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Everthing you need to know about life at Northumbria with the Official Voice of Northumbria Students' Union
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The Offi cial voice of Northumbria Students’ Union
Issue No.28 2012 FREE to a good home
www.mynsu.co.uk
Your Favourite Student Magazine Filled with News, Gossip and Advice from around Northumbria SU
PLEASE HELP Don’t cross the road from our RaggiesRogue Landlords and Letting Agencies EXPOSED Plus: Northumbria Overheard, Advice, Spotted and everything you need to get involved!
Your Union, Your University, Your Magazine!
BLACKWELL’S UNIVERSITY BOOK SHOPNorthumbria University Students Union
Open 9am-5pmMonday to Saturday
We have your key titles so why notmake studying cheaper with our reducedprices and great offers:
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Second-hand booksAsk our expert booksellersabout the books you need
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NSU NEWSSabb Spotlight 4-5
SU:News & Page Of Praise 6
Upcoming Events 7
FEATURESHot Topic! - Halloween 8-9
Discuss - The Moral Dilemma 10
Diary Of A Third Year 11
Getting A Head Start With Your Career 12
Rogue Letting Agencies EXPOSED 13
GET INVOLVEDRAG Is BACK 14
National Demo 15
Who Are Your Lay Student Councillors 16
Get Involved With Your Students’ Union 17
LIGHT RELIEFNorthumbria Overheard 19
Spotted 20 - 21
How To Make The Most Of Your Summer 22
Agony Aunts 23
Writers’ Society Special 24
Discover More On A Budget 25
#Birksky’s Top Tips on Student Employment 26
STUDENT CULTUREGig-Goers 27
Horror Films 28
Dress For Less With Vintage 29
Restaurants Vs Recipies 30-31
Making Your House A Home 32
CAMPUS SERVICESOne To Remember 34 - 35
Eat Fresh 36
Rugby’s Next Generation: Fit For Success 38
Bouncing Back 39
Contributors
SU:News/Page of Praise Kathryn Boyd
Hot or Not (For) Amy Waugh
Hot or Not (Against), Diary of a Third Year Suzie Harker
Discuss - The Moral Dilemma Erinn Kerr
Getting a head start with your career Beth Long
Letting Agencies EXPOSED, Agony Aunts, Gig-Goers Julia Bond
RAG is BACK Emma Paxton
Get Involved with your Union Adam Young
How to make the most of your summer Heather Whiteley
Writers’ Society Special Jacob Turner
Discover more on a budget James Kreczak
#Birksky’sTopTips on Student Employment Chris Birks
Horror Films Adam Crawley
Local Restaurants Izzi Surridge
Pumpkin Soup Recipe, Agony Aunts Emily Sait
Dress for Less With Vintage Hannah Freeney
Making Your House a Home Caroline Innes
editors words
Alright guys,
Hope everybody has recovered from Welcome
Week and is all geared up for RAG week. It’s been
an exciting month here at NSU with students old
and new fl ooding the building (not to mention the
real fl oods we narrowly avoided) but it’s great to
see people around and if you need me or any of the
other Sabbs we’re around to help out with anything
you want. Whether you want to know more about
the National Demo or just want to chat about
anything that’s troubling you.
Make sure that you’re all aware of dodgy landlords
to make sure you’re not being ripped off just
because you’re a student! Find out the latest about
the National Demonstration which is happening
down in London on the 21st of November - a day
that will hopefully go down in history as a day that
students stood up to the government to make their
voices heard...and also learn about RAG Week - why
you should be involved or if you don’t have the
time to give make sure you give a few coins to our
amazing volunteers.
Happy Reading
Mike xxx
contents
nu:life 03
Special Thank you to; Victoria Myerscough for a second proof read
Editor Mike Potter - [email protected]
Twitter: NSUCommsOffi cer
Design www.ellenlonghorndesign.co.uk
04 nu:life
NSU News SABB Spotlight
If you don’t know who your Sabbatical Offi cers are yet,
where have you been? Their faces are everywhere and
who can forget the life-sized photos of their torsos
outside their offi ce? If you still don’t know what a ‘Sabb’
is then let me enlighten you. A ‘Sabb’ is a Sabbatical
Offi cer who was elected when they were students to
represent Northumbria Students for a year - we all
have specifi c remits whether it be looking out for you
inside the classroom or making sure you’re safe in the
community but we are all here to fi ght your case on
campaigns and issues that really aff ect you whilst at
University. If you’re ever having trouble, just drop one of
us an email and we’ll try to help you out.
Make sure you’re in know what the Sabbs are doing
by following them on Twitter and watching their
fortnightly vlogs at: www.mynsu.co.uk/sabbaticals
SABBSPOTLIGHT
JO RHODES
President
What is your role?
Leading the best Students’ Union,
changing the University to work for
you and having a national impact!
What was your highlight of Welcome Week?
The last night of course! Seeing all the hard work put in
by everyone paying off , thanking the volunteers and even
meeting Reggie Yates! I hope you had as brilliant a time as
I did.
What are you most looking forward to over the next
month?
Demo 2012! It’s going to be amazing! Read the article on
page 15 for more information! If you want to get involved,
sign up on the Volunteer Database or send me a cheeky
email at the address below.
What are you dressing up as for Halloween this year?
You’ll have to come fi nd me at the Students’ Union to fi nd
out! It’ll be reeeeallyyy good though!
NSUPres
NICOLE PEGG
Vice-President Academic Aff airs
What is your role?
I am responsible for representing all
students on academic issues, for instance
assessment & feedback. I take the lead on
any education related campaign and I am
the Sabbatical mentor for all academic
representation at Northumbria.
What was your highlight of Welcome
Week?
It has got to be the Silent Disco,
especially as we mimed at strangers on
the way to the S.U, got to say we got
some quite positive responses too.
What are you most looking forward to
over the next month?
Well it would be silly for me not to say
Course Rep Conference, where we
will aim to train over 300 course reps
throughout the day. I play a big part in
the running of this day and it’s my fi rst
one so wish me luck! Also don’t forget
to come to the AGM which is at 13.45
during the conference to have your say
on how the Union is run. The day takes
place on 31st October.
What are you dressing up as for
Halloween this year?
Well as Course Rep Conference is on
Halloween I am probably going to have
to be dressed quite smart for most of it,
however I haven’t planned a costume
and I do like a bit of originality so tweet
me your ideas @nsuacademics and I may
even push the boat out and wear the
best suggestion.
NSUAcademicsme
me
MIKE POTTER
Vice-President Communications
& Democracy
What is your role?
My role is a bit of a mixed bag really. On
one side of the coin, we have student
media which is massively exciting and
allows me to work with some amazingly
talented volunteers. The other side to my
role is ensuring the Union is democratic
whether that be the two elections that we
hold each year or looking after Student
Council.
What was your highlight of Welcome
Week?
It’s so hard to choose! The team were
amazing, the media team certainly did me
proud and the quality of their footage is
phenomenal. It was one of the smoothest
Welcome Weeks in recent history with a
great line up – but the lack of the yearly
fi re alarm was probably my highlight.
What are you most looking forward to
over the next month?
So much really – RAG week is going to be
amazing, I’m doing a session at Course
Rep Conference which I’m really excited
about and the National Demonstration
is going to be amazing. Lots of students
from diff erent parts of the country
meeting up to ensure that Higher
Education is key when it comes to the next
general election
What are you dressing up as for
Halloween this year?
It’s been a while since I wandered around
dressed as Harry Potter so might have to
whip the faithful Gryffi ndor cape out.
NSUCommsOffi cer
HANNAH HORNE
Vice-President Welfare
& Equality
What is your role?
It’s my job to ensure that nothing
outside of the classroom negatively
impacts upon your student experience
and causes you not to achieve the
best degree you can. These issues
can be anything from housing, to
health and crime. I also lead a strong
representation team – your Halls,
Community and Equality Reps, who
exist to make sure your voice is heard
and change is made on all of these
issues!
What was your highlight of Welcome
Week?
It’s got to be the awards night (despite
the fresher’s fl u!) because there was
such a sense of community in the room
and it was really heart-warming. We
had all worked hard throughout the
week together and I felt really proud to
be a part of it. It’s so sad that it was my
last ever Welcome Week! Unless I do
masters...
What are you most looking forward to
over the next month?
It has got to be the National Demo!
On the 21st November we’ll be taking
buses of students down to London,
along with many other SUs across
the country, to put pressure on the
Government to put Higher Education
Issues back onto the agenda. You can
be a part of this too, sign up and come
along with us!
What are you dressing up as for
Halloween this year?
Nothing will beat last year’s costume
(Jo Rhodes) so that’s quite a diffi cult
question! Think I’ll probably go with
one of the classics, either a cat, witch or
a pumpkin.
NSUWelfare1
ANDREW CHEUNG
Vice-President Activities
& Development
What is your role?
I oversee the student volunteering
activities such as RAG, EcoNSU,
Volunteer Northumbria, Societies, and
Welcome Team. I also look at student
development through volunteering,
such as skills, and employability.
What was your highlight of Welcome
Week?
I think my highlight of Welcome Week
would be seeing the Societies and
Volunteering fair be so successful, and
also seeing the positive impact the
Welcome team has had on welcoming
all the new students.
What are you most looking forward to
over the next month?
RAG Week!!! We are collecting for
some amazing charities, and is a great
opportunity to enhance your CV so
make sure you sign up!
What are you dressing up as for
Halloween this year?
I may recycle my existing fancy dress
collection and dress up as a white
masked puppet!
NSUActivities1me
me
me
Remember to drop by our Coach Lane
Offi ce and see us at our second home
Mike Monday Afternoon
Andy Tuesday Morning
Nicole Tuesday Afternoon
Hannah Wednesday Morning
Jo Wednesday Afternoon
nu:life 05
Page Of Praise
NSU News SU:News & Page Of Praise
WELCOME WEEK 2012
Welcome Week 2012, where to begin?! What a
week, from moving people in, to bag packing, to
the societies and volunteering fair, to raving with
the freshers and Tinchy Stryder! Literally the best
week of university life ever, I wish every week
was Welcome Week! People should be excited
for Welcome Week 2013 already, the teams were
amazing and the team leaders did a fab job and
were an absolute credit to Northumbria Student’s
Union! All the Sabbs and Lays, particularly Andy
Cheung should be very proud of everything they
achieved.
NSU News
Mike SquairMike Squair, one of your Lay Student
Councillors received the prestigious
‘Dave Wright Award of Excellence’ for
going above and beyond throughout
the entire week. From trips to A&E with
drunken fi rst years to inducting thousands of
students through induction talks - Mike excelled
himself and is a role model for any student volunteer. He
also cannot be forgotten for his enthusiasm, dedication
to fancy dress and getting a little bit too naked when
hypnotised by Lo Reid!
Tim PatchettTim Patchett was very deserving of
team leader of the week, he always
had a smile on his face no matter how
exhausted he was and was always there
for his team as well as anyone else on the
welcome team. He went above and beyond
what was expected of him as team leader. Tim
is one of the nicest guys you could meet and has a heart of
gold. He always has time for everyone and makes an eff ort
to make everyone feel welcome and like part of the team.
He will be sorely missed in the Welcome Team and the Union
next year.
Chris ChaterChris Chater was awarded the title of
Welcome Team Member of the Week and
there’s no reason to question why, we’ve
never had somebody so happy about tasks
such as clicking people in and out of the
Societies and Volunteering Fair. A constant help
and an inspiration to all Team Members!
Team 10Team 10 were undoubtedly one of the
closest teams in recent history. Led by
Duncan Page, their ‘messiah’ who wrote
the Ten Commandments of Welcome
Week including ‘thou shall not get with a
fresher’. Their teamwork and close bond was
commendable and together were known as
Duncan Doughnuts. An amazing group of people who will
hopefully return to be involved in everything that the Union
has to off er!
Kathryn Boyd
Upcoming Events
NSU News Upcoming Events
OCTOBER31st OctoberAGM
At 1:45pm during Course Rep Conference, everybody is
invited to have a chance into feeding into what the Students’
Union is doing. For only half an hour of your time, it’ll be
so useful to get your student opinion and although it’s
Halloween, we promise it won’t be scary.
NOVEMBER1st NovemberGOAL Day
We’re massive on gathering student opinion here at NSU so
when people ask for a few minutes of your time on the 1st of
November, please stop and answer a few simple questions.
It might not be too much for you, but it’ll be masses for the
Union as we can make sure we’re representing you as much
as possible.
10th - 16th NovemberRAG Week
Last year we raised an
amazing £28,000 in a
few short days – can we
top that this year? We
can only do it, if people
get involved and people are willing to part with a bit of their
change (and dignity, in the case of some of the Raggies
innovative fancy dress).
20th NovemberStudent Council
Our second Council meeting of the year will be held and
with issues that massively aff ect you being debated - can you
aff ord not to be there to have your voice heard?
21st NovemberNUS National Demonstration
For too long have Students
been ignored since the
Coalition came into
Government. This peaceful
march gives students
the opportunity to get
Higher Education back on
the agenda and give two
fi ngers to Mr Clegg. Why
would you want to miss
that...make sure you’re on
the bus!
nu:life 07
08 nu:life
So it’s late October a time where: any hint of summer
sunshine has disappeared, student life has taken a tumble
-suddenly going from hardcore partying to more frequent
nights in and our bank balances are just hanging in there.
It’s safe to say the novelty of beginning Uni is certainly
starting to wear off . It’s just as well that bringing the month
to a close is a fun, frivolous event in the name of Halloween!
HOT OR NOT
HALLOWEEN
FOREvery year without fail on the 31st October my mind
is always cast back to when I was a child. Halloween
is the best excuse of the year to create and wear
ridiculous costumes; this all began at the annual
primary school Halloween tea party where prizes
were given for the scariest attire. Despite having a
stressed out mother for a week over the decision of
what I was to wear, there was nothing more fun than
being creative with fake blood and the satisfaction
of seeing our handy work come together.
As I got older Halloween got even better, due to the
customary practice of ‘Trick or Treating’! What’s more
fun than singing songs in exchange for treats? Now
I understand that children are taught; not to take
sweets or money from strangers on 364 days of the
year, then one day are allowed to virtually turn into
beggars but breaking the norm is the attraction of
the day . It has been culturally accepted that whole
neighbourhoods unite, to give to many children
and adults alike. It is a time of year when people put
aside their social suppression and go to a stranger’s
house and become acquainted, even if it is only for a
few minutes.
Sadly the time came when I was too old to go
‘trick or treating’ but replacing this tradition is
the legendary Halloween party. Here anything
goes including creepy cocktails, apple bobbing or
even provocative dressing! The night gives you
the permission to be imaginative and transform
into something else, without anyone casting a
judgement.
For some venturing out on a chilly autumn night is
just unthinkable. However Halloween also cheers
up the dark nights and brings everyone together,
whether it is with family or friends. It makes a dull
night in- festive and full of high spirits. A trip to
Tesco with your housemates to purchase the biggest
pumpkin your eyes can fi nd followed by a gathering
round the kitchen table as you all attempt to carve
the pumpkin is a great bonding experience, even
if the mouth is squint and the eyes are too close
together!
So the common theme is: Halloween brings an
abundance of fun. We all lead hectic and stressful
lives; it forms a night of escapism from a mundane
week of lectures. Embrace the fact that it is here
every year. Go on, do something fun... Explore your
inner ghoul or goblin!
Amy Waugh
Halloween also cheers up the
dark nights and brings everyone
together, whether it is with family
or friends.
nu:life 09
FEATURES Hot Topic! - Halloween
AGAINSTEveryone raves about Welcome Week; however
I If you’re thinking “who could possibly not like
Halloween?! You get to dress up in a tiny outfi t, drink
copious amounts of alcohol and eat loads of sweets
with a great excuse”, you have just listed the very
reasons I am against this pointless, capitalist, joke of
a celebration we call Halloween. Okay, maybe that’s
a little strong, but let me explain myself...
Now I’m a huge fan of Christmas and Easter, and
I’m very much partial to a bank holiday every now
and again, but getting as excited about Halloween
I simply cannot do. It only lasts for one night of
the year, so why are we bombarded with spooky
costumes and pumpkins every shop we walk in
for a month before, the same way we are with
tinsel and stockings at Christmas time, only that
is a celebration which lasts much longer than just
one night. Nobody gets the day off work or Uni
(although I’m sure the 1st November is very poorly
attended), and many people forget about it until
the doorbell rings and they get that overwhelming
feeling of guilt that all they have in is apples.
So why do students feel such a need to celebrate
it? I can only think of one reason – the excuse for a
night out, but we are students; do we really need an
excuse?! I am almost tempted to go out on the 31st
October, not for a wild night out myself, but to ask
all the people freezing in their half naked get-ups if
they actually even know why Halloween exists. I may
be wrong though, I’m sure many of them are there
to remember the Pagan harvest festivals and the
Celtic Samhain (yes, I looked on Wikipedia – guilty.)
Call me boring, but I also can’t help but think about
the health and safety risks involved in Halloween.
Yes it’s just for one night, but I’m sure it’s one of
A&E’s busiest for stomach pumping students.
Secondly, Britain is fast becoming one of the worst
countries for obesity issues (and quickly catching
up to the USA), so is a night of promoting chocolate
and sweets in abundance really still okay to convey
to children? Then I think of the little dears wandering
the streets on a cold, dark evening, knocking on
the doors of randomers, which realistically can’t
be completely safe. I was always the child whose
parents liked to follow closely behind, and at the
time I was mortifi ed, but now I can completely
understand it (I forgive you, Mum).
So please don’t let me put a downer on your
Halloween parties and big nights out, but just stay
safe, wrap up warm (maybe a mummy outfi t would
be more suitable than a provocative kitten?) and
take a second to consider whether you really needed
the excuse to eat, drink and be merry... after all,
Christmas is only two months away!
Suzie Harker
...I think of the little dears wandering
the streets on a cold, dark evening,
knocking on the doors of randomers,
which realistically can’t be
completely safe.
DISCUSS: The Moral Dilemma
10 nu:life
FEATURES Discuss - The Moral Dilemma
Local coffee shops and markets
are an important part of our
local economy;...
Should We Buy From Supermarkets?Do you remember before you came to university,
you had a picture in your head of how things
would look? Well my picture was of me sitting in a
little indie café reading a book or writing an article
and drinking a chai latte or something suitably
pretentious, Earl Grey maybe, and I had similar
day dreams about what life would be like when I
moved into my city centre maisonette. I saw myself
shopping at local delicatessens, Grainger market,
the local Asian food shops, I saw myself riding a bike,
having a compost heap, always using a bag for life,
doing yoga.. you get the picture.
Well life hasn’t exactly turned out that way, and as I
sat in Pret A Manger this morning eating a crossaint,
looking out at the continental market, where less
than ten feet from me an actual real life French man
was selling actually fresh bread goods, I became
inspired to write this article. I felt awful, and so I
should, how many times have I meant to go to
Grainger market to buy meat or fi sh or veg, where I
know things are cheaper and of better quality, and
found myself aimlessly wandering around Tesco
Metro wandering how my basket got so full, I only
went in there for a pint of milk, I swear!
Local coff ee shops and markets are an important
part of our local economy; I know that, yet I fi nd
myself (and my friends) rarely considering the
prospect of meeting anywhere but Starbucks.
Why is that? I want to say that it’s because I don’t
know of many independent coff ee shops around
the City Centre, I can think of no less than 5 Costa
stores but maybe only 3 independent coff ee shops,
all of which are out of the way, and I’m not even sure
will have trained the guy in how to make a caramel
macchiato. *sigh*
But what if I told you that there aren’t more chain
stores because they have been the most successful
in the area? What if I told you that companies like
Strabucks and McDonalds have been known to let
a store run at a loss just so that they can dominate
the high street? What if I told you that some ‘local
neighborhood coff ee shops’ in the USA were actually
Starbucks stores with the branding removed, how
would you feel then?
I’m not saying that you should never visit a Costa
or a Nero, a McDonalds or a Krispy Kreme, but
remember that the success of local business means
success for your local economy, the success of
McDonalds doesn’t.
Erinn Kerr
nu:life 11
FEATURES Diary Of A Third Year
So what’s the fi rst thing I did as a responsible 3rd year? Acted
like a fresher and hit the welcome week fairs. Come on, everyone
deserves free pizza and donuts! I must admit it was slightly
embarrassing trying to explain to almost every stall that I did sign
up last year, and the year before, and I was really just there for
the freebies, but they certainly seemed used to it. I then hit the
societies fair with a ‘this is my last year I’m going to do everything’
attitude, and signed up for almost anything, from student radio to
skydiving! Whether I will make it to all or any of these is a diff erent
matter, but the positivity was there!
Next came the weird starting lectures again excitement, which
nobody really wants to admit, but one person dares to say it and
then everyone gives in and admits there is something about new
modules, new timetables and seeing everyone again which gets
you slightly giddy on a Monday morning. Strange, I know, but
don’t act like I’m not talking about you! This bubble was, of course,
instantly burst by the mention of multiple 2000 word essays,
hundreds of hours of ‘independent study’ (erm, does sleeping
count?) and the horrifi c dissertation, a.k.a ‘the-thing-which-must-
not-be-named’ (in true ‘dark lord’ style!)
You’ll be relieved to hear that I have managed to squeeze a night
out in among all this new-found stress, after all in a few weeks
time the sticky fl oor of bars will be nothing but a faint memory,
as I spend my evenings under a pile of books weeping. You don’t
realise how much you miss cheap drinks until you go home for
summer and pay twice as much for a single! God bless Newcastle
nightlife.
So, to sum up my fi rst two weeks of a third year: pizza, free
pens and excitement followed by essay stress, exam stress and
dissertation stress. I am determined not to let the latter half get
on top of me too soon, let’s stay positive fellow third years! So to
everybody feeling the same, good luck! I’m sure we will all get out
alive, just be willing to push all the way to the end! And to all 1st
and 2nd years reading, you’ve got all of this to look forward to...
Suzie Harker
Diary of a 3rd year
So the infamous third year has
arrived, hello huge workloads,
constant pep talks about ‘the future’
and that dreaded ‘D’ word:
the dissertation! The
time has come to
be sensible and
set an example
as a third and
fi nal year
student here at
Northumbria.
GETTING A HEAD START WITH YOUR CAREER
12 nu:life
FEATURES Getting A Head Start With Your Career
The light at the end of the tunnel is
now in sight. You can almost feel the
crispness of the white piece of paper
that gets handed to you on Graduation
Day.
So, it’s time to dust off the two year hangover and
start to think about life after Northumbria. If there
is such a thing.
Here are a few ideas that might help you think
more into what your next step is after Graduation.
Post-graduate courses are becoming more
popular for students as a way to further their
academic career. With many Universities off ering
a wide variety of post- grad courses, there is
something for everyone. If you are currently in
the fi nal stages of a degree that is quite a broad
course, for example, Journalism, English, History
or Design, try looking into more specifi c courses.
If there has been particular module or aspect of
your course that you enjoyed or succeeded at,
try fi nding a course that specialises in what you
enjoyed.
The advantages of doing a post-grad course is that
you get a more advanced level of learning and
also progresses your knowledge and skills. The
only disadvantage is that post-graduate courses
are expensive but in some circumstances, funding
is available. This is something that you need to
research more into, if you are wanting to proceed
with a post-grad course.
If another year of education doesn’t appeal to
you then an internship or apprenticeship may
be the next best thing. Internships allow you to
have a taster into a job that may interest you, as
internships are just temporary. Some last a few
weeks, and others a few months depending on
the company. Some internships are paid, but a
majority of them are unpaid, so you many need a
part time job to pay for the drinks.
But if you can’t see yourself doing none of the
above, then another option is to get into the real
world and out of the student bubble. That means
getting a full-time job. I know, the real world is
rubbish, but the student loan won’t pay itself off !
By getting a full- time job, it gives you the chance
to save up some pennies to treat yourself after
three years of hard work- and partying! Or if you
really want to treat yourself, save up money to
travel the world whilst you are still young!
The world is your oyster after you graduate, do
something new and exciting. Whatever you
choose to do after your time here at Northumbria,
make sure you choose the right thing for you.
Beth Long
The world is your oyster
after you graduate, do
something new and
exciting.
FEATURES Rogue Letting Agencies EXPOSEDROGUE LETTING AGENCIES EXPOSED
All doom and gloom and money
down the drain? Or some light at the
end of the corridor?
nu:life 13
Renting a property for the fi rst
time is one of the most daunting
challenges for a student - basically
because you have utterly no idea
how to get most for your money.
There are so many horror stories
from older students - tales of
damp, insects breeding in the
carpets and landlords demanding
vast sums of money through
letting fees and deposits before
you even move into a property.
If that’s not enough to make you
want to bury your head in the sand
then you are made of stronger
stuff than many of your fellow
students.
However, putting aside these terror
tales as long as you understand
what is expected from your
partnership with your landlord,
letting can be an altogether easier
experience. The landlord is in
charge of keeping the structure
and exterior of the property in
good condition, in addition to
the maintenance of running of
water, drains, gas and electricity.
Landlords are allowed to carry out
inspections of the property but
they must give 24 hours’ notice to
the tenants.
In contrast tenants (that’s you)
must not damage the house, if
you do you are responsible for
the repairs sadly. Responsibilities
include securing the property
before you leave and noise levels
from day to day living and parties,
the police rocking up to close you
down is never a good day. In terms
of reporting repairs needed, it is
advisable to do it in writing or by
e-mail then they cannot have an
excuse not to rectify the issue,
however, only when the landlord
is aware of the problem does their
responsibility for it begin.
Luckily for students there is some
light at the end of the tunnel,
Northumbria Students’ Union
has launched NU:LETS, a lettings
agency to ensure students get the
best living experience possible
out of their housing in Newcastle.
We asked Hannah Horne, Vice
President Welfare and Equality
about how NU:LETS is diff erent
to other agencies and what can
students expect?
NU:Lets will always have student
interests at the heart of everything
we do. Too many of our students
face diffi culties with poor
conditions in their property which
are left because they cannot get
in contact with their Landlord. It’s
not OK to allow poor standards
because the tenants are students.
It’s also not acceptable to charge
students through the roof for
admin fees. That’s why our agency
will charge zero fees and will
promise high standards in all that
we do. NU:LETS aims to lead the
way for house letting in Newcastle,
raising standards across the city!
Letting is a nightmare, sadly that’s
a fact. However, there are a few
gems out there to make the whole
process easier and with the union’s
fabulous new venture ready to set
sail and help save us a few pennies,
the future looks a bit less stressful.
Here’s to easier letting.
Julia Bond
9-16 NOVHOW MUCH CAN YOU TAKE?From the 9th-16th of November 2012 hundreds
of students donning the famed orange t-shirts
will descend onto the streets of Newcastle
for a marathon week of fundraising, banter
and great nights out. All this to raise as much
money for three incredible charities: Toma
Fund, Teenage Cancer Trust and Water Aid.
RAG Week is a perfect antidote to a typical cold Newcastle
day. Friendships form fast among volunteers and if making
loads of friends in a matter of days isn’t enough then there
are great socials every night to celebrate the days raising
successes.
There will also be one off events throughout the year.
Movember is usually a popular choice, so lads, if you have
ever wanted an excuse to see how you’d look with a tash,
now’s your chance. For the ladies, there is also One Month
One Dress, where the challenge is to wear the same dress
everyday for the whole of November but accessorised
diff erently. There are also Rag Raids where we take a bus
load of students to cities like London and Edinburgh with
the challenge of raising in a new city.
But of course Rag isn’t all about the legendary fancy
dress and chanting with hundreds of your friends down
Northumberland Street. It’s also about Raising and Giving
(RAG) Last year the 300 strong RAG team raised £28,000 in
just 8 days. Great fi gure to add onto your CV right? So tell
your friends and family to get their spare change ready,
because RAG Week is coming!
And also sign up to our facebook group for all the latest Raggie news and events; www.facebook.com/nsu.rag
Emma Paxton
GET INVOLVED RAG Is BACK
14 nu:life
Do you care about your education? Or
that of your family in the future? Are you
worried about getting a job? Want to make
a diff erence?
This autumn, students and supporters will take to the
streets of central London calling for a new generation of
activists to set an agenda for the next General Election.
Northumbria Students’ Union is joining others across
the country and going to London to help shape
the future of Higher Education. We want to make a
diff erence and we want you to join us.
National Union of StudentsThe National Union of Students (NUS) don’t just provide
you with your discounts through the NUS Extra Card,
but also campaign to protect your rights and represent
you on a national level. The Demonstration was called
during the NUS National Conference 2012 (want to see
how you can shape policy at next year’s? Check out
running for NUS National Conference Delegate 2013
in the November elections!) and many students across
the country said they wanted to have a demonstration
around these issues.
Liam Burns, NUS President said,
“You’ve got a lot to be angry about. You’ve had your education systematically attacked across the board by the coalition. And even if you get to the other end, what have you got to look forward to?
“Youth unemployment is at an all-time high, getting on the property ladder is next to impossible and we don’t even have the safety net of pensions to look forward to any more”.
“In a year in which there are no votes in parliament and no legislation coming before politicians, it’s about time we
started setting the agenda.”
You might remember, Northumbria Students’ Union
supported NUS in their Demo in 2010, against the rise
in tuition fees. We had a huge impact. We ensured that
there remained a cap on tuition fees and that there
was lots of support and protection for students which
wouldn’t have been in place without the Demo2010.
What are you going to do about it?Northumbria Students’ Union is going to London and
we are going to make a diff erence. Do you want to be
a part of it? Do you want to help us have a national
impact? Join us on the 21st November by signing
up on the Volunteer Database www.mynsu.co.uk/
volunteering or by emailing jo.rhodes@northumbria.
ac.uk
Are you worried about getting a job after you’ve
fi nished Uni? Join the club! Unemployment is a huge
problem, particularly in the North East. So many
graduates want to stay in Newcastle when they’ve
graduated but the jobs just aren’t available.
Jo Rhodes, President of Northumbria Students’ Union said
“Make sure that you have your voice heard, our education is too important not to act and we can’t do this without you. Make sure you sign up and have your say on the future of education.”
GET INVOLVED National Demo
nu:life 15
Who are your Lay Student CouncillorsBack in March, you might remember
people asking you to vote for them to be
a Lay Student Counsellor but you might
not have had any idea what exactly a
‘Lay’ was. These people were elected to
ensure that all students are represented
on Student Council. They were elected
like the Sabbaticals Offi cers on manifestos
but they have no specifi c remit so are free
to campaign and whatever they believe
aff ect all Northumbria students. Although
the Lays are part-time offi cers they are
still full-time students too!
Lauren Teague, Mike Squair, Sophie
Chilton, Tom Bromwich and Tilly Smith
are your Lay Student Councillors for the
next year and are devoted to making
sure you get the most out of your uni
experience. With exciting plans in the
pipeline, look out for what they are up to
and if you want to suggest anything make
sure you tweet them at
@NSULayTeam
16 nu:life
GET INVOLVED Who Are Your Lay Student Councillors
me
GET INVOLVEDwith YOUR STUDENTS’ UNION
So, you’re a fresher?! I’m guessing you’ve settled into your halls
and course by now! You’re looking to see what else Uni has to
off er! You’ve already noticed that you have an incredible amount
of free time, so much that you literally don’t know what to do with
yourself! The minute you realise this, the minute you fi nd yourself
bored, with nothing to do, I give you two words...”GET INVOLVED!”
nu:life 17
GET INVOLVED Get Involved With Your Students’ Union
The Students’ Union is absolutely packed with things to do!
Literally it would take you the duration of your course and
then some, to try everything available to you! Absolutely
anything that you have an interest in will be catered for!
Even if it isn’t, the union is always interested in hearing your
ideas and what you are passionate about.
Now I understand that it is terrifying, the thought of going
to something completely new, separate to what your fl at
mates do, going to something within which you know
nobody and were potentially there is already a group of
people who have gelled! Well let me encourage you to go,
just go! Go and fi nd those like minded friends, go and share
your passion! Trust me when I say that you will meet some
incredible people, you will gain some incredible memories
and you will certainly not regret pushing through that fear
and getting involved!
Not only do you have the opportunity to use your time
wisely, pursue your passion, meet new people or try new
things. You also make yourself more employable! You have
the opportunity to develop new skills or grow those already
there! You have the opportunity to make a diff erence, make
somebody smile and give something back! You have the
opportunity to have your voice heard, inspire others and
leave your mark! The opportunities are endless, you just
have to go and do it! I promise you, it will enhance your
university experience by 100x!
So go on, step out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself
and allow yourself the chance to grow!
Don’t believe me? Here’s my story! As a fresher I knew
coming to Uni that I just wanted to make the most of my
time here, I wanted to try new things but I was terrifi ed
to go to anything. I almost didn’t go to a particular
meeting when I pushed through and I can tell you it was
the best thing I ever did! I joined the student television
station and that year I presented loads of shows including
Northumbria’s Got Talent and went to Nottingham with
“NU:TV” to the National and Student Television Awards
where I was put forward for “Best on-screen male!”
There you have it, I could have avoided that meeting and
stayed in bed, had none of that or I could have did what I
did and just went and done it! I know what I’d prefer!
Adam Young
Postgraduate Study and Research Event12 – 4pm, Wednesday 21 November 2012
• 9 out of 10 NorthumbriaPG taught and researchgraduates are inemployment/furtherstudy within six monthsof leaving*
• Scholarships worth upto 25% off tuition feesfor students holding aUK degree**
* DLHE Survey ** Terms and conditions apply, please see our website
‘Students’ Union, City Campus East’
www.northumbria.ac.uk/pgevent
“What happens if you
get two lines before a
full house?”
Overheard at the Big Fat
Quiz of the Week during
the Music Bingo Round
“I’m on a carb free diet so I think
I’ll just get a Jacket Potato”
Overheard in Northumberland Café
“I don’t get why you’d
get a law degree just
to be a barista in a
coff ee shop”
Overheard at CCE
“My stalker is not
texting me back”
Overheard in the library
Flatmate 1: “Why are you washing
our George Foreman in the sink?”
Flatmate 2: “Well how else am I
supposed to wash it?”
Overheard in Knoll Court
Heard something stupid and want to
humiliate your friends? (anonymously, of course) drop an email to
[email protected] or tweet me at
@NSUCommsOffi cer with hashtag #northumbriaoverheard
Flatmate 1: “Will you please clean up
that water you’ve spilt on the fl oor?”
Flatmate 2: “That’s your shadow”
Overheard at Quay Point
LIGHT RELIEF Northumbria Overheard
nu:life 19
20 nu:life
nu:life 21
Welcome Team End of Week PartyOnce again we’d like to thank our amazing
Welcome Team for their eff orts
©Harry Marshall Photogaphy
www.marshallphotos.com
How To Make The Most Of Your SummerOne of the great things about university is the
incredibly long holidays. Depending on when
your exams fi nish, you can be looking at up to
four months of free time. What did you do this
summer? Maybe you worked a lot and saved
up for the uni year ahead or did volunteer
work within your community. Maybe you went
travelling with friends and saw a far-distant land.
But did you know it’s possible to do both if you
start planning now?
The past two years, I have spent my summers
with two diff erent organisations aimed at
students, Volunteer Eco Students Abroad (VESA)
and Camp America. The main thing that both
these schemes have in common is that you need
to apply now!
You’re starting the new semester and summer is
probably the furthest thing from your mind, but
with schemes like these, the earlier you apply the
more chance you have of getting accepted.
With Volunteer Eco Students Abroad, I travelled
to Fiji and spent a week volunteering renovating
a school in a village. I went completely alone, but
met the rest of the group of eager volunteers
there and made some amazing friends. It’s
simple to apply, just an online form, and if you’re
accepted you’re sent a lot of information to
prepare you for your trip. You can even fundraise
for the balance to go (which is pricey but pays for
all the expenses of the volunteer work, such as
building materials) and the experience is much
more than something to put on your CV - it is
life-changing. You can fi nd information about
applying at www.vesabroad.com.
This year, following
my experience in Fiji,
I decided to go on
another adventure.
Camp America
seemed perfect for
me, because it gave
me the opportunity
to earn some money
as well as travelling
abroad. This time
I was gone for a
full ten weeks, and
worked six days a
week at Calumet, a
faith-based camp
for kids aged 8-15.
The typical working
day started at 7am
and didn’t fi nish
until 10pm, as
you’re constantly
responsible for the
campers. However,
despite being tired,
I never stopped
having an absolute
blast - the kids
were amazing and
I got real hands-on
teaching experience.
The application process for Camp America is a bit more
diffi cult and you defi nitely need to start now. There’s an
online application process, followed by an interview, a
CRB check, an application for a working VISA followed
by the placement process, which can take quite a while.
Get your adventure started now by checking out
www.campamerica.co.uk.
Heather Whiteley
22 nu:life
LIGHT RELIEF How To Make The Most Of Your Summer
This is my fi rst year at Uni and I have a girlfriend,
but she’s taking a year out and staying at home
which is about 2 hours away from here. At fi rst it
seemed fi ne but now she’s getting really clingy
and keeps bugging me about going out all the
time. I really don’t want to break up with her
because it’s great when we’re together but I want
to be able to enjoy it without having to worry
about her getting upset all the time, how can I
make her understand?
Harry
Hi Harry,
Your girlfriend is probably just a little bit jealous right
now as she can see you’re having an amazing time
and wishes she could be doing the same. It’s hard for
people who have never been to uni to understand the
lifestyle, but obviously she cares a lot about you and
will probably just need a little bit of extra attention
while you both get used to the situation. Make sure you
set aside time to talk to her on a regular basis, have
patience and reassure her everything’s fi ne - I bet she
just misses you!
Emily & Julia
I’m living in halls and my fl atmates are a
nightmare! They’re so messy and loud all the time
and I’m always the one left to clean up. I don’t
really mind at the weekends but it’s during the
week as well when I have Uni work to do and even
though I’ve spoke to them about it, it just seems to
be getting worse. They’re all really nice but how do
I get them to calm down a little!?
Nicole
Hi Nicole,
This is one of the most common problems with halls
and there are things you can do! If talking to your
fl atmates isn’t enough perhaps suggest something
else - like a cleaning rota? A lot of the time people get
so excited about coming to university and living on
their own they forget there are others in the fl at that
don’t always want to party every night, so explaining
to them you have work to do might help as well. If they
really won’t listen though, you can contact the halls
manager or University Accommodation Offi ce and they
will be able to help you out.
Emily & Julia
Julia & Emily say ‘Ask Us Anything’!
nu:life 23
LIGHT RELIEF Agony Aunts
I’m living in halls and
my flatmates are a
nightmare!
WriSoc SerialDRAWN FROM MEMORY
Samantha couldn’t have walked away from
the Psychology offi ce quick enough. Marching
along the corridor and out towards the
building’s main exit she couldn’t understand
how something so simple as returning
an educational DVD could have gone so
wrong. She had taken it back. She distinctly
remembered handing it to the woman
behind the desk. Now she had to go home
and make absolutely sure it wasn’t still there
as the department were insisting they hadn’t
received it. Samantha felt the colours she was
seeing fade to a murkier, shady grey tone.
Turning over every stone in her room she slumped
down on her chair and let out a huge sigh. Where
the hell could it be? She looked up and started to
replay the event as it had happened, a few times in
her mind, each repeat slowed down a little more as
she tried to recall what the woman she handed it to
looked like. The images felt rushed and blurry as this
event was not supposed to be an important one. At
the time Samantha’s thoughts were on other things
mainly what she was going to buy her friend Rachael
for her birthday with a budget of ten pounds.
Focusing on reliving the moment she spoke the
words she presumed she’d said and carried out
the gestures. “I’m returning a DVD I borrowed.” Eyes
closed, she put her hand down where her bag would
have been and pulled it up as if holding out the
item.
All her reconstruction eff orts rewarded her with
were a vague picture of a woman with blond hair.
This type of memory exercise had usually served
her well when it came to remembering something;
a person she bumped into on the streets name, the
way she’d travelled somewhere when she’d been
lost, Samantha was usually very good at retrieving
small fragments of hidden or forgotten things in her
memory bank, but not on this occasion.
Opening the freezer door and feeling the breeze
on her skin she felt a migraine coming on. Moving
towards the sink for a glass of water she felt a
pressing force on her head. As she sat down with
her hands on her forehead she closed her eyes and
saw a grey fi gure zoom across her line of vision
and out of sight. What the hell? Taken aback she
quickly checked the room and hallway for intruders.
Eventually satisfi ed it was all in her mind she
continued to make dinner.
3:34AM. Samantha woke with an uncontrollable
need to blink. As she did the grey fi gure she’d seen
before appeared in her mind holding up a small
white parcel and gave her what she interpreted
as an apologetic gesture. Samantha rubbed her
forehead in pain for a second then noticed the fi gure
throw the parcel down and run away apologetically.
Thump! Something hit the ground. Samantha peered
over her bedpost and stared at her fl oor. Her eyes
widened and she couldn’t believe what she saw, the
DVD she thought she’d returned entitled; Borrowing
Memories.
Jacob Turner
she couldn’t believe what she saw,
the DVD she thought she’d returned entitled;
Borrowing Memories
24 nu:life
LIGHT RELIEF Writers’ Society Special
nu:life 25
LIGHT RELIEF Discover More On A Budget
Thinking about taking a trip next year but
think you can’t aff ord it? Think again.
Living on a student budget can, at times, be tough, especially if you’re
thinking of budgeting to go away with your housemates in the coming
year as well. Here are some alternatives that are a little closer to home than
those expensive far-away breaks we all long for, but are just as fun and
adventurous.
Camping Why not submerge yourself in
nature right in the world of camping? Fell
Foot Wood campsite in Ulverston, Cumbria,
is defi nitely a must if you enjoy music and
parties. The site hosts music weekends
between March and October every year, and
there is even the opportunity to rent out a
tipi tent. With prices from as little as £6 per
person per night, you can’t go wrong!
Edinburgh weekend Whether you’re into the
6 Nations rugby, comedy, culture, or anything
in between, Edinburgh really has it all to off er.
A direct train from Newcastle railway station
will get you there in around 90 minutes, and
the city has such a diverse nightlife – one to
suit every person.
Discover more ON A BUDGET
Amsterdam mini-cruise DFDS Seaways off er overnight cabin return trips
to Amsterdam from Newcastle starting from around £185 for 2 people.
With awesome nightlife and an endless stream of things to do, you will
never have a dull moment. Amsterdam is a fantastic place to spend New
Year and an abundance of pubs will allow you to drink as the Dutch do in
amazing surroundings.
James Kreczak
26 nu:life
LIGHT RELIEF #Birksky’s Top Tips on Student Employment
VERYONE thinks about getting a job whilst at University so make sure you start looking about now before all the vacancies go. There are 35,000 students at Northumbria, and not that many jobs.
AKE sure to check out student services and sign uP to the job shop. It’s a great way of fi nding somewhere perfect for you. Submit your email address and vacancies will be sent to you!
AYDAY! It’s everyone’s favourite day of the month. It makes all those long hours worth it, but don’t spend it all at once!
ECTURES shouldn’t suffer because of your part-time work. Don’t work more than 16 hours per week. Remember you have university work to do outside of lectures. If you fall behind on this, you may struggle to catch up.
PPORTUNITIES are advertised everywhere, so keep your eyes peeled!
OU need to look respectable for your interview (Fingers crossed you get one!) Dress for the occasion. Employers love people who take pride in their appearance and look smart. If you represent yourself well, you’re more likely to get hired.
CDONALDS Burger King, WHSmith, Pizza Hut and all the shops in Eldon Square and the metro center all advertise vacancies in different ways. Check in shop windows and online, some advertise using posters and some keep it quiet. Make sure to ask in store whether they’re recruiting.
FFORT Put maximum effort into your work. You never know, it may become your chosen career whether it’s working behind a bar or coaching sport to youths. Jobs are hard to come by after university, so work hard and you may set yourself up without even knowing it.
EVER skip university for work. Your degree will suffer because of it. Trust me, it’s not worth it and you’ll regret it in the long run.
AKE time to relax. University and a part-time job can take a lot out of you. Don’t stress yourself and make sure you give yourself time to wind down.
#Birksys TopTips on...Student Employment.
E
Y
M
PL
O
M
E
NT
As a start off for the year Northumbria Student’s Union
did us proud to say the least, with live acts and DJs
almost every night we were spoiled in every sense
of the word with something to suit everyone’s taste.
DJ Fresh kicked off the week and wowed the crowds
with his number one hits ‘Hot Right Now’ and ‘Louder’,
before launching into new material which provoked
the masses to go mental, jumping, dancing and busting
every move in the book, pushing the bar high for the
rest of the acts to follow. Tinchy Stryder was the next
to grace our stage, who dazzled us with spectacular
light shows, covers of our favourite artists, remix’s and
collaborations in addition to his best known songs such
as ‘Number One’ and ‘In My System’. The crowd reacted
in the only way possible singing, jumping and crowd
surfi ng (I heard rumours) their way through the set.
As part of Smirnoff Secret Sessions Radio 1’s Dj Reggie
Yates ended the week in a spectacular style, mixing
old, new and more experimental music in a live set that
left not one person sitting in Domain and possibly a
few bruises the next day from some over enthusiastic
dancing.
Aside from the famous acts, the other nights of
Welcome Week also proved popular, especially the
headphone disco which provided two parallel sets
which students to tune between. the most well
received night had to be the Foam School Disco, which
brought many back to the 90’s and featured your old
favourites of Busted, Destiny’s Child and S Club 7 with
students singing out ‘Reach For The Stars’ at the top of
their lungs and a few busting out some long forgotten
dance routines well before the foam arrived.
So that was Welcome Week. Where do I start?
Yes, Welcome Week was jam packed full of
night life, music and many other live events but
don’t get all blue at the fact Freshers is over for
another year as Northumbria Students’ Union
has an impressive live line up of seven main
acts in the next semester alone. Hopefully that
should be enough to tide you over. The live
action kicks off with Hugh Cornwell on the 6th
of October and is swiftly followed just a few
days later by the sensational Benjamin Francis
Leftwich on the 9th. Cornwell promises a night
of classic rock with half the set dedicated to his
eagerly awaited new album ‘Totem and Taboo’
and the latter half comprises of The Strangler’s
1977 album ‘No More Heroes’ presenting both
sides of his career in unity, which is not to
be missed. Not forgetting, Benjamin Francis
Leftwich who will be performing his debut
album ‘Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm’, that
has echoes of the soothing sounds of Newton
Faulkner, Ed Sheeran and Ben Howard. His set
also promises to be a sensational night and you
will certainly fi nd me there singing my little
heart out and swaying along with the masses.
Hope you’re ready for this year - it’s going to be live, loud and utterly alive with music.
Julia Bond
nu:life 27
STUDENT CULTURE Gig-Goers
STUDENT CULTURE Horror Films
28 nu:life
Horror Films Once again, students have been given the opportunity to go out in fancy dress; it’s Halloween! However, just
because you can dress up doesn’t mean you need to be tricked into going out for a treat. Watching horror
classics and hiding behind the sofa with a few friends and lots of sweets can be just as fun. Halloween is the
season where everyone, not just horror fans, can enjoy a good scare, so here are a few personal favourites.
Although dated,
old-fashioned
horrors such as
The Exorcist and
The Shining are
packed with
enough chills to
make a penguin
shiver. Hitchcock’s
legendary Psycho
still has punch,
even after 52 years. This fi lm provided the template
for equally brilliant thrillers The Silence of the Lambs
and Misery, which will certainly make your skin
crawl. Some new releases do contend with these
masterpieces, like The Woman in Black and Insidious,
both of which left me hiding under the covers until
daybreak.
However, if
a night of
gruesome thrills
is what you’re
looking for, there’s
The Night Of
The Living Dead,
The Thing and
Peter Jackson’s
Braindead,
all three are
stomach-churning but fun viewing. Some of
the best horrors balance enough laughs to relax
you with enough thrills to keep you on edge. For
example, The Cabin In The Woods is guaranteed to
entertain; it‘s worth sitting through the fi lm for the
absolutely crazy, blood-spattered ending.
If you’re in the
mood for festive
frights, Trick ‘r’
Treat is a little
horror anthology
gem, with
each segment
providing laughs
and terror. And
what fright
night would be
complete without John Carpenter’s Halloween? It
would be like having Christmas without mince pies.
Comedy-horrors
are like fancy
dress; they’re
either hilarious or
ridiculous. Shaun
Of The Dead
raised the bar but
there have been
some competitors
for the crown of
comedy-horror.
An American competitor is the hillbilly thriller
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil; a fun, heart-felt, and overall
brilliant fi lm that’s entertaining for horror veterans
and newcomers alike. Also, An American Werewolf in
London has gore, tension and giggles right the way
through, so is an essential for a fright-fest.
Although others may disagree, I think these fi lms are essential for a night in with monsters and maniacs (well,
that’s what I call my friends anyway). Going out is great fun but a few fi lms and some popcorn can provide
just as many good memories. But be careful, sometimes things do go bump in the night… but that’s usually
students stumbling back home. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Adam Crawley
nu:life 29
STUDENT CULTURE Dress For Less With Vintage
Vintage style is everywhere right now – and
you don’t need to spend a fortune on the high
street to channel the vintage vibe. With top
retailers such as Urban Outfi tters and Topshop
charging high prices for vintage ‘style’ pieces, if
you love vintage you’re missing a trick if you’re
not making the most of the genuine vintage
gear available in Newcastle!
Buying genuine vintage can often work out cheaper
than buying from high street shops, and what’s better
than knowing you’re wearing something unique, that you
won’t see on twenty other people around campus? Vintage
clothing is generally sold at an affordable price, and what’s
great is that these vintage stores are mostly independently
owned - so if you fancy asking for a student discount, it’s
worth a try!
Newcastle has a great collection of vintage and
retro shops hidden away from the crowds of
Northumberland Street, which take a little more
eff ort to fi nd than the regular high-street megastars,
but the eff ort is well worth it for the trinkets you’ll
fi nd!
Just off Grey Street is where the majority of
Newcastle’s retro and vintage stores are located.
Particular favourites are: Deep, Pop Boutique, Best
Vintage, Attica Vintage and Retro Clothing. Also, try
Flip near the O2 Academy for some cool American
imports!
Another great way to get your hands
on vintage clothes is using the internet. There are
a load of independent vintage retailers who sell
online. Websites such as Hollysrack.com have a great
collection of vintage/customised clothes which are
cheaper than those you’ll fi nd on the high street,
and are really fun and unique.
Ebay is great for vintage fi nds, and is a really easy
option as it even has a specifi c vintage search
category. However the downside to buying online is
that when buying genuine vintage, the marked sizes
diff er in measurements to those of today’s clothes.
Therefore, you can’t beat hitting a real vintage store
to try the pieces before you buy!
The cheapest way to dress vintage is one you might
cringe at the thought of but that could prove to
be the most surprisingly stylish! Ask parents and
grandparents if they have any clothes from when
they were younger that you could have a look at
- after all, the eras that vintage clothing span are
those from when your folks were growing up! Even
the nineties is considered vintage these days! People
tend to hold on to their favourite fashion pieces over
decades, hidden in the back of cupboards or in the
attic - these items will probably be free for you, so it’s
worth checking them out! Even mega-loaded Kim
Kardashian used this trick, and was seen out recently
in a dress that belonged to her mum in the 80’s. This
is a trick not to be missed, as fashion goes in cycles
so what was hot decades ago probably will be again
- as the popularity of the vintage trend proves!
Hannah Freeney
Dress For Less With
Vintage
STUDENT CULTURE Restaurants Verses Recipies
30 nu:life
La Vita, Heaton
Road A favourite
for students
living in Heaton,
La Vita serves
up basic Italian
food at super-
cheap prices. The
weekday lunch special is must, get three courses for
£3.95 between 12-2pm, and there are some great
evening and weekend deals too.
Cafe Neon, Bigg
Market Don’t
be put off by the
location! Cafe
Neon is a must for
its Greek-inspired
food and great
atmosphere.
Their happy hour deal is available 5-8pm Monday-
Saturday, get two delicious courses for £8.90.
Stateside Diner,
Pink Lane
When I asked for
recommendations
for this article,
Stateside came
out on top. Great
for American-style
breakfasts, burgers and amazing milkshakes, most
of the items on their menu cost around a fi ver and
student discount is available.
Butterfl y
Cabinet, Heaton
Road Another
café which
comes highly
recommended
by Heaton-based
students, Butterfl y
Cabinet is great for all-day breakfasts and tasty
lunches. Burgers start from £6.50, and a full English
is £5.00.
Ninos, The Gate If
you’re looking for
somewhere to eat
in town and want
to avoid the chain
restaurants, then
Ninos is perfect
for you. The staff
are really friendly and I’ve been told Nino’s serve the
best meatballs in Newcastle. As an added bonus, if
you get bored of looking at your date then you can
check out the cartoons projected onto the wall!
Izzi Surridge
Restaurants Vs RecipesBetween writing your dissertation and juggling
your social life, sometimes you just don’t have time
to cook. Luckily for us skint students, eating out in
Newcastle doesn’t have to be expensive. I scouted
out the best cheap eats for students, all within
walking distance of City Campus and all probably
better than a McDonalds...
STUDENT CULTURE Restaurants Verses Recipies
nu:life 31
One of the best ways to save money on food is to make a lot of one thing, soup is
especially good for this because it can be frozen and saved for ages. Pumpkin may
sound strange but trust me you’ll use it loads it’s that yummy... and what better time
to make it than Halloween?!
Don’t want to head out for dinner? Why not try these really quick and simple recipes at home?
40g butter or margarine
2½ teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 fi nely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic (crushed)
1 kg pumpkin (cut into cubes)
1.5 litre vegetable stock
crème freche to serve
salt & pepper
Pumpkin SoupMelt the butter/margarine in a large pan, add the
onion, garlic and ½ teaspoon of the cumin, cook for 3-4
minutes (or until the onion is soft)
Add the pumpkin, coriander and stock, cover and bring
to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-18 minutes
or until the pumpkin is tender.
Blend the ingredients together (either a regular or hand
blender will do the trick - you might have to do this in a
couple of batches)
Return the soup to the pan and stir over a medium heat
for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
Mix in the remaining cumin, sour cream and salt/pepper
to taste.
Serve with a dollop of crème freche and a sprinkle of
pepper.
Emily SaitPumpkin may sound strange but trust me you’ll use it loads it’s that yummy...
STUDENT CULTURE Making Your House A Home
32 nu:life
Photos are the easiest way to personalise your room.
When you’re missing home, looking at your pictures
will make you smile and remember all the memories
that go with them. Many photo printing sites off er 50
prints for free when you register, so there’s no excuse!
Next, how to display your pictures. Some people like to
stick them in a grid on their wall - so you can expand it as
the year progresses. Alternatively, you could invest in some
decent photo frames, although this can become expensive.
Framing your favourites and putting the rest on your wall
or in an album could be the best option. If you’re worried
about using blu tac, you could buy some cheap washing line
and clothes pegs and peg your pictures to the line, which
you can hang along your wall. Or, if you’re feeling creative,
you could buy a large frame and make a collage of your
favourite photos. This works well if you’re not allowed to drill
into your walls as you can prop it up on a shelf instead.
If you want to colour co-ordinate your room, remember that
you might have to live with it for a while. There are a variety
of cheap ways to implement colour into your room, such as
patterned cushions, small rugs, desk tidys and fairy lights.
Fairy lights provide warm light which you’ll be thankful for
on cold winter nights. Bedding is another essential part of
making your room cosy. Your bed is likely to take up the
majority of your room - so your sheets have an impact!
Warm colours and fun patterns will instantly brighten
the room. You could also buy a plant to keep your room
smelling fresh and add some colour to your windowsill, but
don’t forget to water it.
Maximising storage in your new room is key, especially
in that tiny wardrobe! Wardrobe hangers from IKEA are
a genius invention: attach them to the rail inside and
magically gain 6-7 new shelves for the things you can’t fi t
in your drawers. If you’re lucky enough to have an ensuite,
it’s also likely you won’t have enough space for all your
products. Argos and IKEA sell plastic drawers on wheels
which fi t well into most bathrooms (be sure to measure!)
and are a neat way of storing make up and other products.
Investing in certain things such as cushions and storage will
be useful as they can move house with you, however, things
like the size of your bed could change, so it’s probably best
to buy decent but not overly expensive bedding. Everyone
is diff erent, and your room should be too!
Caroline Innes
Making your house a home
Each year thousands of students move
into a new room. These rooms have white
walls, plain furniture; they could belong
to anybody. However, leaving family and
friends will mean you need your room to
feel welcoming.
nu:life 33
34 nu:life
One to RememberCAMPUS SERVICES One To Remember
nu:life 35
So if you want to watch our team in action, keep your eyes peeled for our special feature on BBC1’s The One Show which is broadcast weekdays at 7pm.
Better yet, why not come on down to CCE and choose from a range of delicious options from the Go Eat menu. Opening hours are 8am – 3pm Monday through Thursday and 8am – 2pm Fridays.
FRESH! EAT
36 nu:life
CAMPUS SERVICES Eat Fresh
Burger Meal Deal @
HANDMADE BURGER, FRIES AND COKE - ONLY £4.50! Available from City Campus East, Castles and Coach Lane Campus
Northumberland County Rugby and Northumbria University have come together to launch a joint project with the long-term aim of improving the quality of rugby in the region.
Thirty Under 20 county rugby players from clubs across Northumberland have been invited to Northumbria’s £30 million Sport Central facility in order to receive individually tailored and scientifi cally underpinned coaching programmes from Joel Brannigan – Team Northumbria’s Head of Strength and Conditioning.
Brannigan, a former Newcastle Falcons, London Welsh and Edinburgh Rugby Union player, will be imparting his knowledge and experience to the young players across 33 sessions during the 2012/13 season.
“The hope is to educate the players, parents and club coaches about physical conditioning principles and practices, which will transfer to the on pitch performance,” he said.
The S&C expert went on to explain the scientifi c principles behind the structured conditioning that the County’s young athletes will be undertaking over the next seven months.
“We’ll be working with the players in four-week blocks, upping the intensity for three weeks, with lighter training in the fourth week.”
“Without the lighter regeneration week, training will fi rst plateau, then subsequently drop off due to how bodies react to stress.”
38 nu:life
CAMPUS SERVICES Rugby’s Next Generation: Fit For Success
RUGBY’S NEXT GENERATION: FIT FOR SUCCESS
For further information on Team Northumbria Rugby and their upcoming fi xtures please visit
www.nusportcentral.com
Roger Uttley coaches TN’s emerging rugby stars
“Then week fi ve begins a new block of training, with a higher intensity than week one of the previous block,” he added.
Percy Park back and veteran of last year’s programme, Harry Thorpe, gave a glowing review of how positively the programme has affected not just his sporting performance, but life outside of rugby as well.
“More than anything, I just feel more confi dent going into games, because I know that I’ve done all of this work building up to it,” he said.
“I look back and I think that I’ve done so much work with my body – and even on little things like posture – so it’s helped me massively with my confi dence.”
“The season before, I was getting injuries everywhere, but now I can ride the contact more. I feel in more control over my body.”
The initiative has also received the backing of a rugby legend – former England International and British And Irish Lions player, Roger Uttley, who visited the players during a training session.
He addressed the players, stating how fortunate they were to be able to benefi t from training in such facilities.
“It all starts here. Bigger, faster, stronger are important factors in playing the game well – but you’ve got to be doing it for the right reasons,” Uttley told Northumberland’s rising stars.
He told the athletes to ‘Make use of Joel, who is at a point in his career where he is expert at producing results in players’ and he added: “When you take into account all the facilities at Sport Central, this programme will have benefi t for club rugby in the area, and for rugby in the county.”
Sport Central will also play host to training sessions for the U15 and U17 County squad athletes, in an attempt to further increase the standard of rugby players in Northumberland
nu:life 39
CAMPUS SERVICES Bouncing Back
National League basketball is back at Sport Central with a mouthwatering run of top fl ight fi xtures to whet the appetite of Team Northumbria fans.
Marc Steutel’s men faced Middlesbrough Lions in the opening round of the National Cup last month - in their fi rst homecourt clash since scooping last season’s league and playoff double.
And a roster mixing new faces and old favourites is in no mood to make up the numbers in the England Basketball League’s fi rst division.
TN warmed up for the new campaign with a confi dent 65-59 win against a USA Select side in last month’s Newcastle Eagles invitational tournament.
But playcaller Steutel admitted there is still much work to do if a talented group of players is going to progress at National League and BUCS level.
“As a result of the Eagles tournament we gained vital information on where we need to progress,” said TN’s coach.
“There is still a lot of teaching to be done but hopefully we’ll be ready for this season’s tests.”
TN faced double defeat on day one of the Eagles tournament at Sport Central – going down fi ghting against the second USA select side and fi nding BBL side Durham Wildcats too hot to handle”.
A hangover from those losses meant the hosts started poorly against the second group of US college ballers in the fi fth/sixth playoff game.
But TN rallied well with Jamie Glenn and Frenchman Ivan Emmanuely in sparkling form at both ends of the court.
Steutel – angered by TN’s start - said: “I was frustrated with the way we were playing as individuals.
“We seemed to have no pressure on them when they got the ball into offensive positions and needed to work harder and needed to improve our defence.”
A stern team talk from the EBL Division Two Coach of the Year kickstarted TN’s revival as they won the second quarter 18-15 – narrowing the gap to just eight points at the half.
And with the hosts fi nally on song they began to put points on the board with ease – vice captain Glenn and Emmanuely contributing on a regular basis.
TN’s defence began to tighten up with the visitors posting just six third quarter points – leaving the scores level going into the fi nal 10.
“We started to work on our defence by playing a containment defence strategy to try and limit their scoring options in order to get us back into the game,” added Steutel.
“We limited them to six points in the third quarter which allowed us to take the attack in the fi nal quarter and get the win.”
If you’d like to support our boys in another season of top fl ight basketball, come along to Sport Central on Saturday 27th October and watch as Team Northumbria take on Leeds Carnegie in what promises to be an exciting game! Doors open at 17:30 for a 18:00 tip off. Admission: £2
BOUNCING BACK
Yours for the making!!!www.mynsu.co.uk
DOUBLE SMIRNOFF & MIXER £2 (INC REDBULL)
HOUSE SINGLE & MIXER £1HOUSE DOUBLES & MIXER £2NORTHUMBRIA BOMB £2SMIRNOFF ICE £1.75SAMBUCA & JAGERMEISTER £1.50PINTS OF CARLING £1.50AND STRONGBOW
FISHBOWLS £6
from 20.10.2012 Habita 9pm onwards
FREE ENTRY The coolest student night in town with
live entertainment and amazing drinks off ers
