nu:life issue 23

The Offi cial voice of Northumbria Students’ Union

Issue No.23 2012 FREE to a good home

www.mynsu.co.uk/nulife

Your Monthly Students’ Union Magazine Filled with News, Gossip and Advice from around Northumbria Campus.

Plus Spotted, Horoscopes, Fashion and loads more.

Your Union,

Your University,

Your Magazine.

(cover image DJ Fresh)

NORTHUMBRIASTUDENTS’ UNION

SUNDAY 22ND JANUARY‘I AM NSU’ BIG FAT QUIZ OF THE WEEK8pm in Habita

MONDAY 23RD JANUARYGET INVOLVED FAIR AT COACH LANE11am - 2pm Locations TBCIt’s never too late to join one of our many societies and volunteering opportunities with a Coach Lane twist.

POSTGRADUATE SOCIAL6pm in Stage 2

TUESDAY 24TH JANUARYGET INVOLVED FAIR10am - 3pm in The BaseIt’s never too late to join one of our many societies and volunteering opportunities.

WEDNESDAY 25TH JANUARYYOUR UNION YOUR VOICE

WINNING FOR STUDENTS11am - 3pm Come along and see how NSU wins for YOU!

STUDENT COUNCIL5pm in DomainBe a part of democracy in action!

QUESTION TIME7:30pm in Stage 2Find the answers to the questions you’ve always wanted to ask.

THURSDAY 26TH JANUARYGLOBAL FAIR11am - 3pm in EscapeCelebrate the richness and diversity of life at Northumbria.

GOING GLOBAL10pm - 2.30am in RedsSO YOU WANT TO BE A SABBOr Lay? or Equality Rep?

FRIDAY 27TH JANUARYMATURE STUDENTS & PARENTS LUNCH12pm - 2pm in Escape

WELCOME BACK PARTY10pm - 3am in Reds

SATURDAY 28TH JANUARYFlex10pm - 3am in Reds

We have a weeklong of exciting events and activities for all students so please come along and get involved, we have something for everyone, day and night!

SUNDAY 22ND - SATURDAY 28TH JANUARY 2012

Full details can be found on our website www.mynsu.co.uk/iamnsu

editor’s words

Hey Everyone!

Happy New Year!

And welcome to the fi rst edition of nu:life 2012. Even though it’s a new year all your fave features are still spilling out of the Mags pages as well as loads of added extras.

Worried about all those exams creeping up? It’s not too late! Nu:life has been working hard to fi nd you the best last minute exam tips on page 22. Good Luck!

With a new year comes resolutions, and if your anything like me, yours went down the drain during the New years day Hangover. But never fear, page 34 is here with some great resolutions to start late, trust me I’ve got an eye on one or two myself.

As always the Mag is fi lled with things for every student to enjoy, but if you think there’s something missing, email your article to [email protected] and you might see it in these pages soon.

Have a great semester!

Love Holly x

Special thank you to; Kim Buff ery for Academic Advice & Vikki Myerscough for sorting my dreadful spelling!

Editor Holly Seabrook [email protected] Twitter: NSUCommsOffi cerDesign www.ellenlonghorn.co.uk

contents

ContributorsSU:News/ Exam Panic? Aurelie CREGUT New Year - Try Something New! Laura EwingHot & Not/Campus Style Rachel SturdyCamp America Lydia Burnside-hughesSociety Spotlight Carmel LawlessDiscuss Errin KerrBad Romance/ WriSoc serial/winter Kate TaylorHoroscopes Minele HuremovicThe Agony Aunt Team Amy Terri & Anna ScatchardHot Topic Michael Potter & Kate Taylor Strapped For Cash Sophie ThurlowResolutions Gone Wrong Julia Bond & Sophie SpaldinSurviving January Sales Catherine Allan2012 Flicks Callum Gibson

nu:life 03

NSU NEWSSU:News 4-5

Oh! What’s Occurring? 6-7

Sabb Banter 8-9

It’s the New Year -

So try something new! 10

Hot & Not 11

FEATURESVolunteer Northumbria Week 12-13

Camp America 15

GET INVOLVEDSociety Spotlight 16-17

Discuss: Strip for cash? 18-19

LIGHT RELIEFBad Romance 21

Exam Panic? - Destroyed! 22-23

Spotted 24-25

Horoscopes 26

WriSoc serial - Part 5 27

Academic Advice 28

The Agony Aunt Team 29

STUDENT CULTUREHot Topic - Initiations 30-31

Is winter really still here? 32

Strapped for cash 33

New Year’s resolutions gone wrong?

Never fear! 34-35

Surviving January Sales 37

Campus Style 38-39

2012 Flicks 41

TEAM NORTHUMBRIANetball Superleague 42-43

Northumbria Sports Writing

Opens Doors for Media! 44-45

Northumbria Waterpolo 46

04 nu:life

NSU News

WELCOME BACK!Here we are again, back to Uni…This is the beginning of a new semester for everybody; whether you were here last year, abroad, or at another university, we are all back here together.

Remember when you fi rst arrived? Might seem like a long time ago now. You didn’t know anyone; your fl at mates, your Course Mates, Your Lecturers, the city, the campus, each time you

changed lectures you got lost? However, you managed to survive!

New Student?

So you’ll soon discover (if you

haven’t yet) that you have a

lot to do before your lectures

start, and not a lot of time

to do it!

Between buying all the

things you’ll need for your

accommodation, getting

ready for your lectures,

fi nding the nearest

supermarket and calling your

family to say you are okay…

you will be exhausted by the

end of the day!

But you are not alone. We

know it can be hard especially

when English is not your fi rst

language, and you’re not sure

if people will understand you.

But, don’t worry; most people

just want to help.

The Students’ Union organizes

trips around England to visit the best places. There is a society

for everyone. There is even one called the “Offi cial Northumbria

Erasmus student society”!! If you want to get to know new people,

speak English with native people, or speak another language with

a native, go out with new friends, talk to people who know what

you are going through, or just have an excuse to go for a pint at

the local… the Union and it’s societies are for you!

Here are a few tips to ensure your time at Northumbria is the best!

• Make a list of all the things you want

to do while you’re here: places you

want to go, activities you want to try…

Everything!! This way, you’ll be sure not to

forget anything!!

• Start your assignments as soon as

possible. You don’t want to be stuck in the

library in the summer when everyone else

is out having fun!

• Remember that this experience is a

once in a lifetime opportunity, so enjoy it

and make the most of it!

• “One day, your life will fl ash before your

eyes, make sure it’s worth watching!” Enjoy

this New Year!!

By Aurelie CREGUT

So welcome fro

m Northumbria

Students Union -

and remember

if you see a

ny lost loo

king new

students, remember yo

ur fi rst

day, and he

lp them in th

e right

direction.

NSU News

nu:life 05

Student Wins British Architects President’s Silver Medal Award 2011

Master of architecture student, Jonathan Flavin, has

secured a runners up award in the Royal Institute

of British Architects President’s Silver Medal Award

2011.

The RIBA President’s Medals are the most prestigious

international student awards for architecture and

have been awarded since the 1850s to recognise

outstanding achievement in the fi eld of architecture.

Jonathan’s project, a pyrolytic power plant in Blyth,

is an architecture tour-de-force that derives its

architectural language and monumentality from the

region’s industrial landscapes. The scheme addresses

the regional issue of energy security and fuel

poverty, whilst employing innovative carbon neutral

infrastructures that are integrated into the local

community and economy.

The project also includes remediation proposals for

a large area of brown fi eld land, for food production

and energy crops. Jonathan’s work is currently being

exhibited at the RIBA gallery, Portland Place in

London.

nu:life 05

Oliver Brunt wins “Next Generation Automotive” award

Oliver Brunt, a design for industry

student, recently won the prestigious

Autocar-Courland Next Generation

Award 2011. Run in partnership with

Courland Automotive and the Society

of Motor Manufacturers & Traders,

the award is backed by McLaren

Automotive, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota,

Peugeot and Skoda and designed

to identify, support and develop

automotive talent of the future.

06 nu:life

NSU News Oh! Whats’s Occurring?

A Students’ Union Sabbatical Offi cer is a Student

who takes a year out of their studies either during or

afterwards to run their Students’ Union.

Any Student can run in the elections in March and

can have the chance to run the Award Winning

Students’ Union of 2011 for a whole year

GET PAID £16,000 for the pleasure.

Sound interesting but still not sure?Never Fear - The Students’ Union is putting on

some sessions for you to come along and get to

understand the role a bit more, ask questions, and

fi nd out which Sabbatical role really suits you.

Sessions (all in training room 1 in the SU):

Thursday 19th January (6pm)

Thursday 26th January (6pm)

Wednesday 1st February (6pm)

Thursday 9th February (6pm)

Monday 13th February (6pm)

Monday 20th February (6pm)

Tuesday 28th February (6pm)

Come along and fi nd out more about each of the

fi ve Sabbatical roles as well as the other positions

we are electing for, including Equality Reps and Lay

Student Councillors.

So you want to be a Sabb?

nu:life 07

NSU News Oh! Whats’s Occurring?

LGBT History Month - February

As you may or may not know it is LGBT

History Month in February and the LGBT

society is planning a whole host of diff erent

activities which people are all welcome

to get involved in. LGBT History Month is

to raise awareness of the diffi culties that

people have had to strive through to get to

the point we are at today.

What the LGBT society has planned:

2nd February - Quad

To raise awareness of the purpose of LGBT

History Month, there will be a bake sale,

giant twister/chess, posters and magazines

from diff erent LGBT organisations and a

van which will be covered in post-it notes

so that you can show your support to those

who suff er bullying because of their sexual

orientation.

So make sure you pop along for games,

information and to help show your support

to the “It Gets Better” Campaign!

6th February - Mae Martin - Comedian

Come along and be tickled by Mae’s great

comedic talent! With tickets as little as £2

you can’t complain! Mae is a Canadian

comedian who has done numerous

shows around the topic of being an LGBT

member. She is sure to raise your spirits

and put more than a chuckle in your step.

16th February - Cabaret night

Incorporating a few classic numbers

combined with some humour which is not

to be missed! It is sure to be a night full of

entertainment and tickets are a mere £3 for

members and £4 for non-members. It really

is cheap and cheerful!

So come down and get involved by either

taking part in one of these amazing

activities or merely showing your support

by writing on a posit.

I am NSU Week

23rd January - 27th January

A week to celebrate all that is

Northumbria Students’ Union.

From Society fairs to Cultural

Awareness days, this week is truly

going to showcase what being a student at Northumbria is

really about. So come down and get involved, there’s loads to

do.

The Big Debate - Wednesday 25th

January, 7:30pm,

Stage 2, Free.

Starting at 7:30 pm you have the

opportunity to ask your union,

your university, your national

union and the local council

anything about the future of

higher education and the impact

on the local community.

Come along to watch or join in as

we spark the biggest debate of the

New Year.

Edge Magazine Launch;

25th January

The Edge Magazine are

proud to launch their

brand spanking new

edition jam-packed with

Northumbria’s best

creative writing,

scripts and poetry to get

your grubby little mitts all over.

To get hold of it fi rst make sure you down at

Blake, just along Grey’s Street at 8pm on the 25th of January

for the full launch of the new and improved Edge Magazine!

The launch will include readings, talking with the contributors,

team, mingling and general banter. We hope to see you all

down there for some wine and a chat.

Speak It’s Name; 13th February

Speak It’s Name is a night of alternative love poetry on 13th

February. It is inspired by the late Ugandan civil rights activist

David Kato who was tragically killed because of his sexuality in

January and takes place on his birthday. Organising the event

are third year English and Creative Writing students Hannah

Seddon Purkins and Jane Robertson in conjunction with the

Writers’ Society.

Details are TBC.

For more information please contact

[email protected].

NORTHUMBRIASTUDENTS’ UNION

08 nu:life

NSU News Sabb Banter

After a very merry Christmas and a Happy New After a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year your Sabbatical Offi cers are back at work Year your Sabbatical Offi cers are back at work and ready for the most hectic semester of the year!and ready for the most hectic semester of the year!

Remember to check our fortnightly Sabbatical Remember to check our fortnightly Sabbatical vlogs at: vlogs at: www.mynsu.co.uk/sabbaticalswww.mynsu.co.uk/sabbaticals

SABBSABB BANTERBANTER

JO RHODES

President

What is your role?

I’m the President so I lead the team,

spend a lot of time representing

students at the top University level and

anything else that happens to come my

way!! It’s a busy job but I do love it!

What has been your best moment this month?

Seeing everyone come back after Christmas refreshed and ready

for another term - bring it on!!!

What are you most looking forward to this term?

Seeing I am Northumbria Students’ Union week turn from a

dream into a reality! I’m so incredibly proud of it and I hope

it helps you get involved and learn how the Union works as

a representative body! There really will be some excellent

highlights - make sure you come along to the Big Debate and

the Global Fair as well as everything else!!

Sell your Role in ten words:

The most amazing, challenging, rewarding and diverse job ever.

FACT!

What is your New Year’s Resolution?

To keep my desk tidy!! And to make sure 2012 is as good as, if

not better than, 2011! Cheese alert!!

[email protected]

Twitter: NSUPres

HOLLY SEABROOKVice-President Communications & Involvement

What is your role?

I get too look after the amazing-ness that is

this magazine, as well as overseeing all the

other media tools which come out of the SU.

I also get to ensure the smooth running of Our

Unions Democracy including Student Council and the elections.


Completing and being a part of periodic review for post-grad

Business was defi antly a highlight, the whole review was

fascinating and the school is just such an amazing place. It really

was a great point in my own personal development too.


I won’t lie, I’m so excited for the elections, I have been working

tirelessly to make sure they are the best two weeks in the unions

calendar and I can’t wait for the energetic buzz of the voting

days!

Sell your Role in ten words:

Editing, Reading, Reviewing, Meeting, Liaising, Innovative,

Creating, Leading, Empathising, Loving.


Save, Save, Save.

[email protected]

Twitter: NSUCommsOffi cer

KATE BRADSHAWVice-President Academic Aff airs

What is your role?

I represent you on all academic

issues throughout the University, be it

timetabling, placements, group work etc. I

also mentor all of the amazing Academic Reps

and lead on all things Coach Lane related.


Seeing the paper I have written about utilising the Library Skills

Programme more fi nally begin to make it’s way through the

committees in the University. I am so passionate about it and

it’s been a long time in the making so it’s nice to see it begin its

journey.


Probably watching my reps continue to blossom in championing

the education policy. It’s a great piece of work with the potential

to really improve things here at Northumbria and it’s amazing

how easily the reps have taken to it and built it into their roles.

Visit the website if you would like to read more about the policy.

Sell your role in ten words:

My job changed my life; challenging, empowering, skills

building. FUN!


To see my friends more, last semester was so busy it fl ew by and

I didn’t spend as much time with the people I love as I could

have. I intend to fl ip that around this year.

[email protected]

Twitter: NSUAcademics

ANDREW CHEUNGVice-President Activities

& Development

What is your role?

I oversee all our Societies, RAG,

Welcome Team, Volunteer

Northumbria, as well as personal

development of students. I also represent

all our students, and sit on student council


Seeing my Employability Awareness campaign being launched!!


Volunteer Northumbria Week! It’s been reformed and will be the

fi rst time it is run the way it is this year. Make sure you sign up!

Sell your role in ten words:

It is intense, but worth it when you see the result!


I hope to get fi t again and get rid of this “Sabb Spread”!!!

[email protected]

Twitter: NSUActivites1

HANNAH HORNE

Vice-President Welfare & Equality

What is your role?

My role is to promote the diversity of

our students, along with looking after

students’ welfare! This can be making sure

you have a good experience living in Halls

or the Community, promoting good health,

delivering safety messages and much more!


Seeing all of our planning for I am NSU week come together –

it’s going to be a great week to celebrate the diverse range of

students we have here at Northumbria.


I am looking forward to seeing all my Rep’s campaigns and

activities come to light! I think International Womens’ Day will be

a particular highlight!

Sell your job in ten words:

It’s always fun, often challenging, fast-paced and so worth it!


To fi nally learn how to drive! 2012 is the year! (Although I think

I’ve said that for the past 2 years...)

[email protected]

Twitter: NSUWelfare1

And if you have a question for us or just fancy a natter, shoot us an email or pop up and say hello on the fi rst fl oor of the Students’ Union.

nu:life 09

For all you Students at Coach Lane, don’t worry

about coming to see us over here, we all like to come

and visit you at Coach Lane once a week.

Monday Afternoons: Holly Seabrook

Tuesday Mornings: Andrew Cheung

Tuesday Afternoons: Kate Bradshaw

Wednesday Afternoons: Hannah Horne

Thursday Afternoons: Jo Rhodes

Just pop in and see us on your way

into Coach Lane Students’ Union.

10 nu:life

NSU News It’s the New Year - So try something new!

So Christmas has come and gone...

selection boxes, mince pies and

mulled wine are now nothing but a

distant memory... is it any wonder

January is the gloomiest month of the

year?

Every cloud has a silver lining, as they say, and at least

the student loans are back in the bank accounts! With

that in mind, why not try something a little bit diff erent.

You probably spent most of semester one dancing the

night away and partying until dawn this semester; why

not spend your money on something totally new?

As a student here in Newcastle, you really can’t miss the

opportunity to visit St James Park (...or should I say, The

Sports Direct Stadium) - the home of Newcastle United.

Student tickets are usually very reasonably priced and

the atmosphere inside the stadium is next to none!

Newcastle also has an abundance of Art Galleries,

Concert Halls and Museums - which are certainly worth

a visit. Down by the Quayside The BALTIC is a super

place to visit for Contemporary

Art while the Laing Art gallery

caters for more historic tastes.

The Life Centre also, is truly

amazing, here; you can visit

the largest Planetarium in

the North East or give the

Deep Sea motion rider a go!

The Theatre Royal, one of Britain’s oldest and most

famous theatres is located right here in Newcastle!

Whether you enjoy Drama, Ballet or Comedy - you are

sure to be thoroughly entertained at the Theatre Royal!

Newcastle is also home to some beautiful parks, such as

Jesmond Dene, Heaton Park and Leazes Park. Jesmond

Dene is a beauty spot and a lovely place to visit on a

sunny afternoon. As well as the superb surroundings,

there is a petting zoo, a coff ee shop and a restaurant to

keep you entertained!

If you fi nd the stress of coursework, or city life in general

is getting a little too much, why not head to the coast for

some rest and relaxation? Whitley Bay, is a quaint seaside

town with attractions such as leisure pools and mini golf,

you also can head further along the coast to Tynemouth,

brave the icy waters and try some surfi ng or else take it

easy and see what the aquarium has to off er!

Whatever you get up to this

month.... enjoy! And don’t spend

your loan all at once!

By Laura Ewing

It’s the New Year - So try something ‘New’ in Newcastle!

HOT

NOT

New Year’s ResolutionsNew Year’s ResolutionsA New Year, a new start. New Year’s Resolutions have

been made, some will have been broken, but it’s

the best time of year to make a change and achieve

something on that never ending to-do list. Joining

the gym, taking up a new hobby or society or even a

trip to the library, you can do it!!

The buzz of presentsThe buzz of presentsThe fascination with your new toys probably hasn’t

changed much from your childhood. Whether

it’s squeaky clean trainers, an on trend iPhone or

new clothes to cope with the arctic conditions of

Newcastle, the New Year will have us all showing off

our much loved prezzies. Did you get what you’d

hoped for this year?

Upcoming Fashion WeekUpcoming Fashion WeekJust upon the fashion horizon is a prestigious week

where all the best designers showcase their work for

Autumn/Winter 2012. If you want a sneak preview

of what’ll be hot later in the year, then take a look at

the collections. Fabulous, outrageous or classic, LFW

is unlikely to disappoint the style savvy students of

Northumbria.

January ‘jumble’ salesJanuary ‘jumble’ salesAfter juggling uni work and Christmas shopping,

the thought of sale shopping at 5am boxing day

morning is enough to make you crawl back under

the duvet till February. The good stuff ’s generally

gone in an hour anyway so is it really worth fi ghting

over sizes of something you never really wanted

in the fi rst place? It’s funny how a sale sticker can

change your mind! Top tip: hunt out what you like

before Christmas, then order online on boxing day

whilst indulging in a mince pie!

Early Easter eggsEarly Easter eggsThe Christmas tree has been taken down, we’re now

resorting to the dregs of the Roses tin, so is it too

early for the return of the crème egg? With about

three months to go, the countdown starts again. At

least we can ponder the infamous question...how do

you eat yours?

The awkward Valentine’s day momentsThe awkward Valentine’s day momentsWhether it’s soppy or cheesy, a teddy, fl owers,

chocolates or even a card from your Mum, it has to

be said that Valentine’s gifts are defi nitely not the

best! Why not treat your other half with a gift or day

out that they’d actually like? It’s got to be better

than ‘the awkward moment you have to fake liking a

rubbish present!’

By Rachel Sturdy

NSU News Hot & Not

nu:life 11

12 nu:life

Don’t be surprised when NSU

turns green next year, as

you’ll see us launch Volunteer

Northumbria Week - 7 days of

non-stop do-goodery in our

local community.

The fun runs from Saturday 18th until Friday 24th

February 2012, as part of Volunteering England’s

National Student Volunteering Week. Volunteering

England is an independent national charity dedicated to

supporting and celebrating volunteering in all its forms.

For the past eleven years, it’s run the week as a way to

not only bring communities and students together, but

to show the nation just how much students are able to

achieve - and how much students can get out of their

volunteering too!

We’re looking to do the same thing here on campus,

with a week of volunteering opportunities, chances to

get out and about in the community, and workshops

and skill sessions to help boost your employability.

Throughout the week, we’ll be running our Greener

Streets project. Our volunteers will be manning stalls

on campus and in the city to collect not cash, but tinned

foods! The NHS estimates that the UK throws away 8.3

million tonnes of food and drink each year that could

have been eaten, so we’ll be out encouraging residents

to recycle, not to refuse, before donating our mountain

of tins to local soup kitchens to feed those in food

poverty.

Of course, we’ll have plenty of other opportunities to

get involved with. Each day will see a big event for

volunteers to get stuck into - everything from music

and decorating at a Tea Dance, to playing cupid at Fast

Friends, to our Garden Makeover Marathon. But don’t

worry if you’ve not got the time to attend a whole

event, we’ll have drop-in volunteering available at the

Students’ Union, City Campus East and Coach Lane too,

as well as spot of quick e-volunteering in The Base.

We’ll make sure you’re thanked and rewarded for all

your hard work too. Drop by the Base to get your £30

Ticketmaster voucher, care of Orange Rock Corps, for

just four hours of volunteering - or grab a vInspired

certifi cate to record just how many hours you’ve given.

For a thank you here and now, attend our nightly socials,

and if you just want to gloat, take on our sneaky secret

team challenges!

If you’re still not quite sure what type of volunteering

is right for you, then be sure to visit the Students’

Union on Thursday 23rd February for our Volunteering

Fair. You’ll have the chance to talk to staff and other

volunteers about what NSU can off er you, as well as

local, regional and national charities that are eager for

you to start volunteering or fundraising with them.

Are you ready forAre you ready for

WEEK?WEEK?

nu:life 13

FEATURES Volunteer Northumbria Week

But whether you choose to volunteer or not, you’ll

always have the chance to attend our employability

workshops – chances for you to practise specialist skills

and to see how your volunteering makes you more

attractive to employers. We’ve got everything from a

marketing master class to learning leadership skills,

event planning to presenting and public speaking -

even a CV session or two.

We’ll also be looking for the bravest of volunteers to

enter our Dragons’ Den, but they won’t be pitching a

business idea - they’ll be pitching themselves as an

employable graduate. Make your speech before the

steely, scowly gaze of our dragons and answer their

questions until you hear those magic words... “You’re

hired.”

We fi nish our busy week with the Volunteer

Northumbria Awards. You’ll have the chance to put in

your nominations for VN Team of the Week, Best New

Volunteer, Best New Project and other awards, and then

see who gets to takes home the prize.

We’re aiming to achieve 1,500 hours of volunteering in

one week - it’s a lofty task and there’s a lot to do, but we

reckon we’re up for it.

So, I’ll ask again - are you ready for Volunteer

Northumbria Week!?

Find out more about Volunteer Northumbria Week

online at mynsu.co.uk/vnweek or pick up a fl yer from

The Base.

If you’re up to the challenge, you can join the

VN Team or apply to be a VN Team

Leader on the Volunteer Database!

Are you ready for

WEEK?

We’ll make sure

you’re thanked and

rewarded for all your

hard work too. Drop

by the Base to get

your £30 Ticketmaster

voucher, care of

Orange Rock Corps,

for just four hours of

volunteering

Visit mynsu.co.uk/volunteer Log on to the Volunteer Database

Scroll down to Community Volunteering Click on ‘VN Team Member’

or ‘VN Team Leader’ Click sign up and you’re on the team!

mynsu.co.uk/vnweek

nu:life 15

FEATURES Camp AmericaCamp AmericaIt’s the New Year and everyone’s made,

and probably broken some New Year’s

resolutions by now. Have all my work

done by the start of term, no! Try to

limit the alcohol intake, no! Have the

summer of a lifetime this year – there’s

still time!

I’m sure loads of you have heard of Camp America,

there’s bound to have been chatters in lecture halls

or you’ve overheard the people in the booth behind

you in Habita raving about it! And now it could be

YOUR time.

So what is it? It’s a chance to do something diff erent

with your summer and spend it in the USA; living &

working either with children as a ‘counsellor’ (who

are basically activity leaders) or ‘behind the scenes’

as support staff , on an American Summer Camp.

Last year just before Christmas I was bored of

lectures and assignments, fed up of dragging myself

out of bed on freezing cold mornings and wanted

something lined up for the summer to keep me

going! So, whilst procrastinating from reading some

textbook or another I visited the Camp America

website and signed myself up!

I attended the ‘recruitment fair’ in Edinburgh, which

is where loads of Directors of American Camps come

over to chat to you – and you could get hired on the

spot! I spent the day chatting to loads of Directors

and found the Camp perfect for me; an all girl YMCA

camp with an all-boy camp ‘just across the lake’ that

did every activity you can imagine from kayaking

to pottery. It was like something out of a fi lm (and

believe me, when you’re there it feels scarily like

Parent Trap!) I talked about why I wanted to work

at a camp and what I could do and ended up being

hired then and there.

Don’t worry if you don’t think you are qualifi ed

enough to do it, there’s no such thing! I got hired as

a Wellbeing specialist and taught yoga to 7-16 year

olds for 2 hours every day all summer and I’d never

done so much as a taster yoga session at a gym

before my staff training week!

I made amazing friends and have some unbelievable

memories of my time at Camp.

Each year over 7,500 young people take the

opportunity... so will you be one of them? Visit

www.campamerica.co.uk or contact me to ask for

more details! The recruitment fairs are in Edinburgh,

Manchester and London this January!

By Lydia Burnside-Hughes

16 nu:life

Trent Cannon, VP of the Writers’ Society

(WriSoc), greets me with a warm handshake and an

excited smile dappled with apprehension. Tonight

will be an evening of prose, poetry and performance

where the audience is warned to expect the

unexpected and asked to “remain in your seats to

avoid getting hit in the face”.

It’s the second year the society has been part of the

Newcastle Winter Books Festival, which this year

featured big names such as Skellig author David

Almond and Simon Donald, the Geordie co-founder

of Viz magazine.

“We’ve tried to make the night more interactive and

more immersive than simply reading the piece to

the audience like ‘Hello. My. Name. is. Brian. This.

Is. My. Dog.” Explains the society’s secretary, Danny

Stones, in a robotone voice. “It’s about much more

than just reading, it’s performance too.”

And he ain’t lying! The opening act is a reading by

two members of Stage Right, one of Northumbria’s

drama societies (WriSoc are big on collaboration).

They annunciate perfectly and project their words

eff ortlessly - but this is more than ‘just reading’

and so they are accompanied by Trent (with a brief

wardrobe change from suit to sport) bringing the

story of martial arts to life by precariously twirling

his stick (not a euphemism) and pointing it at the

audience with a look of such intensity you half

expect him to shout “Expelliarmus!” Fortunately

he maintains control of the weapon (seriously, not

a euphemism) and the audience is left with eyes

intact.

The peace is soon interrupted, however, as Emma

Collingwood takes to the stage to perform her

gruesome tale “The Kindness of Strangers”, with such

imagery as ‘rotting carcasses splattered across the

walls […] as blood congeals” lovely stuff ! Emma tells

me she was aiming for “creepy creepy creepy!” and

she’s pretty much nailed it with her chilling account

of a scorned-lover-turned-murderous-psycho,

peppered with undertones of ‘stay safe’ advice for

girls in short skirts out on the town. Certainly a

cautionary tale for our time.

A brief interval gives us a chance to calm our

nerves at the bar before being treated to Domestic

Blisters, a genuinely funny skit of marriage guidance

for deities, written by Hannah Seddon Purkins.

Although originally written as prose, the piece lends

itself perfectly to performance and Trent (back

A Night Fantastic

Reds Bar, NSU

GET INVOLVED Society Spotlight

Society Spotlight

nu:life 17

GET INVOLVED Society Spotlight

again!) and Rebecca Cowden entertain the crowd

with accusations of infi delity with a swan (“how

could you? She lays eggs instead of giving birth!”),

amongst other problems faced by your average

married couple.

As the night unfolds, Dominic White shows us

how it’s done with an impeccably well-delivered

poetic piece, although he later admits he’s had

considerable experience of public speaking as

the chaplain for both Northumbria and Newcastle

University. “I’m surprised they let me join as I’m

not actually a student but the whole society

has been very welcoming” said Dominic, who is

predominantly a composer, has a background in

classics and recently completed a Theology masters

in France, so you can see why they’ve let him sneak

in.

As the last act is due to come on, a scraggy haired

lad wanders into the spotlight armed with a near-

empty bottle of scotch as his fellow writers scowl at

him for pandering to the stereotype of the troubled

artist. But oh wait! It’s part of the act and he takes his

place as the play’s author, scribbling away at a desk

whilst narrating the scene unfolding in front of him.

Phewph. Between gulps of liquor (it’s fi ne

now we know he’s acting), he tells us of Prometheus

who, according to Greek mythology, stole fi re from

the Gods and gave it to us mortals, whilst being

subjected to incessant grief from passionate WriSoc

president Kate Taylor, who personifi es the fi re in

Prometheus’s liver (he’s gone a bit loopy you see).

Unfortunately Zeus didn’t like Prometheus playing

with fi re and subjects him to having his liver eaten

by a giant black sparrow that seems to have the face

of a koala but hey, this is mythology.

Afterwards (or should that be afterwords? Ho hum),

the writers seem pleased with the evening as they

mingle with the audience, and rightly so (writely so?!

Sorry, I’ll stop). Afterall, this is the society that won

Best Creative Society and Society of the Year in 2010.

The night seems to be over disappointingly soon

- although I realise it’s actually been two hours -

and I’m already looking forward to the society’s

next event, which will be a literary festival in the

Students’ Union on March 9th. Can’t wait until then?

The WriSoc anthology is available for £9.99 by

emailing [email protected], or search

“NSU Writers Society” on Facebook. Write on!

By Carmel Lawless

GET INVOLVED Discuss: Strip for cash?

18 nu:life

Would you strip to pay your way?It has become a popular phenomenon, young

women selling their bodies in strip clubs and lap

dancing bars, not to pay for an expensive drug habit,

or to experience the love and desire missing from

their lives, but to pay their way through university.

But does that make the act itself ok? Does the fact

that it is young intelligent girls with their heads

metaphorically screwed on that are out their shaking

their butts in return for a quick buck make it more

socially acceptable than if they were uneducated

vulnerable girls with nowhere else to go?

There are two main schools of thought that exist

on this issue, and from talking to a cross section of

the student population I’ve found that both schools

have a great deal of support. I would say that our

opinions as young women are split. We don’t really

know what we think of objectifying ourselves

for money because we’ve been bombarded with

opposing arguments in recent years.

The fi rst school of thought includes those who

argue, why not? Why not use our bodies to make

money, it isn’t our fault that society sees us the way

it does, it isn’t our fault that men are so gosh darn

attracted to us that they are willing to part with

their money just to cop an eyeful of breast on a

Thursday evening. This school of thought (in more

extreme cases) even includes those who argue that

stripping is a feminist act. These girls argue that

feminism has come so far that we should be taking

advantage of the opportunities we as women have

to make a quick dollar really by doing nothing but

fl ashing our fl esh. It’s society, these girls argue,

that should answer the bigger questions about the

sexualisation of women and the harmful eff ects that

could be having. We’ve come so far, that we have the

power to take advantage of men, our bodies are our

property and we can (thankfully) do what we like

with them. We have become empowered, rejoice!

The other school of thought states that any

argument in favour of women being objectifi ed is a

direct attack on feminism, and equality for the sexes.

Caitlin Moran, in her book “how to be a woman”, says

that many young women have admitted to paying

their way through education by stripping, “clever

girls are doing it - in order to become middle class

professionals with degrees! Ipso facto GIRL POWER!”

However, she goes on to argue that until we see men

engaging in the same sorts of activities and on the

same scale, then there is still a problem, “if women

are having to strip to get an education, in a way that

male teenage students are really notably not – then

that’s a giant political issue.”

But to be honest, I don’t subscribe heavily to either

school of thought, women should be free to pursue

whatever they wish unhindered by society, the views

of men, or importantly the views of other women.

If anyone reading this is thinking about making

money this way, their primary focus should be their

safety, and not the opinions of others.

DISCUSS: Strip for cash?

nu:life 19

Sophie Milner I think in the right circumstances

its ok. I don’t think I wouldn’t be comfortable

with it, but If you are and you have access

to a controlled and safe environment where

you aren’t at risk, then yeah go for it! The only

concern I have is that some girls might not

realise the consequences of what they’re doing

until its too late.

Anonymous I genuinely understand why girls

feel the need to get involved with stuff like

this, the cost of living as a student isn’t taken

into consideration enough. Most of the time

when you have paid your rent, there isn’t much

money left to live off . You could get a job, but

the amount of hours that a student would have

to work at min wage wouldn’t come close to the

money that can be made this way.

Laura Bereckon I think I would consider doing

it if I was really skint. Girls are probably more

likely to get into the industry at uni because they

aren’t in their home towns anymore. I know I

wouldn’t even consider it at home.

Kristi Lennon I don’t see anything wrong with

it, it’s a profession just like any other, it isn’t any

diff erent to working in a shop.

By Errin Kerr

DON’T MAKE ANY MISTAKES.LIBRARY NOW OPEN FOR 24 HOURS.

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS’ UNION

www.mynsu.co.uk

OUR VOICEYOUR FUTURE

LIGHT RELIEF Bad Romance

Bad RomanceValentine’s Day. It probably brings up associations

of hearts and fl owers and other nice things. That is if

the faceless, soulless corporations who invented and

continue to fund it have done their jobs right. If you’re

like me then it probably brings associations of misery

and pain.

Okay, maybe I exaggerate. But for every one who loves

Valentine’s Day there are probably two who don’t and a

third pretending to be sick when their back is turned. Why

does this one day provoke such strong feelings in so many

people? Is it the cloying sense of expectation on couples

to be romantic? Is it the way single people become twitchy

around the start of February, as though everyone is judging

them? Maybe, but I have a theory that Valentine’s Day and

our attitudes to it are the symptom of a larger cultural

phenomenon.

Today’s media is saturated with romance. Films such as the

Twilight series (I refuse to use the word saga) present an

increasingly strange view of romance and even action fi lms

increasingly have a tacked on romantic subplot. Reality

shows are never more talked about than when there’s a

chance that the contestants might hook up. Even Mystery

Inc is embroiled in complicated romantic relationships in

the Scooby Doo reboot, which makes the subtext and sets

up not only Daphne with Fred but Shaggy with Velma. After

all, it’s not like they have mysteries to solve or anything.

To cop out and paraphrase a better writer; does art

imitate life? Or is life imitating art? In other words, do we

write about love because we’re fascinated by it or are we

fascinated by it because we’ve been brought up cutting our

milk teeth on a diet of happily ever after Disney weddings

before moving onto nice bite-size romantic comedies.

I’m not saying that love is a bad thing. In fact I think it’s

pretty integral to our survival as a species. But I don’t see

why romantic love is any more important than the kind of

love people have for their families and friends. When was

the last time you saw a fi lm that really explored a friendship

with the same depth as a pair of friends who happen to fall

in love? Or read a book about a mother’s relationship with

her daughter?

My closing message? Don’t worry about it if you’re single

this Valentine’s Day. Firstly you’ll save a ton on novelty

chocolate. Secondly, and more importantly, being single is

not the same as being unloved.

By Kate Taylor

nu:life 21

I know the next week(s) are going to be

really hard, but not impossible! So to help

you go through this, here are a few tips!

Every minute counts! That means stop

spending hours on Facebook, or texting

your friends to fi nd out where they

are going tonight!! You are not going

anyway!! Remember? Save it till when you

have completed your exams, it’ll be worth

it.

Stop drinking - And when I say that, I

mean drinking alcohol of course, not

drinking at all!! Whether you feel the

diff erence or not, your brain can’t function

at 100% with alcohol!!...

LIGHT RELIEF Exam Panic? - Destroyed!

22 nu:life

Exam Panic? -

January is exam month. Unfortunately, January is right after Christmas AND New Year!! This means that we probably haven’t done all the revision we should have done. Between Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Year eve, family and friends to visit and to reconnect with, holidays to be enjoyed… who could have had time to prepare properly for the exams coming?

LIGHT RELIEF Exam Panic? - Destroyed!

nu:life 23

Sleeping hours - I’m not going to say to you

when you should go to sleep and when you

should get up (I’m not your mum and you’re

all big girls and boys). But, having fi xed times

to go to bed and get up really helps during

revisions!! Beside, at our ages we “only” need

six to seven hours of sleep by night.

Plan your time: getting up, having breakfast,

starting working, lunch break, afternoon

work… Everything! And decide now what you

are going to do and when, this way you won’t

waste time when you change modules or

subjects. Plan some breaks! Your brain is not

100% effi cient after four hours working. Breaks

shouldn’t be too long or too often (still a lot

to do!), but 15 to 20 minutes every two hours

should be fi ne.

Revive the most important stuff when you

are feeling your best. I know this seems pretty

obvious, but you never know. Everybody has

their own way, so it is up to you to know when

you want to study and how!

Nobody can really focus seven or eight hours a

day and be 200% effi cient during that time. So

watch the “burn out” issue. To prevent it, when

you feel like you’re phasing out, just stop and

do something else! Take a break, go to Sport

Central, or talk to someone… Just change the

scenery; if possible get out of your room!!

If you follow everything here, then you have a

chance of getting through your exam month

unharmed.

Good luck!!

By Aurelie CREGUT

24 nu:life

nu:life 25

Here is an eclectic mix of lots

of diff erent events which have

been going on in your union

in Semester 1. Could you be

spotted at them this Semester?

Photos Provided by

Dan Graham & Pippa Staples

26 nu:life

LIGHT RELIEF Horoscopes

HOROSCOPESAquarius

20 January -

18 February

It’s the start of the

New Year and it

means a huge change

to your routine.

Surrounding yourself with your best

friends means that you fi nd yourself

leaning towards diff erent ways to

spend your time which are just as fun

as partying!

Celebrity: Justin Timberlake

January 31st

Pisces 19 February - 20 March

You’re feeling the pinch after the big

Christmas splurge but think about the

easy ways you can save money and

you’ll never be skint again!

Aries 21 March - 19 April

If you’re not impressed with your haul

this Christmas, do the generous thing

this year and donate to charity. They’ll

appreciate the gifts more than you do!

Taurus 20 April - 20 May

You can’t stop daydreaming and your

friends are fi nding it hard to have a

conversation with you, but don’t worry,

it’ll soon pass.

Gemini 21 May - 20 June

After an amazing holiday season, you’re

feeling as though you can take on the

world. Try something you’ve always

wanted to do and this month, you

won’t fail!

Cancer 21 June - 22 July

If you’re single, you’ll attract lots of

attention this month but keep your

eyes out for someone special. If you’re

settled, it’s going to be a fab month for

your relationship.

Leo 23 July - 22 August

You just can’t fi nd the motivation for

going out, going to uni or anything

these days. Don’t worry though, this’ll

pass and you’ll be back to normal in

no time.

Virgo 23 August - 22 September

This month is perfect if you’re trying

to arrange appointments or meetings.

For some reason, you can make

anything happen and you won’t be

hearing any bad news either!

Libra 23 September - 22 October

You’re spent after a fun-packed month

so just let yourself and your purse

strings relax. You’ll feel more refreshed

and richer by the end of this month!

Scorpio 23 October – 21 November

Don’t be tempted to blow your

student loan on this week! Be sensible

with your money and you’ll be

thankful at the end of this semester!

Sagittarius 22 November –

21 December

After all the indulgent holiday food,

you’re not looking forward to cooking

again, browse some cookbooks and

try some more daring recipes to

tempt your taste buds.

Capricorn

22 December - 19 January

The cold weather may not be your

cup of tea but warm yourself from the

inside by spending time with your

friends and family. After all, there’s no

place like home!

By Minela Huremovic

nu:life 27

WriSoc Serial[part 5]

‘Go?’ I asked. ‘Where? There’s only one way out. Isn’t

there?’

I looked around as if I expected to see a fl ashing

neon sign marked ‘exit’ but there was nothing except

shelf after shelf of strange books.

‘There’s only one way out,’ Natalie confi rmed. ‘And

Professor Vesper will have the place surrounded.’

I looked around the dimly lit room. ‘Couldn’t we

stay?’

‘No!’ Natalie shook her head, aghast. ‘Some of these

books are over a thousand years old, others are only

copies that even exist any more. Some of them can

think. We’re just two people. If this library burns-’

There was a terrible noise, like the wind blowing

through a forest of paper, or a library trying to

scream.

‘If this library burns,’ Natalie repeated more calmly.

‘Then it’ll be like a light has gone out. We’ll lose

whole disciplines of magical theory... I won’t let that

happen.’

I looked at Natalie, she was grey faced and barely

able to stand without leaning on something: I didn’t

fancy her chances any more than mine. But I’d heard

the library scream and that kind of thing stays with

you.

‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Let’s go.’

‘Thank you,’ Natalie swayed as she tried to move, her

hip knocking a lectern. The book on it (a small, calf

skinned grimoire, edged in gold leaf ) fl uttered its

pages in an eerily deliberate kind of way until one

drifted loose and fl oated to the ground at my feet.

‘Take it,’ Natalie said. ‘It’s a gift.’

She looked as though she could barely stand so I

slipped the paper into my bag with one hand and

supported her with the other. By the time we got

out of the library she was leaning on me more and

more, her head hanging as though lifting it was too

much eff ort.

‘Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?’ I asked

as I manoeuvred her through the turnstiles.

‘Uh-huh,’ she nodded, eyes half closed with eff ort.

‘What’s wrong?’ I asked timidly.

‘Used too much magic,’ Natalie groaned. ‘It’ll wear

off .’

‘If you say so,’ I said, guiding her through the

revolving library doors. ‘But don’t you think-’

I was cut off , rather rudely, by a ball of lightening. It

knocked me to the fl oor and left me gasping for air.

It only took a second to work out what was wrong

with that picture: Natalie could hardly support

herself: how hadn’t she fallen on top of me?

I looked up to see her suspended in the ball of

silvery light, her hair and clothes fl oating around her

as though she was underwater. Aesop was perched

smugly in a branch by her head.

‘Foolish mortals!’ the professor’s voice boomed

out of nowhere. ‘You have fallen into my trap. I am

Vesperian, creature of the night and I claim this

woman as my unholy vampire bride.’

LIGHT RELIEF WriSoc Serial - Part 5

Hi Kim,

I’ve got so far into my programme and I just don’t think

I can go on! My dissertation’s due this week, three other

assignments the next. At the same time, I’ve been going

through a terrible time at home and I’ve started getting

migraines. Is there anything that can be done?

Jenny

Dear Jenny,

Yes - but they have to be done quickly:

• Speak to your guidance tutor - it might be possible to

arrange extensions because of the deadline ‘bottle neck’.

• Alternatively, he/she might be able to arrange an extension

based on your personal issues.

• Or he/she might recommend you put in a Personal

Extenuating Circumstances form. Find out the deadline from

your School Offi ce. But above all - do something!

If you leave it until after the submission deadline, there’s

almost defi nitely nothing that can be done and - if you do

worse than you hoped in your exams - you may be on your

own UNLESS you can demonstrate a good reason for not

putting your PEC form in.

Please don’t be one of the many students I saw this summer

who didn’t put in a PEC form and then had to appeal their

results later!

Kim

Hi Kim,

I struggle with writing in English because it’s not my

fi rst language. Recently I copied some sentences from

an article because they expressed what I was thinking

perfectly.

Then, my lecturer told me I should’ve written in my own

words, even if I write badly!

I’ve always done this and nobody’s said anything - and

if I put everything I copied into quotation marks, the

whole essay would be in quotation marks! Surely my

lecturer’s not right on this?

Hakeem

Dear Hakeem,

Your lecturer is 100% right on this, I’m afraid. Copying

without referencing even if you’ve used your own words) is

plagiarism – the point is, have you written something that

isn’t your own work, as if it were your own work.

This can be especially tricky for international students–

which is why it’s so important to seek advice if you’re not

sure, either from us in the Students’ Union or Library and

Learning Services (who run sessions in academic writing

skills).

The penalties for academic misconduct can be very serious

(ranging from capping your essay mark at 40 to expelling

you from University) so it’s always better to be safe than

sorry! Look out for our upcoming Academic Misconduct

campaign!

Kim

AcdemicAdviceACADEMIC PROBLEMS LARGE OR SMALL, OUR KIM CAN FIX THEM ALL!

KIM BUFFERY IS YOUR EDUCATION CASEWORKER, ENSURING YOU ARE ALWAYS WELL REPRESENTED WITHIN ACADEMIC ISSUES.

If you have an academic problem... you would like to discuss with me just

shoot an email to [email protected] and I will be back in touch with you within 48 hours.

Alternatively pop to the base information desk on the ground fl oor and the staff will arrange a good

meeting time for us.

Or Pop in and see me at Coach lane 10-11am on Wednesdays!

LIGHT RELIEF Academic Advice

28 nu:life

Dear AA Team,

I am so worried and feel so guilty. I don’t know what to do.

Before Christmas my boyfriend of three years came up for a

night out with his brother and they both stayed at mine.

So we went out and had an absolutely amazing night, but

my boyfriend got extremely drunk and when we got in he

passed out on the sofa.

Thinking nothing of it I said his brother could just stay in my

bed, with me, as over the three years we had become quite

close friends.

In the night he started kissing my neck and then one thing

led to another.

We didn’t sleep together but were very close to and now I

feel so guilty on my boyfriend and spending Christmas with

his family was horrendous!

Love Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

As we have said before, honesty is the best policy. Yes, what you

have done is wrong but if you are honest with your boyfriend

we think he would respect you more than avoiding it.

You seem to know that what you have done is wrong which

is the fi rst step to overcoming the guilt you are feeling. Don’t

forget that you are not the only one in the wrong; his brother

will be racked with guilt too and is probably worried about how

his family will react to his actions.

It will be diffi cult, but we’re sure your relationship is strong

enough.

Love Amy and Anna x

Dear The AA Team,

Over the festive period I have put on loads of weight and

now I am really conscious about the way I look and I am

getting really nervous about going out with my friends on

nights out. I know I should probably go on a diet but I fi nd it

really hard and lose focus.

What can I do? Please help.

Love Sarah

Dear Sarah,

You are defi nitely not alone when saying this, we are sure that

everyone puts on a bit of weight over Christmas with all of the

chocolates and the Christmas dinner so please don’t fret. Make

sure you eat a balanced diet, don’t go stuffi ng your face with

the rest of your selection box chocolate but do give yourself a

little treat each day to keep you going.

Ask one of your housemates to join the gym with you as a ‘new

year’s resolution’ and get them to motivate you - it’s more fun

when you go with a friend. Keep positive and you will be back

to your old self in no time!

Love Amy and Anna x

The AA Team -

Amy & Anna To the rescue

LIGHT RELIEF The Agony Aunt Team

nu:life 29

If you have a problem that you

want us to answer, please email

The AA Team at su.problems@

northumbria.ac.uk and we will be

more than happy to help you!

Looking back over my teenage years, I have distinct

memories of people trying to get me to do stuff because

‘everyone did’. Every so often I’d have people - not my

close friends - try and talk me into going out drinking with

them because in their own words it would be funny. More

specifi cally, I would be funny. Not wanting to spend my

Friday nights throwing up in a gutter for someone else’s

entertainment I refused and ended up not drinking until

Fresher’s week, that magical time when no one knows who

you are and someone is always drunker than you.

The funny thing is, the further I look back, the more peer

pressure there is. From “you’ll be my best friend if you give

me X” to “I’ll let you in my gang if you do Y” childhood is

one long power play. Which is fi ne. Because at the end of

the day they’re only children and will eventually grow out

of it. The problem comes when those children grow up and

start organising sports initiations. To clarify: they grow up

physically. Mentally they’re still childish and immature with

some extra adult cruelty and inventiveness thrown in. Don’t

believe me? Look up Dick and Dom’s latest gross-out kid’s

show and then Google sports initiation practices. You’ll be

stunned at the similarities: gloop of dubious origins (I heard

a mix of dog food, raw eggs, anchovies and goldfi sh), bodily

fl uids (usually but not always vomit), the ingesting of the

same, the pleasure in others’ misfortune...

And that is basically the point. I’m not going to add to

the uproar around this subject by calling the initiations

dehumanising and indicative of a sociopathic group culture

(though I believe they are). I am not going to feed the

conception the people responsible have of themselves

as anti-heroes victimised by the system for off ending the

board of trustees. I am going to end by calling them out as

pathetic, overgrown children indulging in institutionalised

bullying because they can’t stand to give up the pitiful

amount of power it gives them. And why would anyone

want to be part of a group like that?

By Kate Taylor

AGAINST

HOT TOPIC: InitiationsWith many universities banning them outright sports

initiations are a truly hot topic. There’s no denying

they’re deeply unpleasant, but is banning them a

step too far? Is it the university’s place to protect

potentially vulnerable students or to protect their

rights as freethinking, autonomous individuals?

Our NU:Life writers Kate Taylor and Michael

Potter take on this controversial issue.

30 nu:life

STUDENT CULTURE Hot Topic - Initiations

From “you’ll be my best friend if you give me X” to “I’ll let you in my gang if you do Y”

Although university initiations are often degrading, foul and

dangerous, they are often misunderstood and perceived to

be an act of bullying. Although, often taken too far much

of the activities are meant to be about team building and

creating a bond between the team, but sometimes it is

the complete opposite and ends up humiliating the new

students segregating them from the rest of the group.

However, as long as we are safe when conducting such

activities it is not that diff erent to other nights out when

people choose to drink to excess. If you are the type of

person who succumbs to peer pressure easily, then maybe

this is not for you but personally I wouldn’t be willing to

do anything obscene if I weren’t although considering it so

know that I wouldn’t be able to be coerced into anything.

Initiations have been a long standing tradition at many

universities, although it’s a tradition that is now dying out

because it is being banned. Northumbria has a no initiations

policy which I can’t fault because I know how dangerous

they can be.

However, maybe we should attempt to fi nd an alternative

so that we can still have a team bond. Obviously nobody

should be forced to binge drink or do anything that is

disgusting. Team bonding is key to any successful team

so why sacrifi ce this opportunity when they fi rst meet?

University is the most adventurous time of people’s lives so

as long as it is not bullying or stupidly dangerous then why

should it be prohibited?

Bar crawls are fully accepted within the uni community and

forfeits are rife and accepted, so as long as we ensure that

everything is safe and nobody is at risk of physical or mental

abuse then I don’t see anything wrong, and not to condone

binge drinking but as long as it’s not outside of any

individual norms then I don’t think there’s anything too bad.

However obviously some of the “unspoken” rituals that

are associated with initiations I cannot accept as they are

ridiculously cruel and people have died doing such stupid

things.

By Michael Potter

FOR

STUDENT CULTURE Hot Topic - Initiations

nu:life 31

University is the most adventurous time of people’s lives so as long as it is not bullying or stupidly dangerous then why should it be prohibited?

32 nu:life

STUDENT CULTURE Is winter really still here?

Is winter really Is winter really still here?still here?As strange as it may sound to some of you, winter

is some people’s favourite season. Not only is there

Christmas to look forward to there’s the possibility

of snow, rich winter foods and hot mulled wine.

Even the sharpness in the air can come as a nice

change after the unseasonably hot autumns we

seem to be getting lately.

There is no reason why the start of winter can’t be

an exciting time. Less so for February. December has

Christmas. January has New Year and all the fresh

faced hope of New Year’s Resolutions.

And of course there are various other religious festivals

around the winter solstice, a time when everything

was getting dark and miserable and people just

generally needed a party to get their spirits up.

But by the time you get to February all that

enthusiasm has worn off .

Maybe you put on half a stone over Christmas, or gave

up on your New Year’s resolution embarrassingly early.

Even the weather turns from crisp, frosty days to raw,

wet weather that soaks your jeans up to the knee and

seeps into your toes.

It’s especially hard on students, who have got over the

excitement of seeing their friends again over Christmas

and starting new modules (or is that last one just me?)

and whose deadlines are now starting to bite.

And of course there’s the added bonus of Valentine’s

Day, which is stressful for couples and single people

alike. Most people spend the last dregs of winter

thoroughly miserable, waiting for the rain and sleet to

go away and Spring to begin in earnest.

This year though, I have a plan. I’m swapping jeans for

leggings and doing all my reading over Christmas. That

way, though the world might decide to throw rain and

wind and sleet and hail and cold at me, at least my feet

will be warm and my library sessions minimal.

By Kate Taylor

STUDENT CULTURE Strapped for cash

nu:life 33

So Christmas is fi nally over for

another year. Your New Years Eve

outfi t was probably something

you could have lived without but

you just couldn’t resist?

But now you’re strapped for cash and counting

down the days until the next instalment of your

student loan?

Well don’t worry, there’s still plenty of ways and

ideas to have fun during January whilst on a

budget:

Get all your friends together and have dinner

in. Granger Market is great for cheap meat and

vegetables and splitting the cost between a few

of you works out much cheaper and you don’t

end up eating the same meal for three nights in a

row! Why not look up some new recipes to try out

and scratch up on your cooking and baking skills.

Why not have movie nights with popcorn

and what’s left of your Christmas sweets and

chocolates? There’s a fab new DVD shop opened

in Eldon Square (by the M & S entrance) with

loads of cheap DVD’s. Alternatively, just watch

the ones you got in your stocking.

Treat yourself to a cinema date but make sure

you go on a Tuesday when Empire cinema does

cheap ticket prices, or Wednesdays with an

Orange Two-for-One code. Remember to take

your student card for extra discount and take

your sweets and drinks with you rather than

buying them at the cinema. Some upcoming

fi lms to be released this month include

Contraband, Joyful Noise and Declaration of War,

so keep an eye out for them at the box offi ce.

See what Newcastle has to off er and try being

a tourist for the day! The Baltic museum on

the Quayside is free and always has new and

interesting exhibitions on display. The Hancock

Museum is also free and is worth having a look

around.

Get out and get active. The uni gym

membership is cheap for students and has loads

of fun classes included in the price if the gym isn’t

your cup of tea. Go with friends and try a Zumba

class or limber up with yoga. If you don’t want to

join up to the membership, the pool is available

to use as you wish and you just pay when you go.

Join websites such as groupon.co.uk and

wowcher.co.uk and look out for deals on all sorts

of things.

By Sophie Thurlow

STRAPPED FOR

‘Your won’t be a student forever, so make sure you make the most of it. Get an NUS extra card and take advantage of all the

discounts on offer to YOU! For an extra £1.99 you can also use it as an ISIC card, so you can use it around the world too.

Get your NUS extra card from your Students’ Union, or go online and start reaping the benefi ts. Can you afford not too ?’

EXTRA

www.nusextra.org.uk*Please note that the option to have a dual NUS extra and ISIC card is only available to those who purchase their card online.

Details correct at time of print (08/11). NUS extra card is £11 and valid between 08/11 and 08/12.

‘Your won’t be a student forever, so make sure you make the most of it. Get an NUS eNUS ext

S extrS extrextrextrextrxtrxtrtrraaaa ca ca ca caa caa caa caa car

a carda cardcardcard a

card and take advantage of all the

discounts on offer to YOU! For an extra £1.99 you can also use it as an ISIC card sard, so

d, so yd, so yso yso yo

so yoso yoso yoo yoo yoo yoo yoyoyoyoyoouu cu cu cau cau cau can

u can use it around the world too.

Get your NUS extra card from your Students’ Union, or go online and start reareaappinpingpingpingping tping thing thing thng thng theng theng theg theg theg the bg the b

the bthe behe behe benefi ts. Can you afford not too ?’

www.nusextra.org.uk*Please note that the option to have a dual NUS extra and ISIC card is only availab

ailableilable table table toble toble toble to tle to tle to the to the to thto thto thto thto tho tho thththooososeoseose who purchase their card online.

Details correct at time of print (08/11). NUS extra card is £11 and valid between 08/11 and 08/12.

New Year’s resolutions gone wrong? Never fear!

STUDENT CULTURE New Year’s resolutions gone wrong? Never fear!

HELP! I’ve already broken my New Year’s resolution!

Now I don’t know about you but every year I start off a new

silly resolution, which I manage to convince myself I’ll keep

up to the following January. The task of 2011 was going

for a run at least three times a week, was perhaps a little

over enthusiastic for a self confessed lazy sod, amazingly

I lasted until May. Then exams hit and I got distracted by

procrastinating, biscuits and a bit of revision.

From what it appears an initial spurt of activity seems for

everyone to last the fi rst few weeks then dwindle into

nothingness, leaving Januarys’ 6 month gym membership

stealing your money month by month and leaving you

feeling generally disgruntled and lazy. This seems to happen,

because we set ourselves goals that are not achievable! This

year be realistic by setting feasible goals. Winning The Grand

Prix, for example, is probably out of your grasp. (Sorry). Break

down large goals into smaller ones, so for loosing weight join

a gym or a weekly weigh in club to boost your morale. For

giving up smoking go talk to your doctor about the diff erent

options if you can’t face the idea of going cold turkey, grab

some patches and wean yourself down.

Or instead of giving up something, take something up!

Volunteering; a job, getting involved with the union, hospital

radio, painting, language classes, learn how to cartwheel,

going to the theatre once a month, taking time to call your

mum/dad/siblings/grandparents (just so they knows your

alive), eating a piece of fruit once a day, learn how to make

origami cranes – the list is literally endless. And you don’t

have to do it by yourself why not organise something with

your fl atmates like cooking together as a household once a

week or month or just eating together more.

This year I was inspired by a friend, who puts little notes up in

the bathrooms of her university off ering positive messages

to those that see it. For 2012 I’m taking up random acts of

kindness, one spontaneous act a week. These things could

be anything giving someone a pound, baking a cake for a

friend or just simply calling people more often.

34 nu:life

nu:life 35

1. I will not leave my deadline until the day before to

start it - It’s really just not worth the all nighters and the faff

of running to SASC in your slippers.

2. I will stop counting Alcohol with fruit in it, condiments

and garnish as part of my 5 a day - Eating healthily

is diffi cult with the temptation of the toon’s multiple

takeaways. But, your skin, mind and body will suff er. Pick up

an apple perhaps?

3. I will change my bedding - well if you’ve managed to

get them that far you don’t want them to leave at the sight

of it. Once every two weeks minimum. (Boys take note

especially).

4. I will not end up being fi lmed drunk (again) - Once is

enough. Twice is shocking. Three times…

5. I will change out of my pyjamas every day - sadly

onesies do not count as clothes however warm they are.

The only person allowed to way Pj’s all day is Hugh Hefner

– FACT.

6. I will make sure my house is fi t for human habitation

- If you’re embarrassed enough by it to not let your friends

come round – why haven’t you cleaned it!

7. I will not meet my parents sporting last night’s fancy

dress and a hangover. - Enough said.

8. I will not leave my Facebook logged in. - Unless you

fancy a change of picture, gender or sexual preference, log

out.

9. I will not spend my entire student loan within a

week of receiving it. - I know the call of January sales are

tempting and this massive amount of money demands you

act irresponsibly, but do you really want a repeat of living off

value baked beans for over two weeks?

10. I will stop choosing bed over lectures - Unbelievable

as it may sound, attending a 9am lecture once in a while is

not beyond the realms of possibility. No honestly - give it

a go.

11. I will not indulge in drunken texting/phoning/

facebook poking - fantastic idea at the time, but the next

morning you will regret it. Delete all numbers of you have

no self-control or give your phone to your friends - but don’t

tell them your password!

12. Go to the gym - If you want to be fi tter in 2012 actually

go.

If you follow these helpful tips you should be able to

succeed, however, remember that you also need to have

some willpower!

By Julia Bond & Sophie Spaldin.

Student Resolution IdeasWhether you have already broken your New Year’s resolution or

simply forgotten to make one in the fi rst place – it isn’t too late, so

don’t give up yet! A New Year’s resolution is a great opportunity to

make a change. However, the hard part is sticking to it; fortunately

this guide to New Year’s resolutions should help you with that part!

WHAT’S ONSkatesEvery Tuesday (Starting 31st Jan)Reds 10pm - 2am

Free before 11pm £3.50 after

KaraokeEvery Thursday (Starting 3rd Feb)Habita 8pm Free

Welcome Back PartySaturday 28th JanLocation TBCTBA

Brighton Beach*Saturday 4th FebReds 11pm - 3am£5 Adv/£6 Door

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS’ UNION

JAN/FEB

Shop & RockSunday 19th FebReds 11:30am - Late£3 Day/Night £5 All Day and Night

Ben Howard*Monday 20th FebDomain 7:30pm £13

Theory of a Deadman*Wednesday 22nd FebDomain 7:30pm£13

Big Phat Quiz of

the YearEvery Sunday (Starting 29th Jan)Habita 8pm Free

Celebrity BingoMondays Fortnightly (Starting 30th Jan)Habita 8pm Free

Habita Horse RacingTuesdays Fortnightly (Starting 31st Jan)Habita 8pm Free

STUDENT CULTURE Surviving January Sales

nu:life 37

After the stressful season of Christmas

shopping for family and friends, comes the

time for a little self-indulgence.. Sale shopping.

The January Sales are a peculiar phenomenon:

where sensible, good-willed people join the

hordes of fl ocking bargain-hunters, stripping

shops bare and spending a fortune on one too

many ‘bargains’.

While some fashionistas will have already beat

me to it - huddling outside Next at 5am on

Boxing Day just isn’t my style - for those who’ve

yet to embark on this month-long shopping

extravaganza, here’s a few tips...

Make a list. Be that a new season trend you’re dying to try

out or those items you’ve been mooning over for months –

regardless, go in with a clear idea of what you’re after. And,

easier said than done, try and stick to the list! Remember, it’s

only a bargain if you would’ve bought it in the fi rst place.

Set yourself a budget. I may sound like a killjoy, but

with a credit/debit card in your hand, sales can bring out

dangerously impulsive behaviour. After the expensive

Christmas season, the last thing you want is to get into

(more) debt. Also, pay attention to the PRICE, rather than the

‘reduction’ as these can be misleading.

-Be savvy with your shopping outfi t. Think about the outfi t

you wear to sale shop. Skip the mile-long changing room

queues by wearing leggings and a vest that are thin enough

for you to try things on over.

Get next year’s cards/gift wrap/presents! Christmas 2012

may seem a life time away, but now is the best time of year

to stock up on Christmas cards and wrapping paper. You’ll

pay a fraction of the price you will later on! Also, if you’ve

got birthdays coming up, now may be the ideal time to bag

a bargain!

Check the refunds policy. Beware; some stores won’t give

full refunds on sale goods. Check at time of purchase so

you’re not stuck with any unwanted, spontaneous buys.

Or.. just stay home? If the thought of making a trip into

town is too much for you then there is nothing better

than sitting at your computer and making the necessary

purchases online. You’ll have to pay postage/packaging, but

its great not having to get caught up in the crowds! Plus,

the discounts that you get off items will contribute to the

postage and packing costs. Win!

By Catherine Allan

Surviving January

STUDENT CULTURE Campus Style

38 nu:life

Now the Christmas break is over, and

Semester Two is upon us again already

Northumbria students are back and

bang on trend as usual. Easing back into

University life and fi ghting the holiday

blues with bargain buys from the January

sales and the prospect of showcasing

gorgeous Christmas gifts for the fi rst

time. Our students are oozing style with a

collaboration of their unique and quirky

items and the new trends for winter

2012. It is essential to wrap up warm

in these wintery months, especially in

Newcastle! But our students managed to

do this remaining sleek and fashionable.

We certainly were not disappointed in

our style hunt this month. Take a look:

SOPHIE & ISABEL

2nd Year Psychology

Sophie and Isabel still manage to

look gorgeous on a blustery day,

embracing a rock chic style with

tailored leather jackets paired

with indigo skinny jeans and

adorable pumps. The girls fi nish

off their outfi ts accessorising

with oversized hand bags, still

keeping cosy with fur scarves -

this seasons must have!

Favourite buy: Sophie - leather

skirt, Isabel - bright red dress

What will you be buying in the

January sales? Sophie - new

leather jacket with fur collar,

Isabel - a good pair of jeans

BECKY2nd Year LawRushing off to a lecture Becky

caught our eye, managing to wrap up warm with style. She

combines two major trends this

season with a chunky knitted snood and knitted burgundy

leggings. The must have colour of this season! Pairing this with

a navy swing coat that has beautiful velvet bow detailing,

Becky radiates a girly yet trendy

style.

Favourite buy: High waisted shorts

What will you be buying in the January sales? Lots of clothes!

JESSICA

3rd Year Biomedical Science

We managed to hunt Jessica down

in the Students’ Union. As a lover of

vintage, Jessica combines a stunning

vintage cardigan with leopard print

leggings, complementing the outfi t

with a leopard print scarf; she pulls

off the double animal print look

perfectly. With a vibrant pink T-shirt

and classic tan brogues, Jessica exerts

fabulous style.

Favourite buy: Vintage leather


January sales? Ideally a pair of

studded leather Christian Louboutins!

TOBY

3rd Year English

Language

A simple outfi t with big

results. Toby’s colour block

jumper, classic jeans and

black pumps create eff ortless

style that is perfect for the

library or lecture halls. A fan of

individuality, Toby describes

his style as a bit of everything

he likes mixing inspiration

from Simon Amstel and Noel

Fielding.

Favourite buy: River Island

white tshirt


January sales? Hopefully some

cheap clothes.

CAMPUSSTYLE

CHERITH2nd Year PRAccessorising a bold purple scarf with, in our opinion, the perfect fur coat and ankle boots Cherith is bang on trend and defi nitely stood out from the crowd. We loved how she incorporated the bold colours into a classic chic style. Cherith displays a quirky and exciting style these bright colours defi nitely brightened up a wintery day. We loved it. Favourite buy: Black leather boots - they go with everything!What will you be buying in the January sales? A good black blazer.

nu:life 39

We’re now in the full swing of winter and

the cold is probably taking its toll, if not

draining your bank balance in heating bills.

If you haven’t already, it’s time to indulge

in some of this season’s best accessories to

protect you from the elements in the most

stylish way possible. Fur is this season’s

must have accessory. The favourites at the

moment are fur collars, headbands and

boot toppers in all shades from cream

to black. You could give your wellies a

makeover or add an expensive looking

collar to your coat! The fashion team would

like thank everyone for being part of style

on campus and our style hunt this month.

Make sure you look out for us on campus

because you never know, you could be the

next style superstar of NU:LIFE

By Rachel Sturdy & Stacey

ALEX1st Year LawMixing patterns, Alex creates a fun look

with bright scarf and headband, perfect

for keeping warm in the winter months.

Accessorising in style with on trend

chelsea boots and a satchel bag, she

completes the look perfectly.Favourite buy: the essential LBDWhat will you be buying in the January

sales? Another fur coat.

SARAH2nd Year Biomedical Science

An absolute lover of Vans, Sarah teams her fave shoes with a pair of rolled up jeans and a patterned jacket. Contrasting leather trims and a warm shearling hood means this coat is perfect for the season. Her short cut and hair bow adds the fashionable fi nishing touches to a fantastic outfi t.

Favourite buy: VansWhat will you be buying in the January sales? Black leather Topshop ankle boots.

SHAKERA

2nd Year Biomedical

Science

A comfy yet cool outfi t for

the library, Shakera follows

the trends with black velvet

leggings and fashionable

Barbour wax jacket for the

ultimate in daytime outfi ts.

Finishing the look with

stylish brogues, she really

can’t go wrong. The tartan

scarf complements her look

fantastically.

Favourite buy: Barbour Wax

Coat

What will you be buying in

the January sales? Essential

make up.

Underworld: Awakening(Jan 20th/TBC)This is the second sequel to 2003’s Underworld (Rise of the Lycans was a prequel)

and sees the return of Kate Beckinsale’s Selene for the fi rst time since 2006’s

Evolution. It all sounds like exciting stuff until you realize that the fi rst couple of

fl icks were really rather dink. In all honesty they should be awesome, vampires

versus werewolves and all, but for me something hasn’t quite sat right over the

course of the series. Hopefully, with the return of Beckinsale and a screenplay

by original director Len Wiseman (Underworld, Die Hard 4.0) this can be the

instalment of the franchise that not only amuses long time fans, but also turns the

opinions of none-believers like myself.

And if all else fails you still have Beckinsale running around in a rubber catsuit, and

for that you can’t help but be grateful. G-stars: 3

Christmas is over; the presents have been Christmas is over; the presents have been opened, the trees have been taken down, opened, the trees have been taken down, and Fenwick’s window has once more and Fenwick’s window has once more become nothing but another window. It’s become nothing but another window. It’s all very depressing. Where before the snow all very depressing. Where before the snow was white and crisp and festive, now it’s was white and crisp and festive, now it’s just grey, sludgy, and massively irritating.just grey, sludgy, and massively irritating.

Ayuh, the holiday blues are setting in Ayuh, the holiday blues are setting in badly. Combat them with a trip to the badly. Combat them with a trip to the fl icks. Here are a few things you should fl icks. Here are a few things you should think about seeing.think about seeing.

nu:life 41

STUDENT CULTURE Festive Flicks

The War Horse (Jan 13th/TBC)Anybody remember having

to read The War Horse in

middle school? Well, Stephen

Spielberg does and it’s on the

back of these memories that

we get his fi rst movie of the

new year, not to mention his

fi rst ever fl ick set during the

fi rst world war. Packed to the gills with British talent

that includes Emily Watson and David Thewlis, and

based not only on the book but the award-winning

stage-play as well, this promises to be something

special, and also to leave not a dry eye in the house.

G-stars: 4

By Callum Gibson

The Darkest Hour(Jan 13th/TBC)I fi rst saw the trailer for this

movie a little while back

but, though I’m always up

for a new alien invasion

story, I was less than

impressed with what I saw.

That was, at least, until the end of the trailer when

the producer was revealed. Yes, this is the brain child

of director Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch, Day

Watch, Wanted) so you know that it’s going to be

a classy foray into territory that, although familiar,

will be rendered in eye-popping detail. Couple this

with the fact that it stars Emile I-get-better-with-

every-fi lm-I’m-in Hirsch, and I think we might have

a winner.

2012 FLICKS

TN Northumbria Netball Superleague

Netball Superleague action returns to Northumbria University this month as the nation’s top eight teams do battle between now and May.

Sport Central hosts three vital phase one clashes in the next

three months.

And Team Northumbria boast a new look and a new coaching

team as they bid to push for a top four fi nish.

Lisa Stanley and Sam Holt take charge after Tracey Neville’s

surprise departure during the summer.

And the new pairing at the TN helm are determined to blend

youth with experience in a bid to build on last season’s strong

fi nish to the season.

Stanley started last season as a key fi gure in the Sport Central

club’s attack before old injuries caught up with the veteran

shooter.

But her absence allowed rising stars Darcie Worsdale and

Toetse Kambatuku to come to the fore.

Third year Northumbria University maths student Worsdale

enters her third season at TN looking to realise her huge

potential.

And fi ngers are crossed that Namibian ace Kambatuku will ink

a deal to resume her NSL career this month.

“We’ve been looking at bringing Toetse back and we’re still

fi nalising the squad,” explained Stanley.

NETBALL SUPERLEAGUE

42 nu:life

nu:life 43

“We have lost some of the players from last season but we’ve

retained a core of experienced girls.

“Sam is like a new player for us as she was injured for all of last

season’s NSL campaign.

“And we have the likes of Vicky Burgess and Darcie who have

been with the team for several seasons.”

TN kicked off the 2012 campaign at the Fastnet Grand Prix

earlier this month - taking on local rivals Loughborough,

Northern Thunder and rookies Yorkshire Jets.

The shortened form of netball was a huge hit last year when

the World Netball Series took centre stage in Manchester.

And this month’s domestic version gave Stanley and Holt a

golden opportunity to put their players through their paces

before the NSL action gets underway.

Four rapid-fi re fi xtures within fi ve hours stretched the TN

squad to its limits.

But the club’s new coaching team is confi dent of a positive

return to top fl ight action.

TN’s fi rst homecourt clash of the season sees Stanley’s

charges tackle Celtic Dragons at Sport Central on January 28

from 6pm.

Big guns Team Bath and Surrey Storm head to Tyenside

before the end of March.

And in a new twist to the NSL the top four and the bottom

four will then be split into mini leagues to determine fi nal

placings and clarify the 2012 playoff picture.

Don’t forget to check out www.nusportcentral.com <http://

www.nusportcentral.com> for all the latest NSL news –

tickets for all of TN’s fi xtures are available in advance from

Sport Central reception.

Team Northumbria’s Phase One NSL home fi xtures:

January 28 versus Celtic Dragons (6pm start)February 18 versus Team Bath (8pm start)March 3 v Surrey Storm (start tbc)

Simon Rushworth

TN kicked off the 2012 campaign at the Fastnet Grand Prix earlier this month - taking on local rivals Loughborough, Northern Thunder and rookies Yorkshire Jets.

TN Northumbria Sports Writing Opens Doors For Media

Team Northumbria Media Intern Jamie Durent attended last month’s launch of a new tie-up between the Teenage Cancer Trust and Newcastle United. He talked exclusively to Toon keeper Rob Elliot - touched by the disease when he lost one of his best friends.

Rob Elliot wouldn’t have been the fi rst name on a wish-list for

Newcastle United fans.

But having signed a fi ve-year deal last August the former

Charlton goalkeeper is keen not to waste the opportunity

he’s been given.

“Just through training with better players my game has

improved,” said Elliot.

“Tim has been doing fantastic in the team and with (Steve)

Harper here too I can look at what they do well and know

that’s the level I need to be at.

“I’ve just got to work harder and harder in training so I’m

ready if I get an opportunity.

“Regardless of what happens in the future I’ll be a better

goalkeeper through coming to Newcastle.”

Elliot came through the youth system at The Valley and made

his fi rst team debut in 2008.

And the 25-year-old assured fans he can handle the step up

from League One to the Premier League.

“The quality of players are obviously a lot better than League

One,” Elliot said. “They’re quicker, stronger and faster.”

“However the principles of playing football still apply and the

biggest thing to handle is the pressure of playing in front of

50,000 people.

“That’s exactly what you want as a footballer and coming to

Newcastle gives you that chance.

“Newcastle is a really nice area to settle in to and the lads

have helped this feel like home even though I’ve only been

here a few months.”

Newcastle have surprised many with an impressive start to

the campaign anchored by a much improved back four.

Elliot is part of that group that works hard in training to

strengthen their defensive game each week.

“We work on our defence every week in training to neutralise

the opposition’s strengths,” Elliot said.

“Regardless of who plays at the back, we’ve all been diligent

and we’re proud that even after facing United, City and

Chelsea we still have a strong defensive record.”

NORTHUMBRIA SPORTS WRITING OPENS DOORS FOR MEDIA!

44 nu:life

nu:life 45

And he has no doubts that injuries will not derail their strong

early season form.

“We have a great bunch of hard-working lads here and the team

spirit is evident to see,” said Elliot.

“There are a lot of hungry players that have come in with a point

to prove and I feel we’re the most united team in the league.

“We want to keep working hard, defending properly and passing

the ball well which will give us a league position we deserve.

“Demba (Ba) has been fantastic up front scoring goals and

Sammy (Ameobi) is a top prospect so despite our injuries we

have the quality to replace them.”

Elliot is supporting United’s new relationship with the Teenage

Cancer Trust - with Newcastle backing the charity’s North East &

Cumbria Board’s ‘Toon Council’.

The stopper lost a close friend to cancer and is keen to support

some of the region’s most seriously ill teenagers and young

people.

“It’s not something you should have to deal with as a young

person and I know how it can aff ect families and their friends,”

he added.

“I am keen to visit the TCT unit at Newcastle’s RVI Hospital and

the new unit they’re building at the Freeman Hospital. As a club

we want to do all we can.”

By Jamie Durent

Elliot is supporting United’s new relationship with the Teenage Cancer Trust - with Newcastle backing the charity’s North East & Cumbria Board’s ‘Toon Council’.

Picture (left to right): Ryan Taylor

(NUFC), David Haley (Teenage

Cancer Trust), Rob Elliot (NUFC)

TN Northumbria Waterpolo

46 nu:life

The Sport Central club

headed to Blackpool

on the back of a 100%

record and with a place

in National League

Division Three already

assured.

But TN refused to

take their foot off the

pedal as they bagged

a 7-7 draw against

Manchester Hawks before beating the University of Bristol

11-4.

“For the last three months the focus has been on winning

promotion and we’re delighted,” said veteran star Richard

MacAlister.

“It would have been nice to go through the Championship

Three phase with seven wins out of seven but we’re not

complaining.

“We had the chances to kill off Manchester and they

equalised for the last time with just a minute of the fi nal

quarter to go.

“Bristol had nothing to play for in our fi nal game so it was a

bit of a dead rubber. But our attitude was fi rst class and we

didn’t allow them to get on the scoresheet until the third

period.

“It’s been a fantastic season and I have to pay particular credit

to our goalkeeper, James Kirkham, and our full back Rob

Holland.

“James has been in sparkling form for some time now and

constantly frustrated the opposition in Championship Three.

“Rob has gone through the whole season without

committing a serious foul and for a full back at this level

that’s unheard of. His commitment and concentration is

outstanding.

“He’s a Blackpool lad who’s been with TN for some years

now and it was great to see him go back home and lift the

Championship Three title.”

TN will now compete in National League Three with the

competition kicking off next September.

Prior to that the cream of North East water polo will compete

in a powerful Northern League with Division Two stalwarts

Sheffi eld again favourites to lift the regional crown.

“We’ll use that competition as preparation for the National

League and it will be an opportunity to test some new

players,” added MacAlister.

“The focus has to be on moving onward and upward at the

highest level and that’s what we intend to do.”

BY Simon Rushworth

NORTHUMBRIA WATERPOLOTeam Northumbria set the seal on a promotion-winning campaign by remaining unbeaten in this season’s Championship Three playoff s.

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nu:life issue 23

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