City OnTopic Issue One by City OnTopic

welcome back to city! ISSUE #01 SEPTEMBER 2013

CITY SPEAKS WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF

Sex in THIS City

TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN LONDON

CITY ONTOPIC MAGAZINE

EDITOR’S NOTE

ELCOME TO THE VERY FIRST ISSUE OF CITY ONTOPIC FOR THIS ACADEMIC YEAR! Whether you’ve just started your studies at City University London or you’ve come back for more, the team and I are delighted to present you with a jampacked 36-page issue to get you settled in. This is YOUR magazine. What matters to you matters to us. We want to write about everything that affects you – from career choices to maintaining a healthy mind and body. As a postgraduate student in Newspaper Journalism, I’m new to City, but I love it here already. This issue has been such a collaborative effort and I’m really proud of the OnTopic team for pulling it off. From features to news, fashion to sport, literature to health and fitness, music to theatre, film to comedy, campus and politics, every editor and writer has worked hard to make sure the content is engaging for you to read. If you’re interested in becoming part of our team – whether you’re a mathematician, biomedical engineer, businessman, midwife, creative writer or lawyer – brilliant! We want everyone, no matter what your specialism, to sign up. Student media is so much fun to be involved in. It’s an amazing opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, work with a great team, help to produce a magazine, get your work seen by thousands of students, and gain some fantastic credentials for your CV. Plus, you’ll look awesome to your future

employers with all that volunteering you’ve done. In our fortnightly Thursday meetings, starting October 3, we’ll also be working on expanding our skills as a team through regular master classes on all aspects of media production – from magazine layout, to photography, to building a career in journalism. Hopefully, we’ll attend a few conferences and talks too over the course of the academic year. We’re always on the lookout for enthusiastic writers, photographers, designers and web technicians. Our next issue will be published on Monday October 28 with a Halloween theme. I’m excited about it already! Please get in touch with me (editor.cityontopic@ gmail.com), or any member of the fabulous editorial team, if you want to contribute – I’ll be delighted to have you on board. You can also join our Facebook Contributors’ Group to nab a story.

M A R É S E O’SULLIVAN ONTOPIC EDITOR/Theatre and Literature Editor

I hope you enjoy the first issue of City OnTopic. Marése

A N N F O O ART DIRECTOR

NEWS : GEORGE DANIELS SCHOLARSHIP LAUNCHED TO SUPPORT CITY STUDENTS QUIZ: WHAT DOES YOUR CV SAY ABOUT YOU? CITY SPEAKS : WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR? INTERNATIONAL VIEW : WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF

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HEALTH AND FITNESS : TOP 3 STUDENT FRIENDLY RECIPES

@KATIEVMARSTON NEWS.CITYONTOPIC@GMAIL.COM

CONTRIBUTORS

SEPTEMBER 2013

A third year undergraduate in the BA Creative Industries, Ann is an aspiring designer who hopes to work for Condé Nast Publications. Her portfolio already includes the magazine, Chelsea Monthly and newspaper, Camden Monthly. She wants to one day start her own art/music magazine.

K A T I E M A R S T O N NEWS EDITOR

SPORT : SPORT EDITORS SAY HELLO & WHY YOU SHOULD GET INVOLVED IN SPORTS AT CITY?

OLUWAFEMI ADEGBESAN, SALMAAN BHOGADIA, PROFESSOR GEORGE BROCK, INGRID BRUBAKER, ELLIOT CASS, CHRISSY CHAMY, JENNI CHATTAWAY, NATASHA CLARKE, EVE CRANSTON, KASIA DELGADO, HANNAH FLINT, ANN FOO, SAM GOULD, OLI GRIFFIN, CHRISTOPHER HALL, CATHERINE HARDY, CHLOE HAY, JONATHAN HEWETT, ALEX HORNE, DAVE HUGHES, HASSAN JAAFAR, JOSH JACKMAN, MICHAEL JENNINGS, HELEN JEYAKUMAR, RALPH JONES, M.K., HABIBA KHANOM, YASMEEN LONA, DANIELLE LOWE, GISÈLE MANZI, KATIE MARSTON, SORSHA MILLER, SOPHIE MURRAYMORRIS, ALI MILLINGTON, FREDDIE NATHAN, R.O., ROISIN O’CONNOR, MARÉSE O’SULLIVAN, ARNELLE PATERSON, ARIANA PÉREZ, ALEX REGAN, RASIKA SITTAMPARAM, JOE SAXON, CHRIS SUTCLIFFE AND DEBORAH WEITZMANN.

T O

H A N N A H F L I N T Co-Features and Opinion Editor

A R I A N A P É R E Z DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR @ARIANAP810 NEWS.CITYONTOPIC@GMAIL.COM

As a person born in the United States, raised in Spain and recently relocated to England, Ariana has lots of interesting stories to share with you. Upon completing her Study Abroad program with City last semester, she has now fully transferred as a second year journalism student. She is always working on something, whether it be academic work or volunteering for UNICEF. As the Deputy News Editor, she looks forward to sharing the next exciting and contemporary news story that develops, which may be of interest to her readers.

Having just finished her undergraduate degree in French and Spanish at King’s College London, she is joining City as a postgraduate student on the MA Newspaper Journalism course. During her undergraduate course, she lived in London, Paris, Prague and Buenos Aires, and she is now excited to continue studying here in London. She looks forward to hearing your ideas for our Features and Opinion section soon!

@HFLINT FEATURES.CITYONTOPIC@GMAIL.COM

Katie graduated from St Andrews in June before moving south from Scotland to the sunny climes of London. She’s into all things news, language and running related.

MUSICALS : TOP 5 DISCOUNTS & WHAT TO SEE IN LONDON THIS MONTH FASHION : 5 WAYS TO LOOK AWESOME THIS AUTUMN

An English, French, and Creative Writing graduate from Ireland, Marése was very excited to move to London to begin her MA in Newspaper Journalism. She’s passionate about news, books, and theatre, and spends far too much time watching shows in the West End, all in the name of ‘research’ for the Theatre and Literature section. If you want to know more about how she puts City OnTopic Magazine together, you can have a read of her Behind The Scenes blog: www.cityontopic. wordpress.com/editors-blog-behind-the-scenes

@FOOOZY DESIGNER.CITYONTOPIC@GMAIL.COM

CONTENTS 05 09 10 13

@MARESEMARTHA EDITOR.CITYONTOPIC@GMAIL.COM

You can come chat to us at the Fresher’s Fair on Wednesday September 25 and at the Media Fair on Friday 27 if you have any questions, ideas, or just want to say hi. Keep an eye on our Facebook page (City OnTopic) and Twitter (@CityOnTopic) for updates on our first meeting on Thursday October 3.

www.facebook.com/cityontopic @cityontopic cityontopic.wordpress.com

CATHERINE HARDY Co-Features and Opinion Editor

After lots of reading studying English Literature at UEA, Cath’s ready to get writing and hopefully achieve her dream of becoming a journalist after finishing her MA in Newspaper Journalism at City. In the future she’d love to write features and comment pieces or have a column. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to write for Features & Opinion!

@CATHFHARDY FEATURES.CITYONTOPIC@GMAIL.COM

Helen is a Law graduate from City University, the former Society President, the former Vice President Activities and Development, and a current postgrad at the City Law School, aspiring to one day be Harvey Specter.

H E L E N J E Y A K U M A R SU Politics and Campus Activities Editor SUPOLITICS.CITYONTOPIC@GMAIL.COM

@CITYONTOPIC

MEET THE TEAM

J E N N I CHATTAWAY Film and Comedy Editor

Jenni’s a humble countryside girl from the Cotswolds, but don’t let that fool you. After growing up in Belgium, and travelling the world, she feels that she is cultured and ready to tackle any challenge that is thrown her way. She loves anything and everything from sports to fashion to music to the theatre, and she has a real passion for life. She wants to bring her creativity and imagination to City OnTopic, to the writers and to the readers!

N E W S

@BUMCHINNIAN ARTS.CITYONTOPIC@GMAIL.COM

Roisin is studying for the MA in Newspaper Journalism. She gets a kick out of interviewing, be it rock bands or politicians. She also writes fiction (her first book was self-published on Amazon in 2012) and short stories. Make her a decent mojito and you’ve got yourself a friend for life.

F R E D D I E N A T H A N Sports Editor

J O S H J A C K M A N Sports Editor

SEPTEMBER 2013

BY KATIE MARSTON

Professor Julienne Meyer (picture below), of the School of Health Sciences, has joined the Demos Commission on the future of UK residential care.

DAVID NEWMAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE GEORGE DANIELS EDUCATIONAL TRUST (LEFT) UNVEILING THE GEORGE DANIELS PLAQUE ALONGSIDE PAUL CURRAN, VICE CHANCELLOR OF CITY UNIVERSITY LONDON.

GEORGE DANIELS SCHOLARSHIP LAUNCHED TO SUPPORT CITY STUDENTS Thanks to City alumnus George Daniels, who adapted and enhanced the elegant masterpiece of precision that is the watch, scholarships will now be available in his name to students at the School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. Chaired by former Care Services Minister, Paul Burstow MP, the prestigious appointment at the leading think-tank will place Professor Meyer at the heart of the project to gather evidence and assess future demand for care homes over the course of a year. The Commission on Residential Care (CORC) will take into account everything from funding to care home culture. Care home providers, residents, staff, charities and the public will be invited to take part, before findings are reported next summer.

FASHION.CITYONTOPIC@GMAIL.COM

@HA_BI_BA HEALTHANDFITNESS.CITYONTOPIC@GMAIL.COM

Josh wants to be editor of a major broadsheet’s sport pages or website. Within the sports section, he’d like to broaden your horizons by informing you and challenging your perceptions. He wrote for Impact Magazine at the University of Nottingham and has worked for national newspapers in Israel and Britain.

@JOSH_JACKMAN SPORTSEDITOR.CITYONTOPIC@GMAIL.COM

A R N E L L E P A T T E R S O N Fashion Editor

H A B I B A K H A N O M Health and Fitness Editor

CITY PROFESSOR JOINS HIGH-PROFILE RESIDENTIAL CARE COMMISSION

BY DANIELLE LOWE

@ROISIN_OCONNOR MUSIC.CITYONTOPIC@GMAIL.COM

Habiba is a freelance journalist, a blogger and produces/presents an entertainment and media news programme on Roundhouse Radio. Her main passions lie within news, current affairs, politics and lifestyle and she has been a keen writer ever since she could remember.

As an undergraduate, at the University of York, Freddie was heavily involved with award winning student publication York Vision, as Sport Editor, Online Editor and Deputy Editor. He has completed placements with a range of national media outlets, from London24.com, to FourFourTwo and ZOO magazines and the news and sport sections of the Independent and the i.

@FREDDIENATHAN SPORTSEDITOR.CITYONTOPIC@GMAIL.COM

R O I S I N O ’ C O N N O R Music Editor

Arnelle is a self-confessed fashion enthusiast with a carbohydrate addiction and an insatiable sweet tooth. She loves anything weird and wonderful including the English language and various forms of creative expression from writing to photography. She’s a London girl with intercontinental ambition!

REGULAR | NEWS

SARAKSHI R A I Social Media Editor @SARAKSHI

Sarakshi Rai started her career interning at 16, with BBC Top Gear magazine in India, and has dreamed of being a broadcast journalist ever since. When she’s not updating her Twitter/Instagram, she is busy following fashion bloggers and Formula One. You can follow her @ Sarakshi.

There are now more pensioners in the UK than under-16s. According to AgeUK, 431,500 elderly and disabled people live in residential homes, and this figure is expected to rise. “Over the last few years, my research has been focused on promoting best practice in care homes, and my work for this commission will give me another outlet for that work,” said Professor Meyer. “With an increasingly ageing population, quality of life in care homes will become even more important, so the creation of this commission is extremely prescient.” Professor Meyer is the Executive Director of the My Home Life Programme, a movement promoting quality of life in care homes, and will bring her extensive experience as a researcher in Care for Older People and as Professor of Nursing and Care for Older Adults at City University London. •

In 1999, the famous horologist – who attended City University London when it was still the Northampton Institute – came up with 24 exceptional watch designs and created a key element for mechanical watches that manufacturing giant Omega still uses today. After he passed away in 2011, the George Daniels Educational Trust was set up to help Electrical Engineering and Instrumentation students achieve their potential. The financial assistance, including the possibility of accommodation bursaries, will be granted to two doctorate students and five undergraduates to help with the cost of studies and living, and will give students the chance to focus on their studies, rather than taking a parttime job or additional loans to fund necessary costs.

and the Trustees have worked painstakingly to ensure that this benevolent aspect of George’s legacy will come to fruition,” said the Chairman of the Trust, David Newman. To celebrate this new collaboration and Daniels’ life, Professor Patrick Gill from the National Physical Laboratory held the inaugural George Daniels Lecture at the university, titled ‘Optical Atomic Clocks – Light Years Ahead?’ Vice Chancellor of City University London, Professor Paul Curran, said: “City’s international reputation for research in measurement and instrumentation has been strengthened significantly through the munificence of the Trust in granting these funds.” Mr. Daniels had previously been awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science from City University London in 2007, and as a mark of respect, the University Clock in the College Building is to be renamed The George Daniels Clock. •

“George was passionate about enabling promising students who would otherwise face difficulties

@CITYONTOPIC

NEWS | REGULAR

TECH INCUBATION SPACE ESTABLISHED FOR BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS BY KATIE MARSTON

REGULAR | NEWS

CONSTRUCTION ON CAMPUS: WILL IT AFFECT YOU? BY ARIANA PEREZ

Renovations across City University London’s campus will continue this year as part of the finalised 2012-2017 Estates Strategy. City’s 2016 vision is well on its way to becoming known for its quality of education, research, and enterprise, all while ranking within the top two percent of universities in the world.

CITY REWARDS TEACHING TALENT BY KATIE MARSTON

Dr. Greg Slabaugh, Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in Computer Science, has scooped first prize (£1,000) at the 2013 City University London School of Informatics Teaching Talent event. He had re-written his computer science module to account for advances in programmable graphical processing units. The Co-Director of the BSc Computer Science with Games Technology and the MSc Computer Games Technology courses, Dr. Slabaugh’s background is in computer vision and medical image analysis, and he has researched for the likes of Medicsight, Siemens, and HewlettPackard. “Having spent nearly a decade working in industry prior to joining City, I’m motivated to teach students industryready techniques to prepare them for entry into the workforce,” said Dr. Slabaugh. “I was surprised to hear that my entry had won, since there were so many very good examples of teaching talent put forth by my colleagues. I was grateful that the hard work I put into teaching GPU programming was appreciated by the attendees.” The event featured entries from 24 members of staff, with twelve of them presenting a talk on “the best thing I did in teaching this year.” Eight prizes were awarded from audience votes. Second prize went to Reader and Assistant Dean in the Centre for Human Computer Interaction Design, Stephanie Wilson, and the Teaching Assistant Team (represented by Aravin Naren), while third prizes were won by Professor Neil Maiden, Dr. Ross Paterson, Dr. Peter Weller, Dr. Cristina Gacek, and Dr. Stephann Makri. •

SEPTEMBER 2013

The Vice-Chancellor of City University London, Professor Paul Curran, has launched City’s own Tech Incubation Space, following a very successful pilot scheme. The Hangout, “where talent meets tech”, will link students and alumni with startups from the ‘Tech City’ cluster of East London entrepreneurs. Organisers aim to bridge the gap between talent and experience to accelerate students’ success. The connection will offer networking events, such as coffee mornings, alongside workshops, seminars, a meeting room and ping-pong tables. Existing student start-ups operating out of The Hangout include ‘City Spark’ winner Adam Lucas-Pettit’s Travel Roulette, a website for daring travellers.

“The Hangout is an amazing interface between City University London’s research and education and the world of entrepreneurship, business, and venture capital. It is a catalyst for young people to live their dreams,” said Adrian Cheok, Professor of Pervasive Computing at the School of Informatics. Innovative students and graduates from City will benefit from a drop-in service at the workspace The Bakery, a secondstage accelerator that will bring twelve brands on board this autumn. Students from the Schools of Informatics, Journalism, and Business, in particular, are encouraged to get involved with startups or just to add to their work experience. Anyone who wants to gain entrepreneurial experience or start his or her own business should email hangout@city.ac.uk or tweet @TheHangoutLDN. •

PRESTIGIOUS PROFESSIONAL ENDORSEMENT FOR CITY NURSING BY KATIE MARSTON

The new MSc Advanced Practice in Health and Social Care (Advanced Nurse Practitioner Programme) at City University London has been accredited by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

and postgraduate level to Continuing Professional Development, and caters for specialisms from neo-natal care to adult mental health.

A mark of recognition for the MSc’s quality and high academic standards, this is the only course at City accredited by the RCN.

The three strands of the MSc Advanced Nurse Practitioner programme – Adult, Child, and Neonatal – commence this semester.

Professional body recognition is not a requirement for institutions, but according to Professor Victoria Joffe, the Associate Dean of Postgraduate Studies at City University London’s School of Health Sciences, “a lot of students ask for [accreditation].”

The Guardian University Guide 2013 rated the School of Health Sciences number one in the UK for Nursing. The programme, course design, and teaching team were singled out for praise. Professor Joffe told OnTopic that external accreditation like that “inspires us to raise our expectations.” •

City University London offers over 30 different nursing courses from undergraduate

In 2012, the institution spent more than £15 million on improvements. New lecture rooms, refurbished social spaces, and more modern buildings were just a few of the many noticeable and ongoing changes to give students and staff a more fruitful academic and professional experience. A total investment of £75 million is required to meet the basic functional needs of these new upcoming projects. Greater pressure for space currently affects the Cass Business School, the City Law School, the School of Arts, the School of Health Sciences and primarily, the main library. The Library’s Head of Customer Services, Derek MacKenzie, pointed out that the university has made substantial investment in its academic environment in recent years, but more space would be beneficial.

more space for students – particularly with increasing student numbers at the university.” The Estates Strategy document outlines how the renovations will strive to achieve high quality academic space; provide a sense of community; and support school strategic plans. These goals will be achieved by implementing a new main entrance complex and establishing a world-class education facility, devised to support academic study and research in the new Sebastian Street site. City University London’s Community Officer of Property and Facilities, Matthew Shipton, said: “It’s a huge set of projects. We are looking to become a leading global university by the end of 2016. But our academic excellence has to be matched by high quality buildings and facilities.” Space availability on the main site is crucial, as it is speculated to become busier each year, with approximately 1,700 more students by 2016 and 2017, though Mr. Shipton believes that the results of the constructions to ease this concern can already be seen.

“The recent library renovation projects have increased the overall number of study spaces without any expansion of our floor,” he said. “I think we can be proud of this. It would be great if the library could offer

“We have a stunning new facility for the Cass Executive Programme at Aldersgate and our Gloucester Building reopened in June after much needed renovations. By the start of term, the Cass Undergraduate Programme will be in an expanded accommodation in Drysdale and areas of the lower ground floor of Tait will have

STUDENTS’ UNION GAINS FUNDING FOR STUDENT-LED ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

BY SOPHIE MURRAY-MORRIS

City has already been nationally recognised as an institution committed to sustainability. In November 2011, City was named The Most Energy-Efficient University In London by the Environment Agency and was ranked ninth overall in the United Kingdom’s league tables. City also received a First Class award in the 2013 People & Planet Green League Tables, an indication of university performance based on its environmental concern.

City University London’s Students’ Union (CULSU) has successfully won its bid to receive over £180,000 of funding from the NUS Student Green Fund. Over two years, financial support will be provided to establish and develop Green Dragons, a sustainability project that will raise awareness of environmental issues at City University and in the local community. Between £500 and £5,000 of funds are being offered to projects through the Green Fund. For their venture to be successful, students must include a business plan, as well as a video outlining their aims. Although over 120 Students’ Unions applied, City was one of only twenty-five institutions selected by the National Union of Students (NUS) to receive funding from the Higher

The Students’ Green Fund will involve over 50,000 students in 25 projects across the country. The NUS Vice-President of Society and Citizenship, Dom Anderson, described the projects as “holistic, transformative initiatives...which will put English higher education on the map for its world-leading sustainability credentials.” Hopeful City applicants must also receive support from fellow students. Similar to

received an upgrade. “Furthermore, entirely new lectures spaces have been carved out of underutilised areas in the basement of the university and will be ready for use, and various other smaller improvements will be complete.” According to Mr. Shipton, the plans are not solely driven by a projected increase in students. “We are changing as a university, becoming more academic excellent. We intend to create a physical presence that matches our academic aspirations,” he stated. “Many returning students will see straight away the difference we are already making. But, large scale improvements aside, we have been making steady progress in recent years to improve the general environmental conditions in all our education spaces,” he added. Despite the concern over space, the quality of education is to be enhanced. The School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (SEMS) will grant students upgraded technical facilities, particularly as the strategy aims to improve what it calls the Tait Building’s “inefficient [use of] space”. Though most of the disruptive work took place over the summer, the transformation of the university will continue to develop throughout the semester, given the scale of the project. • the American-based funding platform Kickstarter, projects will only receive funding if they gain enough pledges. This style of funding means that as well as having an estimated 160 students engaged, an extra 1,300 will be indirectly involved. By operating in this manner, the scheme ensures that the student community as a whole supports these environmental projects. Green Dragons will also benefit students by equipping them with a wide range of employability skills, such as entrepreneurship. “The NUS Student Green Fund has created a fantastic opportunity for City University London students to take a lead on environmental and sustainability issues. I am confident that our new student environmental leaders will encourage positive changes to people’s attitudes,” said Giulio Folino, President of City’s Students’ Union. “They will help to lay the ground work for further progression in the future.” • @CITYONTOPIC

W hat do es yo ur C V say abo ut yo u?

SEPTEMBER 2013

The final leg of the competition will take place this November, when both Mr. Whelan and Mr. Pena will present their commercialisation plan in front of a panel of industry experts. •

Popular tabloids were least successful at transferring their audience online, whilst “quality/broadsheet” newspapers (and The Daily Mail) had a higher proportion of digital “reading minutes”. His conclusions could not incorporate application data because of a lack of availability, although the final figure is estimated to still remain over 90% even when that data is added. •

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Mr. Whelan and Mr. Pena were partnered up to work on the project, which mainly consists of wavemodelling algorithms. With the help of London City Incubator’s manager, Leo Castellanos, the postgraduates took the original complicated mathematical project and turned it into a software business idea that aims to build offshore structures more accurately.

Sue O’Hare, the Director of Enterprise at City University London, commented: “It is excellent to see City students and academics working together to bring ideas to fruition. We are committed to ensuring the right environment and resources are available to enable these relationships to flourish. It is gratifying to see Andrew and Alejandro’s work being recognised at an international level.”

Published in the journal Digital Journalism, Dr. Thurman’s study researched twelve national UK publications, including the Daily Mail, The Guardian, The Sun and The Times. The only paper to increase the total time that readers spent perusing its pages both online and offline was The Guardian.

YOU ENJOY <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< SPENDING YOUR TIME LEARNING A NEW SKILL.

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YOU’VE ALREADY BOUGHT A STUDY <<<<<<<<< PLANNER.

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Their innovative product, Offshore Extreme, is a software solution that replicates extreme weather conditions. The research for it originated in the 1990s, when Professor Qingwei Ma from the School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences – and later, his colleague Dr. Shiqiang Yan – accepted the challenge to create a solution for issues imposed by the environment.

“It has been a fun and enjoyable experience. It will be exciting to represent City University London with Alejandro in Brazil,” he added.

Despite website hits rocketing and physical sales dropping, he discovered that more online readers do not equal more time reading. Short attention spans – with the next distraction just a click away – mean that the reader’s concentration is harder to capture. The impact of one online page is significantly less than one in print.

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MBA student at the Cass Business School, Andrew Whelan, and PhD student at the Department of International Politics, Alejandro Pena, will travel to the world’s seventh largest city to compete against top international teams for the chance to win up to $10,000 (about £6,300) in prize money.

“It took a lot of work to understand the high-tech side of it, but I am very happy and I believe it is the perfect application to my MBA,” Mr. Whelan told OnTopic. “The main value is that it can help. We think we can save 10% of the material cost of structures, or an average of £19 million, on a typical offshore oil platform.

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Two postgraduates from City University London have won a place at the global final of the Idea to Product (I2P) Competition in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

One City professor has done just that. Dr. Neil Thurman (picture above), Senior Lecturer in Electronic Publishing, has revealed that 96% of total time spent reading newspapers is with the printed version, not online.

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YOU’VE GOT AT LEAST 15 VERSIONS OF YOUR CV SAVED ON YOUR LAPTOP.

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What if we judged newspapers by how much we actually read them?

BY ARIANA PEREZ

C A REERS

YOU ARE, KNOW, OR HAVE MET THE CAPTAIN OF YOUR FAVOURITE SPORTS TEAM AT CITY. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

BY KATIE MARSTON

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OVER NINETY PERCENT OF NEWSPAPERS READ IN PRINT FORMAT

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CITY STUDENTS TO SHOWCASE COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE IN WORLDWIDE COMPETITION

CAREERS

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NEWS | REGULAR

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A C A D EM I C @CITYONTOPIC

CITY SPEAKS

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STUDENT MEDIA

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STUDENT MEDIA

CITY ONSCREEN EDITOR, YASMEEN LONA:

WE ASKED STUDENTS AND STAFF : WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR? CITY VOLUNTEERING

I have great inspirations for City OnScreen this year. I am determined to fully explore City OnScreen’s potential as a student TV media outlet. I aim to focus on creating quality feature videos and a wide range of fun and informative shows that will appeal to all students.

OLUWAFEMI ADEGBESAN

people to get involved and, if this is of interest to you, drop an email to cityonair@gmail.com. You don’t need any previous experience either, just lots of enthusiasm. There are opportunities to present shows, research, or even produce.

NATASHA CLARK CITYSTARTERS

CITY ONAIR EDITOR, SAM GOULD:

GEORGE BROCK

CITY ONAIR

SEPTEMBER 2013

JONATHAN HEWETT

TWEET US YOUR ANSWER FOR EVERY ISSUE AT @ CITY ONTOPIC! NEXT UP, WE'RE ASKING: "WHAT ARE YOU DRESSING UP AS FOR HALLOWEEN?"

Hello City!! With the refurbishment of our radio studios complete, it is time to welcome in a new year for the City OnAir team. The awardwinning student radio for City will resume its schedule this month, with an excited team ready to go! You can expect to hear the first few episodes of our shows this month, with our flagship City OnAir News and chat show Our Take On The News leading the way. There are also a few new additions to listen out for, like Plugged In and Conspiracy Corner. As this exciting new year begins, we would like to open our studio doors to anyone else who wishes to take part. We are always looking for more and more

There will be an induction session for those wanting to join us soon, details of which will sent by email. And if getting directly involved isn’t up your street, but you still want your voice heard while we take over the airwaves, we will be opening up our Twitter and Facebook for comments and messages that we’ll read out on air! We even take song requests, so don’t be a stranger! As always, all of our previous content is available on our website. If you ever wanted to listen back to why your sabbatical offers won their votes in the SU Election, or to our “amazing” cover of Santa Baby, you can! In just a few clicks, you can find every single podcast from last year. So on behalf of the team, we’re looking forward to informing and entertaining you while you study! • www.cityonair.co.uk • cityonair@gmail.com • facebook.com/cityonair • @cityonair

With this in mind, we have decided to relaunch and rebrand City OnScreen by opening a new web page (cityonscreen. co.uk), creating a new logo, and adopting the structure of a TV production studio. By changing the way we run City OnScreen, we have created a large range of new roles that appeal to both journalism and nonjournalism students. Try your hand at directing, presenting, filming, video editing, explore your creativity, and lead your own projects. We also offer the opportunity for students to join our management and marketing team, which is key to the success of City OnScreen. You’ll be seeking sponsors, leading our social media interaction, and putting marketing strategies in place. It’s a great way to build your CV, boost your confidence, meet new people and become a pioneer of student life! To join, drop me an email at cityonscreen@hotmail.com and please support us by liking our Facebook page, City OnScreen, and following our Twitter account @City_OnScreen! • cityonscreen@gmail.com • facebook.com/cityonscreen • @city_onscreen

CITY ONLINE Remember, if you want to have a bigger role in student media, keep an eye out for applications to be City Online Editor! Chat to us at the Media Fair on Friday September 27 for more details. • www.culsu.co.uk/cityonline • facebook.com/cityonlinenews • @cityonlinenews

“WANT TO WRITE, RECORD, FILM AND HAVE AN AWESOME CV? COME CHAT TO THE CITY MEDIA TEAM, INCLUDING ONTOPIC, AT THE MEDIA FAIR, FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 4PM - 5PM, ROOM CG02 IN THE TAIT BUILDING. SEE YOU THERE!” @CITYONTOPIC

SU POLITICS | REGULAR (L-R) GIULIO FOLINO, S.U. PRESIDENT; RIMA AMIN, VP ACTIVITIES; AND JAMES PERKINS, VP EDUCATION.

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INTERNATIONAL VIEW : WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF

BY HELEN JEYAKUMAR

WHAT IS A STUDENTS’ UNION? Whether you’re a fresher or a returning student, the likelihood is that although you may have heard of a Students’ Union (S.U.), you may not be entirely sure of what it actually does.

S.U. POLITICS

City University London Students’ Union (CULSU) is meant to be your representative body. It’s an organisation that’s separate from – but working alongside – the university to represent you and any needs you may have. Your Union presents these problems, whether it is in the form of a campaign or in a meeting, to the relevant members of university staff.

WHAT DOES THE S.U. DO?

HOW IS THE S.U. TEAM CHOSEN?

The Students’ Union has a number of areas in which it supports students, one of the most important being the Union Support Service. This is an independent service offering advice on any academic issues you may face, such as making an appeal or submitting an extenuating circumstance. Furthermore, the USS has a housing advice clinic on a monthly basis which books up pretty fast, so should you have an issue with a tenancy agreement or anything housing-related, book an appointment with the Union earlier rather than later!

So you know the union is a representative body and exists to amplify the student voice, but who actually does this?

The Union offers further academic representation through its established Programme Representative System, where reps are elected for each course to attend meetings with academic staff on behalf of their fellow students. The System offers welfare support and reviews academic quality (i.e. making sure your course is up to scratch). This area of representation is lead by your Vice President Education, James Perkins.

Well, each year, you vote for three full-time sabbatical officers who take the lead in representing the student voice at the highest level. These officers work with full-time staff at the Students’ Union and organise various activities throughout the year to represent you as best they can. This year, Giulio Folino is your S.U. President (president@city.ac.uk), James Perkins is your Vice-President Education (vpeducation@city. ac.uk), and Rima Amin is your VP Activities (vpactivities@city. ac.uk). You also vote for part-time Student Representative Officers for each School (Cass Business School, City Law School, Arts and Social Sciences, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, and Informatics) to represent any School-level issue you have, as well as Liberation Officers (Black and Ethnic Minority Officer, Women’s Officer, International Officer, LGBT Officer, and Disability Officer. More info on these roles can be found on the CULSU website, www.culsu.co.uk.

HOW CAN THEY HELP ME OUT IN MY FREE TIME?

HOW CAN YOU CONTACT YOUR OFFICERS?

The Union organises a variety of fun events, such as FRESHERS! It’s also responsible for all societies, media outlets (like City OnTopic!), charitable activity, and any sports-related representation, which is lead by your Vice President Activities and Development.

So who do you get in touch with if you want to get involved with any of the areas mentioned, have a question, or an issue with your course? Well, your first stop should be your sabbatical officers, who have been elected to represent you.

The President of the Students’ Union, Giulio Folino, sits on the highest level committees at the Institution, including the University Council, and works with senior members of staff including the Vice Chancellor and his senior management team. His role is to ensure that the student voice is heard at the top of the institution to enhance the overall student experience at City. The President is also the face of the Union which means he represents students to the local and national press.

SEPTEMBER 2013

You can get in touch with them on their respective emails or by dropping into the S.U. and booking a meeting to see them. Being a former Sabbatical myself, I know how hectic their schedules can be, but don’t let that stop you from chatting to them in the corridor, bombarding their inbox, or popping into the SU office. Remember, YOU elected them and their role is to help you!

REGULAR | INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COLUMN

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BY CHRISSY CHAMY

“I SURVIVED ONLY BY REMEMBERING THE ROAD TO CITY UNIVERSITY LONDON”

here are times when we look back at our life, thinking that nothing really ended up the way we expected it would. Yet we smile and realise that everything we went through and every insight we gathered, no matter how harsh the journey might have been, was exactly what we needed.

house I thought was spacious and fully equipped.

My first impression of London as an international student from Stockholm is a story that needs to be told, but it is a story much bigger than London. It’s a story about the love for journalism and how impossible it is to hide from one’s true self once the decision is made to stop living a lie.

I survived the second day only by remembering the road to City University London. Journalism has been my dream since I was 10 . Human rights, international politics, and social issues were already my focus. My interest for watching the news even got me bullied by a classmate!

I’m finally settled in London and have left the shock behind from the encounter with London’s housing. My summer plans did not allow me to visit London to search for a suitable room, so I decided to find it over the Internet. I mean, how bad could it actually get? Well, you can imagine how I felt when I knocked on the door to the old

On my first newspaper internship at age 13 in Sweden, I made it clear to the editorial team that London was the place I would study journalism. I kept that dream alive until graduating school. The journalism field was becoming increasingly difficult to get into. The one journalist I had spoken to discouraged me from even trying. For the

My critical questions hit the landlord like ammunition: “If this is the house I saw in the pictures, could you please tell me which angle you actually photographed from? NO LIVING ROOM, sir? And where is the flip-down table you promised would be here?”

coming ten years, I would try to remove journalism from my head, only to find it pounding in my heart. Last December, I started hypnotherapy, in the hope that it would give me solutions to perceived roadblocks in the job market after so many years. The first session was life changing. In hypnosis I connected to the true self that I for so long had supressed. Between the hallway and the kitchen in Stockholm, my true self decided that it no longer could escape its life purpose. Two weeks later I sent my application to City, my only choice for university. And, within a few weeks, the unconditional offer was in my hand. Victory! On my third day in London, I took the tube to Angel to walk the streets that will be my real home for the coming year. How different everything feels here. Finally I am strengthened, happy, and full of life. I have met a few classmates and it is fantastic to feel their passion for journalism. My dream is closer than ever before. And how I look forward to it! •

@CITYONTOPIC

FEATURE | REGULAR

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REGULAR | FEATURE

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LIVING WITH OTHER PEOPLE: THE LOWDOWN

FACEBOOK-LESS FRESHERS BY CHLOE HAY

BY DANIELLE LOWE

When the Internet goes down in halls, you will want to ensure that your bedroom door is locked. Or, contrarily, if someone knocks on your door asking for you to entertain them, don’t tell them you’re studying and shut the door. Entertain them – or, at the very least, keep your door open. Without Internet, the imagination comes into play, and you don’t know what those Facebook-less freshers will get up to. It’s prank time folks. Everybody’s done the turning of your flatmate’s room completely upside down, putting cling film over the toilet seat, mattresses in the shower, and barricades to act as second doorways tricks. But, occasionally, a couple of freshers will show true genius and commit a prank that has never been done before… One wintery Sunday afternoon in halls, the Internet crashed. The hungover, idle freshers were left without Facebook, without

YouTube, and without Spotify. Antics were about to get inventive. Paddy had gone home for the weekend and was due back in a few hours’ time. Unfortunately for him, he had trusted his flatmates enough to leave his bedroom door unlocked. Piece by piece every single item of furniture and personal belonging was removed from Paddy’s room and stashed in every findable nook and cranny of the flat. The boys then ran out to the pet shop to make a couple of purchases. Upon returning, they covered the entire bedroom floor in a mass of hay and straw. After bouncing around in it for a few minutes, they scattered some food, put out a water bowl and released three real-life guinea pigs into their new over-sized hutch. Genius. None of the freshers had Internet that night, but Paddy no longer had a bedroom either. •

For many, going to university means leaving home for the first time. And your new place is something you should pride yourself on greatly. But, inevitably, some of you will become slobs. Of course, you begin with the best intentions to cook good meals, wash your plates and keep things tidy. But then your first essay strikes, and suddenly putting a pizza in the oven seems a lot more tempting. You’ll tell your flatmates you’ll do your dishes later, but a week later they will still be crying out to be cleaned. At this point, the clean freak of the flat will emerge, move things around, simply tut and leave you an angry note. You’ll apologise, but their frustration will grow, knowing it will just happen again. They’ll look at you with a raised eyebrow, silently questioning how you can live like this.

Meanwhile, there is one person you haven’t seen lately. They too came with the best intentions of being organised and tidy. Perhaps too busy stressing about their essay to remember to eat, their vice is forgetting that food does not stay fresh forever. Indeed sooner or later, upon opening the fridge, you’ll be confronted with a nasty green monster: gone off food. You won’t see many people during the day: most are napping. For some, it’s a disco nap, while others just want to get some sleep before the party next door keeps them awake all night. All too often, napping is a desperate means of drowning out the noisy sex in the room on the other side of the wall. Sometimes you’ll find yourself thinking your flat should be part of a fly-on-the-wall comedy. •

WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN AS A FRESHER BY RALPH JONES

Some people experience a transformation at university. They discover a version of themselves they didn’t know existed, and they emerge like a 21 year-old baby from the womb, reborn. I underwent no such transformation; my main regret, along with several others, is that I took so long to start doing what I already knew I wanted to do. I look back on my time as a fresher and wish that I had started my extra-curricular activities even earlier. (That isn’t a euphemism.) I studied at the University

of Birmingham and although by the end of my degree I invested more energy indulging my passions than working – something I wouldn’t necessarily condone – I got off to a reasonably slow start, aware of the extent to which I was a small fish in what I thought was an ocean teeming with sharks. What I didn’t appreciate is that I would never be granted a more forgiving and similarly minded audience. University is the perfect environment to try everything, to try and fail, and to try and succeed. This is one of the life lessons that by definition

you can only fully learn after leaving the microcosm of university (partly because, while you are there, university really does feel like Real Life). I also wish I’d known that there is no point pretending to be keen on alcohol when you are not; that you really shouldn’t eat tinned tomatoes if you’ve put them in the fridge in an opened tin; that it’s advisable to come to seminars with something to say unless you’re nostalgic towards the era of cinema before sound had been introduced; and that a healthy bedroom doesn’t have black mould living in it. •

FIVE TIPS FOR LIVING ON YOUR OWN FOR THE FIRST TIME BY OLI GRIFFIN

If the last thing you just heard is the choked goodbyes of your parents, guardians, or other family members, congratulations and welcome to living independently.

THE MATURE STUDENT: BEHIND THE MYTH BY SORSHA MILLER

Maturity, as the cliché would have it, comes with age. Clichés about university students are numerous, too. Very few of them deal with maturity or advanced age. In those clichés, students are so obviously young. Carefree and happy to be out of their parents’ house to drink their body weight in gin twice a week. Yet, in 2012, around a third of all university students were 21 and over when starting their course and 40% of those, according to The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), were over 30 years of age. Other than that, mature students are not very easy to define. “There are good students and bad students at any age and I have taught students of all ages from a wide variety of backgrounds during my career,” says Dr. Tim Markham, Head of the Media and Cultural Studies Department at Birkbeck, University of London. “But I find teaching mature students more SEPTEMBER 2013

interesting. They bring their life experience, their background. These make the discussions livelier and more interesting. Also, they have to make sacrifices to be there and they are generally more motivated and interested in their studies.” And he should know: at Birkbeck, 99% of students are over 21. “In my experience, at 18 many students go to university because they do not know what else to do. For mature students, it is a big decision not taken lightly.” And so mature students have more responsibilities, or so the cliché would have us believe. They might have children, mortgages and jobs. They might find returning to education difficult. But everyone is faced with his or her individual challenges in life, not just in education. Many of those have very little to do with age or maturity. •

Here are a few guidelines for survival after being cut off/ escaping from those apron strings:

Cooking is a lot cheaper than relying on even the cheapest and nastiest fast food restaurant for your general sustenance. If you’re new to preparing your own meals (and many are), start off simple. Google ‘bolognaise’ and see where it takes you.

Hair of the dog is not a real “thing” – the cure for a hangover is water, not another three shots of tequila. Without mummy or daddy to coerce you into getting up, hangovers can seriously scupper your chances of getting out of bed.

Washing up does not magically disappear. Do it as you go, before your sink, kitchen and maybe even flat become nothing more than places to store your dirty dishes. While you may be tempted to do the dishes once a week, you will also be amazed at how much mess you and your new housemates can create in one day, let alone in seven.

Take all of this advice with a pinch of salt. As a postgrad student, I am simply incredibly jealous of anyone with the joyful irresponsibility of first year. Go out, make some mistakes, and learn from them.

You will spend money quicker than you ever thought you could, and in a greater quantity than you would ever imagine. Having met people who blew their student loan in the first three weeks of their first semester and again in the second, it’s highly advisable to curb those little impulse buys; yes, new jeans would be nice, no, you don’t really need them.

@CITYONTOPIC

FEATURE | REGULAR

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Sex in this City LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

BY R.O IMAGE STUDENTBEANS.COM

DO NOT ENJOY LIVING WITH MY PARENTS. Despite the food and central heating, after the first few weeks, I become highly irritable and prone to sleepless nights. I’m also bored, or to put it less delicately: frustrated.

“I had the most amazing sex last night,” she tells me.

“Would you have done it?” I can hear the judgment in her voice a mile off.

“Good for you,” I say, more bitterly than I intended.

“I’ll have to think about that one,” I say, and hang up.

“How long has it been?” she asks.

Living away from home, I had no qualms in bringing a guy back to my student house, usually to be kicked out very early in the morning to avoid the housemate inquisition. Now I’m suffering from that most middle-class of afflictions – the inability to talk about sex or anything remotely sexrelated with my parents.

“Two months.”

I wonder if I’ve turned into a location snob. My friends and I will often compare the oddest places we’ve “done it”, and I used to think that I wasn’t too far down the daring scale. But when it comes to sex, I’m not a fan of the great outdoors. I tried the beach once, and that was enough for a lifetime. Sand quite literally goes everywhere, and I was worried about crabs.

I can’t bring anyone home, not only because I would be mortified if anyone else in the house overheard, but there’s a very highly-strung Jack Russell who goes ballistic whenever the front door opens. I feel embarrassed enough introducing boyfriends to my parents – meeting a one-night-stand wouldn’t be any better. So I’m not too impressed when friend number one calls me on a particularly bad day.

SEPTEMBER 2013

She tuts in sympathy, then launches into the details of her own, rather spectacular, sex life. I call friend number two. “I could have had sex in an alley last week, but I didn’t,” she says. “I feel like I might have missed out.” “What were you doing in an alley?” “Nothing,” she snaps. “Weren’t you listening? I couldn’t do it. It just felt so…unhygienic.” “Where was it?” I ask. “Brixton,” she says. “I hear Brixton’s supposed to be quite trendy now,” I tell her.

Friend number three thinks I’m a prude. “I pulled someone at a club once,” she tells me. “We did it in the taxi on the way to his house.” “I wouldn’t like that,” I say. “I’d get carsick.” For now I think I’ll just have to ride it out. Figuratively speaking, of course. •

REGULAR | FEATURE

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SURVIVING LONDON ON THE CHEAP BY KASIA DELGADO

stock fresh veg, it’s nice to have a break from the soulless aisles of Tesco. London nightlife is a mixed bag. There are plenty of clubs charging high entry fees for terrible music and empty dance floors. Dalston’s The Alibi is a free entry bar, playing stuff that doesn’t have you frantically searching for the smoking area. It also does painfully cool karaoke nights, if you’re that way inclined. Peckham’s Bussey Building and Deptford’s Bunker Club are also cheap and brilliant.

London has just been voted the world’s second favourite city. Beaten only by New York, it’s been hailed the European nexus of culture and innovation. But, as a student, it’s easy to forget its greatness when you’re scrabbling around behind the radiator to find some coins for an Oyster Card top-up. London is an expensive city with pricey public transport, ridiculous rents and some wallet-draining nights out. Yet, with some cunning and care, this sprawling city can be survived –and enjoyed – on a serious budget. Everyone likes eating out, and London is swarming with restaurants where you could devour a loan’s worth of fillet steak. But it is possible to get in on the culinary excitement for very little cash. The unnervingly cheap Jai Krishna is a great vegetarian Indian in Finsbury Park. It’s not somewhere you’d expect to go on a first date though! Steer clear of West End cafés. However, unless you’re organized enough to bring sandwiches to galleries, it’s hard to avoid occasionally ending up in a touristswamped hole where a miniscule dayold croissant will cost you. If you do find yourself central and hungry, try Leicester’s Square’s Soho Joes and Marylebone’s Japanese Canteen. Borough Market, by London Bridge, is a fun way to score food for less than a fiver. And if things are really tight, you can fill up on a dinner’s worth of free samples. When buying groceries, take advantage of nearby Polish and Turkish shops. Not only are they local, cheap, and

One thing London can’t be accused of is having pricey culture. It’s hard to move for free art, and there are ways to get inexpensive theatre tickets. The National does an under 25s entry pass, and the Old Vic and the Barbican do good student deals. Shakespeare’s Globe also offers five pound standing tickets. By Act Four, you might have to check the blood is still flowing to your legs, but the Elizabethan experience is much more joyful than it sounds. In moments of true destitution, look to London’s incredible array of parks. Hampstead Heath and Regents Park are social centres in themselves. If you can’t afford to go to the cinema, you can always watch the ducks. •

THE 5 BEST THINGS TO DO IN LONDON THIS MONTH

1 Gorge on the best of British street food at The Real Food Festival at the Southbank Centre, from September 27 – 29.

2 Enjoy free film screenings at the More London Free Festival. Back to the Future, The Birds and Pretty Women are just some of the flicks on offer. September 15 –October 1.

3 The Alternative London Walking Tour is an East London street art tour with seriously cool guides. It’s on all year round.

4 For some cheap laughs, check out the Free and Funny in Angel nights at the Camden Head Pub in Islington. On every Thursday and Sunday at 8pm, this night mixes brand new acts and established comedians. From October, the stand-up fun will be running on Wednesdays too.

5 Carnaby Street is celebrating 100 years of music with the Carnaby Echoes exhibition. From September 10 to October 20, covering everything from jazz, reggae and hip-hop, the exhibition will include films, interviews and a walking tour. There’s a pair of free Carnaby headphones for everyone too. @CITYONTOPIC

OPINION | REGULAR

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BEING A POSTGRAD: AM I TOO OLD FOR THIS? YES

Is this what they call a quarter-life crisis? Tackling a postgraduate degree at the ripe old age of 23?

Not only that, the majority of your friends have graduated. They now have proper grown-up jobs and earn a salary – while you’re at uni, still clutching at the last straws of youth, hoping that having those two letters – M.A. – next to your name will give you some chance of climbing that ever-growing ladder to success.

Brilliant, you think, only one more year and thousands of pounds later, I’ll have somewhat more of a qualification to fight off the billions of other graduates who want to do exactly the same career as me.

The worst part is probably the fact that most of students are YEARS too young for you. That guy at the bar who claims he’s 26 and starting his M.A. in Corporate Finance? He’s probably still recovering from turning eighteen two weeks ago.

Sounds great in theory, but this is now your fifth year roaming the halls of education, writing millions of essays, getting a little too drunk, and trying to figure out how the hell to ACTUALLY be organised this year.

That’s right, you’re officially the granny. Welcome to the pension. •

After travelling The Gulf, I realised that you’re never too old to do anything; there are no parameters in life. Instead, you become wiser with age. You can use your skills to create change and being a postgrad is the next step.

BY M.K.

BY AQIB SHAIKH

I turned 24 on September 7, I become a fresher again on September 23, and I ask myself: “Am I too old for this?” Since I left uni, I’ve been a banker, a lecturer and a salesman. Identity crisis? Or have I just answered the age-old question as to whether learning ever stops? I guess I’m not old enough to be standing on the other side of the podium, but you’re never too old to stop learning.

REGULAR | OPINION

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DOES SCHOOL PREPARE YOU FOR UNI? BY ARNELLE PATERSON

We are taught that university is the next rung on the educational ladder after the completion of A-Levels. Yet this doesn’t necessarily mean that an individual is prepared for university life. Perhaps the most prominent change is teaching style. From my experience, the teaching methods at A-Level are a stark contrast to those of a degree. Effectively, at university, you are seen as an adult member of society, while in school you are viewed as a child, and therefore treated accordingly. The emphasis on independence pales in comparison when considered next to university. At school, you are given the resources that are required to pass your exams and coursework assignments, while your teachers metaphorically hold your hand throughout your years of study. And yet, not unlike at university, in order to excel it is very much in your own hands. It is often your responsibility to ask for extra exemplar essays, past papers and other resources.

In addition, pupils rarely interact with people outside of their friendship circles or classes. Conversely, arriving at university forces you to broaden your horizons and talk to different people, very much like in the everyday world, which aids our growth as individuals. But school does undeniably prepare you for university to some extent. Although school seems to be a sheltered, cocooned world, you are nonetheless given a foundation of social skills, a work ethic, the ability to meet deadlines, do presentations and take responsibility for your studies as you progress through your student years. With age comes maturity and responsibility. The skills learnt during school are stepping-stones to university, essential for aiding your growth into a successful university student and, eventually, a fully-fledged adult. •

So I’ll ask myself again, “Am I too old for this?” No way. •

BEST UNI MENTALITY

YOLO

BY DEBORAH WEITZMANN

YOLO: A word too often shouted by reckless party-goers justifying actions of spontaneous stupidity; a phrase excessively ‘hashtagged’ on social networking sites; and something printed on tacky t-shirts to the point that it is devoid of all meaning. But used wisely, Drake’s motto is an empowering concept, a staunch reminder that life is finite. And, yes, so are these magical university years: the bridge between youth and adulthood, the optimum time to find yourself, try new things, meet new people and step out of your comfort zone.

University will flash before your eyes, and soon you will be walking across the stage at graduation, hoping not to trip. Excelling academically should be a top priority, but there is far more to university than scrupulously taking lecture notes or sticking like glue to the clones of yourself you found on day one. Think YOLO! Throw yourself into everything, study abroad, learn a new skill and, above all, let loose, because the years will quickly vanish and only memories will remain. •

YOHOCTDYD

BY RASIKA SITTAMPARAM

YOHOCTDYD (You only have one chance to do your degree!) The key to uni is balance. With this attitude, you can be sober enough to pay attention to your course – namely by attending lectures, not to mention completing your coursework SEPTEMBER 2013

early enough so that you have some spare time on your hands. Time is essential if you’re going to get in those extracurricular and leisure activities. Not only will these keep you sane, they all nurture your employability.

of your degree and get busting your ballpoint pens. Why? So that you can tell your prospective interviewer you have been relishing that perfect equilibrium between discipline and satisfaction throughout your degree.

Getting a degree is common; keeping a level head and developing a personality is not. I can hint that the best way to end up with even a 2:1 is to cherish every moment

The truth is you only get a second chance to do your degree if you are either a business prodigy or an heir, and most of us are neither. #YOHOCTDYD. •

WILL YOU BE FAITHFUL FRESHERS? BY ELLIOT CASS

Long distance relationships are tough almost by definition. If you care enough about someone to stay with them while you’re separated for long periods, you will miss them, and seek comfort or distraction elsewhere. Work, friends, and extra-curricular activities can only get you so far. Freshers are a group of young, intelligent (and possibly quite attractive) people launched into weeks of parties awash with alcohol, tightly clothed members of their preferred sex, and an overabundance of free contraception. To stay faithful, it helps to know that your special someone is more special to you than the guy/girl shaking their perfectly formed nether-regions in a dark nightclub. You can’t know how happy you’d be with that stranger, but if you’re happy with your own relationship it shouldn’t really matter.

If you’re so overwhelmed by a new peer’s godlike twerking or witty banter to the extent that you find yourself seriously questioning your own relationship’s future, it’s probably time that relationship ended. The hardest and most obvious challenge of long-distance relationships is the extended time away from each other. Although it seems insurmountable at first, it really isn’t. Long distance relationships can and do last through university. Like any other relationship, they require patience, understanding and, most of all, trust. Sometimes the thrill of being a fresher can give way to feelings of jealousy, insecurity or loneliness and the only remedy is clear and honest communication. This doesn’t mean that you must talk for hours on end every day. Unless you and your

partner are the greatest conversationalists of our time, eventually you will run out of things to talk about. And that’s okay! Short calls, messages and emails can be just as meaningful and show your partner that they’re on your mind. Whenever you both have the time, try to see each other. This can be easier said than done given the painful price of train tickets, but skipping a night at the union or staying in with friends can save you a lot of cash and is often just as good a time. Finally, if you do break up, remember that you’re a fresher for a year. Take time before you dive back in to assess what you want. Long-term relationships can be wonderful, but this is the best chance you’ll ever have to play the field and experience whole new varieties of relationships. •

@CITYONTOPIC

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MUSICALS : TOP 5 DISCOUNTS

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ADMITS ONE

ARTS | THEATRE

LITERATURE | ARTS

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WHAT TO SEE IN LONDON THIS MONTH

LITERATURE

BY MARÉSE O’SULLIVAN

1. THE PRIDE, TRAFALGAR STUDIOS 1 (Runs until November 9)

2. MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, THE OLD VIC

(Runs until November 30)

3. CHIMERICA, HAROLD PINTER THEATRE

(Runs until October 19)

4. BARKING IN ESSEX, WYNDHAM’S THEATRE London is the best place to be if you’re into theatre. There’s such an amazing opportunity to watch spectacular West End shows. But with our student budgets in mind, we rounded up the best cheap tickets if you want to be blown away by the performance, not the price.

BOOK REVIEW: THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

(Runs until January 4)

5. CIRQUE ÉLOIZE, SADLER’S WELLS THEATRE (Runs from October 1 – 19)

BY RASA SITTAMPARAM

£5

MATILDA THE MUSICAL, CAMBRIDGE THEATRE. Matilda smashed records when it bounded onto the stage three years ago with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. Since its transfer to London, it’s scooped countless awards, including Whatsonstage.com Best New Musical, and entered the Guinness Book of Records for Most Laurence Olivier Award Wins ever. The cast has also sung for Her Majesty The Queen at the Royal Variety. If you’re between the ages of 16-25, bring proof of ID and you can catch this show for a fiver. 16 tickets are reserved for each performance at the Box Office – just show up well before it opens at 10am to nab one. uk.matildathemusical.com

£5

MACBETH, SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE THEATRE. Make sure you check out this stunning adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy before it closes in October. If you haven’t been to the Globe Theatre yet, what are you waiting for? Starring Joseph Millson as Macbeth and Samantha Spiro as Lady Macbeth, this production features Renaissance costumes and staging. Standing ‘groundling’ tickets can be booked in advance for just £5. It does involve standing for an hour and a half, but we’re pretty sure it’ll be worth it. The cast’s interaction with the audience alone is half the fun With Lord of the Rings star Billy Boyd completing the cast as Banquo, this is definitely a show not to be missed. You can even pick up a ‘bloody’ souvenir. It runs until October 13. www.shakespearesglobe.com

£10

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, NOËL COWARD THEATRE. Fresh from his success as director of The Cripple of Inishmaan, Michael Grandage takes on the fourth of his Season of Five Plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. David Walliams and Sheridan Smith are perfectly cast in this Shakespearean comedy, the former as camp actor Nick Bottom and the latter as a sultry Titania. A limited number of day tickets can be purchased from 10.30am at the box office for ten pounds. www.delfontmackintosh. co.uk/Tickets/AMND/AMND.asp

£12

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, THE APOLLO THEATRE.

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Adapted from Mark Haddon’s 2003 novel (check out our review of the book in the Literature section), this dark play has become highly acclaimed since it took up residence in the West End. The lead character of 15-year-old Christopher brings the audience on a journey they certainly won’t forget. 150 tickets are reserved at a £12 price for each performance. The box office opens at 10am, so get there early. www.curiousonstage.com

THE BOOK OF MORMON, THE PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE. Perhaps the edgiest musical in the West End right now, The Book of Mormon was devised by the creators of South Park: Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. After a very successful New York run, the show met much critical acclaim when it opened in London earlier this year, and is now noted as one of the most hilarious productions to see. Due to its popularity, there is a lottery to buy a restricted number £20 tickets to each performance. Entries are only accepted at the box office two and a half hours before the show, with the winners drawn at random. www. thebookofmormonmusical.co.uk

£20

*All discounted tickets have limited availability and the Terms and Conditions, available on the individual theatre websites, should be consulted.

Yes, I have finally read the book, after many years of merely appreciating the red glare of the cover since my aunt bought it. The first few pages were a little disappointing, as I was an imbecile not to have read the synopsis beforehand. I felt it was simple, like a child writing, and I imagined a disorientated one too. I peered long and hard into the sentences and pictures, thinking the whole idea was purely metaphorical and heavily abstract. Grabbing a cuppa after the exhaustion of thinking between the lines, I turned the paperback around, and I finally noticed the description. Aha! That explains the dreariness that hung over my initial thoughts on the first few pages: the protagonist, Christopher, is an autistic

15-year-old, and it is a first person narrative! Brilliant, I totally got it!

who guided and edited his detective novel, and his dead mother.

Christopher is a plucky lad who is gifted with a brilliantly logical mind. The story begins with the boy discovering his neighbour’s dog, Wellington, dead with a garden fork sticking out of its back. Sad for the loss, but also rather excited for the mystery that lies ahead of discovering the murderer, he decides to start a Sherlockian investigation into the matter. However, as you read, you can see the incoherent thoughts of this blessed child rushing out onto the pages, with one side discussing complex mathematical puzzles and his fascination with the constellations as he looks up at the sky, and the other side describing his feelings about his father, the encouraging schoolteacher Siobhan

The story takes you on a surreal mental adventure, with the feeling of being accompanied hand-in-hand by the incomprehensibly moody protagonist all along. You will learn all about his quirks, likes and dislikes. When he faces the adversities of the cold but real world out there, you feel heavily inclined to protect his innocence and you want to drag him away from reality. Do enjoy the wonderful journey this brave young man will take you on. There is rarely such a fascinating and honest companion for a host in such a short but delightful book. •

LITERARY LONDON

LOCATION OF THE MONTH: THE CHARLES DICKENS MUSEUM WHY WE LOVE IT: Nestled in a quiet street away from the hubbub of central London, the Museum is a beautifully kept tribute to the author, who lived there between the years 1837-1839. It is Dickens’ only surviving London home.

IMAGE DICKENSMUSEUM.COM

WHAT IT OFFERS: A wide variety of fun events, from costumed tours (£12 concession – the next one will be on Saturday October 19), to Dickensian London Walks every Wednesday morning and evening (£8), to reading and discussion groups every Thursday (£7) at the Museum

with Dr. Jane Gibney of Royal Holloway, University of London. WHAT’S THE BEST PART? Probably the access to the Museum’s 100,000+ items on your tour – see Dickens’ handwritten notes, his manuscripts, letters, paintings and more. The Charles Dickens Museum, 48 Doughty Street, is open on Monday to Sunday from 10am until 5pm, with last admission at 4pm. The concession price is £6. Find out more at www.dickensmuseum.com. • @CITYONTOPIC

ARTS | CREATIVE CORNER

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CREATIVE CORNER

BY DANIELLE LOWE

BY ALI MILLINGTON

Loud movement below throws me back: hands clutching velvet armrests, eyes closed, not from fear but satisfied exhaustion. I feel light. Suspended above the chaos, no boundaries, no borders, no pull of a ticking clock. Silence sets in as the cabin lights dim. My novel calls to me from an overhead bag, but I don’t disturb the shaggy head beside me, sleeping peacefully, tray table stowed like a good boy. The wind changes

with a violent shake and my stomach drops; a skydiver whose parachute won’t open, just for a moment. My boots feel tight against my calves which have swollen to double their size.

FILM

DIANA: HER LAST LOVE

DEPARTURE A tall, manicured blonde gestures left, center, right then mimes a puff into a life vest pulled from under a seat.

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MILES AWAY

The cabin air is as stale as the microwaved meal that sits in front of me untouched, and as dry as the plastic cup of white wine. Yet still I scowl when a tap on my shoulder and a set of pearly whites instruct me to please remove my headphones, “We’re preparing for landing.” Home; a smoggy reality of familiar faces lies below me as my blood slows, thickened into dread.

BY RASIKA SITTAMPARAM

Miles away, alone Faith kept alive though accursed; Keeps me alive Miles away, crowded Faces shrouded, mistrust A hand held out Is avidly ignored Homeless, with apologies Some change, many sorries I ruined your pristine day Begging in your way Roofless, can’t drive me away Stateless, can’t prove anyway Shameless, immune to curses but not devoid of senses Still more or less you Limbs intact, why then am I cold, one with Nature You’re warm; still cold within?

When somebody mentions Diana, the Princess of Wales, the same images fill my head: her charity work, spending time with the Princes, and the scenes of paparazzi and death. Surely, we’ve seen enough? Now, however, we all have a new interpretation to deal with – a cinematic portrayal. The film, released on September 20, is based on the 2001 book Diana: Her Last Love, written by Kate Snell. The film tells the story of Diana falling in love, the media’s harassment, and the lead up to her death, with Naomi Watts playing Diana.

Those close to the Princess have shied away from the media since her death, believing it was caused by the media frenzy. So, surely, it is a little insensitive to make a film about it? It certainly feels uncomfortable to me. One aspect of the film’s release is clear: it has divided people greatly across the country. Some loved it and others certainly do not. Is it a documentary? Is it a tribute? Or is actually a criticism of a life that was far too publicised?

Would you pay to watch more speculation about a member of the royal family? Will you? Would Diana? Diana, the Princess of Wales, was a mother and a wife. Her love life was wrongly a constant topic of discussion in the media, and it continues to be so. Diana is a name that has, does, and will continue to cause mass controversy and split opinions. This film will only make these divides greater. •

In my opinion, it is rather tasteless. Was Diana a well-known figure or a film star?

ONE DIRECTION: THIS IS US BY INGRID BRUBAKER

MY BIOGRAPHER BY RALPH JONES

My biographer’s a sordid man with a pallid face and an upturned nose who sits upside-down in a chair made of mink. He says he can think far more clearly this way but it’s clear from the way that he turns beetroot-red that the cons are a great deal worse than the pros and it’s his prose that demands the attention.

SEPTEMBER 2013

I admit it: I walked into the cinema with rather large doubts about this film. It would just be the story of One Direction’s rise to fame. I reckoned I would see a lot of greedy producers rubbing their hands together, laughing like Disney villains at the thought of how much money they are making from gazillions of boy-hungry, fainting, screaming, teenage girls. But One Direction – it turns out – are just regular guys, doing normal lad stuff. They get nervous before performances, they go camping, and they even run around shirtless (a lot). Yes, they occasionally buy their mum a house, and then one for themselves too. Yes, they can spray-paint graffiti on the walls if they want. And yes, they’re completely normal!

The film begins by showing baby photos of the boys with big dreams. I eventually lost count of how many times the band underlined the normalcy of their lives, despite their crazy touring and throngs of fans. Yet, after an hour and a half, it is actually quite clear that these guys are pretty normal. They miss their families. They reflect upon fame. They hug their grannies just as much as we do. Sure, their lyrics are cringe-worthy and bordering on sickening. And, let’s just put it out there, that some of the 3D effects may be downright awful.

performance scenes a bit monotonous after a while. But One Direction genuinely just seem to be a group of guys doing what they love to do and making millions in the process. So here is my confession: My name is Ingrid, I’m a 24-year-old cynical student, and I spent my Saturday afternoon watching One Direction: This Is Us. And I enjoyed it. •

Obviously I’m not in this film’s target demographic, which makes the @CITYONTOPIC

ARTS | COMEDY

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MUSIC

COMEDY Laughter is one of the common forms of expression. Someone might tell you a witty anecdote while you’re working, or you’ll read elusive humour between the lines of a broadsheet newspaper article. It is no secret that today’s preferred format in comedy is in person. There has been high demand for stand-up comedy in recent decades, when comics like Louis C.K, Russell Peters, and Dave Chappelle have thrived.

BY SALMAAN BHOGADIA

When we look at comedy in the format of a person telling you a joke, you can see why it is preferred to reading – it’s more engaging for the participant. In other words, the humour can be easier to understand. A person’s facial expressions, mannerisms, even Michael McIntyre’s skipping, is humourous.

COMEDY: BETTER IN PERSON OR ON PAPER?

On the other hand, reading a joke can benefit a writer who may have chosen to deliver their words without having to worry about being heckled, getting stage fright, or receiving onthe-spot observations. This is a safer option, but may not be as enjoyable for spectators. It may also be preferred by the more timid comedians, who want to enjoy a chuckle to themselves. Yet, this format creates a barrier between the writer and reader, a barrier that can take away some of the humour that is originally there. So if you read this article to find an answer, I’m afraid you’ve been the victim of a rhetorical question. There is no right answer: it’s down to personal preference, just like the various types of comedy – satire, wit or sketches. •

ADAM BUXTON: PODCASTER, YOUTUBER, REVOLUTIONARY

LONDON LOVES MUSIC

HRIS SUTCLIFFE EXPLORES LONDON’S DEEP-ROOTED CONNECTION WITH MUSIC AND ASKS WHAT IT IS THAT MAKES THE CITY SO ATTRACTIVE TO PERFORMERS.

London’s music scene is as varied as its population. There are as many opportunities to perform as there are genres and appreciative audiences to receive them. For many artists, the attraction of a particular venue is its history. Jonny Powell, trumpeter for gypsy jazz quartet The Din, is vocal about the legitimacy gained from playing venues that have a storied association with famous acts. His preferred pub, the Hawley Arms, is now strongly linked with Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty, but as Powell explains: “It’s always been a music pub. There’s a great atmosphere because of the history, and I think the regulars appreciate that.” Indeed, many London locations enjoy a close relationship with musicians. After Kirsty MacColl’s death in 2000, the spot in Soho Square referenced in one of her songs was paid tribute to with a memorial. Similar associations exist for a large number of the capital’s landmarks, and this historical association with music

serves as an attraction to a wide variety of performers arriving from outside the city. Tom Newis, of Denmark Street’s Angel Music, says: “The mix of cultures here really helps. You can always find someone who’ll appreciate your type of music.” He cites the regular public performances outside the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden and the government’s support of licensed buskers in Underground stations as evidence of Londoners’ affinity for music. Simply by virtue of being the capital, London has much to offer musicians beyond the opportunity to play live venues. Recording studios, both local start-ups and nationally renowned, are widely available: Strongroom Studios in Shoreditch has played host to artists such as Eric Clapton, Radiohead, Roots Manuva and the Spice Girls, amongst others. Phil Sisson, studio manager, explains London’s appeal to musicians as being partially due to this convenience. “If you need it, it’s there. That’s not always the case outside the capital.” Sisson also believes that the variety of venues is as beneficial for music fans as it is for performers: “Because the space we have for live performances is limited, when bands perform they have a much more stripped-back sound. So when a band’s doing a national tour and plays at Cargo round the corner it sounds

very different than when they play here. It’s a very different experience for our audience.” Not all musicians are as enthusiastic about the London music scene, however. William Scott, drummer and backingvocalist for London-based pop trio The Standards, believes many venues are less concerned with procuring talent than they are with filling seats: “Loads of places now are saying ‘we’ll only book you if you can guarantee you’ll bring X number of people’. The original pub rock scene was born out of small venues playing jazz and then punk as a reaction to the overcommercialisation of artists, but now it’s swung back that way again.” He does, however, acknowledge there are still opportunities to play purely for music’s sake. “Open-air gigs like Alma Street Fair are always fun, and the Old Falcon and The Bull and Gate have great atmospheres when you play live. There’s also a few of us bands organising our own nights at places like The Constitution which are great. All it takes is a bit of belief.” Phil Sisson agrees. “We don’t ever say you need to bring a certain number of people. Luckily our bar is popular anyway, but it’s London; the audience is always going to be there for live music.” •

THE HARD SELL

BY ALEX REGAN

BY INGRID BRUBAKER

Adam Buxton is one of those recognisable figures that few can place. If you were to pass him on the street you’d think to yourself, “I know his face, have I seen him on Have I Got News For You or a recent episode of Crimewatch?” If you were to assume the latter, you could be forgiven. His hirsute build and tiny stature is reminiscent of a villainous Bob Hoskins character, but a physical likeness is where the similarities end. Buxton was educated at the prestigious Westminster School. With an illustrious alumni base, including Sir Christopher Wren, Nigel Lawson and Nick Clegg, great things were expected of him. He left the SEPTEMBER 2013

University of Warwick after two terms and attended the Cheltenham College of Art. With school friend Joe Cornish, he produced the cult classic The Adam and Joe Show (available on 4oD). The show featured vox pop interviews with the public, satirical music videos, and re-enactments of Adam and Joe’s favourite films with teddy bears. Adam and Joe’s collaboration continued when they took to the airwaves at London’s XFM, and soon moved over to the ‘Big British Castle’, where they hosted the Saturday morning breakfast show on BBC Radio 6 Music. Buxton jokingly claims

that his parody (and subsequent YouTube video) of David Bowie’s Changes helped propel 6 Music into the spotlight and save the station from being cut by the then BBC Director-General, Mark Thompson. Recently, Buxton has hosted the BFI YouTube show BUG, as well as producing and starring in the successful Edinburgh Fringe show Kernel Panic about how we present ourselves in the digital age. The show was reprised for a brief run at the Islington Union Chapel from September 13-16. Let us know if you went to see him! •

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ICK

K AC

Do people hate Nickelback? Most seem unable to see past the riffs, testosteronefuelled vocals, and the hair. This sadly means that many fail to appreciate the true value in Nickelback’s music: the poetry. Consider this, taken from the most modern tribute to feminism, Something in Your Mouth:

Dirty little lady with the pretty pink thong Every sugar daddy hittin’ on her all night long Surely anyone could see that the underlying message is no different from what Wordsworth penned around two centuries ago: And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils. And we’ll always have Nickelback’s subtle ode to female sexuality, Gotta Get Me Some: God almighty! Look at that body Flickers like a sticker on a new Ferrari

Which translates roughly as: Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. So there you have it: Nickelback creates some of the most underappreciated art of the 21st century. Perhaps it will take something more relatable to convince you, like this gem from Rockstar: Sign a couple autographs so I can eat my meals for free (I’ll have the quesadilla, ha ha) Ha ha indeed. •

@CITYONTOPIC

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up and comers

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BY ALEX HORNE

FIVE WAYS TO LOOK AWESOME THIS AUTUMN

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BY GISÈLE MANZI

ONOE CAPONOE Onoe Caponoe has been producing a steady stream of hallucinatory hip-hop for the past few years. Combining psychotic narratives reminiscent of early Slim Shady with off-the-wall production and a liberal use of bizarre samples, the London rapper makes Roots Manuva look as inventive as an X Factor contestant. Watch this trippy space.

STRANGE U Strange U is the more sinister and dangerous incarnation of UK hip-hop mainstay Kashmere The Iguana Man. On his debut release Scarlet Jungle, the rapper’s raw wordplay combines with stripped back, visceral beats to devastating effect. Don’t touch that dial.

LONDON GRAMMAR – ROUGH TRADE EAST BY INGRID BRUBAKER

It’s all too frequent that you leave a gig disappointed because the music fails to impress outside of the recording studio. Other shows invite anticipation for something good, and leave you with something even better. London Grammar’s gig on September 10 falls spectacularly into the latter category. The band played a gig in exchange for the purchase of their debut album If You Wait, between the LP-scattered and graffiticovered walls of Rough Trade East. Anyone who has heard or read about vocalist Hannah Reid’s voice by now will know that on record it’s haunting, deep and beautiful. On stage, it is every bit as captivating. Live, the usually low-key songs of the 25-minute set were giftwrapped with heavier bass, prominent drums and a generally grittier sound. The band’s performance of the ode to adolescent anxiety, Wasting My Young Years, caused goose bumps. With an extensive tour across three continents this autumn, the band seems to be intent on extending its fan base. Good for them, but too bad for us, almost – since London Grammar thrives in the intimacy of a small venues. We’ll have to make the most of them while we can. •

SEPTEMBER 2013

DARKSIDE Nicholas Jaar and guitarist Dave Harrington have already proven their credentials with an elegant, boundary-pushing rework of Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories. The spine-chillingly odyssean preview track, Golden Arrow, indicates the pair’s debut LP Psychic is likely to astound listeners on its release on October 8.

WHAT I’M REALLY THINKING: BASSIST I only got really nervous before my very first gig; I felt physically sick. Now, I feel more on the spot playing to a few people than to a big audience. It’s always heartbreaking when something I’ve worked really hard on goes wrong – even if the audience doesn’t clock it. It’s a huge disappointment if we mess up something that could sound amazing.

Now Hear This

WERKHA After a succession of standout sets at a host of festivals this summer, Manchester’s Werkha is making waves across the electronic music spectrum.

Watching the audience is always interesting. It’s fun watching drunk people dancing and the funny faces they pull. It’s really good when I connect with someone – it’s a strange relationship because it’s the only time people are allowed to openly stare at each other. It’s like being behind a two-way mirror. •

Name: Clean Bandit Founded: 2009 Members: Jack Patterson, Luke Patterson, Grace Chatto and Neil AminSmith Overview: Currently in the studio recording their debut album, Clean Bandit caused quite the ruckus with Mozart’s House, which shot up to #1 on the iTunes dance charts upon its release. Listen for fresh beats and sultry vocals. See them at Electric Brixton on October 26.

Karl Lagerfeld once said: “Fashion is about two things: the evolution and the opposite.” With the autumn now here, it’s never been a better time to experiment with style, and who knows, maybe the emergence of something new or old. Here are OnTopic’s favourite trends and style tips for this season.

Bolstered by appearing in sets by titans such as James Zabiela, and appearing on Gilles Peterson’s latest Brownswood Bubblers compilation, Werkha’s continued ascension seems guaranteed.

I used to close my eyes and get completely lost in the music, but unless you’re in the middle of a jazz solo you need to keep your eyes open so you can communicate with the band. I try not to drift off because it’s led to some hilarious mishaps. But if it’s a set I’ve played for a while, I sometimes find myself thinking about what to have for tea because my hands can do it without my head.

With the prominent return of the ‘90s style, denims are number one on the list. Over time, denim has mastered the art of being excellent for almost any occasion. Are you looking for a laid-back look, a tomboy attire, maybe chic? No fear, jeans are here. The bonus this season is that we can brave the double denim. With a little thought in the composition, denim can be a girl’s best friend. The key is to incorporate equilibrium in the outfit with a little pop of colour within your accessories.

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B r e t o n s t r i p e s ( m i n i )

s k i r t s

Skirts are in every season. Whether it’s a micro, mini, short or above the knee, they can add class to your outfit. When it comes to miniskirts, the unspoken rule is to create a balance of skin exposure. This can mean covering your arms if your legs are on show and vice versa. With the help of the right tights, this autumn’s trend offers endless ways to play with prints and patterns according to your figure.

The Breton stripes are back. Correction: Breton stripes never left. Familiarity with most collections signed by Jean Paul Gautier assures the stripes’ timelessness. If that isn’t convincing, remember that icons such as Picasso, Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn couldn’t resist the classic look. Having at least one striped piece in your wardrobe is a lifesaver – or timesaver, let’s be realistic. Since they can easily make statement pieces, it is wise to remember that less is more when wearing Breton stripes. This requires you to wear minimal accessories to avoid the “too much going on” look.

“FASHION IS ABOUT TWO 5. THINGS: THE EVOLUTION 4. AND THE OPPOSITE” C o l o u r s & p r i n t s

T h e

t r e n c h

c o a t

A trench coat, leather gloves and scattered leaves: the perfect autumn rule of three. It’s worth noting that Burberry has added metallic trench coats to their collection for adventurous ‘90s fans.

In autumn, nuances of browns and oranges illustrate the outdoors. The spectacular contradictions between the earthy colours versus the grey skies inspire many collections. However, the colour palette of your clothes might very well be of any colour you please as, this autumn, primary, secondary and tertiary colours are more united than ever. This means countless opportunities to maximize the experiments in the wardrobe department. Accessories are not forgotten: from discreet to bold pieces, use them to exert your fashion freedom. @CITYONTOPIC

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REGULAR | HEALTH & FITNESS

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HEALTH & FITNESS

STYLE SECRETS

TOP 3 STUDENT FRIENDLY RECIPES

BY JOE SAXON

If you are currently wondering how on earth you are going to feed yourself over the next year with the little money and cooking experience you possess, don’t fret! It isn’t as hard as you might have thought…

JJ J

HK H

CH K

APM

Sports Editor (MA Newspaper Journalism) Fashion makes me think of superficiality and fleeting trends, but it’s much more. It’s about reflecting the zeitgeist, and defining different cultural periods. Can you imagine the newly tolerant ’90s without hippy-dippy tie-dye tops? My personal style is between casual and lazy. I love my dark blue jeans or a check shirt or a t-shirt reflecting something I like. I’m not afraid to say it - I reckon uggs are underrated. I hope to fight crime as Super J.

Adaptable & Affordable Crepes

Health and Fitness Editor (BA Creative INDUSTRIES) I use fashion to express myself: whilst being comfortable, it reflects who I am and I love clothes! I love shift, baby doll, and smock dresses with skinny trousers or leggings, suede desert boots, wallabees or Mary Jane flats and a pretty headband. I add a cute little shawl over dresses or a nice blazer or a parka. I’m into the 1960s Mod Culture – my fashion inspirations are Liam Gallagher and Twiggy. I believe in the saying ‘dress for success’. In whatever occasion, I always make sure my outfit is decent. During Autumn/Winter, I wear a nice structured flared trench coat. It looks smart and keeps you warm! When you’re a student at university, especially during your first year, you tend to neglect your health. University is about enjoying yourself (and working hard too!) but staying healthy is crucial.

Co-Features and Opinions Editor (MA Newspaper Journalism)

1. Add salt and flour to a bowl (sift the flour if possible)

2. Crack the egg into the bowl and add half of your milk before mixing it all together, slowly adding the rest of the milk as you stir, until you achieve a smooth batter

Co-Features and Opinions Editor (MA Newspaper Journalism) I‘m not a follower of trends, but I take time to put outfits together and take an interest in what celebrities and friends are wearing. I wear a lot of monochrome. I’m most comfortable in jeans and a shirt, but I love A-line dresses, Chelsea boots and long coats are staples in winter. I never wear heels. I’m happy polo necks are in fashion. I recently bought a polo neck dress and jumper. Zara has a great 2013 Autumn/Winter collection.

Fashion Editor (BA Journalism) Without sounding cliché I live and breathe fashion – writing, research, reading or purchasing it! It’s self-expression. My style alternates – preppy, edgy, but I aim for sophistication always. I’m a massive fan of the ‘60s, from the big hair to the polka dots: I love it all! I’m inspired by vintage, dressing to suit my body shape and standing out. My favourite current trends are tube pants, Chelsea boots, leather, Aran jumpers and fedora hats. I’m hoping to bring my love of fashion to these pages and help with fashion decisions - like the female Gok Wan! SEPTEMBER 2013

Ingredients (serves 8): 110g/4oz plain flour 1 egg 300ml milk Pinch of salt 1 tablespoon of oil (preferably sunflower oil) 1 teaspoon of water Butter

I buy clothes that I can either dress up for a night out or wear during the day with boots and a jacket. My friends influence my apparel – I always end up with impulse purchases when I’m shopping with them. I own more flower printed skirts and dresses than is probably normal but I try to avoid being too girly by wearing grunge shoes and quirky jewellery, especially rings. I wear my shoes to death, black ankle boots in winter, plimsoll style pumps and t-bar sandals in summer. Winter means wrapping up warm with cool embellished and knitted jumpers, I’m still hunting for the perfect leather jacket.

You can add things such as golden syrup or lemon juice to suit your tastes, and if you have any spare you can freeze them to have later!

3. Mix in the water and oil 4. Heat the frying pan and add butter, letting it cover the pan to avoid your crepes from sticking 5. Spoon three tablespoons of the mixture into the pan and let it cook for one minute before turning it to cook the other side

Simple Spanish Omelettes

Fast and Tasty Scone-Based Pizzas

Spanish omelettes are a great option as Next time you are considering ordering a they are cheap but can go a long way. You pizza, consider this fast and easy recipe can also add whatever you have left in that will be a fraction of the cost! the fridge to give it your own twist. Ingredients (makes 9” pizza): Ingredients (serves 4-6): Base: 100ml/4oz olive oil 175g/6oz self-raising flour 3 big onions (sliced thinly) Half a teaspoon of salt 3 big potatoes (peeled and sliced thinly) 40g/1.5oz butter 8 eggs 1 egg Salt and pepper to season 2 tablespoons of milk Oil for frying Topping: Tomato Purée (you can use tomato ketchup if you want) Cheese 1. Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the Any other toppings of your choice onions, leaving them to cook until soft for around 5-10 minutes 1. Sift the flour and salt into a bowl, and then add the butter and rub together until 2. Add the potatoes to the pan and leave the mixture looks like breadcrumbs for 20 minutes on a gentle heat, stirring them occasionally so that they cook evenly 2. Add the egg and the milk and mix together until dough is formed. Flatten 3. Beat the eggs in a bowl and add out the dough to the size of your frying seasoning pan 4. Add the eggs to the pan and leave to cook slowly until the egg has set, then put under the grill for a couple of minutes to cook the top

H Once you have mastered these simple recipes, you can use your imagination and create your own fast and cheap meal options to please both your bank account and those who you let taste your new creations!

3. After oiling the pan, lift the dough into it, neatening the edges if needed. Leave to cook for about five minutes on a high heat until the side looks golden brown, and then flip it 4. Brush the side now facing you (the golden brown one) with oil and add the tomato purée and cheese, as well as whatever other toppings you wish 5. Once you think the second side has cooked, place the pan under the grill to melt the cheese on top and warm up whatever else you have decided to top your pizza with @CITYONTOPIC

HEALTH & FITNESS | REGULAR

EATING HEALTHILY ON A BUDGET

BY EVE CRANSTON

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Top Five Between-Lecture Snacks BY DANIELLE LOWE

You have been sitting in a lecture hall for a couple of hours, writing away, and now you only have ten minutes before having to do the same again. Energy is starting to drop and your stomach starts rumbling. Avoid the chocolate! It lacks long-term energy, is high in calories, and might not stop that rumbling stomach for long. Remember to drink water. If you have been focusing on study for several hours, you probably are in need of a drink. Banana: Just try not to squash it underneath notepads and pens! A slowburning food, delicious, and sure to fill you up.

Moving away from Mum’s homemade cooking and having to learn to cook healthily on a budget is the biggest struggle of student life! But, before you reach for the ready meals, read our top four tips on how to make tasty, healthy food for a fraction of the cost:

1 GET FRESH! Forget the myth that living off ready meals is a cheap and easy way to eat. Buying fresh ingredients can save you money. Select seasonal fruit and veg, which can last you for many meals. Make a casserole or a large portion of soup with your leftover veg, or use fruit to make smoothies for a healthy snack.

2 BULK IT UP! Buying in bulk and cooking for more than one person can dramatically reduce cooking costs. Split the price of a supermarket shop with flatmates or friends or cook for four people and freeze the extras! Even better! This means you have home cooked meals, which you only need to heat up.

3 AVOID BRANDS! The supermarket brands are often much cheaper and often the same quality, particularly for ‘cupboard fillers’ such as pasta and rice. Avoid express supermarkets – head to larger supermarkets for the best deals and more choice. If there are some brands you can’t avoid, take advantage of supermarket price promises and see if you could have bought your brands cheaper anywhere else. Don’t be afraid to claim the difference – your pennies really do add up!

4 BE A CHEAPSKATE Do your shopping later at night to get the best discounts. Don’t be afraid to search the reduce aisle for bargains. Meat near its sell by date can be frozen until use and is perfectly fine to eat!

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Nuts: Protein-rich nuts such as cashews and almonds are great. High in fat (though good fats) so remember to keep it varied.

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HOW TO MAKE TIME FOR EXERCISE BY HABIBA KHANOM

You’re starting to adjust to life here at City. You may have gained a couple of pounds over the summer and realise you need to start working out, but are put off by the cost of a gym membership. Now, of course, between your new groups of friends, busy course schedule and constant studying, it can be hard to ﬁnd time to exercise anyway. However, the busiest people in the world MAKE time for exercise and that could be you. You don’t even have to spend a single penny! MAKE EXERCISE LIKE AN APPOINTMENT OR MEETING One of the main reasons why students often don’t exercise is because they don’t make it a priority. If you set yourself a time and place every day as if you have an important meeting or a lecture to go to, then you are less likely to forget about it. Write it into your daily planner or diary. This is such a useful way to get in a workout. WAKE UP EARLY A lot of people hate waking up early. However, research shows that if you do a workout in the morning, you are more likely to eat healthier during the day. Go to bed earlier and set your alarm half an hour before you usually wake up to get in a quick workout before you start your day. DO SHORT WORKOUTS People often think a workout is a rigorous cardio session at the gym for hours but it can simply be a short five or ten minute activity of some bodyweight training in the comfort of your own bedroom. A few squats, crunches and bicep curls can do wonders to your body. In fact, they are the exercises where you can see the most change.

Vegetable crisps: You fancy something ‘bad’ to eat. You are getting tempted by the shop and considering getting some crisps. Sure go ahead, waste your money. Alternatively, get some vegetable crisps. They are really tasty, healthier than normal crisps, and have a reasonable amount of energy.

EXERCISE WITH A FRIEND If you workout with a friend, it will motivate you a bit more. Make it social. Ask a friend to go running with you before your lecture. That way, it will be more enjoyable and won’t seem like a task. TAKE A LONGER WALK TO UNIVERSITY This is a good way to get in a quick workout. If you take the Tube to uni, get off a stop before Angel or Farringdon, and walk to Northampton Square. Take the longer route to anywhere you are going, just for the physical benefits. There is always time for a quick workout. You just need to think when and where you can schedule it into your day.

HOW TO BURN CALORIES IN 5 MINUTES

Carrot Sticks and Celery with Hummus: Very healthy. They are simple to prepare and take to university. Cereal Bar: Don’t go for the biggest or the cheapest. First have a look at them, even just for a second, and consider what has the most appealing things in them and look at the calories. There can be a lot of hidden nasty things in there and some of them might not be high in energy. Remember, you can buy these as part of your weekly shop and just throw one in your bag for emergency hunger pains.

TAKE THE STAIRS At every chance you get to take the stairs instead of a lift, do it! You will get an endorphin rush, which will help satisfy you. Plus, you will not have to change into your workout clothes and trek to the gym!

BY MICHAEL JENNINGS

1) Burpees – From a standing position (feet shoulder-width apart), drop to the floor into a press up position, do a single press up, then perform a squat thrust (bringing both knees to your chest) and, lastly, jump back to a standing position and carry out a star jump.

With Freshers’ Week here, it can become easy to slip into terrible habits. The long drinking sessions, take-away grub, and lack of sleep will soon result in a recipe for disaster. The mere thought of prolonged exercise may seem nauseating. However, whether it’s dropping a dress size or losing the beer belly, High-Intensity-Interval-Training will bring you five minutes closer to achieving your health and fitness goals. ‘HIIT’ training involves exercising extremely hard in short 30-second bursts, then resting, and cruelly repeating. The exercises performed can be tailored to your lifestyle and personal fitness levels. Another great aspect of this routine is that all exercises can be performed without specialised equipment; it’s gym-free, easy on your wallet and, most importantly, the results you’ll see are incredible. Perform the exercises in intense 30-second intervals, taking a 30-second break between exercises. Be exact with timings: no slacking, people!

2) Jumping Jacks – Again from a standing position (feet together), jump so both legs finish shoulder-width apart. Simultaneously, raise your arms above your head from being at your side. Bring your legs back together at the same time that your hands come back down. 3) Mountain Climbers – In a raised press-up position, with both legs stretched out, bring one leg just inside your arms, bending it as you do. Then, perform the same action with the other leg. This move should be done as quickly as possible. 4) Back lunge to knee drive – From a comfortable standing position, drop one leg back behind you in a stretched position, then drive that same leg through, bending the knee as you do, lifting it to hip height. Then change legs. Balance yourself with your standing leg and use your arms as though you’re sprinting. 5) Jab Jab Kick – Whilst lightly bouncing on the balls of your feet and your body side-on, perform two boxing jabs followed by a swift karate-style kick. Then perform the same action, with your body side-on, facing the other way, kicking with the opposite leg to last time. @CITYONTOPIC

SPORT | REGULAR

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SPORT Dear reader, Welcome to the sport section of OnTopic. We are very excited to play our part in providing you with the most informative, insightful and entertaining section possible. It certainly helps that we have at our disposal some of the brightest journalistic minds in the world here at City, as well as a broad selection of quality teams. Sport is an integral part of any university experience, and therefore it’s only natural this part of the magazine will focus on the successes of City’s 17 teams, across 12 different sports. You can follow all the points, goals, tries, touchdowns and runs right here. From tiebreakers to overtime, sin-bins to sixes, we’ll keep you as up-to-date as possible. We will endeavour to bring you the best student insight and analysis of important and current talking points in the wider sporting arena. We’ll give you insightful interviews with both major contributors to the sporting scene at City, starting this issue with the Head of Sport Bill Thompson, and well-known figures in

professional sport. The aim is for these pages to be inclusive, not just in the sports we cover, but also when it comes to breaking down forms of discrimination. We’re starting as we mean to go on, with one of our writers looking into the stigma surrounding sportswomen. As the Olympics last year showed, the wider public has a voracious, largely untapped appetite for games of all kinds, and we believe this is very much the case with City students. While football, cricket, rugby and tennis are the most popular sports in this country, and therefore will receive considerable coverage on these pages, it is our job to expand horizons, to discuss and celebrate sports, which in the past have received less attention than they should. There is no reason why our Fencing teams, which between them won three medals last year, or the Cheerleading squad, which came second in a Europe-wide competition, are any less important than traditionally more well-supported sports. This section is nothing without your contribution. We want as many of you as possible to pitch ideas for stories, features, interviews or profiles, and we are sure you won’t be shy in doing so. Furthermore, we genuinely value your feedback, so if there’s something you feel needs improving, let us know via email or Twitter @CityOnTopic. Here’s to another year of sporting and writing excellence. •

P R O F I L E : a m e r i c a n f o o t b a l L

JOSH JACKMAN AND FREDDIE NATHAN

BY HASSAN JAAFAR

WHY YOU SHOULD GET INVOLVED IN SPORT AT CITY BY CHRISTOPHER HALL

I’ve heard that sport teams have gained muscle mass doing laps of Soho in an attempt to find the one student-friendly bar with drink promotions. Certainly, taking up a sport, particularly in a walletbusting, fast-paced metropolis such as London, gives students the opportunity to socialise with like-minded people.

Okay, time to come clean. Since I hung up my rugby boots in secondary school, my idea of sport has become perilously linked with shimmying from the Victoria to the Northern Line of a morning, or darting to the shop for a Twirl. Now, as I prepare to begin a new chapter in my life as a postgrad student at City, I am wondering if it’s time to get myself back in the game. Sport was not a priority throughout my four-year undergrad degree. Now, as my old uni friends have gone off to the far-flung corners of the earth, I find myself alone in London with a packed academic timetable, little time, and minimal funds, for a social life outside City. Could taking up a sport give me a

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cost-effective hobby to sink my teeth into? Universities pride themselves on allowing students to pursue every conceivable hobby and interest, and City is no exception, with 28 sporting teams, all rolling out the red carpet to greet you at the start of the new academic year. However, students are all too frequently shunning sport in favour of hitting the shops or spending more time down the pub. The real commitment involved in sport sounds a bit too much like hard work! But the pros can outweigh the cons if we manage to motivate ourselves. First and foremost, sport can actually be fun! It’s not all chasing a ball around;

Plus, let’s not forget sport’s impact on health and wellbeing. I spent most of my undergrad days run down with a permanent cold and caffeinated to the point of insanity. I’m coming to see that sport can have positive mental and physical health benefits. Particularly in exam season, many of us will find that sport shakes off some of the tension and releases those vital endorphins to spur us on. Moreover, if there’s one thing I’ve learnt from my frantic job hunts, it’s that employers are not only looking for people with qualifications, but also for likeable, well-rounded people who get involved! Your sports teamwork will be an asset in the job market. Sport-specific training is readily accessible. With flexible training times and clubs ranging from football to cheerleading, City students really have no excuse not to don their shorts or get shaking their pompoms all winter long! •

In November 2011, a South African student, Mikael Levin, had a passion and a dream. His passion was American Football; his dream was to establish a team at City University London.

Sussex Saxons in March 2013. After the successful completion of an associate year, the City Sentinels are now officially able to compete in the big leagues.

Through sheer force of will and countless hours of organisation, the City Sentinels American Football Club was formed.

During the summer, the City Sentinels underwent a total rebranding, with the new logo and identity being revealed on social media this month. This is a team with an appetite for success and will be recruiting players during Fresher’s Week. It doesn’t matter how much or how little you know about the game, if you’re a person who wants to make new friends, push yourself to your absolute limits and really achieve something significant – then sign up for the City Sentinels. •

Last September, the City Sentinels recruited their first batch of enthusiastic rookies. With the help of newly-appointed coaches, the players started the process of learning the rules of the game and becoming a real team. Great progress was made and the City Sentinels played their first ever competitive game against the

P R O F I L E : m e n ' s f o o t b a l L

BY MICHAEL JENNINGS

City’s Men’s Football sides are on the up. That’s the overwhelming message from 1st team captain Aidan Cover. After finishing an impressive second after a rocky start in the BUCS South Eastern 6D League last year, the captain is confident going into the new season. “The aim is simple, win every game and win the league. It is well within our capabilities and I intend to lead by example and help to bring greater success to the team than we have previously achieved.” Therefore, if you share the same drive, passion and motivation to play the beautiful game, then the time to join up is now. City also has a

competitive 2nd team, who are looking to improve their squad and climb the league in the forthcoming season. They play sides such as University of Essex and Neighbours Queen Mary London, in the BUCS South Eastern 7B League. If you believe you have what it takes to represent the university and want meet people who share similar interests to you, come along to the trials. These are taking place on Sunday 29th September and Sunday 6th October, at Hackney Marshes pitches from 3-5pm. City holds their training sessions Fridays from 7-9pm at Walthamstow academy. •

@CITYONTOPIC

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“IN LIGHT OF GARETH BALE’S RECORD BREAKING TRANSFER TO REAL MADRID, SHOULD ANY PROFESSIONAL SPORTSMAN BE WORTH £85 MILLION?”

BY HASSAN JAAFAR

Eighty five million pounds is more money than most people could ever hope to earn. On minimum wage in the UK, this translates to over thirteen million hours of paid work. The national minimum wage of Bale’s new resident country is even lower and, having recently been examined by the Bank of Spain, could drop even further. While the average person in the UK manages to earn around £500 a week, Gareth Bale will receive hundreds of thousands of pounds on the same timescale. Professional football is known for its absurdly high levels of pay – but for young people in Spain, where youth unemployment has now topped 50%, this must be particularly painful. To add insult to injury, the Spanish government admitted earlier this year that the unpaid tax bill for the top two

divisions of domestic football totalled a staggering £575 million. This amount does not include the debts of giants like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Athletic Bilbao, due to unfairly advantageous and outdated legislation. Any discussion over who gets what in modern society is bound to be a moral minefield. We tend to agree that people should be judged on their merits and receive pay and admiration accordingly, but should there be an upper limit? Considering the pay given to doctors for saving lives, or soldiers risking life and limb for the sake of peace at home, the absurdity of paying anyone tens of millions of pounds for helping a team of grown men kick a ball into a net quickly becomes apparent.

people. Thinking in such absolute moral terms it might be worth considering whether Bale’s salary would be better spent providing millions of people at risk with mosquito nets instead of funding the lavish life of a Welsh twenty-something. But then, where’s the fun in that? Luckily for Gareth, value is subjective. Although we tend to agree that a footballer has the same basic worth as any other human being, business operates without that consideration. Is Gareth Bale a financial asset to Real Madrid that warrants such a heavy investment? Maybe. Should Bale’s skills entitle him to exorbitant wealth and fame while others struggle to survive? Absolutely not. •

Following this line of reasoning soon becomes too uncomfortable for most

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WOMEN IN SPORT: WHY IS THERE STILL A STIGMA? BY DANIELLE LOWE

If you are a sports fan, you do not just know the Usain Bolt, Lionel Messi or Sebastian Vettel of your sport; you recognise that people including Gerald Phiri, Eniola Aluko and Lella Lombardi exist as well. A real football fan will be able to name hundreds of male footballers from across the globe, not just in the top divisions, but in lower leagues as well. They will also be able to list some women footballers. If they cannot, then they either are not a real football fan, or are rather sexist.

pages at all. The crowds were minimal. Huge stadiums were provided, yet whole stands were empty.

in certain sports, they have to have the money, time, and local facilities to be able to give it a go.

There is still a claim that football is a man’s game that women should not play, just as there is the idea that women should not put their bodies under the pressures of Formula One driving. On the flip side, if a woman suggested that cooking or food shopping was not for men, there would be a noticeable uproar.

While the FA and other sporting bodies say they support women in sport, they seem to be forgetting something. It is all well and good doing talent-spotting sessions, but if a 14-year-old girl has never played football seriously, they are unlikely to want to attend. Most teachers are unlikely to realise potential or push somebody to pursue greatness if they receive only the faintest indication of talent.

The truth is most men think men’s football is better than women’s, in the same way men make jibes at women drivers. It is not of course because one gender is ‘better’, rather that they have a different approach.

These gender-restrictive ideas are prevalent from a young age – in primary schools, there is often a stigma for females to partake in certain sports and not in others, which leads to the girls themselves feeling like they shouldn’t join in.

It is not just fans who have this approach, but also certain media outlets. During the UEFA Women’s 2013 Euros, shown on the BBC, some news channels gave women’s national sport less discussion time than they would give League Two football. It barely made some sport sections’ front

This is the key reason why people say that women’s football or various other sports are not as good as the male equivalent. There is not the same focus put on it at school; teachers and the curriculum alike avoid challenging the gender stereotypes for certain sports. If a female is interested

We should be encouraging girls to go play football with the lads during playtime, as well as inspiring them to take sport seriously. Then, more young women would consider a career in sport and the playing field would even out. The roots need fixing before the flower can bloom. Only then can stigma towards women in sport be truly eradicated. •

“IT’S A BRILLIANT TIME FOR SPORT HERE AT CITY.”

BY FREDDIE NATHAN AND JOSH JACKMAN

YES

BY DAVE HUGHES

When Gareth Bale’s move to Madrid was finally announced, the indignation came swiftly and predictably. How could a player with limited Champions League experience, who will perhaps never play a major international tournament, and who as recently as 2009 was linked with a cut-price move to Nottingham Forest, become the most expensive footballer in history? And how on earth could Real Madrid, under investigation from the European Commission after allegations of illegal state financial aid, and reportedly in around £498m of debt, justify spending such a sum when more than 25% of Spaniards currently live below the poverty line? Yet it is perfectly possible to justify a move such as Bale’s, especially when one considers the extraordinary amount of money that can be made in sport, particularly football. Firstly, there are extensive material rewards for success. It was estimated that in the 2011 Champions League final,

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Barcelona earned £106 million by beating Manchester United, who netted £62 million as runners up. So if Bale can contribute to a victory in the world’s most prestigious club competition, he will not only silence any critics, but also go a long way to immediately repaying his hefty transfer fee. There is also the merchandise revenue. Real Madrid claimed that it took just one season for them to recoup the £80 million they paid for Cristiano Ronaldo simply through replica shirt sales. And it has been calculated that, over his career, sales of replica David Beckham shirts have equalled almost £1 billion. Currently, Gareth Bale is not as marketable as those two, but this is something that Madrid will be keen to remedy. Less tangibly, there is the importance of consolidating Real Madrid’s status as football’s most prestigious global brand. The club is currently valued at £396 million, and is one of only two clubs afforded an AAA+ Brand Strength Index rating. Real have always understood that marquee signings are a crucial factor in

strengthening an image; what better way to do this than by breaking their own world transfer record? Gareth Bale is the most expensive footballer of all time, but by no means the most valuable sportsman. Baseball star Alex Rodriguez has signed two separate 10 year contracts in his career, of £175 million and £160 million, and earlier this year the aptly nicknamed boxer Floyd “Money” Mayweather signed a six-fight, two-and-a-half year deal with Showtime Sports, which has been estimated at over £159 million. Again, such a figure seems ludicrous, until one considers that Mayweather’s nine fights with HBO earned the network an astounding £346 million in pay-perview sales. It is this kind of return which justifies exorbitant spending on stars like Bale. •

For the first issue of the new academic year, OnTopic wanted its readers to get an insight into all aspects of sporting life at City University. Step forward Kentucky-born Bill Thompson, who joined City in 2007 as Head of Sport. In 2011, he was elected to the executive board of ENAS (The European Network of Academic Sport Services), ensuring that City has a voice at the highest level in the running of sport in higher education. He is the man tasked with making City the best sporting university it can be. “City can trace its sporting programme all the way back to 1893 when it was the Northampton Institute. We’ve always had sport, but it’s never been a ‘sport university’,” Thompson explained. “Year on year, more students have taken part in sport and leisure programming, from competitive sport, social sport (IntraMural), and even instructor-led classes for fitness and wellbeing.” He was keen to stress that, alongside the

rise in the number of students playing sport, the range of sports available has improved. As for improvements in facilities around the campus in Clerkenwell, the university is in the midst of major rebuilding works to the existing sports centre, due for completion in 2014. Thompson also revealed that a temporary move to new premises has just been completed. “This allows our students to continue to participate in a credible programme of sport and leisure activities whilst the new redevelopment is occurring. We’ve also looked to strengthen our ties with the local community, both in hiring of facilities, and working with local coaching networks.” However, sport is not all about the facilities. We asked how he strives, along with his colleagues, to ensure a winning mentality among participating students. “City pride is gaining annually, and we do have several strong teams,” he stated. “But the goal will always be to give our students the opportunity to be involved in sport to help them with their development, both academically and socially, to give them the edge in their career choice and the experience they gain from university life.”

All students who wish to participate in City sports teams and individual competitions will need to purchase an Annual Sports Card (£30). IntraCity (City’s intramural programme) is approximately £10 for the year. “As for joining a gym, we have discounts available with some local providers,” Thompson said. City actively competes against other institutions on a regular basis and Thompson aims to ensure frequent success. “All sports teams compete on Wednesday afternoons/evening in their matches. Some of these are away fixtures and require travelling, which the university arranges.” He advised speaking to the Captain of your chosen team to get an idea of how much commitment is required. So what are his aims moving forward for City? “Again, it’s all about opportunities for students to participate. Obviously, we are looking forward to Autumn 2014 when CitySport opens: this will enable better training times, and the ability to build upon the student experience,” he declared. “Yet, at present, it’s a brilliant time for Sport here at City, and it’s only getting better.” •

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