Student Bible Issue 1

ISSUE 1 - September 2015

www.studentbible.org.uk

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welcome + contents

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR ISSUE 1 - September 2015

Publisher

Denise Connelly denise@dcpublishing.co.uk

Editor

Lindsay Cochrane lindsay.cochrane@dcpublishing.co.uk

Editorial Assistant Sophie Mead

intern@dcpublishing.co.uk

Contributors Kirsty McKenzie

Design/Production Gillian Smith

gillian.smith@dcpublishing.co.uk

Sales

Marian Mathieson marian.mathieson@dcpublishing.co.uk

Stephen Curry stephen.curry@dcpublishing.co.uk

www.studentbible.org.uk DC Publishing Ltd, 200 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HG Tel: 0844 2499 007 Fax: 0141 353 0435

Your epic summer holiday is over, you’ve bought all your new stationery and a wardrobe to impress your classmates, but there’s still a thing or two you’d like to know about life at college or university. And you’re starting to feel a little bit anxious about the whole business.

Enter The Student Bible!

In this brand new magazine, you’ll find everything you need to know about your new student city, surviving student life and staying healthy and safe (all right, Mum) during your fresher year. It’s your handbook to getting through the whole thing in one piece. Using our expert knowledge as former students ourselves (and learning from our own mistakes), we’ve pretty much got fresher's sewn up – there will be no awkward encounters, silly mistakes or hanging out in deeply uncool places on our watch.

Your first year at university or college is a massive adventure – from discovering tequila is not your friend to meeting your BFF, you’ll learn and do so much in the next few months that you’ll begin to wonder what you were so nervous about in the first place.

So get out there, enjoy yourself and start making (and forgetting) memories to last a lifetime!

Lindsay

Lindsay Cochrane, Editor

WHAT'S INSIDE THE CITY GUIDES

Get to know what’s hot in your student city.

6 Glasgow / 10 Edinburgh / 13 Dundee / 14 Aberdeen / 17 Stirling and St Andrews

Student Life

4 5 personalities you’ll meet this fresher's The weird and wonderful people you’ll encounter down the union.

19 Fresher's after dark The first week of uni revolves around one thing – booze.

Here’s how not to be a prat about it.

22 Let’s talk about sex Get clued up before getting hot and heavy with a stranger.

25 Surviving halls Farewell, cosy comfort of your teenage bedroom.

Hello, living with (sometimes annoying) randoms!

Health and safety

29 Health first From cooking for yourself to keeping active – don’t forget about your wellbeing.

30 Who you gonna call?

The emergency contacts to make first year more manageable.

©DC Publishing Ltd 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any way without prior written permission from the publisher.

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of DC Publishing Ltd. The publisher takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers within the publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that information is accurate; while dates and prices are correct at time of going to print, DC Publishing Ltd takes no responsibility for omissions and errors.

win your iTunes vo

STUDENT LIFE

personalities you’ll m t this esher’s

This fresher’s week, you’re going to meet dozens of new people – some of them weird, some of them wonderful and others who are just downright creepy. Amidst the few normal people you’ll meet, Kirsty McKenzie picks out ďŹ ve of the most interesting personality types you’ll come across as you embark on the adventure of a lifetime

THE RUGBY LAD This one is easy to spot. You’ll maybe fancy him at ďŹ rst, with his bulging muscles in a too-tight Abercrombie tee and a very deďŹ ned jawline.

He’ll almost deďŹ nitely oer to buy you an ‘orange and vodka, yah’. But when you discover his name is Ralph and that he’s carrying a rotting ďŹ sh as part of his ‘rugby induction’, you begin to have second thoughts.

THE PAMPERED PRINCESS Carries hand sanitiser at all times and only drinks Chardonnay (what’s wrong with cheap cider from the shop on the corner?).

Visibly shudders when you ask her to chum you into town by bus. But by the end of the week, she’ll have eaten the chips she dropped on the pavement and cop o with the atmate that you know hasn’t washed in quite some time.

THE OVERACHIEVER Terrifyingly friendly and the only reason you were on campus in the ďŹ rst week.

They’ll be at your door at 9am to take you to hockey trials/ the fresher’s fair/ traďŹƒc light party. Will organise the ďŹ nal fresher’s party but pass out at 9pm from pure exhaustion (and suspected alcohol poisoning).

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THE ONE FROM THE STICKS This one will stop and speak to charity workers in the street because they haven’t yet mastered the art of avoiding eye contact, and take around 15 minutes to cross the road.

They’ll even inch when they see cars.

Somewhat worryingly, they’ll announce on the ďŹ rst night: “So this is what an actual club looks like, my town’s was more like a pub with a disco lamp.â€? You vow there and then never to take up their oer of visiting their hometown.

YOUR FUTURE BEST FRIEND At ďŹ rst you hate this atmate, because she has that Topshop dress that you’ve been eyeing for ages, or all the girls are fawning all over him. But once you discover your mutual appreciation of pink wine and The Good Wife, or Game of Thrones and Everton, your lifelong friendship is sealed.

By the end of the week you’ll have a new wingman, be promising to be atmates FOREVER (possibly even when you’re married with children) or perhaps create a awless dance routine to your favourite BeyoncÊ track. This one’s for life.

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You’ve not experienced Scotland until you’ve been to Glasgow.

A city known for its endless retail choice, buzzing music and art scene, selection of pubs, clubs and restaurants, and home to several stunning parks, it’s a truly brilliant place to be a student.

But don’t get drawn in by the usual tourist waffle about George Square that they’ll spout forth on the big red tour buses.

We’ve dug a little deeper to unearth some of Glasgow’s quirkier goings-on that will surprise you

PUBS & CLUBS BrewDog

1397 Argyle Street, brewdog.co.uk If Tennent’s and Stella aren’t enough to satisfy a beery night out, BrewDog opposite Kelvingrove Art Gallery provides punters with a big choice of tipple, with seven types of BrewDog ales on draft, from the mild Dead Pony Pale Ale (3.8%) to the sharp Paradox Islay (13.8%).

Food is varied too, with ‘viva Las Veggies’, a vegetarian interpretation of haggis, or big juicy burgers for you carnivores out there. A good quality draft will cost you £3.50.

The Flying Duck

Sub Club

Finding this place, especially if you’ve had a couple, is tricky.

In a basement off Sauchiehall Street, you’ll stumble across this pub, club and music venue selling cheap food and drink in what looks like an old folks’ home taken over by some hipsters. For £6.50, let your lips savour a beer and burger, or try your hand at bingo (really) or still life drawing at their weekly classes.

Believed to be one of the best places in Glasgow for house and techno music, Subby, as it’s known to some locals, is revered as a venue for the top European DJs including Ricardo Villalobos and Andrew Weatherall. This former cinema morphed into a jazz venue in the 1950s and eventually into a club in 1987. It’s an absolute must for clubbers. Earlybird tickets start from £5.

142 Renfield Street, flyingduckclub.com

22 Jamaica Street, subclub.co.uk

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Glasgo city guide

gow

city guide – Glasgow

MUSIC King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut

272a St Vincent Street, kingtuts.co.uk

The Barrowland Ballroom

244 Gallowgate, glasgow-barrowland. com

Tchai Ovna

42 Otago Lane, tchaiovna.com

When packed to the gunnels, gigs at the Barras are hard to forget. The perfect combination of a low ceiling, small stage and loud speakers make for great acoustics and a wonderful gig experience.

It was reported that back in 1996, Metallica named a gig there the best performance of their career.

Depending on the calibre of the performer, tickets start from £10.

Perhaps the quirkiest tea house in all of Scotland, Tchai Ovna is the brain-child of Martin Fell – a half-Czech jazz musician who realised there was not one Czechstyle tea house in Glasgow.

Sit back and enjoy a shisha pipe surrounded by Glasgow Uni students, along with more types of tea than you could dream of at the bottom of Otago Lane. Let the live jazz, weekly blues from Michael Simons and folk groups tickle your ears. Music is free with a suggested donation of £2.

Babu Bombay Street Kitchen

Hillhead Bookclub

Handmade Burger Co

Walking past this wonderfully priced independent cafe without being drawn in by its beautiful aromas shows you have willpower of steel. This basement eatery is brightly decked out with Bollywood posters and tasty imported Indian groceries. Drop by before class for a bacon chapati wrap (£3.50) for a spicy twist on the breakfast classic – smoked bacon, red onion, lettuce, green chilli and coriander mayo wrapped in an oven-fresh chapati makes for a great morning pick-me-up after a heavy night.

Situated just off the West End’s Byres Road, this surprisingly large bar and eatery is a great place to chill with your mates and play some table tennis, beat your Sonic the Hedgehog top score on the Mega Drive and not feel like a student as you wet your whistle with £3 strawberry mojitos. It’s old-fashioned yet retro-modern, with gramophones, sewing clubs and the latest beats.

This corner of the town centre is burger heaven, with several meat and bun places all within a few metres of each other. Handmade Burger Co is home to the best choice of the American favourite in this cluster, with classic beef, chicken and veggie burgers from only £6.45. But to enjoy this place you need to push the boat out and try peanut butter and bacon, Greek lamb pitta or lamb tikka, just to mess with your brain.

This is probably the best music venue in the UK if your desire is to be the next big thing. The likes of Oasis and Paolo Nutini have this wee cave-like venue to thank for igniting their music careers.

Claustrophobic and muggy, this is a grungy space with a capacity of just 300 – meaning it’s not too small to feel awkward with just you and the cleaner, and not so large that you have to peer at the act on a screen. Gig tickets can be as cheap as £5.

FOOD 186 West Regent Street, babu-kitchen.com

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17 Vinicombe Street, hillheadbook club.com

78 St Vincent Street, handmadeburger.co.uk

city guide – Glasgow

GET FIT Gyms Not for everyone, but there are some decent deals for students who like to hit the treadmill now and again. There’s no joining fee at The Gym (thegymgroup.com) if you own an NUS Extra card (nus.org.uk) and membership is from £10.99 per month, while Puregym (puregym.com) has no joining fee, with their main Glasgow branch on Bath Street charging £18.99 per month. Alternatively, if your university has a gym, you might find that they’ll charge a small annual fee to use their equipment.

Military Fitness

Various Glasgow parks, britmilfit.com Getting shouted at for an hour might remind you of messing around at the back of your maths class at school, but in these highenergy classes it’s all part of the fun.

Burn off the fresher’s kebab fat at these military-themed showdowns as instructors with army-based backgrounds put you through your paces. Programmes are tailored for every fitness level, and you can try before you buy with a free session.

A weekly class for six months costs £27 per month.

Bubble Football

bubblefootballzone.co.uk Forget the offside rule and Messiwannabes, this mental version of footie is less about the beautiful game and more about running around like total nutters. Get a few of your daftest mates together at Bubble Football Zone, and get your kicks by throwing yourself off each other inside inflatable “bubbles” as the football sits on the substitute bench. £15 per person.

GLASGOW FACTS

Tennent’s Wellpark Brewery

Glasgow is home to over

161 Duke Street, tennents.com

50,000 uni students.

The city has won

‘curry capital of Britain’

four times - a record.

Glasgow’s Cineworld cinema on Renfrew Street is the tallest in the world, standing at

62 metres high.

It’s home to the longest bar in the UK – the Horse Shoe Bar on Drury Lane’s bar is

104 feet and 3 inches long.

Glasgow is said to have the

Find out more about Scotland’s favourite beer – from initial creation to its passion for Scottish music and football – in a tour of the Wellpark Brewery. You’ll get a chance to see some retro Tennent’s adverts and, of course, have a wee swally of the golden nectar at the end of it. Student tickets are a mere £5 too.

Escape Games What better way to get to know your flatmates than getting locked in a room for an hour and solving logical puzzles to get out? For teams of up to 12, use your problem solving skills to ensure you’re not locked in forever.

Supposedly. Check out Escape Glasgow (50 Wellington Street, escape-glasgow.co.uk) which is £121 for 90 minutes (only a tenner each if you pull 12 people together) and the more ominous-sounding Tick Tock Unlock (144 St Vincent Street, ticktockunlock.co.uk).

Glasgow Speedway

be shopping

404 Hawthorne Street, glasgowtigers.co

outside of London.

Race you to Buchanan Galleries...

130

On average, Glasgow hosts

music events per week – and it’s officially a UNESCO City of Music.

Head east of the city for a petrol-fuelled feast of motorcyclists giving it laldy around a dirt track. The Glasgow Tigers power through The Peugeot Ashfield Stadium against visiting teams including

the Scunthorpe Scorpions and Berwick Bandits. Points are given over several heats, with riders aiming to circumnavigate four laps quicker than their opponents. Student tickets are £11.

Play, Pie and a Pint Oran Mor, Byres Road, playpiepint.com

Basic but brilliant, the concept consists of a short play accompanied by a hot pie and a refreshing pint, all savoured over your lunch break. The idea has grown remarkably in 11 years, with plays from the PPP performed as far away as Beirut. Productions are not just Scottish, with plays written by writers in West Africa and Latin America. Prices start from £10, but this includes the play, drink and a pie. A total bargain.

Titan Crane Bungee Jump

bungeejumpscotland.co.uk Once used to launch some of the world’s most iconic ships, Clydebank’s Titan Crane is now a hot spot for thrill-seekers.

At 150 feet high, it’s not the biggest crane, but jumpers still reach up to 50mph over a 45 metre free-fall. £75 might seem hefty for a few seconds, but how many people can say they’ve bungee jumped over the Clyde? For better value, go with a few pals on an activity package that includes white water rafting for £104 per person. YOLO.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT 8

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Edinbu city guide

The Jazz Bar

1a Chambers Street, thejazzbar.co.uk If you’re a music student, or a music lover in general, you’d be a total nutter not to hot foot it to The Jazz Bar. This place has a real story to it, having survived two venue moves and a devastating fire.

Run by drummer Bill Kyle, it’s got such a lovely traditional feel to it, with round tables, a small stage and a wellstocked bar at hand. Many events are free, and some ticketed shows are as little as £4. Not just jazz but soul, funk and blues all make you feel like you’ve stepped into a 1950s gangster film.

Frequently named as one of the top cities in Europe by the likes of Lonely Planet (Scotland itself grabbed third place in Best in Travel 2014 of the top countries in the world), Edinburgh is a truly stunning city that can be described as a mash-up of ancient history and vibrant, cosmopolitan character.

Scotland’s capital has plenty to feast on, with hundreds of cobbled lanes and passageways, and not forgetting the beautiful castle. But if that’s not your bag, Edinburgh has a vast array Cabaret Voltaire of places to eat, renowned art galleries, a zoo, 36-38 Blair Street, festivals, parks...plenty to keep you amused thecabaretvoltaire.com A subterranean club and rock while you forget about that assignment that’s venue, this cracking wee cave due in tomorrow space with low ceilings and booths makes for a great place for chilling with friends but also rocking out. The venue’s two floors host a wide mix of techno, underground dance and drum ‘n’ bass nights throughout the week. This joint has free entry before 11.30pm, or £5 after. If there’s a group of you going, take a taxi before 11.30pm and ask the driver for a receipt. Simply show this at this till and you’ll be reimbursed for up to £7.

No’ bad, eh?

MUSIC

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PUBS & CLUBS The Stand Comedy Club

Edinburgh Pub Crawl

What’s better than a great laugh?

A great laugh at cheap prices!

The Stand is a legendary comedy club, with some free events (yes, free) and shows from as little as £2. Their Red Raw beginner’s showcase is regarded by many as the best open mic night in the UK, where you can catch up to 10 new acts in a night. Think you could be the next Kevin Bridges?

The Stand accept standup applicants from September onwards. So forget about your uni degree for a night and work on those punchlines.

Brace yourself – this is an unforgettable night that you’ll ironically forget. Seven bars, four shots, one cocktail, one Jägerbomb and discounted drinks. Pub crawl? More like pub-paralytic after this.

Edinburgh’s craziest night starts on the Royal Mile and heads through various back streets to find the city’s best-kept secrets.

Party hard with the best guides in the world while you drink up the capital. Only £10, and VIP club entry too.

5 York Place, thestand.co.uk

Royal Mile, St Giles Cathedral, edinburghpubcrawl.com

burgh

city guide – edinburgh

FOOD Edinburgh Food Safari Broughton Street, edinburghfoodsafari.com

GET FIT Royal Observatory Blackford Hill, roe.ac.uk

Educate yourself and get fit at the same time? Counting the stars at the Royal Observatory on Blackford Hill ticks both boxes. It’s a bit of a trek to the top, but that’s exercise, right? Go to a Winter Astronomy Evening (October-April, Friday nights, pre-booking required) as the observatory uses their 8” and 10” Meades telescopes to observe millions of starts, planets and nebulae. You can even get your hands on an actual meteorite.

There’s also a tour of the historic Victorian telescope dome, which still houses one of the largest telescopes in Scotland.

Camera Obscura

Maison de Moggy

Learn about Edinburgh with this fascinating and highly amusing way to see the city and discover its history. From inside this unlikely Victorian rooftop chamber, you’ll see live moving images of Edinburgh projected onto a table through a giant periscope. Pick the public up in your hands, squash them to a mush and even make the traffic clamber over paper bridges.

Then go a bit mental at the World of Illusions by filling your brain with weird holograms and x-rays of your hands. Student admission is £11.95.

Spend a cuddly afternoon with 10 friendly felines in this unusual cafe. The menu is stripped back to locally produced teas, coffees and tasty cakes, but in this place the food takes a bit of a backseat to accommodate the pussycats. Tables can’t be reserved, although you MUST book a “slot” (£7 for this furry experience) and the owners encourage customers to play with the cats (well, who could resist?) at this Grassmarket favourite.

Castlehill, The Royal Mile, camera-obscura.co.uk

17-19 West Port, maisondemoggy.com

SOMETHING DIFFERENT 11

Hank Marvin? Get your belly ready for six courses over three hours on one unique street in Edinburgh. Start at the top of the bohemian Broughton Street, and work your way down with food writer Nell Nelson. Along the way you’ll sample treats from a Rome-meets-Edinburgh deli, weirdly flavoured marshmallows and the notso-healthy-but-amazing deep fried chocolate. Fifty quid for three hours, loadsagrub, and an informative guide.

Totally worth it and unique to Edinburgh.

Union of Genius 8 Forrest Road, unionofgenius.com

If you’ve eaten too many kebabs and are after something a little healthier to keep your mum happy, head to Union of Genius for plates of soup that feel like a comforting hug after a crappy day. There are six soups to choose from every day, and seasonal soups depending on when you visit. Meat eaters will savour the caldo verde (chorizo, potato and kale) and veggies will enjoy the tomato, roast sweet pepper and harissa. A steaming bowl served with fresh bread will cost you a fiver, and check out their awesome hot chocolate and artisan coffee, from £3.

city guide – dundee

guide to

Dund Dundee is gradually shifting away from its “jam, jute and journalism” label, transforming into a city known for innovation and medical research. In 2014, the city was even recognised by the United Nations as a UNESCO City of Design. Dundee has three golf courses, a Contemporary Arts Centre, and some great music venues. So don’t rock up expecting to have to indulge in the Dandy to get your kicks – Dundee is much more happening than some make out MUSIC

GET FIT

Buskers

Ice Arena

A great all-rounder for concerts and club nights, Buskers is housed in a former church, making it a fab space for music. It regularly pulls in 400-plus ravers in a venue that has hosted Grandmaster Flash, Big Country and many more. Enjoy some up-andcoming bands for as little as £4.95.

Release your inner child with a Friday night disco session at Dundee’s Ice Arena. With neon lights and cheesy pop, this will make you strangely nostalgic for an era you never lived in.

Sometimes, the Ice Arena will put on a foam party – cue bubble beards as folk skite around on the soapy suds. A cracking night out from £4 for students.

15 Ward Road, facebook. com/buskers

Camperdown Leisure Complex, dundeeicearena.co.uk

FOOD Kobee

42 Dock Street, kobee.co.uk Kobee sizzle steaks, dish out seafood and piece together sushi right before your eyes.

Their sushi special (four veggie rolls and four salmon) for £7 is fantastic value, or for something cooked, try the tori roll (chicken stuffed with asparagus) for £6.

PUBS AND CLUBS Reading Rooms Dundee

57 Blackscroft, readingroomsdundee.com The Reading Rooms have been leading the underground club scene in Scotland, with the club hosting a range of big nights out, including electro, dubstep and soul. Get your hands on a Headway ticket (from £8) to be part of Dundee’s current longest-running house and techno night.

Iced Gems

98 Gray Street, Broughty Ferry, facebook.com/ IcedGemsBroughty

Tonic

141 Nethergate, tonic-live.co.uk This is an eatery, coffee shop and music venue rolled into one. Go on a Monday for their free acoustic night that sees local talent perform while you indulge in a fabulous hot chocolate with all the extras (£2.65), one of their legendary burgers (from £7.75) or a reasonably-priced cocktail (from a mere £3.50).

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This homely cafe in the ‘Ferry doesn’t specialise in the McVitie’s classics, but freakin’ amazing cakes.

Start with a steaming plate of soup, then maybe a chicken mayo sandwich on gluten-free bread. Get stuck into raspberry and almond crumble bars or a chocolate nut and mallow praline roll to finish. Prices start from £3.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT Battlefield Live

Kingsway East Leisure Park, battlefieldlivedundee.co.uk War-themed laser-tag set in an arena structured like a scene from Call of Duty with abandoned pick-up trucks and sandbags – it doesn’t get any weirder (or more amazing) than that.

Round up your new mates and pull on your khaki trousers for a run-around shoot-em-up. Check out BL’s Facebook page for great offers, such as the midweek three games for £13.

city guide – aberdeen

PUBS & CLUBS CASC

7 Stirling Street, facebook.com/cascbar CASC stands for Cigars, Ale, Scotch, Coffee – so four excellent commodities for a great night. But CASC isn’t a loud, sticky-floored bar where you’ll be downing alcopops and holding your breath in a BO-infused pit.

Instead, it’s a refined space where you can try a few whiskies and draft beers in a relaxing environment. Special ales, including the hard-tomemorise Firestone Walker Wookey Jack Black Rye-PA, start from £2.50.

Soul

333 Union Street, pbdevco.com/soul.html If you like your martinis shaken and not stirred, come to Soul for a mixology session.

Try your hand at being a cocktail maestro (put that one on your CV) and shoogle together some mojitos and piña coladas for an alternative night out. Round up 10 of your flatmates and college pals and for £25 each, you’ll be taught by a charming barman how to mix three cocktails each and sample a free round of shooters. Pull on your best threads for a sophisticated night on the tiles.

Breakneck Comedy

Aberd n city guide

Aberdeen is one of the wealthiest cities in the UK, with the highest concentration of millionaires in Britain and an unemployment rate of just 2% – great news for students hoping to work in this growing town. Forget its Granite City label, Aberdeen offers a great blend of countryside and city-living with pristine beaches and amazing wildlife, delectable cuisine and a happening student scene. From the best value pubs and clubs, to outdoor adventure activities, we’ve picked out some of the hottest places in the city Billy Connolly says means “hypothermia” in Gaelic

121 Gallowgate, breakneckcomedy.co.uk Breakneck Comedy is only five years old, yet it’s produced over 1,000 live shows and developed more than 70 acts in Aberdeen. A typical darklylit comedy venue with round tables makes heckling the acts – if you’re brave enough – that little bit easier. The likes of Jason Manford have performed here, with shows starting from only £10.

GET FIT 14

Granite Reef Surf School 45 The Green, granitereef.co.uk

This aquatic school provides weekend surfing lessons for anyone, regardless of ability. We can’t promise sunkissed Californians in Hollister gear, but all instructors are

qualified and experienced, making the whole shebang completely safe and a lot of fun. It’s pretty good value as well – £35 for two hours, which includes all the gear, including your wetsuit and surfboard, along with guidance from the instructors.

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city guide – aberdeen

SOMETHING DIFFERENT Aberdeen Snowsports Centre

£8 with a student card, the Snowsports Centre is a great place to go and try something a bit different to just running around your campus. If you find you really enjoy the slopes, save £24 on a set of a six lessons with the same student card. No’ bad, eh?

Garthdee Road, skiaberdeen.com

Providing snowboarding, skiing and even tubing (basically sitting on a blowup ring and belting down a dry slope) from as little as

FOOD Bite Me

73-75 Skene Street, biteme.co.uk This is an independent eatery based in the very heart of Aberdeen city. Noshing in here truly helps the local economy, with the majority of ingredients locallysourced. All their packaging – including their cutlery – is biodegradable. Breakfast options are from £2.90, and lunch starts at £4.50. The excellent chicken fajitas are a steal at a fiver.

Adventure First

5 Donmouth Road, adventurefirst.co.uk These guys work throughout Scotland providing some of the highest quality outdoor adventure activities. From coasteering (basically cliff-jumping and exploring caves), gorge walking and

Madame Mew’s

Almondine

Aberdeen Market, 8-10 Market Street, madamemews.com

43 Thistle Street, almondine.co.uk

Sometimes the simple things in life are the best. This is no frills, fresh Thai food. Don’t be put off by the plastic table cloths and the open kitchen – it just makes this place more authentic. There are loads to choose from here – classic Som Tum Thai salad (£4.50), Tom Kha Kai spicy soup (£4.20) and the wonderfully named Nam Kra Dook Moo On (£4.20), or pickled pork ribs.

Try the pumpkin coconut cake too for £2.70.

canoeing, to mountain biking and skiing, this is a fantastic way of breaking away from the books and getting an adrenaline kick for the weekend.

Activities start at £35 for three hours, which includes equipment and instructor guidance.

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The owners of this macaron specialist had several trips to Paris before realising that getting their hands on the sweet treats in Aberdeen was nearly impossible. So they perfected their own recipe after a year and a half of research (makes your first year at work look like a total skoosh). Get down to Thistle Street to get your lips around the salted caramel, lavender and rosemary, and peanut butter delights. A box of seven is £7.50, so brilliant value considering every macaron is handmade. Almondine also produce amazing coffee (from £1.60) and their signature hot chocolate (£3).

MUSIC The Lemon Tree

5 West North Street, aberdeenperforming arts.com The Lemon Tree produces the most eclectic mix of events from experimental and alternative music, to theatre, dance, performance art, spoken word and more.

Their Lounge bar stocks a wide variety of drinks including locally brewed BrewDog beers from £3, while Kate’s Bar offers the chance to relax before seeing a show in the Studio. Book in advance for events from £10.

Downstairs

82 Holburn Street, facebook.com/ DownstairsAberdeen Downstairs is, as the name suggests, down a set of stairs at The Maltman Pub. This is a grungy space that is regularly frequented by blues bands and rockers. If you like a moshpit experience, this comes pretty close. Every Wednesday there’s free entry for The Blues Jam where you can enjoy local talent, or if you’ve got a band yourself, perform! Downstairs makes for a fun, loud evening.

seventeen

Aberdeen’s Creative Hub a space for art Seventeen is Aberdeen’s creative hub, a space for new and emerging artists to make their own. Located in the heart of the city and open Tuesday to Saturday, Seventeen hosts regular contemporary exhibitions and provides space for creative practice and development: •

Two flexible exhibition spaces with the main exhibition floor operated on an open proposal basis for any artist, curator or organisation to use MAKE, Aberdeen’s digital fabrication lab with cutting edge 3D printers, laser cutters and more A hub of information about cultural events in Aberdeen with a daily updated “What’s On” blackboard and poster wall Information on current funding opportunities and a public computer for research and applications

• • •

Seventeen 17 Belmont Street Aberdeen AB10 1JR

Find us online: @Seventeen_AB Facebook “f ” Logo

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facebook.com/SeventeenAberdeen www.madeinaberdeen.com Opening hours: Tues, Thu + Fri Sat Wed

seventeen@aberdeencity.gov.uk

10am - 5pm 10am - 4pm 1.30pm - 5pm

CITY GUIDE – STIRLING AND ST ANDREWS

Head east, and you’ll find yourself at two of the country’s smaller university towns – but that’s not to say there’s nothing to do! Stirling, with its castle, beautiful wildlife and the Wallace Monument, boasts a great student nightlife and top sports facilities. Head over the Forth Road Bridge and you’ll find yourself in St Andrews for the annual foam fight as part of Raisin Weekend, and chill at West Sands beach – it was good enough for Prince William. At either uni, you’ll have loads of fun and can sample all of theses ace activities

guide to

St Andrews MUSIC

Music is Love

Various locations, facebook. com/standrewsmusic The Music is Love group work hard to facilitate student events and gigs. Keep up to date with their social media pages to find out about regular open mic nights.

PUBS AND CLUBS

MUSIC

Whey Pat

The Tolbooth

1 Bridge Street, wheypat-standrews.co.uk

Jail Wynd, tolbooth.stirling. gov.uk/tolbooth This was a working jail during the reign of James VI, so you’re basically stepping back in time in this beautifully restored music hall. The place to be for world music and folk, tickets start from £10 at this quirky gig venue.

Cook’s of Stirling 78 Upper Craigs, cooksofstirling.co.uk

PUBS AND CLUBS

Go to CoS at 5pm for £5 Beat The Clock dishes, including chicken fajitas, pulled pork burgers and steak and ale pies. It’s a total bargain.

Fubar

GET FIT

6 Maxwell Place, fubarclub.info

Forth Street, amf-bowling. co.uk/our_centres/stirling

FOOD

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

17 Barnton Street, smiling-jacks.co.uk Authentic Tex-Mex grub at SJs, from nachos (£4.95) to enchiladas (£9.95). On Tuesdays and Sundays, get 20% off all day on their à la carte menu.

FOOD The Rule

116 South Street, the-rule.co.uk

AMF Bowling

Fubar hosts cracking fresher’s week dos and graduation afterparties. Get hold of a Flashcard (flashyercard.com) for free entry and 10 drinks on the menu for less than £1.80.

Smiling Jacks

Serving excellent nachos (from £3.49) and over 60 whiskies, this traditional pub comes complete with dartboards and board games – two great reasons to chill here after lectures.

Every weekend, The Rule has DJs playing classic hits, and on Mondays there’s the Rule Quiz – with free chicken wings. Try their breakfast special (sausage, smoked bacon and fried eggs) for just £3.95.

Two games, plus a drink, is only £10 each for two people when you book online for bowling fun.

Blair Drummond Safari FK9 4UR, blairdrummond.com

For £12.80 with a student card, check out the wildlife at Blair Drummond along with pedal boats and boat trips around Chimp Island.

guide to

Stirling

17

Forgan’s

110 Market Street, forgansstandrews.co.uk Try traditional dining at Forgan’s, with ceilidhs on Friday and Saturday night. For a main course, a drink and a starter or dessert, pay just £5.95 on their Wee Menu.

GET FIT Blown Away Experiences West Sands Road, blownawaylandyachts.co.uk

Landyachting and zapcatting are on the menu here! From £49 per person for two hours, with equipment and an instructor, you’ll get to try these unusual past-times.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT Scottish Clay Shooting Craigie Farm, Leuchars, scottishclayshooting centre.co.uk

For £28, try some clay shooting.

You’ll get the use of a shotgun, the clays, cartridges and even some nibbles.

WIN A GAP ADVENTURE TO GHANA R O D A U C E R O S TH FOR 5 MON

Committed? Ambitious?

DESPERATE to see the world?

Ready for a challenge?

Want to make a difference?

Read on....

This year, you could win an incredible gap adventure with Source Magazine, Lattitude and STA Travel.

In September 2016, you could be jetting off to Ghana or Ecuador for five months of unforgettable experiences with this once-in-a-lifetime competition.

Volunteering on projects working in and as part of a community, travelling through unspoiled landscapes and making friendships that’ll last a lifetime, this is one experience you can’t miss out on.

With flights provided by STA Travel, you’ll be placed on a volunteer project with leading gap year provider Lattitude, working on projects in either Ghana or Ecuador to bring your expertise, knowledge and enthusiasm to the lives of local children. You’ll meet incredible people, experience new and exciting things and go home at the end wishing you didn’t have to leave.

Want to get involved? It’s easy…

Enter online now at www.sourcemagazine.org.uk/gap-adventure

student life

A er dark Fresher’s

You’ve found your way round campus, you’ve met your new best friends and even made the time to see where the library is, which means there’s just one last thing left to conquer – massive nights out in your new student city. Here’s how to make sure you stay happy, safe and not too embarrassed this fresher’s

19

student life

THE DOS AND DON’TS OF FRESHER’S WEEK DO eat something

DO look out for your friends

Don’t listen to your mates – eating ISN’T cheating.

Carbs and protein are good before you head out, because they make you feel full and the slow release energy will keep you going until last orders.

If Stevie’s starting to sway or Lucy’s just vomited all over your shoes, don’t leave them to it. Be a good mate, get them some water or a soft drink, take them out for some fresh air, get them a bag of crisps and convince them it’s time to ease up.

DON’T race Drinking isn’t a competition. Honestly. So go at your own pace – just because everyone else has finished, it doesn’t mean you have to down your drink to keep up.

DON’T take risks

DO budget

DO keep in touch

Even with cut-prize booze offers in fresher’s week, it’s amazing how quickly your money disappears.

Budget for each night, take your money out in cash and leave your bank card at home.

If you and your mates are going your separate ways at the end of the night, text each other to say you’ve got home in one piece.

DON’T reveal all in drinking games Whether that’s your deepest darkest secrets or your birthday suit, try maintain some dignity when you embark on a round of ‘never have I ever’ with your flatmates.

Only use taxis at approved taxi ranks when it comes to home time. Unlicensed taxis are seriously dodgy, so make sure you’re using a trustworthy company.

DO stick with your mates

DO make the most of it

On nights out, try and stick with your newfound friends for the duration. Getting split up in a heaving club full of 18-year-olds who’ve just been let loose on the city can be hazardous.

You’re only a fresher once – so enjoy it! Go to the cheesy club nights at the union, dance with strangers, drink that weird concoction suggested by your flatmate – it’s the week of unforgettable memories that you’ll definitely have forgotten by the next day. And the best week of your student life.

DON’T get too drunk Drinking’s part of the fresher’s adventure. We totally get that. But if you get absolutely plastered, you’re putting yourself at risk.

Someone you don’t know, drugs, a nighttime stroll on your own – they might all seem like a good idea at the time, but trust us – they’re not.

DON’T hop into any old cab

THE MORNING AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE… There’s absolutely nothing you can do about the post-booze-up feelings of shame, but the physical symptoms of a hangover can be dealt with – here are our favourite hangover cures.

IRN-BRU

FRY UP

FRESH AIR

DENIAL

A healthy dose of the orange stuff often does the trick in the hangover stakes. It’s the sugar in Scotland’s national drink which helps with the shakes the morning after – other sweet carbonated beverages, like Lucozade and Coca Cola, have a similar impact.

Whether you go for a full Scottish breakfast or a roll and square, the grease in a fry up will help.

It might be the last thing you want to face, but grab your flatmates, stick on your sunnies and get outside for a walk – the fresh air will clear your head and make you feel more like a human being as you reminisce the previous night’s events.

I am not hungover. I can do this. I will make it to class.

There’s nothing wrong with me. What do you mean I’m shaking? Mind over matter, guys. Power through!

PARACETAMOL The painkiller of Mum’s choice with plenty of water is actually pretty effective when it comes to shifting that thumping headache.

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n do ass. with n I’m atter,

student life

ON A SERIOUS NOTE NO MEANS NO

THINK AHEAD One of the reasons why you feel like crap the morning after is down to dehydration.

So think smart – before you head out for the night, park a bottle of water by your bed to drink when you get in. This’ll replenish your hydration levels and minimise the hangover. Easy!

It’s a fresher’s week staple.

You’re drunk, you’ve met a total babe by the bar, and you’re heading back to theirs. Result!

taking advantage of someone who’s passed out or asleep, or somebody who simply won’t take no for an answer, it’s a very real threat.

But when it comes to sex, it’s not always ‘yes, yes, yes’ – in fact, there’s an even more important word to look out for, and to know you can say.

Whatever the circumstances, no means no. Whether you’re the one saying it, or you’re hearing it, if a romantic liaison features the word ‘no’, it’s time to call it quits.

Remember – nobody deserves sex. Just because you go home with someone, it doesn’t mean you have to sleep with them, and it’s OK to change your mind. And anyone that forces you to do anything you’re not comfortable with is committing a serious offence. The assailant can be a stranger, a friend or even your partner.

Rape and sexual assault are very real problems on university campuses. A Telegraph survey showed that one in three female students have been sexually assaulted or abused on campus. Whether it’s down to drinks being spiked,

If you’re the victim of rape or sexual assault, don’t suffer in silence. Call the police on 999, pop into your local station or ring the Rape Crisis Scotland helpline on 08088 01 03 02. Sexual violence has no place in society. Don’t let perpetrators get away with it.

1 IN 3 FEMALE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED OR ABUSED ON CAMPUS 21

student life

MEET THE STIs CHLAMYDIA – The most common of sexually transmitted infections, this one’s easily passed on. Most people experience no symptoms so don’t even know they’re infected.

SEX LET’S TALK ABOUT

WARTS – These are small fleshy growths that crop up on your bits, caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) – the same virus that causes cervical cancer.

It’s happened. You’ve found the one you want to spend the rest of your life with (or the next ten minutes at least) and you’re heading off to their manky room in halls to get up close and personal on a creaky single bed. But before you go about bumping uglies with the new lust of your life, make sure you’re staying safe

PROTECT YO’ SELF Condoms Condoms are a form of ‘barrier’ protection, and one of the only forms that protect against both STIs and pregnancy.

Recommended for oral too – STIs really can be transmitted orally. You can get female condoms for girls who want to take control, but these can be tricky to insert and rustle a bit.

If you want to avoid something itchy/potentially fatal and remain baby-free, always use a condom.

The pill The oral contraceptive pill releases artificial versions of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which in turn stops your body from producing eggs. No egg released? No baby! This doesn’t protect you from STIs

Diaphragms

though, so only use with a partner you know and trust and who’s been tested recently.

Diaphragms are rubber gizmos that you insert into the vagina before a bit of hanky panky, along with lashings of spermicide, to cover a woman’s cervix and prevent any sperm from getting into her uterus.

The implant Like the pill, the implant works with hormones, but you don’t have to remember to take a tablet every day. This is a small tube which gets inserted into a girl’s arm and releases hormones into her system.

IUDs An intrauterine device, or IUD, is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device which gets inserted into a girl’s womb (or uterus) by a doctor or nurse.

It stops the sperm and egg from surviving in the womb or fallopian tubes, and can also stop a fertilised egg from implanting in the womb.

The injection The contraceptive injection contains progestogen, which thickens the mucus in the cervix (yes, really) and stops sperm from reaching an egg.

Biology! Another one that prevents pregnancy only, and it’s 99% effective when used correctly. You need to get injected every 12 weeks.

Abstinence The most effective contraceptive of all – no sex! Play a board game or something instead. Cosy!

FREE CONDOMS!

There’s really no excuse for getting caught short in the bedroom. You can pick up free condoms at your campus health centre, from your GP or local sexual health clinic.

22

HERPES – This is the same virus that causes cold sores. It manifests itself as small, painful blisters, and once you’ve got the virus, it’ll stick with you but will remain dormant most of the time.

GONORRHOEA – This medievalsounding infection is a bacterial one which can cause a burning sensation when you pee and some nasty discharge. You can also get gonorrhoea in your throat, rectum or your eyes.

SYPHILIS – This starts out as a painless, highly infectious sore which can lead onto a rash, flu-like symptoms or patchy hair loss. Years down the line, after lying dormant in your system, it can cause heart problems, paralysis or even blindness.

HIV – HIV is most commonly passed on through unprotected sex. The virus attacks and weakens the immune system, making it difficult to fight infections. There’s no cure, but there are treatments available to help most people live a long life.

It can develop into AIDS, the final stage of the infection.

CRABS – Pubic lice, to give them their official name, can be a little bit itchy and hard to shift once they start laying eggs.

Special creams or shampoos are available over the counter.

If you have any questions about your sexual health, get yourself to your GP or to your nearest sexual health clinic – find yours at www. sexualhealthscotland.co.uk or call 0800 22 44 88 for more advice and information.

swrc_A4poster03.pdf

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You’ve just done the hardest part It’s not easy to pick up the phone and talk about problems and emotions. We find it hard to open up. Instead we bottle things up.

That’s why there’s Breathing Space. They try and make it easier for us to talk about what we’re going through.

Open up when you’re feeling down

0800 83 85 87

www.breathingspace.scot

SW Source Ad_v3

THE ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL OF YOUR STUDENT ACCOMMODATION NEEDS! 750,00 + ONLINE Over 750,00 student rooms listed online!

26/9/14

15:30

STAY SAFE Water may look safe but it can be dangerous

You may swim well in a warm indoor pool, but that does not mean that you will be able to swim in cold water.

The dangers of water include:

· Very cold temperatures · Hidden currents · It is difficult to know

Search for flats, houses, halls & housemates

how deep it is

· No lifeguards · Water pollution

may make you ill

There are more dangers of water in WINTER, these include: Thin ice

· There may be hidden Built by students… for students

Safe student letting

International

rubbish like shopping trolleys or broken glass

· It can be difficult to T H E H O M E O F S T U D E N T A C C O M M O D AT I O N

Page 1

get out (steep slimy banks)

You could get trapped beneath the ice Remember to stay safe around water.

Visit www.accommodationforstudents.com For more information visit:

www.scottishwater.co.uk/ takecare

Blood cancer is the ultimate opponent. Mates, brothers, sisters, mums, dads... blood cancer doesn’t discriminate.

Often, their only chance of survival is to find a matching donor who is willing to donate some of their blood stem cells. You could be their only hope, but will you show?

All you have to do is sign up, it only takes two minutes to become the man of the match:

showbc.org.uk

STUDENT LIFE

Surviving halls

We’ve all heard the horror stories of life in halls – the filthy dishes in sinks, the nutter down the hallway who knows nothing of personal hygiene, the flatmate that likes to blare music at three in the morning… but it doesn’t have to be the nightmare your big sister said it would be. Here’s some advice to help you get through the halls experience in one piece – and maybe even make some new mates along the way

ou’ve just dumped the last of your things on the floor of a narrow, cell-like room. Apart from a plywood desk and a small bed, there’s little else to what will essentially be your home for the next year. It’s a million miles from your teenage bedroom.

Mixed with homesickness and excitement, knowing how to survive life in halls is a real rollercoaster at times; but like the big dipper, you’ll ultimately have fun and want to do it all over again by the time moving out day comes around. So how exactly do you get through it all without falling out with everyone in your flat, sleeping through every lecture going and freaking out about dirty dishes daily?

25

STUDENT LIFE

SOCIALISING V STUDYING The first month of student life usually whizzes past.

You’re just getting to know everyone in halls and people on your course, and fresher’s week has meant you’ve been out every night. But soon you’ll find that you’ve got coursework to do – how are you meant to fit that in between Jägerbombs down the union? Organisation is the key. Boring as it sounds, it’s really important to create your own timetable. You can plan ahead and balance studying, housework (yes, really) and time with your mates.

THAT WEIRD FLATMATE Every first year flat up and down the country has one. The odd guy that uses Shakespearean lingo, wears pink socks and only eats broccoli. Everyone is different so give slightly more unusual characters the space to be who they are. Ask them to join nights out to show that you’re including them – and definitely don’t go all Mean Girls and pick on them for being weird. You might find that you have more in common than you think.

HAVE A PLAN Having a rota might seem a bit square, but without one your flat can quickly turn into a scene from Shameless. From hoovering to taking out the bins, decide who’s doing what and when in any shared areas. If you find that someone isn’t pulling their weight, have a chat with your flatmates about how to encourage them to help out.

Leaving every plate with pasta welded onto it outside their door may not be the nicest approach but it might get the message across…

ASK A STUDENT…

TALK IT OUT It’s helpful to sit down with everyone in your flat now and then to talk about anything extra that needs done. This is a chance to bring up the shower being clogged again or the weird smell coming from Dave’s room – and talking about it stops the need for passive-aggressive notes on the fridge or full-on screaming matches over the mouldy spoon in the sink. Start a Facebook or WhatsApp group to keep everyone informed of what’s going on too.

Silja Slepnjov is a fourth year Strathclyde University student who stayed in the uni’s Thomas Campbell Court. Silja, from Tallinn in Estonia, told us about her time living in halls How did you find the balance of cooking, cleaning and studying?

Self-sufficiency has always been valued in my family, so the transition wasn’t that significant. With cleaning, we divided the flat into areas that we had to take care of for a week. Every three weeks one of us would get a resting period.

Dishes proved to be problematic sometimes but that’s a halls staple.

TIME TO YOURSELF Going from the relatively tranquil environment of home to student halls with music blaring and drunk 18-year-olds everywhere can be a shock to the system. Occasionally, you’ll need some time to yourself – for your own sanity more than anything. Pencil in some time to go for a walk, hit the library on your own or see if you could return home one weekend to catch up with school friends. This will help you in the long-run and stop you contracting cabin fever at uni.

What did you do when people didn’t get on?

We didn’t have any major conflicts, luckily. If something does happen and you’re not directly involved, I think the best you can do is to keep your fingers crossed and hope that apologies will be given where they’re due.

What’s your best memory from halls?

When one of the uni buildings caught fire, my flatmates wisely sent out a party call, knowing that campus security would be a bit... preoccupied.

We ended up with about 100 people in our tiny flat, and a DJ thrown in for good measure.

Needless to say, it got out of hand and was broken up by residence services.

What advice would you give to students about to go into halls?

You might be lucky enough to stumble on the right kind of people in halls but it’s equally likely that you won’t. Go and socialise outside of halls – join a society, make friends with people in your classes. You’ll hopefully become friends with the people you live with but, ultimately, the bonds you form with those on your course can be a lot more enduring.

KEEP COOL Your flatmates WILL drive you bonkers at least once during your first term. That’s a fact. But try and keep your cool, disappear off into your room if it’s too much and don’t flip your lid.

The moments of madness are definitely in the minority though – where else in the world do you get to live with amazing new people (and without your parents!) as you embark on the adventure of a lifetime?

Life in halls is ace – so make the most of it.

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UN I

C YC L E C YC L I N G

for STUD ENTS

C

ycling is not only the cheapest way to travel around the city, it’s also faster than public transport and a lot more fun! Glasgow is a great city to cycle in; with a network of cycle paths both on and off road, you can cycle to and from uni in no time at all.

However taking that first step to get on a bike in a new city can be daunting so Glasgow Bike Station has recently launched Uni-Cycle, a package of training and support to make the move easy.

Funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund, Uni-Cycle offers FREE services and incentives to help students choose active and sustainable travel over motorised transportation.

Look out for the Uni-Cycle team on site at universities and colleges throughout the year,

delivering mobile ‘Dr Bike’ bicycle maintenance sessions, FYOB classes for students to get hands on and Cycle Information Points designed to answer any and all questions relating to cycling in the city.

As well as providing these services on site – the Uni-Cycle team are offering students three free one-to-one cycle training sessions, ‘get to know Glasgow’ bike rides, social rides and day trips out of town.

To encourage students out of their cars, off the busses and onto bikes, Uni-Cycle provides a free one month bicycle loan – including a helmet, lock and lights. This is a great way to try a bike before committing to purchasing one! Riding a bike not only offers you a cheap and convenient mode of transport it also allows you to see parts of the city you wouldn’t normally see – so get out and get exploring!

Uni-Cycle is delivered by Glasgow Bike Station; the cities largest bicycle recycling organisation which has recycled and refurbished approximately 12,000 bikes since opening in 2010.

Many of these reconditioned bikes are found back on the road and the proceeds of sale reinvested into the promotion of cycling in Glasgow.

Other activities at the Bike Station include monthly bicycle maintenance classes and Fix Your Own Bike (FYOB) classes twice weekly. These sessions allow people to gain the knowledge necessary to carry out repairs on their own bicycles as well as providing a space to do it. Sales of bikes run throughout the week from Tuesday – Saturday and adults bikes range from £75 upwards. You can be assured of their quality as they are refurbished by qualified mechanics and are Revolve accredited.

To find out more about the various Uni-Cycle services or Glasgow Bike Station, contact Caroline Hammond – by email: caroline@thebikestation.org.uk or call 0141 248 5409.

all free UN I

C YC L E C YC L I N G

for ST UDE NTS

ARC

Health and Wellbeing ARC Student Membership • £17 gold on-line membership

– monthly subscription available to purchase at: www.gcu.ac.uk/arc – no contract or cancellation fee.

Other options • £100 Gold Membership (classes/gym)

– available to purchase from 1st September 2015 (expires 30th April 2016 no matter when purchased).

• Early Bird Membership

– £13.00 (Mon-Friday 7-10am classes and gym).

To find out more about our full range of classes, club, membership packages and beauty treatments, visit: www.gcu.ac.uk/arc or follow us: www.facebook.com/arcglasgow

Recruiting now for Winter 2015-2016

Midlothian Snowsports Centre are looking for qualified snowsports instructors to join their team, flexible working hours to fit around your student timetable.

For those that just want to make the most of the slopes, remember your matriculation cards for your

20% discount

For more information contact ski@midlothian.gov.uk

STUDENT LIFE

HEALTH FIRST If you’re moving away from home without Mum to watch over you, the temptation to eat junk and never move from your bed is all too great. But a rubbish diet and lack of exercise leads to sluggish, unhappy students – not great when you’re trying to get yourself some qualifications. Here’s how to make sure you stay in tip-top physical (and mental) condition in your fresher year GET FIT Universities often have sports centres on campus with student gyms. These are often cheaper than your privately-owned sports facilities, offering all the usual equipment and classes too. Slot it in between lectures and try get there once or twice a week – set time aside in your

timetable. Not only will regular gym sessions make you fitter and healthier, but all that exercise boosts your mood too – good when you have essay deadlines looming.

EAT SMART A healthy, balanced diet is vital for happy, healthy bodies – and it’ll boost your mood, your energy levels and make you more productive. Avoid the lure of two-for-one deals from your favourite takeaway pizza joint and teach yourself some basic cooking skills.

Student life isn’t all beans on toast and instant noodles (although they are a good standby for weeks when you’re absolutely skint) – you can actually eat really well on your basic budget.

Your freezer will become your friend – anything you buy or make in bulk generally can be portioned up and frozen, from chicken breasts to macaroni cheese, Bolognese sauce to bread.

Basic pasta sauces are straightforward, curries are great to make in bulk and stir fries are really easy – you can get frozen veg mixes that work a treat. Check out the BBC Good Food site (www.bbcgoodfood.com) for easy recipe inspiration.

If the gym isn’t your thing, what about less sweaty alternatives like swimming, yoga or making the effort to go for a walk?

Head to campus on foot rather than jumping on the bus, opt for the stairs over the lift and take the scenic route to the library – little lifestyle changes like this can make a big difference to your overall fitness.

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WATCH YOUR DRINK While boozing is, without a doubt, the number one best thing about being a student, you might want to watch your intake if you want to avoid an expanding waistline. A pint of lager is equivalent to a large slice of pizza, while a glass of wine has similar calories to a slice of cake. A heavy night out with your new mates could leave you with more than a sore head, so switch to less calorific versions like vodka or light beers.

And it’s not just your weight you need to consider – too much alcohol can affect your liver, heart, lungs, lead to increased risk of cancer… It’s not good for you, basically.

So drink in moderation (that’s two standard drinks a day for guys and one for women) and avoid binging. Give yourself a weekend off now and then, and get to know your own body and your own limits.

If you’re starting to feel out of control? Just stop.

Useful numbers

SAFETY

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

General emergencies 999

Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 9177 650

If you find yourself in an emergency situation – whether your safety’s at risk, there’s a fire in your kitchen or one of your flatmates has suddenly taken unwell – call 999 ASAP.

If drinking is starting to take over your life, act fast. Call Alcoholics Anonymous for free, confidential advice.

Police non-emergency 101

If you have a drug habit that’s getting out of control, ring Know the Score for help and support.

For non-emergency situations, give 101 a call. This line is for situations such as your bag getting nicked or you suspect there’s a drug dealer operating in the flat upstairs.

Know the Score 0800 587 5879

HOUSING

Crisis 0131 209 7700

Got some information on a crime in your area? Give Crimestoppers a bell.

It might sound ridiculous but homelessness can become a reality for some students. If you find yourself in housing trouble, call Crisis on the number above.

Rape Crisis Scotland 08088 01 03 02

Shelter 0808 800 4444

If you’ve been the victim of sexual violence, don’t suffer in silence – call the police immediately, or ring Rape Crisis Scotland. Their trained counsellors will be able to help you out.

Dodgy landlord? Appalling living conditions? Give Shelter a bell and they’ll help you remedy the situation.

HEALTH

If your cash flow is drying up and you aren’t sure what to do, get on the phone to the Money Advice Service for free, impartial financial advice.

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

NHS 24 111

For all your health woes, from glandular fever symptoms to the after effects of a dodgy kebab, give NHS 24 a ring if you can’t make it to your GP. They’re open all day, every day.

COUNSELLING SERVICES

Nightline www.nightline.ac.uk

Nightline is a nationwide network of university-based helplines.

Their volunteer call handlers are there to listen in your hour of need, and they promise not to judge, tell you what to do or give any advice – they really are there to listen. Head to the website to get the number for your institution now, or take advantage of their web-based services.

FINANCIAL ADVICE

Money Advice Service 0300 500 5000

GENERAL ADVICE

Who you gonna call?

Citizens Advice 0345 04 05 06

Citizens Advice have the lowdown on all there is to know about your rights as a consumer, so get in touch if you feel you’ve been treated unfairly.

If you find yourself in a difficult situation, it pays to know who can help. Cut this page out and stick it on your fridge or programme these numbers into your phone so you’re never caught short in an emergency

Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 Scotland’s mental health helpline is ideal for those struggling with their thoughts and feelings. Call an advisor to let off some steam and get advice on where to go for support.

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O G d n a p u t e G rust with Falkirk Community T

Our new concessionary scheme is out now – sign up today and start getting discounts when using our facilities – and FREE swimming.

If you are 65+, Full Time Student, or receiving certain benefits, you could be eligible. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org Find us on Facebook – Falkirk Community Trust Follow us on Twitter @FCTrust Falkirk Community Trust gratefully acknowledges the support of Falkirk Council.

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2015|16 Season Carmen | Ariodante | Rusalka | The Mikado | The Devil Inside Scottish Opera

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