, you could save a few pounds by using that rather than turning the heating up. If you do buy some soft furnishings, it’s worth remembering that your room is unlikely to be a massive space, and too many cushions could make your room look cluttered and end up causing a mess. Moreover, it’s also worth remembering that on a student budget you cannot afford to buy expensive items, so try and bring some from home or look online for separate cushion cases so that you can change them over quite easily, giving you more options but no more cushions, and therefore no cluttering. Prints are extremely popular, whilst a touch lamp also means you don’t have to have your main light on.

WORDS BY DAN LINSTEAD IMAGE BY BETHANY WESTALL

Knick Knacks This is another great way of bringing a few smaller items to your room that would make a real difference to your room. Figurines, keyrings, rubber ducks, all sorts of knick knacks are out there from the mass-produced to the individual and

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Lifestyle So Freshers’ Week has arrived and you’ve just moved into your new room, be it in halls or in a privately rented house. For many of you this will be the first time that you’ve lived away from home, and away from all the comforts that comes with being at home. All that you have now is an empty shell lacking in personality or warmth, which may look lonely right now, but you can soon change all that and make your new room a home from home. This article will give you a few ideas about how you can do that! quirky, and with Portswood and its charity shops being within easy reach for most students, there are loads of places to get a good deal. Again just be careful though, too many can make your room cluttered and messy, and when it comes to cleaning, you really do not want to have too many items that you need to dust around.

A homely smell Keep with me for this one, but it’s inevitable that cleaning and tidying your room will quickly fall down your list of priorities at university, and as a result you’ll end up with a room that stinks of nights out (and all that they entail), unwashed plates and that piece of food you dropped months ago. Nobody likes that, and if you were at home, that smell would be quickly got rid of, so why not do the same in your new room? There are lots of ways of doing this, and my personal favourite is a reed diffuser. They last for months and help make your room smell fresh in a subtle way, no overpowering scents. Various scented items are around too, so its worth having a look online to see if there is anything you fancy. Of course, a free way of clearing the smell is opening the window, but over winter this is less practical. Candles should be avoided as almost every contract will not allow them.

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Plants The ultimate sign of showing you’ve survived your year at university is by having a plant that you still care for and nurture by the time you reach the end of the second semester. Plants not only give a nice fresh feel to the room, but they brighten it up and also give you something to focus on. Fresh flowers can also give a nice scent, but as they die quickly it is better to by a small green potted plant that will survive, with good examples being Cacti, Bonsai and Aloe Vera. With a potted plant though, it is important that the pot has a few holes in the base to allow water to escape, and remember to put the plant on a plate so that you don’t get water all over your room. These five easy steps are guaranteed to spruce up your room and make it feel more homely, with each one allowing you to express your own personality and interests. It’s worth having a look around to see what deals you can get - you don’t have to spend lots to have a big impact on your room. You’ll end up with a space that is perfect for you.

Travel

Sunshine, Sand & Sea WORDS BY ADITI ARORA IMAGE BY KATHRYN SMITH

hat better way is there to get to know your new pals, than by taking a day trip to explore outside of Southampton? As we all know, our university boasts an excellent location enabling a quick getaway to many locations, including the beautiful Bournemouth beach. I visited our beautiful neighbouring town Bournemouth with my friends during the summer months and we were certainly never limited for options for dining or shopping given the vast array of restaurants (student budget friendly of course) and nightclubs along the coastline- ensuring that everybody’s taste was catered for! I would urge any fresher to take this refreshing trip as soon as possible! Worried about the cost of transportation? Don’t be. The train tickets to Bournemouth were so cheap that it was difficult to decide our preferred mode of transport. Given the trip was for a large group, we decided to drive. I was fortunate that my friends were drivers who had brought their cars to universityperfect for this sort of occasion. Other than splitting the cost of petrol and a parking fee, it was not only a cheap but quick half an hour journey from the M27 before exiting onto the A338 to Bournemouth pier. I knew that Bournemouth was a beach town, but I was blown away by its beauty! The sand, cliffs and views across the wide bay made for the perfect postcard picture! Blessed with blue skies and rays of sunshine, the day out mainly consisted of tanning on the beach! Just words of advice- bring games cards, frisbees and footballs provided hours of entertainment

on the beach and other visitors even joined in some games! Exhausted from running around and diving for frisbees, we visited Bournemouth’s iconic Harry Ramsden’s restaurant by the pier for a traditional meal of fish and chips. And for dessert? My childhood favourite 99p flake from an ice cream van? Obviously. Whilst our food digested, we packed up our belongings from the beach and headed over to the town centre for some window shopping. The streets were lined with niche boutiques and sweet emporiums. We took a stroll along Bournemouth’s tranquil Victorian Gardens. It kind of reminded me of Kew Gardens in London! Unsurprisingly, we ended up spending more time than planned in town and unfortunately had no time to visit Bournemouth’s Oceanarium. Having seen there was no queue, we did all however do the zipline off the pier! It was incredible and a once in a lifetime experience! I would urge everyone to give it a go- regardless of swimming capabilities! If I had more time, I would have left for Bournemouth earlier so that I had time to walk the 16km sandy coastal strip from Old Harry’s Rocks in the west all the way to Christchurch in the east. Nevertheless, we had an enthralling day breaking away from our standard routine and even made it back to halls before rush hour traffic began!

“I would urge any fresher to take this refreshing trip as soon as possible!” 24

TRAVEL

The 7 Student Wonders of Southampton There are various ‘Wonders of the World’ and, believe it or not, Southampton is also home to some! So, as newbies to Southampton these are the 7 ‘wonders’ that you can’t just miss!

NUALA MCBRIDE IMAGE BY ALEX WILLETS

1) Jesters aka Palace of Dreams

4) Il Picchio Cafe

There are no words to describe this magical place. Don’t try to google photos of it; they just won’t do it any justice. Jesters has become a legend across the country (especially after being voted the worst night club in the UK, more than once – again don’t be put off by this!). In all its grimy magicalness you will soon grow fond of it and it will become your favourite place.

After spending a lot of time in Italy before coming to University, I was overjoyed at discovering this particular ‘wonder’. From Wessex Lane it is a short 10 minute walk along the river to the next village Bittern. Upon stepping inside this establishment, it is like being transported back to Italy. The man who runs it speaks only broken English. He stocks a huge choice of Italian magazines and books to read. The café serves a range of Italian food, including sandwiches, soups and cakes. I would highly recommend trying the chocolate cake.

Once inside Jesters head straight to the bar and order a ‘Jesticle’ – a truly mystical drink because you won’t even notice that it contains alcohol. Of course after visiting this wonder that is Jesters, you must go next door to Chico-Land to order food and reflect on what happened that night.

2) Trago Lounge After a heavy or long night: brunch will fix everything. Get your new friends together and head down to Portswood to visit this ‘wonder’ – Trago Lounge. Inside, is an eclectic mix of vintage things adding to the uniqueness of this place. A firm favourite of mine is the Lounge Eggs (£6.75) and there are also lots of gluten free and vegan options.

3) Riverside Park (and no not the one from One Tree Hill) This ‘wonder’ of Southampton is very green and attracts the more active types. It’s a clear favourite with the residents of Monte and Connaught (and soon, City Gateway) because the park is only about a 5 minute walk away. It is great for running, walking, picnicking and of course kayaking on the river

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5) The Hobbit Pub Another quirky ‘wonder’ in Southampton. This pub has a range of drinks based on characters from The Hobbit. I would recommend a Frodo. There is large seating area outside and is a classic on bar crawls.

6) Sprinkles and Scoops These two ‘wonders’ are grouped together as they are both ice cream parlours in Portswood. They serve waffles, crepes, sundaes, and milkshakes as well as serving a wide range of different flavours of ice cream. If you see anyone finish a waffle then be in awe as they are pretty sickly!

7) Westquay Westquay is a massive 800,000 square feet of shops and food outlets set across 5 floors! It’s a shopping ‘wonder’ and has everything you could possibly need.

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TOP 10 TIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS CAMERON RIDGEWAY IMAGE BY OWEN WEBB

Moving to another country on your own can seem like a rather daunting prospect, but university also offers a great range of exciting opportunities to get involved with, from societies celebrating international culture to making new friends and meeting new people. Here’s 10 top tips on how to settle in and make the most of your new life in Southampton.

1. Join a society representing an international culture

- just because you’re far away from home doesn’t mean you have to cut all links to where you come from. Southampton has loads of societies representing cultures from across the world - from Japan to Mexico and everywhere else in between, all of which offer a range of exciting events and trips. Some societies even offer language classes so you can really get immersed in the culture. 2. Explore the UK - Societies such as the Erasmus Society run trips to many popular areas across the UK and beyond, offering a great chance to experience more than just university. It’s also a chance to make friends from all over the world. If you feel like exploring on your own or with friends Southampton has a great transport network - if you’re in halls you get a bus pass included which you can use to travel all over the city to other parts of the UK which can be reached cheaply and easily. If you want to travel a lot consider getting a railcard, which will reduce the price of most train tickets by a third. You can also obtain cards which will give you a discount on coach fares.

3. Get involved with as many different societies as possible - societies represent an amazing opportunity to do

what you love, acquire new skills and make new friends and will be the starting point for a whole year of new experiences. Whether you’re into sport, comedy, music or even cake decorating you’re sure to find a society for something you’re interested in. 4. Share your own culture - as well as having the opportunity to experience life in Britain first hand, you also have the opportunity to teach UK students a bit about where you come from. Last year through friends from France and South Korea I learnt a lot about life and culture in these countries as a result I even got some French and Korean food

cooked for me. This a great way to introduce yourself to other people and learn about each other’s backgrounds in the process. 5. Keep in touch with home - Many students can feel homesick from time to time while at university, especially if they live far away and aren’t able to return home very easily. With Skype, Facebook and Whatsapp it’s easier than ever before to stay in touch with home and keep up with what’s happening. 6. Open a UK bank account - having a UK account makes paying for things a lot easier, and allows you to get around some of the charges and problems you may have trying to use a foreign card or account in the UK. Look out for bank accounts intended specifically for students, which often come with extra benefits such as discounts and allow you to be overdrawn without being charged. 7. Check your documents - not the most interesting of tasks but you could run into major issues if something hasn’t been filled out properly or sent to the right location. Be sure to check the documents you need while in the UK online, and to visit the Advice Centre if you get stuck. 8. If you’re stuck, don’t worry alone - there are plenty of different ways to get help and support while at Southampton, both within the University and the Student’s Union. Nightline is a student-run phone support service that runs through the night from 8pm - 8am, during the day you can also drop into the SUSU Advice Centre or the Student Services Building on Highfield Campus. If you’re in halls you can also get help from the residences team 24 hours a day. 9. Get a buddy - if you want a great way to become more involved with UK culture, the university’s Erasmus Society runs a Buddy Scheme, where new international students are paired up with a student from the UK who can help them settle in and get used to life in Southampton. Its also a really easy way to meet new people and get involved with a society at the university. 10. Enjoy your newfound freedom - it sounds a bit of a cliché, but university is one of the biggest opportunities of your life. Be sure to take advantage of every possible opportunity and make the most of new experiences.

SPORTING TIPS FOR FRESHERS

reshers is undoubtedly one of the best times you will have at university, but with its inevitable hectic nature, it’s often hard to keep a track of everything that you want to do, sign-up for, where to be and when. Many freshers often drunkenly get to late October and find that they weren’t able to make or didn’t know about the trials for a sports club, or think it’s too late to get involved. Fortunately, the Wessex Scene Sport team are on hand to give you a few pointers on how to get the most out of your sporting experience here at Southampton.

JACK PETHICK IMAGE BY CHESTER FRAMPTON

1) Be Ruthless.

3) The Gym Pass IS Worth It!

If you’re like me and came to university wanting to continue playing the 2/3 Sports you did at school or home, you may have to sacrifice a sport or two as this sadly isn’t always possible to do. Inevitably, trials for teams may clash and you may find that trying to juggle a degree, societies and a few sports teams on top of that may be a little too much. Equally, if you spread yourself too thin, it might affect your sporting experience socially too: Sporting socials are often on the same nights so if you’re trying to alternate between two or three teams you may miss out or not make as stronger bonds if you’re just in one team. It is therefore imperative that you know coming to uni which sport you want to take seriously, and which you may play more casually at an intra-mural level or so.

Hopefully you will all have bought your Jubilee gym memberships before you arrive in Southampton, but for all those still debating it throughout the course of freshers, it really is worth it. Inevitably you will meet a lot of grumpy old third years like myself saying it’s not worth it, but it really is. It is one of the cheapest in the country at £145 for 12 months and it is fantastic value if you make the most of it. In addition, the membership currently is also needed if you wish to play competitive sport at the University as it covers the university insurance wise, so if you needed any more of a reason there it is!

2) Make the most of your Sabb.

If you inevitably get to the end of October and for whatever reason haven’t signed up or tried out for a sports team, please do not think it’s too late to get involved. There are plenty of AU and intra-mural teams that will happily accept late-comers. Just search the SUSU page or ask around for the Captain or President’s contact details and usually they’ll be more than happy to let you come along to one of the training sessions and get stuck in.

The Bunfight is paramount to you starting your sporting career at University, so hopefully you made the most of it! As you all know, the Bunfight is where you find all information relating to a sporting society could be found and you got the chance to sign up and talk to team members of the Societies and Sports Clubs. Hopefully you went to all the stalls, asked lots of questions and didn’t get swept away with the tides of people shoving through! I’ve been going to the Bunfight for two years now and I’ve always found a new or interesting society or Sports team. If you didn’t attend the Bunfight or didn’t quite find out everything you need, fear not! If you are still interested in joining a sport society, ensure that you make the most of your Sport Sabbatical officer (this year it’s Jamie Wilson). He will be able to help you get involved or answer any additional questions you have, so feel free to bombard him with questions! At the end of the day, it’s his job to help you with all your sporting needs and queries, so take advantage of his availability!

SPORT

4) It’s Never Too Late!

5) Be Confident And Go For it! This was arguably my biggest issue coming into sport at University, and most likely is for a lot of new comers. It can be intimidating trying out for the University or even intra-mural teams, with the quality and sheer amount of players on show meaning that often people don’t think they’ll be good enough to make the cut. Nerves are an inevitable part of competitive sport, but at trials you should be thinking that you have nothing to lose. Try to play and perform with confidence and keep it simple. Even if you don’t make it into the main AU ones there are plenty of intra-mural teams to get stuck in with. Pretty much all the teams here at Southampton are set-up to help people of all levels, even if you have never tried the sport before. 31

Top Ten Sports to Experiment with During Freshers

We’ve all dabbled in a bit of sport, some more than others. Whether it be through the grinning and bearing of P.E lessons in secondary school or if you’ve spent your life convincing yourself that your impressive Sunday League performances will one day earn you an International call-up, you’re likely to have registered some sort of attempt at sport prior to University.

For those of you that have never considered yourself to be the ‘sporty type’ – maybe you just haven’t found the right one! Here is a list of sports that you may not have been aware of, or ever had the opportunity to try before. For you seasoned pros – a chance to escape your comfort zone and challenge yourself to do something new that you might well love. You’ll probably be doing a lot of that this year anyway.

Dodgeball

It’s simple really. Dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge. You’ve seen the film, you know how it works. So why not try it out? If you’re looking for a club where it’s as much about having a laugh with friends as it is about serious competition, then SUDBC is the place to go. As far as the game itself goes, it’s fantastic to be involved in. There’s no escaping the action. Eliminate all members of the other team by throwing balls at them; it’s deeply satisfying in a sort of sadistic kind of way.

Ultimate Frisbee

Quidditch

Recently granted full recognition by the International Olympic Committee, this is competitive sport at its most unique. Two teams of seven trade possession of a Frisbee, with the aim being to have the Frisbee received beyond the goal line in the end zone. Players are unable to take any steps whilst carrying the Frisbee and a turnover of possession can result from interceptions, incomplete passes, or passes out of bounds. A particularly brilliant feature of the sport is the ‘lay out’, in which players dive at full stretch in order to catch or intercept the disc.

This is where the real magic happens. Mystically transported from the skies of Hogwarts to the University of Southampton, the International Quidditch Association have created a highly competitive, full contact and mixed gender sport to be played on the ground. The fantasy played over and over in the heads of Harry Potter fanatics is well and truly attainable. Besides the awesomeness of the sport itself, Southampton are British Quidditch Champions!

Remarkable scenes. Pop along to a Skunks training session to see for yourself.

Futsal

Essentially five-a-side football, but also so much more. Played indoors on a hard surface with a smaller and heavier ball, Futsal places its emphasis on improvisation and creativity. The intensity and speed of the game is exhilarating. First touch is crucial, as you won’t get an awful lot of time on the ball. It’s a brilliant way to improve skill, close control and work in tight spaces. Pelé, Ronaldinho, Messi and Ronaldo amongst many others all played Futsal in their youth, if that’s anything to go on. Get in touch with the Futsal Club for more.

Skydiving

And breathe. One for the thrill seekers. Fear of death might be slightly off putting for some. There’s a superb slogan floating around on one of the Skydive hoodies that reads: ‘If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving isn’t for you.’ On the contrary though, all the appropriate training is on offer and students of any experience are invited to join the surreal world of competitive skydiving. There aren’t too many sensations quite like this and it’s available right at your doorstep.

Korfball

Rowing

A bit like Netball and Basketball, this mixed gender sport is well worth a go. Whilst a lot of the players in the NBA are knocking on the door of 7ft, Korfball is designed to prevent physical prowess from dominating the game. The rules encourage fast movement, with attackers unable to forge an attempt on the basket if an opponent stands between them and the target. Males can only mark other males, while the same rules obviously apply for females. Keep an eye out for the Southampton Spartans.

One of the more recognisable sports on this list, probably because Great Britain are actually decent at this one. Never rowed before? Not a problem. The Boat Club will be able to draft you into one of their Novice squads at a level which suits you. It’s no secret that rowers tend to be amongst the fittest athletes in sport, so get ready for some serious training. The senior teams train upwards of 12 times a week. Blimey.

Zumba

Ditch the treadmill and join the party. Zumba is an excellent way to incorporate exercise into your student routine whilst still having a wicked time. It’s like Oceana but healthy. Music blares as you are led through choreography from genres such as hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, merengue and mambo. Squats and lunges are prominent as you dance through the hour in sync with your fellow classmates. If you’re looking for a fun way to keep fit, this is a terrific option.

Lacrosse

A traditional and very popular University sport. Another team sport that’s great for socialising - men’s, women’s and mixed squads are all available. Like many sports, the objective is to stick the ball in the opposition net. The catch, however, is that you have to use the lacrosse stick to do so. With it being a contact sport, this can get quite tasty. Both beginners and advanced players are welcome, so it really is open to everyone.

AirSoft

WORDS BY SEAN O’BRIEN IMAGES BY OLLIE SILVESTER

Details of all the Clubs and Societies on offer and how to sign up can be found at https://www.susu.org/activities/.

The rules are very similar to Paintball, which is also on offer, but AirSoft carries an edge. It is designed to be more of a military simulation game, with replicas of real world firearms packed with 6mm plastic pellets. This allows for play to take place in venues such as abandoned shopping malls and World War Two bunker complexes. It’s actually less painful than Paintball as well! Although the events are competitive, the main idea is to enjoy yourself and meet like-minded people.

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THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO HALLS

WORDS BY TOM RANDALL

IMAGES BY CHARLOTTE RICHARDS

One of the strangest, but most distinctive, things about going to University is the way in which you are dropped into Halls to live with other 18-19 year olds who you have never met. Each Halls of Residence is different in it’s own way. Let us tell you about the places you will be calling home for the next year. We’ll show you around in a manner far more benevolent and filled with lazy stereotypes than the Fresher’s Reps ever could. By the end of the first week, you will be convinced of the inherent superiority of the Halls you live in. Unless you’re in Bencraft.

e start off our tour with Montefiore, known as Monte to absolutely everyone and their mums. Claiming to be one of the largest halls of residence in Europe, Monte boasts architecture that will remind you of your crummy secondary school (if you went to private school, the workhouse from Oliver Twist will do) mixed with a Victorian era prison, with living conditions to match. If you’re on the right-hand side of the road, you’ll probably be ok eventually. If you are in the huge ugly block on the left, the reputation for having the wildest parties in Fresher’s will be dead by the end of November and you’ll be stuck in squalor.

Next after Glen Eyre is Chamberlain/Highfield/Who knows who else, which is to Halls in Southampton what Belgium is to European politics. The mere mention of the place results in mass headscratching and cries of “Who? Where?” due to an unfortunate location next to a larger and more recognisable neighbour. Someone probably says something like ‘my cousin visited there’, reassuring all that the place is not mythical. Despite having probably the best location of all the Halls, the precise location is a secret known only to those who live there. Their peers have a hazy idea that it’s somewhere in Highfield,

Down the road, with the biggest egos and smallest reason for them, is Connaught. Connaught is like Monte but marginally nicer to look at and it’s catered. The food in Connaught infamously contains a few bits of extra protein. Jokes about slugs in lettuce will never be quite as funny again. As you spend more time at Southampton, the 3rd years in ‘Connaught Rangers’ hoodies will become a source of irritation to you, as the size of the collective ego would be impossible to fit in both of the Quads combined. The other large halls, Glen Eyre, is similarly egotistical. Claiming to be the best in every regard, as well as the ‘original’ halls, one imagines that Glen’s claim to fame would be better if any of the blocks were actually visible from the road. As it is, all outside the Glen bubble have literally no concept of where the place is or what it means. Research missions ended in the scientists being abducted for mediocre pre-drinks.

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Pause “Bencraft, with charming views over a crematorium and accessible on a bus that is often like the last helicopter out of Saigon”

you know, the bit near Portswood that’s a bit fancier. Rumour has it that this is a catered hall, similar to Connaught, but on the other end of the ego spectrum, with the average Chamberlain resident happy that somebody knows about them. In Portswood proper, we have Archer’s Road. Nobody picks Archer’s Road as their first choice. This is because they look at a map of Southampton in relation to campus. This is irrelevant because nobody from Archer’s Road has ever made it to campus. Everybody looks on in envy at how close their halls

are to Jester’s, a privilege that most don’t feel until 2nd year, a time when the workload means cutting Jester’s down to once a week instead of four times. Heading further towards the city centre, we find Mayflower. Mayflower has arguably the best facilities of all the halls – with rents to match. It’s quite hard to find out who your neighbours are when you have few shared facilities, so although you’re probably living somewhere nicer than your family does, you’re missing out on the student squalor that makes up such a huge part of being in Halls in any university. Don’t mention the gym or the shop to any of the previous residents, who we are told spend half their time crying in the shower about lack of a Waitrose within 200 metres or writing snarky comments on the internet about said deprivation. Finally, it’s grim up North Southampton. Bencraft, with charming views over a crematorium and accessible on a bus that is often like the last helicopter out of Saigon, is an exception to the others. Researchers have yet to find a resident or former resident who took pride in Bencraft. The blandness of the halls and the location next to the crematorium makes Bencraft semi-legendary in grimness. To be fair it’s not quite as run-down as some of the older blocks in Monte or Glen. Whichever halls you end up in, you wouldn’t have it any other way. Have fun in halls, you only get to do it once!

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