Keep calm and study on

For students, stress can be a huge problem. It’s not just about academic work which, truthfully, is the main source on anxiety. No, it’s also the pressure of starting a new life during Fresher’s week, the struggle to start a new life post-uni for soon-to-be graduates, the desire to fit in, to balance work and play, and - for those involved in various roles in SUSU and in societies - the pressure to stay on top of absolutely everything. Not to mention money, debt, unemployment and peer pressure. Add all these together, and your average student is a proverbial mass of nervous energy, ready to implode at any moment.

It’s not always stressful. If time is organised properly, you can use the period after deadlines to recharge – you might be able to take one or two mornings off a week, or maybe spend one evening ignoring your smart phone to be with your friends and loved ones.

Productivity is the key to success in the university domain, regardless of what success means to you. However, productivity can be greatly compromised by stress, and it’s key to try and remain calm when things get on top of you.

I’m not really one to preach. I am personally well known for my stress and anxiety levels, and when I’m not worrying about university work, I’m worried about work for the Wessex Scene, my life after I finish my Masters, personal relationships, basic aspects of life and, if it’s possible, much more. And when I finally find peace… I worry that I’m not worried. This is why I have developed a collection of a few ways to keep myself calm.

So, here are a few things that might stop you from stressing out too much – remember, University is meant to be fun too!

1. Cook. Whether you just want to bake some brownies to eat all by yourself – I mean, share with your friends! – or you fancy something different for dinner, cooking can be therapeutic. It forces you to take some time out, spend a few minutes out of your bedroom or the library, and to focus on something else. Not forgetting the resulting food – which is always yet another stress-buster for me….

2. ….Food. I’ve posted before about how food is a major source of relief for me here at university. A decent meal at the end of the day serves as a reward, or a spontaneous batch of cupcakes can really make the day go by easier. It’s important not to go overboard and eat unhealthily, but taking the time to have a themed evening with your housemates can really make you feel better – I make sure I have pizza and film nights or fajita nights with my flatmate around once a month, and it’s very much needed!

Treating myself to lunch at the Carvery at the Bridge Bar on a Sunday let me take some time out, and was delicious and cheap! Perfect.

3. Sport. I’m not a sporty person. The piece I sent in as my application for this blog job recounted a very unfortunate jog around the common (much to my editor’s amusement!) and I try desperately to do Zumba when the classes are running. However, as rarely as I do exercise, I am always surprised at how good I feel afterwards, and it’s nice to take your anger out on the pavement! Make use of your gym pass, go swimming, or just go outside and run around (even if it is in the style of Phoebe in Friends) – you’re sure to feel better afterwards.

4. Make time for yourself: Schedule in time for yourself when things are getting too much. When Sunday evening comes round, put down your books, leave the library, turn off your Facebook notifications on your smartphone and do what makes you happy. Whether it’s going to the Stag’s for a cider, wandering round the Common, curling up in bed with a copy of your favourite magazine and a cup of tea or even doing a little window shopping, it’s important to keep yourself sane by remembering what makes you happy!

Spending time at Southampton Common can really calm your nerves, whatever the weather

5. Join a new society: If you’re struggling to let yourself take time out, joining a new society will force you to, due to your scheduled sessions! Soon you’ll be ‘forced’ to stop what you’re doing and go to the next session for ArtSoc or Debate Society – and it will come as a welcome relief!

6. Go home: If all else fails, head home for the weekend for a few days of home cooked food, comforts and maybe to visit old friends – it always works for me!

 Spending time at home with my family really lets me physically get away from work for a bit, and can be a real comfort when things get tough. This is me and my Dad on a walk near our home.

There’s no harm in giving up and letting yourself do what you want to for a few hours. As long as you manage your time properly, you shouldn’t have to give up what you love. Taking time out will just make you more productive – as long as it doesn’t border on constant procrastination! Make sure you keep your stress levels at bay, and you’ll really be able to fully enjoy your time here at Southampton.

Joanne

Seeking: A summer job

Summer jobs and students go together like Jesters and Monday night. (If you haven’t come to the University of Southampton yet, Jesters is this indescribable gem of a club - I guarantee there is no other place on earth like it, and on Monday nights it’s crammed full of students and a little wild). However, often due to spending too much money in places like Jesters, summer jobs habitually become a necessity for most students. Sadly, due to the temporary nature of the job, you often end up working in places you wouldn’t initially choose, and believe me, it’s tough.

Right now I am sure a considerable amount of students will hold one of these precious summer jobs, and, despite it seeming horrible, I just wanted to say it will be worth it. I promise. Something good will come out of it!

However, if you think you have the worst job in the world, I don’t believe you – for I’ve been honoured with that role. Hurrah. Being the penniless student that I am, and living in a quiet town in the summer, I readily accepted work in a factory… Now, don’t judge me too quickly, I have had several jobs and I am definitely not work-shy, but this job is, most definitely, the hardest one I have ever had. Literally, I have never hated life more; my previous chipper demeanour is slowly being worn away. Previous jobs working in jolly shops or making coffee seem like heaven compared to this one. I now (temporarily) work in a fairly upmarket cereal production factory and spend my days lifting tubs of raisins and assorted fruit onto a conveyer belt.

It is a new low when dried apricots get the better of you.

Honestly, the people I work with are really so lovely, and much better people than I could ever be; my respect for them is enormous. It’s just, I am so, so, weak. Unbelievably so. Trust me, this realisation is depressing. Every day I feel like I have aged another twenty years; I start complaining about having a bad back and stiff joints, insisting that any evening activities happen at a sensible time, so I can be in bed by 10pm. Again, don’t judge me; I have to get up at 4.45am. Yep, that’s correct, that time does exist. I clearly wasn’t made for manual labour.

Now, before you all cry out in outrage, before you scream at me to leave (or man up), let me just say all this work is for a cause. And working for a cause is a lot easier than just working. Not only did I spent too much of my student loan on an assortment of fancy dress costumes and impulse buys at Sainsbury’s, I also committed to spend my summer travelling. In the forefront of my mind is the glorious time I intend to enjoy interrailing around Europe. So any time I suffer, slowly eroding my soul is worth it, really it is (I just need to keep reminding myself of that).

Every summer I go away for quite a long period of time; last year some friends and I went around South East Asia (my reward for all those early morning starts at Greggs). Travelling is something I adore, it helps me learn and grow like nothing else does. I cannot help but come back a better person once I’ve embraced another culture. I feel at my happiest whilst I am away, it is as simple as that. Yet, whilst this habit is extremely enjoyable, it is not cheap. Nonetheless, my memories and developing attitude cannot be given a monetary value; it is always, most definitely, worth it. And right now, when I’m young and carefree I cannot imagine a better time to do it. All the things I see and do help me, I learn from them all and they aid every aspect of my life, in more ways than I can explain.

Journeys like this last a life time. I would happily spend all my money for the rest of my life seeing the beauty of the world. It makes me feel incredibly lucky.

So, yes, my job is dire, but the thought of being cooped up in my tiny home town is even more terrifying. This hard work is collateral damage to get the glory of seeing a bit more of the world, and to me it seems to be a fair, if tough, exchange. In life you won’t remember those summer days spent wandering aimlessly around your neighbourhood, but you will remember that summer you got lost in Rome and fell in love in Prague.

And, if all else fails, I will remember my dear mother’s motto: it is character building.

Florence

RENT

Valentine’s  Day – a dreaded day shared by all singletons alike. Considering that it is somewhat unacceptable to cry alone, whilst watching Bridget Jones and eating endless ice cream, I thought I probably should do something fun.

Accordingly therefore my friend (whose boyfriend, to my benefit, doesn’t live in the city) and I went to go Showstoppers production of RENT. 

Well, this was a WONDERFUL way to spend a Valentine’s Day! I always forget how lucky I am to have the possibility to go see great performances so cheaply – for a different and incredible evening, you really can’t really grumble at £6.50. Plus, you know you are supporting your fellow students. Hurrah!

Having seen the film of the musical many years ago I must admit that I was surprised by their choice; it was a courageous one. Not only in terms of content (which is a little risqué) but also just technically; there are so many songs, and they all sing them at the same time – coordinating that must have been a nightmare!

RENT is based on Giacomo Puccini's opera La bohème. It tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive, to pay their rent and to create in New York's Alphabet City. Yet - not only is there poverty, there is also the serious and constant cloud of HIV and Aids.

Yet the premise is a positive one; “How do you measure a year? In Daylights. In Sunsets. In Midnights. In Cups of Coffee… Or in Love?” It is a musical all about love, which seemed fitting for Valentine’s Day.

None the less Southampton’s student actors had so much to contend with; there is heartbreak, humour, corporations, anarchy, addition and disease – all through the medium of song!

All actors and actresses push themselves in this production; their voices are raw, as is their passion. I dread to think how many hours in rehearsals it took Angle (Tashan Nicholas), to sing so well, whilst dancing energetically (in heels!). Despite humour being apparent in this production, nothing is taken away from the very real issues surrounding drug addiction and HIV. I think because the events they were trying to portray were so important it motivated these students to act with audacious confidence, much to the production’s success.

The events were presented with real empathy (so much so I definitely had a lump in my throats at times); events which sometimes seem distant were brought very much to life in the Annex. The cast was small, but perfect. Every character’s voice is faultless, especially Mimi (Charissa Foster) who has the sweetest voice ever, adding a wonderful layer to her pole-dancing cocaine-addict character.

I had to try really hard to not feel bitter over the fact that the actors and actresses involved were all students and were all doing degrees, as well as theatre productions – darn those amazingly talented people!

Although a lot of this blog is taken up with commenting on the acting, I also want to say that the band were awesome and so professional! The choreography was incredible - I have no idea how they managed it, but it was seamless and a perfect use of space. Also, the set design was wonderful and it looked like it must have taken a lot of effort, it did however convey the grime (and beauty) of New York.

Southampton’s Performing Arts production of RENT was a testament to the original show's creator, Jonathan Larson, who died of Aids the night before the off-Broadway premiere. Amazing work all round, and my best Valentine’s Day yet!

Florence

Election fever

It’s the time of year again when the University of Southampton is hit by election fever. Facebook is taken over by campaign groups, campus is inundated with banners and posters promoting candidates with eye catching slogans, and it’s the topic of conversation over many portions of curly fries and cups of coffee in the Café.

This year, however, the Sabbatical Officers, Student Leaders, Union Councillors and Trustee elections are all happening at the same time. This means that in the space of two weeks, the future faces of SUSU are all campaigning during what is essentially the biggest job interview available. This is a first, as before this year these elections were handled over a period of time. However, this year it’s all change, and this means an election period bigger than any other. There has been much debate about whether this is a good idea or not: it could cause confusion, and people may be put off by the mass of information coming their way. However, it also means that the election period is two weeks long, and does not continue for the rest of the year, which is a plus for those who tire of campaigns and voting.

Elections aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, let’s be honest. I myself am somewhat ‘politically challenged’, and struggle to understand any sort of political news or happenings – be it on campus, nationally, or internationally – though I completely understand the importance of voting. I admire those who are interested in politics, as the whole thing normally baffles me. However, this year I will be working with the Wessex Scene to cover the elections, and this means getting my head around everything and providing all the news and information our readers need to keep on top of the goings-on leading up to the final results.

Throughout the next two weeks, candidates will be undergoing interviews and debates, hoping to win over the student population for a chance to run SUSU and its many areas. There will be live broadcasts, live blogs, and ‘vox pops’ – campaign teams will interrupt lectures briefly to advertise themselves and to convince students to vote for them – and in the second week concourse will be covered in posters, banners, and team members running around in some very questionable outfits. Finally, on Results Night (1 March this year) we will find out who has won, and students will be able to keep up to date with the event by attending the night in the union, watching live on SUSUtv, listening in on Surge Radio or reading the Wessex Scene’s live blog as they finish their coursework in the library.

The people running in these elections are the people who effectively run your life here at University. The Sabbaticals and the student leaders look after sports, welfare, communities (such as our satellite campuses), SUSU Media teams, democracy, your JCR (support teams in halls), environmental issues and charity causes, amongst so much more. The whole list can be found here: http://www.susu.org/making-a-difference/elections/2012/spring/positions.html. Really, it’s vital we have a say on who is the best person to do the job – which is why everyone is persuaded to cast their vote.

Look out for the logo!

First years may find the whole thing rather baffling, but voting is pretty essential, as you will be choosing the team who will run your union for the next year. Now in my fourth year at the University, I have seen many elections, and have become more and more interested as the years pass. This year, much like last year, I will be watching many of my own friends running for positions – and that is really what makes you more aware of what’s happening.

It’s bound to be a fortnight of mayhem and chaos – but only in the best possible way. There will be arguments, debates, exciting revelations, celebrations and commiserations. My advice would be to get involved – whether you join someone’s campaign team, work with SUSU Media to cover the fortnight’s events, or even just vote!  Elections are just one more exciting date in the calendar when you’re a student at the University of Southampton.

Joanne

Performing achievement

I’ve written before about the world of the Performing Arts here at Southampton; what it offers you in terms of skills and personal benefit (lots!), how to get involved (visit the website!) and why I love doing it (too many reasons to fit into an interjection!).

This past seven days I’ve been fortunate enough to have witnessed, experienced and enjoyed three broadly varying and outstanding shows, as well as taking part in one myself. Every production showcased an expansive range of talent, vision and sheer achievement, the magnitude of which left me in awe of just how every person involved has managed to balance it all with their course!

The tour of shows began at the Annex Theatre with the Light Operatic Society’s (usually shortened to “LOpSoc”!) double feature production of the Gilbert & Sullivan shows Cox & Box and Trial by Jury. I must admit that I hadn’t heard much Gilbert & Sullivan before, but I was nonetheless bowled over by the sheer enthusiasm of all of the performers, many of whom gave memorable showings, and strong vocals and hilarity were abound.

Plus, to stage two different shows back to back, with only an interval separating them, was an inspired achievement in itself, both by the performers (including the faultless orchestra) and also the production team who glued them together. All in all, seeing a student production is always a great way to relax after a busy week, and LOpSoc’s effort was a lovely way to wind down on a Friday evening – although, for fear of feeling like an old man, I probably won’t be “winding down” every Friday night in the future!

Another aspect of the show that should be commended is the speed and deftness demonstrated by StageSoc, Performing Arts’ backstage society (who operate for every single PA show – so there are always loads of chances to learn new skills and get involved!), particularly their impressive skill in designing, constructing and reassembling a very rich and detailed set. With the performance consisting of two different shows combined, props, lighting and set had to be efficiently transformed to represent an entirely novel setting in the second half, and from an audience member’s perspective, I can’t praise them enough for how seamless this was.

The next afternoon I was whisked into another world by Theatre Group’s comical, intelligent and fourth-wall-breaking (often featuring audience members volunteered by the cast!) spectacular Shakespeare in a Week show, only revealed to be Twelfth Night exactly seven days before its first performance – including to the actors (who somehow made it through without forgetting any lines)! Twelfth Night was produced without a budget to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, a truly wonderful cause, and they did so to tremendous effect, making more than £500 across four performances over a single day.

And not only did the show achieve great success in its charitable objectives, but its sheer quality – the hour-long performance I attended had the whole audience chuckling throughout, and absolutely flew by! – exhibited brilliant imagination and verve on behalf of the directorial team, as well as confidence, humour and adaptability in the face of challenging circumstances from the cast. It was a remarkable feat indeed – congratulations to all involved!

And, to round off an extraordinary few days of theatre, the musical theatre society, SUSU’s “Showstoppers”, took on Jonathan Larson’s modern classic RENT at the Annex Theatre amidst a stunning backdrop, incredibly intricate and well-realised choreography (with cast members rising to the standard brilliantly), and an overall cast vocal prowess which, in my opinion, was unmatched amongst all amateur dramatics I’ve witnessed in my lifetime. It was sensational.

Every part was played with confidence and precision, and the whole thing was so moving that the girl in the row in front of me was in tears – on several occasions! Once again, Performing Arts took on a show renowned for its difficulty, and came up trumps with a stunning result for which everyone involved should be commended.

So how to round all of that off? With, you guessed it, another society!

Recently, I saw that Comedy Society was encouraging members to enter a heat of a stand-up competition which SUSU was to host on Valentine’s Day. I hadn’t really considered doing it until, a few days ago, I wrote out my schedule for the rest of the term (packed with rehearsals for the musical Parade, on at the Nuffield Theatre in March!) and came to the conclusion that, if I wanted to realise my ambition to make a debut gig before the end of the term, it was now or never.

And so I found myself with three days to write, rehearse and tune my first ever stand-up set, which had to total 7-8 minutes of original content – needless to say, it was difficult not to drift away in trying to piece together puns and jokes whenever attention wavered in lectures! I’ve not had butterflies to that extent since I was in my first play!

But, as always, Performing Arts rose up and encouraged involvement. A large number of Comedy Society, Theatre Group, Showstoppers, StageSoc, members of my course and other friends kindly turned up on the night and gave myself and the seven other acts a brilliantly atmospheric, supportive and inspirational backing throughout. The eight minutes I filled on stage are now a complete blur in my head – I could barely tell what I was doing during them, let alone remember afterwards! – but I do remember being spurred on by the sight and laughter of friendly faces in the crowd.

Sorry for the poor quality of the photo although, given the look of sheer terror that was probably on my face at the time, it might be for the best!

Some of the jokes I told seemed to go down quite well, particularly in the up-tempo one-liner-stuffed first-half, and others missed the mark (forgetting to deliver the punch-line on a couple of occasions perhaps wasn’t my brightest idea!), but I got some great constructive feedback afterwards which I’ll try to take on board – thank you to all who supplied it! Personally, I was just proud that I’d managed to overcome my self-doubt and give it a go, regardless of the result.

Because, at the end of the day, that’s what I feel University is all about: having experiences you’ll remember for a lifetime. And who knows? After discovering the buzz of an adrenaline rush while on stage, I might give it another go some time – this time with improvements to the set and, hopefully, delivering the whole joke every time!

As for the competition itself, it was a privilege to share the stage with the seven other acts, who all entertained hugely in their unique styles and made for a memorable occasion – again, congratulations to all involved (particularly Joe Hart, who without doubt deservedly made it through to the next round)! SUSU are hosting another heat in March so, if you feel like you’re bursting with jokes which need to be told, I can hugely recommend taking the plunge!

Phew!

But as you might have gathered, life in Performing Arts doesn’t stand still: this weekend (the 22^nd-24^th) sees the arrival of Pure Dance 2013 at the Turner Sims Concert Hall on Highfield Campus. Pure Dance is an annual (usually sell-out) dance show which features many different styles of dance, multitudes of performers and competition-winning standards of performance.

So why not pop along and celebrate student performance achievement or, better yet, become the achievers yourselves?

Robin

A student in the Houses of Parliament

How to spend a Wednesday afternoon? How about in the Houses of Parliament?! It’s not too shabby, in fact, it’s rather lovely.

Yesterday I donned a smart dress, painted my nails and wore matching earrings because I was off to the Houses of Parliament.

EEKIEJFjsgid – doesn’t even describe how excited I was. I am pretty happy to just go to the Bridge Bar on campus so you can imagine how much of a flap I was in!

So, why was I in the Houses of Parliament?, I hear you cry. And I will tell you; because students are awesome!

Tasha and I at home in our very fancy setting!

We were mid-way through the incredible Student Volunteering Week and what better way of celebrating volunteering in all its glorious forms than by attending a Parliamentary Reception in London. Students spend 3,000,000 hours a year volunteering (mind-boggling statistic!), and this event showcased the wonderful stuff that happens every day all over the country and I felt very honoured to be there.

It was a pretty awesome reception; we had Nick Hurd (the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Charities, Social Enterprise and Volunteering) as the keynote speaker, big names from NUS and Barclays (the generous sponsor of a lot of student volunteering activities), Adam O’Boyle the CEO of Students Hubs, and a bucket load of other incredible people. Yes, these people were incredible, but I couldn’t help thinking that the students were so much better (I might be a bit biased…).

I was lucky enough to attend the event because my good friend Tasha Unwin was nominated for a national award on account of all the volunteering she does, all the time, without fail. I tagged along for the free tea and cake, whereas she genuinely is amazing. I volunteer with her (though not as much as her) and so know just how much she gives back to her community, along with all the nominees. Whilst they were reading off what each nominee did I not only felt terribly underachieving, but also, and more importantly, extremely proud to be part of the wider Student Volunteering Community which freely give so much of their time to so many great things. These people change lives. That is no exaggeration; they quietly get on with their degrees all the while chipping away at the inequalities they see around them. I felt all warm inside; people are nice, very very nice. 

So I go back to my original premise; students are awesome. I know I am a student, but I don’t care, I can still say it; students are AWESOME! But, not only that, Student Hubs and NUS are pretty awesome as well because they put on this event, indeed, they put on the whole of Student Volunteering Week. I am lucky enough to know one of the ladies that made this snazzy affair happen, and this woman is a multi-tasking, level-headed, super-efficient ninja. The idea that a new graduate is organising a week dedicated to the wonderful work students do felt so appropriate, it could be no other way.  The organic nature of the event was important, only reconfirming that when people volunteer as a student it becomes a journey that never ends, these people are always giving back. These types of people always care. And they should care because it is a big deal, student volunteering is massive, it affects so very much! 

By giving your time you gain things you never knew you needed, trust me, I know. When people ask me what I’ve learnt from volunteering I struggle to adequately explain it… it becomes this massively important thing that, without you even realising, seeps its way into every aspect of your life. I work differently, communicate differently, my relationships with my friends, tutors and parents are all different now. I appreciate the intention rather than the result. I care about things differently and I see problems differently – most importantly, I think differently. And you can’t even pinpoint when it happened, but somewhere along the line something will click and you will just see everything a little bit clearer, you will notice a need; you will see the problem, and not only that you will address it!

We’re students, let’s embrace that! Be all amounts of awesome I know you can be and volunteer, because honestly, you will get so much out of it. So, I urge you – be proactive, be positive and be persistent – and you will change the world. 

Where the magic happens: Student Hubs team!

Florence 

Visit Britain… a golden legacy – part two (far and away)

Beginning from where I left in my last post, I would reiterate the importance of travelling as a tool to learning. It is the best way to learn about a country’s heritage and culture. Having stayed in UK for more than a year and that too as a student, where life begins and ends with learning, my quest for learning and travel took me to places far from Southampton. I got an opportunity to visit Cornwall (towards the south west of England) and then to Dover – the busiest ferry port in the south east. I visited the Jurassic Coast and Isle of Wight in the extreme south and managed to visit Inverness in far north in Scotland. I was mesmerised by the Scottish charm in Edinburgh, loved the city of Glasgow, was captivated by charming town of Fort William, craved for more in Liverpool and have breath-taking memories of Oxford. I would not even dare to include London in this list as words would not suffice if I began writing down my love for London. It is not just a city – it is an institution in itself, it is a way of life.

Well, each town in the country has a glorious past and a magnificent tale to tell. However, if I had to narrow down to three, which is quite an onerous task in itself, my list of three must-see places in UK would definitely comprise of Edinburgh, Cornwall and Oxford.  The reason behind my choice is that each of the three places mentioned above have a character of their own which is quite distinct and conspicuous and makes you fall in love with them.

To begin with, Edinburgh is rightly called the capital of Scotland for it mirrors the Scottish charm and its pristine beauty.  Someone I met long ago, a well-travelled man in his eighties, had told me that one must see three places before he dies – Edinburgh, Edinburgh and Edinburgh. And when I insisted on three he said… You should visit Istanbul and Venice other than Edinburgh. Well, I shall call myself fortunate at having seen all three. However, Edinburgh has left quite a mark on my impressionable mind, so much so that I would love to go there again and again. I have been to Edinburgh twice and every time it was difficult to leave… so awestruck I was with its charm and serenity. The Edinburgh Castle which stands tall in the centre of the city is a mark of its resplendent past and dominates the city from its great rock. The Royal Mile which is almost a Scots mile long runs from the Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Castle rock to Holyrood Palace on the other end. The Parliament at the end of the road is a superb example of modern architecture. My second visit to Edinburgh coincided with the London Olympics Torch Relay. It seemed that the entire city had descended upon the Royal Mile to catch a glimpse of this historic event. As one of the residents remarked… What a day to be at Edinburgh! We really loved every moment of it with its memories etched deep in our hearts.

Enjoying the Olympic revelries at Edinburgh - The Royal Mile

Cornwall forms the tip of the south west peninsula of the island of Great Britain flanked by Devon to its east… where my fellow blog writer Florence belongs to. The north and the south coast are quite different, the north coast being more touristy with extensive stretches of golden sand. I happened to visit Newquay during the week of Bank Holiday in April last year with a few friends and their families. The drive from Southampton to Newquay was hectic, yet enjoyable in the company of our friends. We had hired a few caravans in one of the parks at Newquay, very near to the town centre. The whole weekend was quite chilled out and we enjoyed the facilities of the park to its fullest. The beach was quite wide and the weather being nice, we had a great barbecue in the afternoons. There were a lot of adventure activities for those looking for an adrenaline rush like water scooters, cliff hanging and coasteering. It was one of the most relaxed holidays I had had in a long time and I really recommend it to those looking to unwind and relax.

With wifey dear at Newquay

Mesmerising beauty at Newquay beach

Hardly anyone from an English speaking country like India would not have heard of Oxford. I remember being given an Oxford dictionary when I was merely seven years old by my grandfather. The dictionary must be a hundred years old and I still have it preserved as one of my biggest treasures. In India, a graduate from the University of Oxford is still looked up to as a go-getter in life. Our learned Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh has the distinction of not just being a student of the University but also of being one of its faculty members. I had always craved to visit Oxford and was rather delighted at having got such an opportunity last November. The university town is the home of the oldest University in the country and the English speaking world. I made it a point to take a guided tour of the city and a visit around the University.

I am glad that I was able to visit the places of great historic and cultural significance in this diverse country with a golden legacy. Hope my fellow International students at the University also make the most of their stay in UK and travel far and wide… I bet they would always cherish these moments throughout their lives.

Rohit

Out with the old, in with the new

It’s nearly pancake day – which not only means that shops will run out of eggs, flour and milk, but also that many will consider giving something up for Lent. Lent, if you aren’t familiar with it, is a traditional Christian event which normally lasts for around six weeks – between Ash Wednesday (the day after Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday) and Easter Sunday. During this period it has become tradition to give up a luxury, originally as a form of religious penitence – though as with many religious holidays, this has been somewhat lost. The pancakes eaten before Lent begins used to be a way of using up fatty foods, so that they would no longer be in the larder to tempt you; hence the unhealthy toppings!

Lent is a time when people give things up; normally the motivation is health. Many give up smoking, biscuits, cheese, cake or chocolate. Others give up something that they have become addicted to: alcohol, Facebook, and certain food groups like carbohydrates or dairy. I know a number of people who give up bad habits, such as biting their nails. In general, though, Lent is seen as a great time to get healthy, adapt and become a better person – much in the same way as New Year.

In the past, I have given up chocolate. It’s been a challenge to begin with, but within a week I have found that I barely miss it. I would substitute chocolate snacks with biscuits, yoghurts, dried fruit and sweets, when I needed a sweet fix. However, I am unsure that giving up chocolate would be a great idea this year; in the same way as last year, I am going through a stressful period of my university life and, as awful as it may sound, chocolate is one treat that may well comfort me after a long day in the library and at lectures, whether it’s a hot chocolate drink or a bar of Galaxy. As my Mum would say, it may not be the best time to give it up!

This year, I think it would be nice to reverse the negative focus of Lent. Instead of giving something up, and therefore depriving myself of food that I really don’t eat that much of anyway, I would love to take something up, consequently enriching my life and putting a positive spin on things.

During Refresher’s Week, I attended a free taster session for ZumbaSoc. I am no avid exercise fan, and haven’t had a gym pass since first year when I only went a grand total of six times. I try my hand at running, but want to wait until better weather (as I said, I am not really a dedicated fitness expert!) but I would like to get fitter and use exercise as a stress-buster too! The Zumba session (which I have wanted to try out for a long time) was fun and a great work out, and I had nothing to fear when I got the moves wrong!

Zumba, therefore, will be my new experience that I will take up for Lent. Along with this, I’m thinking of trying Yoga. I hope that this will have a more positive effect on my health than simply giving up chocolate altogether, and will take a similar level of self-control – it’s far too easy to say no!

I really recommend taking part in Lent, as a way of changing your lifestyle (especially if your New Year’s resolutions never worked!) even if you’re not keen on the religious side of things. It’s a good excuse to try something you’ve always wanted to do, or to stop those bad habits. The University and Students’ Union offer so many activities; it’d be a great place to start. Why not start sailing? Or get involved with RAG? You could even take up a new creative hobby, with ArtSoc or even the Cake Decorating Society! The opportunities are endless, and it’s time to make the most of the university environment and all it has to offer. For a full list of the societies available, take a look here:

http://www.susu.org/something-for-everyone/societies/2012/

So that’s that then. I’ll be trying to attend as many Zumba classes as possible, and attempting yoga in the solitude of my flat.

If that goes well, I may even give up putting sugar in my tea – I know my old housemates would be pleased if I managed that!

My cups of the tea in The Bridge may become significantly less sweet from now on!

Joanne

Finding home

Towards the end of the Christmas holidays, I was sitting around with my family discussing plans for returning to Southampton in time for exam season when talk turned to the empty fridge that awaited me down South – after some careful meal planning, I’d managed to clear it before leaving to prevent the inevitable food-rotting that always happens over holidays in student kitchens!

Given the length of the journey from the North to Southampton, shops would most likely be closed by the time I arrived, so my parents suggested taking a few items down with me. Unfortunately, without thinking, I produced a Freudian slip of dire proportions, saying “Don’t worry, I’ll order a pizza [Note: a more frequent occurrence this year, it seems!] and go shopping the morning after at home.”

After the initial silence following my use of that last word, I quickly realised what I’d said and tried to backtrack but, suffice to say, I didn’t hear the end of it for the remainder of the holidays – in jest, of course!

I bring this story up because, when talking with my housemates the other day, lots of us found we’d had similar incidents recently, accidentally referring to here in a similar manner, bringing to light just how settled we must now feel at University for us to all do so.  

Conversely, we all noticed how, when we’re down in Southampton, we’ll often speak about popping “home” – the various corners of the country we come from – for the weekend. Talk about a double life!

So despite my slip of the tongue, which wasn’t in any way a slight on the homeliness of the North, my roots in which will forever remain implanted and which I’ll always miss when I’m away, I think it was just an indication of how, after a year and a half of studying in Southampton, I’m proud and happy to be able to call the city my home from home, and to know that I can travel North and South and be surrounded by friends, family and daily inspiration.

It’s fantastic to have such strong ties both North...

... and South, and I could never choose between the two!

It’s strange to think just how much has changed during the spell since I’ve moved into the lifestyle of being a full-time student, both in myself and the world around me, and I’ve been hugely fortunate in how almost every aspect, be it housemates, friends, my course, my accommodation, my societies, and everything else that forms part of my daily life, has fallen into place. The culmination of their influence forms a far cry from the nervous wreck that turned up on day one with a few essentials, bedsheets, some pens and paper, and shirts and jeans, armed with only the knowledge of how to cook a mean beans on toast – although regarding cookery, my housemates might tell you nothing’s changed!

It’s around this point in the year when lots of prospective students are visible on campus for course open days, clutching maps, asking for directions to Building 37 (which can be found online if you’re unsure – and is usually what I have to resort to, as I only really know building names!) or being led around by tour guides, some looking more nervous than others, with interviews potentially to follow. And just as with generations of students before, most people currently at the University have been in their shoes.

Personally, I was lucky enough to be invited to four such interview days for my course, all in far-flung areas of England (the rail fares to which my dad very kindly covered!) and offering vastly varied unique and exciting opportunities which, if it weren’t for the presence of one another, I’d have snapped up on the spot. Southampton and their Electronics and Computer Science department (ECS) were no exception – my graduate brother accompanied me and at the end of the open day asked if he could take the degree as well! – but deciding between the four at crunch time was far from easy.

So when people ask “Why Southampton?”, all I can attempt to do is articulate the vibe I got when I visited that day. I struggle to really explain it, and I know that, in all likelihood, I’d have been content elsewhere, but when I came down and looked around the University and Students’ Union, I felt the buzz of a thriving and friendly University, and it was infectious. I loved the greenery of the Highfield campus, I appreciated the wide-ranging facilities and their atmosphere, and I was bowled over by the sheer warmth of the people. I liked a lot about other universities, too, but something about Southampton just... felt right. It felt like it could be ‘home’.

And when it came down to the ‘informal interview’, the million and one pre-prepared, professional answers I’d had floating around in my head flew out the window. Instead, I had a short, enjoyable chat with a member of staff who asked me a couple of general questions about why I’d applied, and told me what he thought ECS could offer me, encouraging me, for example, to consider its excellent research opportunities. At no time did I feel pressured by them to show off or act up to the scenario, it genuinely did just seem like a chance to ask questions and get to know the University better.

So if you’re invited to visit the University of Southampton or, indeed, any other establishment in the next few weeks, I’d earnestly encourage you to take up that opportunity. Not only should you have a great day out, but having been there gives you something potentially critical to go on when you have to make a decision.

Ultimately, it’s your gut instincts which could prove all the difference in the end, as they did with me,  and having found ‘home’, I’m more grateful for the chance than ever before.

Robin

Visit Britain… a golden legacy – part one (in and around Southampton)

I belong to India – a country which is very rich in terms of culture, heritage, values and traditions. The country is marked by vivid and diverse cultures and lifestyle – the states of Kashmir and Himachal up north flanked by the majestic Himalayas are distinct and quite different from the states of Delhi and Punjab in the plains. The old and rustic charm of Rajasthan and Gujarat in the west with sand dunes, salt pans and earthy colours are cataclysmically opposite to the ethnicity of Bengal in the east. A visit to the Southern states of Karnataka and Kerala opens your horizons to a different world altogether with the smell of spices and greenery of the tea gardens. Yet, there is unity in diversity which spellbinds a tourist on a visit to this magical country. Being an avid travel enthusiast, I can claim to have travelled far and wide in my country. However, something which has really amazed me each and every time I did put on my travel shoes and set off is the reflection of a glorious past. The states do retain their original charm to their fullest; however also reflect the memoirs of the colonial rule. One can find remnants of Persian era, the Mughal era and the two-decade long British rule. You can find traces of French rule in Pondicherry, a taste of Dutch power in parts of Kerala and Portuguese influence in Goa.

To say the least, the British influence on Indian architecture, lifestyle and culture is sort of everlasting. As a young student of History, I always wanted to visit Britain and find out the genesis of those historical names – Piccadilly, Ten Downing Street and Leicester Square – which have been a part of our lives for years. One of my prime agendas during my stay at Southampton whilst pursuing my Masters was to see all the places in Britain I always craved to visit. I made full use of those weekend trips and breaks after semester exams and visited quite a few places. Travel is by far the best form of education – the kind of exposure one gets is unparalleled and the experiences are worth a treasure. I personally feel that international students at the University should make every attempt to visit a few places whilst they are in UK.

One of the most enduring memories I have is of my visit to the historic city of Bath. It is around 63 miles from Southampton with an excellent connectivity by rail. The entire city takes you back in history to the Roman era. The Roman Baths have been well preserved and an audio tour explains its historical significance. For the spa lovers like me, you have Thermae Bath Spa, quite close to the Roman Baths where one can be a little self-indulgent and pamper oneself with a spa session. The Royal Crescent which overlooks Queen Victoria Park looks spectacular with its majestic and vast expanse. A day is just not enough to do justice to all that you have to see. I made a trip to the Bath Abbey Church and the Jane Austen Museum, my wife being an avid Jane Austen fan. The fact that this centuries-old heritage has been well preserved is really fascinating and worthy of applause. The city is a world Heritage site and a must see for all.

The Roman Baths

Posing outside the Jane Austen museum whilst my wife was engrossed inside

A stay in Southampton would be incomplete without a trip to Portsmouth. I have made at least half a dozen trips to Portsmouth, and shamelessly have to admit that most of these were shopping trips. Portsmouth is a great waterfront city and Gunwharf Quays provides multiple options for shopping with a large number of factory outlets with a year-round sale on. However, it is worth noting that Portsmouth is the birthplace of my most favourite authors of all time, Charles Dickens and Rudyard Kipling. Portsmouth also has a number of tourist attractions related to its rich maritime history. My biggest advice to all my fellow Uni mates would be to explore beyond Gunwharf Quays and Spinnaker Tower and visit Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard.

Gunwharf Quays - shop 'til you drop

Another place worth visiting would be Brighton towards the south east of the UK. Brighton is synonymous with its vast sea front and pebble beaches. There’s nothing like a drive to this city on a sunny day and that is exactly what I did in August last year when we suddenly decided to bask in the warm sun. The much sought-after Brighton Pier has a lot of exciting options to eat and to enjoy which can take up a whole day. The Royal Pavilion is worth a visit for its notable architecture and oriental interiors. However, all aside, the best part of my Brighton tour was a trip to Devil’s Dyke. A 45 minutes bus ride on Bus No. 77 takes you to a V shaped valley with spectacular views and magnificent beauty. If you ask me, I could spend a whole day just at Devil’s Dyke.

The magnificent Devil's Dyke

The Royal Pavilion - in all its splendour

So my list of three must-see places around Southampton would be Bath, Portsmouth and Brighton. I have not included places like Winchester, Bournemouth and the New Forest, which are also great places to see and visit, but you’ll see that Joanne has talked about these in a previous post.

I hope my fellow students had a great innings at their exams and are looking forward to yet another eventful term. And yes, if you need to unwind and recharge yourself, you know where to head to!

Rohit

We don’t wish things were better. We make it better

Student Volunteering Week (SVW) takes place between 11-16 February and is a nationwide celebration of all the excellent things students do. I for one am sick of students getting a bad rep, because let’s face it, most of us are decent and respectable people who don’t enjoy terrorising old ladies or looting the local Argos, this week proves that! Student Volunteering Week is now in its 12^th year and is only getting bigger, better and more fantastic!

SVW is a culmination of all organisations, including charities and educational institutions, promoting and celebrating the volunteering efforts of students across all universities and colleges in the UK. SVW is a perfect amalgamation; it is a celebration of the local campus events that the students themselves are doing, combined with national media attention and high profile events. People go to the Houses of Parliament for this week. It is BIG stuff! Because at the end of the day we all know some of those people who tirelessly, thanklessly, continuously, and ever so wonderfully dedicate so much of their precious time to helping others.

So, it is with a LOT of pride that I get to say that my friend is nominated for an award which commends the country’s most outstanding student volunteers! Tasha Unwin is one of five students who have been nominated across the country, and I can say from personal experience that she is the best kind of student this University has!

Tasha coordinates the society Southampton Hub, yet in reality she does so much more. She works more hours than is healthy, dedicating so much of herself to supporting other students and their efforts in social action. She is that ever-friendly face always willing to offer a helping hand – just the sort of person you want your university to be filled with.

Tasha is, of course, helping out with Southampton’s Student Volunteering Week. She will be, along with the rest of Southampton Hub, on concourse all week eagerly seeking people to engage with, offering opportunities which showcase the delights volunteering brings and asking what is ‘a big deal’ to us all. Not only this, Southampton Hub are also holding a ‘Social Impact Masterclass’ which will be an afternoon of training for impactful social action, volunteering and campaigning. What more could all you lovely people want?

If you do want to do more information please contact: info@southamptonhub.org

And if you have never volunteered before I am sure we can find a wealth of wonderful things to get you involved with. SVW is an excellent opportunity to explore your university and the volunteering community it has (generally that is where all the nice folks are, just saying…). You offer us your time and in return you get experience, skills, satisfaction and that big warm glow you get when you know you have done something right, something vital and great.

Or, if you already volunteer, share your experience with the SVW community; everyone loves to see what great things other students are doing. Together we can change any perceptions of us being rowdy, into future leaders, advocates and those that make positive social change.

Florence