aAh! Magazine - The FRESHERS Issue (22/23)

THE FRESHERS ISSUE

Featured Artist Aidan Heesbeen

NEON CITY

FEATURED ARTIST AIDAN HEESBEEN “I’m from Barcelona, Spain and I’m coming to Manchester this year to study Game Design. I have a long background in art and design, and have recently been commissioned to create pieces for several indie game groups. If you’d like to see my other works, you can check out my socials. I hope you enjoy my art, and I’m looking forward to meeting you all when I start at Manchester Met.” @TheGravityBreaker FEATURED ARTIST LISA SILVA (p.4) “I used to be a psychologist in Portugal a few years back, and now I’m a graphic designer in the making, based in Manchester. Go figure, right? My interests include printmaking, drawing/illustration, typography, and art direction. If you share any of these interests with me and you like the stuff I make, hit me up for a collaboration.” @lisa_cs8

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THE FRESHERS ISSUE This special mini issue of aAh! shines a spotlight on everything Manchester has to offer.

We highlight the freshest spots in our city, serve up budget-friendly recipes from our friends at MetMUnch, and share advice, opportunities and experiences from students just like you. It’s essential reading for everyone looking to get the most out of their time studying in the best city in the world.

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t’s a joy to be back on campus, surrounded by our supportive, exciting and evolving community. Let’s face it, summer has been busy. Filled with fuel price ups and political step downs. Unemployment dropped as temperatures soared. Plus, it took holiday makers hours to fly away, while the Lionesses finally brought it home (shout out to Manchester Met’s own Lauren Hemp!).

We also caught up with Evan Wilson from Manchester Met’s on campus and live-streamed music festival Art School Live (p.22) to find out how the latest series went and what’s on the bill this year.

As the summer taught us, life can have so many ups and downs, it can feel like a day out on the River Irwell. With this in mind, we explore overcoming homesickness (p.16), avoiding the trap of Buy Now Pay Later schemes (p.30), and discover how the SU can help you (p.10).

It’s safe to say it’s not been the most relaxing of breaks and we could all do with a freshen up - which Manchester can certainly provide (if you know where to look).

New to our Northern capital? We’ve got you covered! Discover the best places to study (p.18) and, as doing well at uni is all about finding balance, check out the top spots for music, art, culture, food and drink (p.28).

This issue wouldn’t be here without a talented group of fresh faces joining our student editorial team. From magazine journalism to graphic design, we picked up new skills, ideas, and contacts to produce this magazine in a series of Rise workshops over summer. Find out more about this unique scheme and how to get involved (p.14).

This issue’s Featured Artist brief ‘NEON CITY’, encapsulates the power and vibrancy of our magical metropolitan (p.2 and p.4).

Inspired by the style and vigour of Fallowfield and the Northern Quarter, it’s powered by our desire to spotlight student artists’ work and build connections and collaborations in our glowing community.

Now go and enjoy the rest of our shiny new issue of aAh! Then head out and relish your fresh start, and find your unique way of lighting up the community in our NEON CITY. Rebecca Redican Editor 3

Featured Artist Lisa Silva

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PROJECT COORDINATOR Natalie Carragher EDITORIAL Anna Torrance, Beth Fulham, Christine Johnstone-Swift, Ebony Langley, Ellie Croston, Jenny Li, Kayla Monteiro, Phoebe Rawding, Rebecca Redican, Sarah Lane.

CONTRIBUTORS Aidan Heesbeen, Aliyyah Sharnah Poyser, Alexandria Slater, Anael Emenanjo, Ella Walsh, Finn O’Leary, Jas Smith, Lisa Silva, Scott Lam. GRAPHIC DESIGN COLLECTIVE Ellie Croston, Faye Byrne, Hamnah Noor, Joanne Xu, Kate King, Laura Sheridan.

SPECIAL THANKS Elle Simms, Evan Wilson, Jac Fossett, John Lean, James Draper, Haleh Moravej, Maria Loray, Marilena Antoniadou, Mark Peace, Nathalie Griffith, Philip Drake, Rob Bracey.

CONTENTS 06 10 14

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Cover Artist Kate King SOCIAL Follow @aAh_mag on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. CONTACT aAh.editor@gmail.com 0161 247 1951 Manchester Metropolitan University, Grosvenor East Building, M15 6LL aAh! is distributing 1,500 copies on Manchester Metropolitan University campus and across Manchester. A wide range of advertising packages and affordable ways to promote your business are available online and in print. Get in touch to find out more.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the explicit permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within this publication do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Manchester Metropolitan University.

WHAT CAN THE SU DO FOR YOU? Q&A: MAN MET RISE OVERCOMING HOMESICKNESS

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BEST PLACES TO STUDY IN THE CITY

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Q&A: PAL LEADER ANNA HEWITT

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ONLINE & PRINT To get the best from aAh! visit aah-magazine.co.uk for daily news, reviews, features, opinion and more.

WHAT’S ON

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INTRODUCING METMUNCH ART SCHOOL LIVE

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MCR BANDS TO HAVE ON YOUR RADAR

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VENUE GUIDE

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AVOIDING THE TRAP OF BUY NOW PAY LATER

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SUSTAINABLE FASHION ON A BUDGET

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7 FLEXI-REMOTE WORK IDEAS FOR INTROVERTS

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SPOTLIGHT: MCR’S LITERARY SCENE

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BOOKS: WRITES OF PASSAGE

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A LETTER TO YOU... IF YOU’RE OVER 22

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ASK aAh!

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DOS AND DON’TS FROM AN EXCHANGE STUDENT

WH WH A AT’S ’S ?

By Beth Fulham

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‘PICTURE THIS’ ART EXHIBITION 23/07/22–30/10/22

‘Picture This’ at The Lowry will feature six popular children’s books that have a strong visual identity on page and have also been vividly brought to life on stage. This free to enter exhibition will showcase illustrations and artworks from the books alongside props, costumes and posters from stage productions.

SEPTEMBER MRS. DOUBTFIRE 02/09/22–01/10/22

Coming exclusively to Manchester, ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ is being performed at the Opera House. It’s a musical spin on the 1993 comedy film, entertaining us with a hilarious yet heartfelt story. Running for just four weeks, you’ll need to get your tickets quickly for this hit of nostalgia.

EXHIBITION: PATTI MAYOR 150 10/09/22–28/01/23

Find out more about the life and times of beloved artist and campaigner, Patti Mayor. Gallery Oldham’s exhibition will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Mayor’s birth with a stunning showcase of her popular works featuring working class subjects.

MANCHESTER SCHOOL OF ART MA SHOW (PRIVATE VIEWS) 27/09/22

Celebrating the work of Manchester School of Art’s talented postgraduate students. Art, Design, Media, Fashion and Performance students will be displaying their work in a series of exhibitions across Holden Gallery, SODA and Benzie Buildings at Manchester Met. FRESHERS FAIR 27–28/09/22

The most iconic event in your uni calendar. Hosted at the Union over two days, this is your chance to grab as many freebies as your heart desires, connect with clubs and societies, and grab yourself a free slice of Domino's pizza. It’s the perfect opportunity to settle in and meet new people.

CULTURE FEST NIGHT 29/09/22

Get your face painted with the flag of your nationality ready for the live performances and a fantastic Ceilidh band, followed by a DJ playing a range of music genres from around the world. Celebrate in style with a selection of international cocktails.

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OCTOBER DUNGEONS & FLAGONS ALL-DAYER 01/10/22

Enjoy an entire day of gaming followed by an after-show and after-party at the Union. There will be a huge games library on offer, as well as traders, quizzes and giveaways throughout the day. Afterwards, relax and enjoy the entertaining Jon Gracey and the hilarious Werewolf: Live Show.

MACRAME WORKSOP 08/10/22

Gallery Oldham are holding an affordable workshop creating handmade Macrame pieces. StudioDawn creates stunning handwoven Macrame pieces found at craft markets all over the UK. It’s a great opportunity to learn something fun and make your own piece as a gift.

SIR BRYN TERFEL 14/10/22

The Welsh bass-baritone, Sir Bryn Terfel performs an evening dedicated to the world of ‘Songs and Arias’ at The Bridgewater Hall. Bringing together a selection of his signature roles, he’ll be joined by conductor Gareth Jones and accompanied by Sinfonia Cymru.

MCR SCIENCE FESTIVAL 21–31/10/22

What might the future hold for mankind? Manchester's Science Festival hopes to find out. Hosted at the iconic Science and Industry Museum, it's one of the most popular festivals in the UK and will feature world premieres, inspiring experiences and entertaining events.

FOR THE LOVE OF HORROR 22–23/10/22

A scare attraction crossed with a fan convention, ‘For the Love of Horror’ is back for its fourth year. Held at BEC arena, special guests include American voice actor Roger L. Jackson, The Shining’s Grady twins Louise and Lisa Burns, and a performance by Slipknot’s Corey Taylor.

AITCH 24–25/10/22

Manchester’s favourite rapper is back in town. Topping charts with his first single back in 2019, Aitch has gone on to become a household name, collaborating with the likes of Young T and Bugsey. A hometown gig at Victoria Warehouse will see him celebrate his new album Close To Home, in a show not to be missed.

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NOVEMBER DISNEY ON ICE 02–03/11/22

Watch your favourite Disney characters perform breathtaking ice skating at AO Arena. Unleash your inner child and escape the deadline pressure as you watch Moana and Coco and be inspired to ‘dream big’.

DECEMBER MCR CHRISTMAS MARKETS 12/11/22–22/12/22

Manchester’s iconic Christmas markets never disappoint so be sure to factor these into any going home plans. Spanning across iconic city centre streets and squares, there’ll be plenty of food, drink and gift huts, as well as an ice skating rink and, of course, a giant Santa.

SCAN FOR MORE EVENTS SO YOU NEVER MISS OUT

Design Faye Byrne

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aAh! catches up with Manchester Met’s Student Union President Letitia Jones to find out what your SU has to offer.

My role is to be the bridge between the students and the executive team of the university, [including individuals] like the Vice Chancellor. It’s my job to be the student face and take the thoughts of our 38,000 students around the world to the team.

By Rebecca Redican Design Laura Sheridan

LETITIA JONES* SU PRESIDENT \\ LETITIA JONES* SU PRESIDENT \\ LETITIA JONES* SU PRESIDENT \\ LETITIA SU PRESIDENT \\ LETITIA JONES* SU PRESIDENT \\ LETITIA JONES* SU PRESIDENT \\ LETITIA JONES* SU PR

THE UNION \\ THE UNION \\ THE UNION \\ THE UNION \\ THE UNION \\ THE UNION \\ THE UNION \\ THE UNION \\ THE UNION \\ THE UNION \\ THE UNION \\ THE UNION \\ THE UNION \\ THE UNI

WHAT CAN THE SU DO FOR YOU?

LETITIA JONES, STUDENT UNION PRESIDENT

drop into the office on the second floor of the Union, call, or hit the website, whichever way you feel comfortable.”

GIVING BACK THROUGH VOLUNTEERING…

TOP TIPS:

“There’s power in helping others. Getting outside your comfort zones and experiencing different parts of society is a great way to grow as a person. There are over 200 opportunities at the SU. Anything from helping immigrants learn English to going with the former Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, into schools to help children develop as poets, or going to animal rescues and tending to scared animals. We have something for everyone.”

IMMERSING YOURSELF IN THE COMMUNITY… “Societies are important to the university experience. I like to call myself a ‘basement goblin’. Even as an introverted person there comes a point where I’m like: ‘I need to talk to people…’ When you join [a student society], you are joining people who have a collective interest you can bond over.

“In my first two years as an undergraduate, I went to class, I went home - rinse and repeat. It affected my mental health which affected my grades. I then threw myself into student groups like the black student groups, Manchester Pride, and even the MMU Fashion Society. I can’t sew to save my life, but I joined anyway, and it was like a lotus flower unfurling. It completely changed my collegiate experience.”

1. Read your Student Handbook. There’s information on who, what, when, where and how - but also how to keep yourself out of trouble.

2. Have fun but remember there’s a limit.

When you’re falling asleep in class or you open your wallet and there’s only £3 left, rethink.

3. Try different personalities. If tomorrow you want to be an anime dream girl who dresses in Sweet Lolita fashion, do that.

If next week you want to dress dark and haunt the Poetry Library, go for it. This is the time to.

4. Explore the campus. There are so many pockets of creativity and innovation.

Go to different buildings and ask what’s going on. Even if you’re not Muslim, pop into the prayer room and see the quiet reflection or sit in All Saints Park and watch the world pass.

5. Engage with the SU. Every person there is invested in helping. So go and use the building that was made just for you.

ON WHERE TO FIND HELP… “The Advice Centre is a free confidential service. We can help with housing situations, whether that’s the place being uninhabitable or emergency housing, we don’t ask any extra questions, we just help. If you’re in financial trouble and you need something to carry you over or need help budgeting, we’re there. If you find yourself in trouble, someone in the centre can be your advocate and walk you through everything. You can 11

TELL US A SECRET “We are trying to put together something exciting. It should happen around Christmas, every student can get involved with it and it will involve the Guinness Book of World Records.”

STUDENT SOCIETIES \\ SHAZEEA ISLAM * STUDENT SOCIETIES \\ SHAZEEA ISLAM * STUDENT SOCIETIES \\ STUDENT SOCIETIES \\ SHAZEEA ISLAM * STUDENT SOCIETIES \\ SHAZEEA ISLAM * STUDENT SOCIETIES \\

SHAZEEA ISLAM, STUDENT SOCIETIES OFFICER The SU is the place to go to meet new people and discover new interests and hobbies. It’s the heart of student life and is home to tons of student-led clubs and societies. From anime to radio, makeup artistry to true crime – there’s something for everyone. Societies and Development Officer Shazeea Islam, shares her tips on getting the most out of these opportunities.

GETTING STARTED… “Don’t be afraid to jump into student societies and out of your comfort zone. For the first few weeks especially, go out and ask when societies’ first events are so you can test them out before you join. Societies can be an amazing (and fun!) way to make so many friends. You’ll have support as soon as you walk in and people will make you feel welcome.”

CREATING YOUR OWN COMMUNITY… “If you want to make a new society, go for it! All you need is ten other people who would like to join. You get great satisfaction in creating your own. As a [former society] treasurer, I loved our society’s events. When everyone [gets together] talking you feel so good inside. Get in touch with me and I can help you out in starting something new.”

THRIVING ON A STUDENT BUDGET… “Some societies are free so look around, we have many to choose from. Some places may ask for membership fees but that’s if they have events planned for the year so it all supports the members. Plus, those that do charge are often not as expensive as you might think.”

To find out more about what the SU has to offer follow @TheUnionMMU. 12

USEFUL CONTACTS USEFUL CONTACTS

Advice Centre 0161 247 6533 | s.u.advice@mmu.ac.uk theunionmmu.org/advice-centre Campus Security 0161 247 1334 Careers Service 0161 247 1700 mmu.ac.uk/careers Chaplaincy Chaplain Mohammed Ullah mohammed.ullah@mmu.ac.uk Muslim Chaplain Umm Isa u.issa@mmu.ac.uk Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing 0161 247 3493 | counselling@mmu.ac.uk mmu.ac.uk/student-life/wellbeing Disability Service 0161 247 3491 disability.service@mmu.ac.uk Inclusion Service 0161 247 3491 inclusion.service@mmu.ac.uk International Students Group 0161 247 6471 isg@mmu.ac.uk Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) pal@mmu.ac.uk Residential Life studentliving@mmu.ac.uk Student Financial Support 0161 247 1045 | sfsadmin@mmu.ac.uk Student Hub 0161 247 1000 studenthub.mmu.ac.uk The Union 0161 247 1162 | theunion@mmu.ac.uk Theunionmmu.org

Q & A: man met rise

JOHN LEAN Rise gives you the opportunity to get involved in a wide-range of experiences to support you to learn new skills, meet new people, earn credits towards your degree and shape your future career.

We catch up with Manchester Met’s Dr John Lean to find out more about the award-winning Rise programme and what it has in store for us this year.

I managed a student intern this summer and we are presenting at a conference in a few weeks, so I am practising what I preach, too.

We have also had a number of students who had never considered research as a career but have gone on to do masters and doctorates.

How do Rise points work?

In a nutshell, it’s Manchester Met’s co-curricular experiential learning programme. That’s a lot of long words. Basically, co-curricular means things that happen alongside your studies and experiential learning means learning by doing stuff that isn’t learning, say, the theory for your degree. The whole point is to enhance students’ futures. When students leave university, a good degree outcome is important but it’s also important to have experience under their belt to show employers.

You earn points for everything you do with Rise.

They are your way of tracking how much effort you have put into Rise activities. At various times in the year, your points unlock different things like transcript recognition. Also, if you are on an eligible programme you can unlock the opportunity to write up the Rise work you have done and earn academic credit. We are also experimenting with micro-accreditation which means if you do lots of activities in one area you can get a LinkedIn badge that says ‘I’m an expert in this.’ So, if you do lots of sustainability activities, you can get an expert badge. That’s a new function, so that’s an exclusive for you!

Who can get involved?

How can we get involved?

Anyone! That’s why we have so much variety.

For those wanting to do a bit of self-study like podcast production or wellbeing, you can do it online at your own pace. For those who want to work with various different people we have lots of live working too. It can be as small as an hour-long workshop to a month-long internship.

Get on the website and have a look. Just login like you were logging in to your student email account. We are doing activities across the term to get people welcomed into Rise so keep an eye out. Just get involved and remember Rise is what you make of it.

What is Rise?

Visit rise.mmu.ac.uk and follow @ManMetRise on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

What are your favourite Rise activities?

Our research internships are special. This year we had researchers take on more than 150 undergraduate student interns. You don’t often get to see that side of your faculty. In the past this has led to students co-writing journal articles and co-presenting at conferences.

By Rebecca Redican Design Ellie Croston and Kate King

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Saturday club Aneal Emenanjo uncovers weekend wonder with Man Met Rise and the National Saturday Club.

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“As excited as I was to have this opportunity, I felt incredibly nervous,” says Joshua.

“Learning to support and develop confidence in others developed my own personal confidence because it proved I can help the undiscovered talents of young people be unleashed.”

Saturday Club is a learning environment with a real difference. This Rise project recruits university students as workshop co-facilitators, where they learn how to deliver sessions and then act as workshop support staff, helping to shape the engaging programme.

Unlike some traditional learning environments, failure is not a bad thing. Ruth Awolola, Learning Officer at the Manchester Poetry Library, explains that Saturday Club is a space to learn from experience and test out ideas: “If the student [co-facilitators] get things wrong, we are never going to say: ‘We don’t want to see you again’. We don’t want the students to get it wrong, but we allow them to and support them through it.”

rising stars

n Saturdays, Manchester Met comes alive with activity. Young people aged 13-16 arrive at locations across the campus, ready to learn, while students prepare to enlighten groups with innovative ideas, creative activities, and playful opportunities.

This year’s activities included: custard pie throwing during an ice breaker quiz, building an allotment space in the city centre, making soundscapes from electric currents found in fruit, and visiting the Alexander McQueen headquarters in London.

Student co-facilitator and Mechanical Engineering student, Iqra Iftikhar, explains taking part in Saturday Club allowed her to experience being in a professional role: “It was difficult at times, but this was good as we were treated like professionals and we could still test things out safely.”

Students lead on this live, high-profile project, while working with a national organisation, gaining exposure and coverage across the UK. “Facilitating a club aimed at the same process as my degree was rewarding because I could teach my first-year learning experience, which includes digital and film photography, photograms, studio lighting, modifiers and gels, and darkroom development,” shares Film and Media student and Saturday Club co-facilitator, Joshua Fielding.

Young people, student co-facilitators and staff tutors all learn and grow together, says Jemima Jones, Graphic Design student and Art and Design Club co-facilitator. “I have developed desirable skills such as working with young people, leading a group, managing and planning activities, public speaking, teaching creative skills, as well as having the opportunity to go to a one-off professional masterclass.”

Students like Joshua not only bring their insight and practice into the programme but their personality, too: “Having a sense of humour [meant I could] develop a great rapport with the pupils. They could tell I was laid-back and fun to be around which encouraged them to engage in the activities.”

Reflecting on the lasting relationships formed, Jemima adds: “I made friends with the other co-facilitators and lots of different people that I would have not met in any other uni experience.”

For more Rise activities like the National Saturday Club visit rise.mmu.ac.uk

The collaborative and student-led nature of the project enables students to learn multiple skills in a real-life setting, while having other students to lean on, learn from, and to collaborate with.

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overcoming homesickness New beginnings can bring challenges and uncertainty, but it’s important to remember you are not alone.

Starting university can seem daunting.

As you plunge into a world full of diversity, learning, and change, it’s a place like no other. For some people, a fresh start is a dream come true. For others, leaving home can be tough. It’s important to remember feeling scared is totally normal: You certainly are not alone. Plenty of students have been in your shoes, and plenty of students have truly found a sense of belonging at university. To help you settle in, aAh! rounds up some handy tips to keep in mind if homesickness hits.

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DON’T FIGHT IT

JOIN A CLUB OR SOCIETY

Many of us feel a vast range of emotions as we experience new things in life. Excitement, nervousness, anticipation, the buzz of a new beginning. These feelings are expected, but sometimes, other emotions can take us by surprise – such as loneliness and anger. It can be a hard pill to swallow, but university isn’t all fun and games. Maybe you feel as though you haven’t settled in as easily as your classmates, or you might find yourself missing old friends or family. According to the National Union of Students, up to 70% of students feel homesick during their first term at university.

Our advice? Don’t fight it. It’s completely normal to feel homesick and overwhelmed.

Don’t feel pressured to get settled in too quickly if you’re struggling. If homesickness hits, allow yourself to feel it, just don’t dwell on it for too long. Adjustment takes time.

Luckily for you, Manchester Met is filled with societies and clubs of all tastes. From archery, to book clubs, to debating, to fashion – there’s no excuse not to dive in. Joining a society is easy, and it allows you to pursue your interests alongside like-minded people.

Becoming part of a society is a perfect way to find a sense of belonging at university by bringing you out of your shell. Pay a visit to the Union or follow @TheUnionMMU for more info.

REACH OUT Support is always on hand. Feeling lonely at university is not out of the ordinary, but if it gets too much, don’t hesitate to reach out. Manchester Met has a great community here for you when you need it. Your personal tutor is on hand for support and guidance, so you can always reach out to them for advice whenever you feel fit. The Student Union also has an Advice Centre where you can find experienced staff who offer a helping hand in times of need. Remember, you’re never alone at university, so don’t ever be afraid to speak up if you’re struggling.

EXPLORE YOUR SURROUNDINGS Get out and about. Immersing yourself into your surroundings can help you feel more connected with the places and the people around you. As you’ll soon discover, Manchester is a bustling city, full of vibrancy and adventure. From cafes, to clubs, theatres, galleries… What’s not to like? There’s something for everyone. Finding a local study spot is always useful, especially if you’re surrounded by like-minded students. Or you could invite your coursemates out for a few drinks to break the ice. Becoming familiar with the city will make Manchester your home in no time, even if it’s just taking a trip to the library.

Visit theunionmmu.org/advice-centre or call 0161 247 6533

By Anna Torrance Design Hamnah Noor

MAKE A HOME When you’re done exploring, it’s important to make sure that you have a place of comfort to go back to. Making your room feel cosy and home-like is a must. After all, home is where the heart is. It could be as simple as putting up some photos of your friends, or bringing a certain item from home, such as a rug or a pillow. You could even buy some plants to add some life to your new room just remember to water them. It doesn’t have to be much, but a little bit of personal touch can go a long way. Simple activities such as cooking one of your favourite meals can also make you feel right at home.

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THE BEST PLACES TO study in THE CITY Although it may seem like it during Freshers Week, university doesn’t just revolve around parties, club nights and a packed calendar of welcome events. Eventually, your assignments will start to trickle in and you will need to find a decent spot to study.

We round up some of our favourites.

And of course, free wifi is a must.

The Whitworth Café The Whitworth art gallery has everything you need for those all-day study sessions, with plenty of places to work and lots of things to do during your breaks. There is a study on the bottom floor and a café on the ground floor, giving you the option to move about throughout the day. Taking breaks while working is crucial to keeping focused.

Here, you can explore the gallery’s exhibits or get some exercise in the adjoining park.

Milk and Honey Café This non-profit, volunteer-run café is perfect if you need a quick get away from campus.

Serving up a vegan and plant-based menu, Milk and Honey is accessible to everyone. Located in St. Peter’s House, which also provides a chaplaincy service to the university, it’s home to a programme of events including yoga, beekeeping and local food bank, The Well.

@thewhitworthcafe Dish and Spoon Spending your time in independent coffee shops is one of the best ways to support small businesses and your local area. Dish and Spoon is a great place to settle down with a hot drink. They serve breakfast and lunch, however, their biggest triumph is the enormous variety of cakes on offer.

The selection changes often and is a great way to brighten up any dull day.

@milkhoneymcr The Union A space you will come to know well. The Students’ Union is a great place to get some work done if you are looking for an alternative space to study on campus. You could use the café on the ground floor and supplement your learning with food and drink or visit the dedicated Study on the second floor. You can also book private rooms for undisturbed study or group assignments. @theunionmmu

@dishesandspoons

By Ella Walsh Design Kate King

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Q & A: PAL LEADER

ANNA HEWITT A unique community led by students, for students, Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) creates a safe space to meet new people and receive advice from peers. PAL leaders facilitate support sessions for first year students and guide them to work collaboratively, reflect on their course content, share knowledge and develop new skills. We speak to second year English student and PAL leader Anna Hewitt to find out more.

Share a Freshers memory with us...

How do you support students?

Say yes to things! I think it can be really daunting being a first year student but doing new things, going to a PAL session for example, can be a chance to meet new people. The Student Union hosts loads of events too which can be great for making friends. Just be open to speaking to new people and don’t worry if you don’t find ‘your people’ in the first week because sometimes it just takes a bit of time.

It was a weird time for me because it was covid during my freshers year which meant teaching was online and we had no physical contact with our peers and friends. Everyone was meeting up on Teams rather than in person because of the ‘rule of six’. We really tried to make it work with everything going on.

What is one piece of advice you would give to freshers students?

We create ‘lesson plans’ designed to go over the content students have learnt in their classes that week. We ask how much they have understood and we encourage them to work together to recap. We also give them help with essays and university life. We are here for reassurance and to help them adjust to university-style work.

How can students contact PAL leaders?

Why did you want to become a PAL leader?

PAL leaders will send adverts about the sessions as our initial point of contact. We will also have a presence during Freshers events.

You can also visit mmu.ac.uk/pal and follow @PeerHack on TikTok.

I’ve been in the position where you’ve been stressed about your assessments so I wanted to share that with the first year students and to give them extra guidance. The skills which were being advertised for the job were also things I wanted to work on for myself.

For example; facilitating, becoming more confident and supporting other students. It has given me more confidence in my work.

By Beth Fulham Design Kate King

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INTRODUCING INTRODUCING

By Ebony Langley Design Joanne Xu

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etMUnch’ entrepreneurial story began in 2011 with £20 worth of cabbage from Smithfield Market, a soup pot, a tablecloth and a desire to provide real-life experiences for students, shares second year student and MetMUncher, Aliyyah Sharnah Poyser.

Aliyyah is part of a vast network of students and staff working together across the MetMUnch network to promote sustainable, nutritious lifestyles, and nutritional entrepreneurship.

Additionally, MetMUnch is helping incoming students to manage their new workload with SMART targets and academic planners. This leaves students with more time to pencil in healthy habits such as exercise and meal prepping, as well as vital down-time to reduce stress.

“We have orchestrated food and cooking masterclasses for staff and students to emphasise ingredients’ functions and show how cooking can support mental wellbeing, as a joyful activity,” says Aliyyah. “We seek to discourage the misconception that healthy student diets are expensive and time-consuming.”

The team doesn’t just educate students on health, but provides opportunities to start building valuable skills. “MetMUnch combines a food society, a nutritional adventure and a fun community mashed together. It’s a friendly group where work and learning collide,” says Aliyyah.

The MetMUnch team is passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of recently independent students and seeks to share accessible recipes for healthy, hearty tasty meals at affordable costs.

Manchester Met graduate Jas Smith, worked with the project for six years and recognises the value of having the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to real-life settings and hands-on experience, which can be hard to gain.

From blogs such as ‘Inventive ways to upcycle your food scraps’ by nutritionist Tina Sabbagh, to a ‘One minute… ish’ meal video service launched over lockdown, MetMUnch makes creating great tasting, quick meals for beginners simple.

The team have also launched a popular recipe card series featuring dishes from a veggie-friendly bolognese to a decadent salmon wellington. Each meal comes with easy to follow instructions and macronutrient analysis to support students to learn about the nutritional content of their food.

For those wishing to expand their knowledge beyond the plate, MetMUnch shares tips to improve physical and spiritual health. They use their platform to spotlight equipment-free home exercise routines to enable students to improve physical strength without pricey gym memberships.

“MetMUnch allowed me to apply my learnings in a vast range of settings,” says Jas. “My creativity, entrepreneurship, confidence in public engagement, and teamwork have all genuinely been solidified.”

To get involved with MetMUnch visit metmunch.com and follow @MetMUnch

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CHICKPEA & MIXED PEPPER TORTILLA WRAPS

Ingredients

Method

(Serves 2, VE)

1. Heat oven to 220c (200c fan). Add chickpeas to large bowl and stir through olive oil, cumin and paprika.

2 wholemeal tortilla wraps 200g chickpeas (drained) 1½ mixed peppers (chopped) 1 small iceberg lettuce (shredded) 1 tbsp olive oil Juice of 1 lime 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp paprika

2. Spread onto baking tray and roast for 16 mins or until crisp. Turn halfway through to ensure even roasting.

3. Warm tortilla wraps in oven for 5-6 mins.

Approx. cost: £4.40

4. Add lettuce, mixed peppers, chickpeas and lime juice to tortilla wraps. Fold and enjoy!

Nutritional Fact

Scan for more MetMUnch recipes and follow @MetMUnch

One wrap contains enough vegetables to provide three of your five-a-day.

TOP TIp! Try adding a bit of yoghurt or guacamole if you prefer your wraps on the sloppier side.

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ART SCHOOL LIVE ART SCHOOL LIVE

S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

QUENCHING MANCHESTER’S THIRST FOR TALENT

By Rebecca Redican Photography Evan Wilson Design Laura Sheridan 22

O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

O

ne of the most unique music festivals is right on your doorstep. Not only can you soak up stunning live performances featuring impressive visual artwork but you have the opportunity to get behind the camera and gain hands-on experience in production. Rebecca Redican finds out more about Art School Live.

as it happened. Then, in the background we featured a 20 ft projection of visuals that were commissioned.

The School of Digital Arts building (SODA) is one of the most eye-catching structures in Manchester. Its sleek, reflective and clean lined architecture contrasts the traditional brick work of the historical Salutation pub located next door. That’s not to mention the light up digital media façade which takes up four of its five stories, making it a true creative beacon.

The summer instalment saw 12 bands, 12 visual artists and nine DJs entertain audiences over two days. Performances included local artists The KTNA, twin sisters born in Kenya and raised in Manchester and Phia Sky, who took the stage to play a pop-banger filled DJ set to guests enjoying the show in person and online.

“It’s the best looking show we have ever done and it brought in the most people [physically], as well as those watching online. The atmosphere was pretty great.”

Also on the bill was folk artist Chloe Foy, who was picked up by BBC Radio 2 and Radio 6 Music and now has around 8.5 million Spotify plays of her song ‘Asylum’.

“Chloe played our gig for the first time with that band line-up and the next day she played at Glastonbury Festival,” says Evan.

It’s a cloud-free, sun beaming, 19˚C day when I head over to meet Technical Specialist Evan Wilson outside this iconic site. Even though I have been to SODA a handful of times, I am always taken aback by its modern industrial interior.

The imposing light-up stairs, which undulate and blend from aqueous blue to warming buttercup, give the entrance a futuristic feel.

Today, however, it is more like stepping on to a dystopian film set. Bollards block entrances with signs to use the other door and yellow tape cordons off areas with wooden beams and a cherry picker.

A huge new screen and a projector are being installed above the revolving doors, as the site prepares to welcome new and returning students this Autumn.

We find a quieter room, away from the whirring of drills, and dive in to chatting about Art School Live, the university’s innovative event series co-created by staff and students which is bringing live music to our city centre campus.

Reflecting on the latest performances, Evan’s smile widens, “It went really well.

It’s the biggest one we have ever done.

We managed to set up 12 ft screens at the sides of the stage, live-streaming the show

23

As well as Mancunian acts, South-Londoner BINA joined the line up, fresh from supporting Emeli Sandé earlier this year.

interested in music you get to see the behind the scenes and see how it works. You get to build so many skills too, like listening, talking... and it grows your confidence.”

This isn’t the first time Art School Live has welcomed artists from further afield, with the festival hosting German electronic music composer and performer Hainbach back in March. “This goes to show the fact it’s snowballing and attracting more artists,” says Evan.

With an unlimited stream of passionate, talented students and a location set in the heart of a city with a long musical legacy, Evan considers Manchester’s Met’s unique positioning for the festival: “I’ve worked at MMU for four years and it seemed strange to me there wasn’t really music on campus. Especially as we are in the middle of Deaf Institute, Gorilla, The Ritz, and just up the road, we have the [University of Manchester] academies as well.

Another of Evan’s highlights was The KTNA sing along sections, as well as their call and response. He shares: “It felt great to be in that room. Especially after doing so many where we maybe only had a virtual audience, or maybe ten people socially distanced. From that to having 150 people in a room singing along… It was so good at the end of that set to look around, and you see everyone waving their arms.

It was special, especially with 30 students in the room who had all made it happen.”

“It seemed like a no-brainer to bring music on to campus because it’s Manchester – it’s the city of music. It’s got such a rich heritage.”

As we wrap up our chat, talk turns to what’s next for Art School Live. Evan takes a deep breath and taps his fingers on the faux wooden desk: “We’ve just got the next round of funding for the project. We’ll be doing one show a month from either October or November, through to January then there will be another big festival in January.

Then it’s one a month again until we hold another festival at the end of the year.”

“It seemed like a no-brainer to bring music on to campus because it’s Manchester – it’s the city of music.

It’s got such a rich heritage.”

With that I stand up to head out, joking there’s a lot to get planning. We walk together down the luminous stairs, noticing two giant panels are now attached above the door awaiting their future projections.

Manchester Met students are a major part of organising Art School Live, from band liaison, to graphic design and lighting, they take on core roles to bring the huge production effort to life. Consisting of three main teams: tech, marketing and events, Evan explains that it doesn’t matter what course students are on, they are invited to try out new roles, build their skills and earn Rise points in the process. “You can come and try out whatever bits you want to do.

You’re not limited, so if you want to do events management but also want to have a go on a camera, you can do that,” says Evan.

Hamnah Noor Khan has volunteered as an event manager for Art School Live twice.

“I can’t describe the experience but it’s literally incredible,” she shares, reflecting on the experience. “There are so many roles, you get to meet loads of people. If you’re

At the exit, I thank Evan for his time, and he reminds me to “keep an eye on our socials”. I reply: “Of course I will’’, because let’s face it, when something this fantastic is on your doorstep, it would be ridiculous not to take advantage of it.

24

To get involved with Art School Live keep an eye out for opportunities on the RISE website (rise.mmu.ac.uk) and follow @ArtSchoolLive

@ARTSCHOOLLIVE @ARTSCHOOLLIVE @ARTSCHOOLLIVE

25

Oasis, Happy Mondays and Joy Division are just a handful of the iconic bands our city has birthed over the decades.

Manchester is well-known for its legendary music history, but even the most successful artists need to start somewhere so it’s important to champion new voices coming through. aAh! rounds up some of the best Mancunian bands you NEED to have on your radar.

MCR

BANDS

TO HAVE ON YOUR RADAR

By Beth Fulham Design Faye Byrne

IF YOU LIKE: Buzzcocks and Joy Division

PAVÉ

Photography: Liv Hallsworth

BEST SONG: ‘Cherry Blossom’

WHERE TO WATCH: The Castle (21/10/22)

Alanya-Jade Simms, Kevin Peate, Jordi Shevlin, Jack Heaton and Ben Pursehouse make up this unique five-piece band who cannot be simply defined by genre. All members come from different parts of the world, and the group met during their time at BIMM Manchester where they studied Professional Musicianship. With connotations of the French Revolution, the word Pavé means rebellion, freedom and the right to fight for what you believe in. This message rings strong in their music and they are an inspiration to all artists breaking new ground.

Cousins Jack and James Yates and Swansea lads Joe Anderson, Rhys Wheeler and Liam O’Shea makeup this five-piece guitar band.

Their music is a lovely blend of guitar, an echoing symphony of vocals with a punchy rock anthem. Their unique style of music has led them to the recent signing by Spirit of Spike Island. Fuelled by the best of the best Manchester bands, they’re making their way to be as iconic as their city’s heroes.

26

PASTEL IF YOU LIKE: The Verve and Oasis

BEST SONG: ‘She Waits for Me’

WHERE TO WATCH: Neighbourhood Weekend Festival (01/10/22)

CORELLA

WORKING MEN’S CLUB

IF YOU LIKE: Pale Waves and New Order

BEST SONG: ‘Valleys’

WHERE TO WATCH: Manchester Academy (26/11/22)

BEST SONG: ‘No Violence’

BEST SONG: ‘Barcelona Girl’

WHERE TO WATCH: Look out for future tour dates

Our personal favourite, Corella, are a down-toearth group of mates who first met at university in Manchester. Joel Smith, Ben Henderson, Jack Taylor and James Fawcett make up this alternative band whose singles have been recognised by BBC Introducing and ITV’s This Morning. They have reached an astonishing 129,520 monthly listeners on Spotify, proving how they have grown drastically from their university years. Newly released single ‘Blush’ is definitely worth a listen!

Photography: Jake Haseldine

IF YOU LIKE: Oasis and Twisted Wheel

IF YOU LIKE: The Smiths and The Courteeners

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sydney Minsky-Sargeant, Liam Ogburn, Hannah Cobb and Mairead O’Connor transformed themselves into an alternative indie band. After their debut single ‘Bad Blood’ took off on BBC Radio 6 Music, they’re now performing all over the globe. In September they’ll be performing in style as they make their way across Europe and the US. Catch their Manchester date in November at Manchester Academy.

ROLLA

WHERE TO WATCH: Neighbourhood Weekender Festival (01/10/22)

James Gilmore, Luke Gilmore, Luke McConnell, Marston Robinson and Tom Paddon make up the charismatic rock ‘n’ roll five-piece hailing from Tameside. Established in 2019, Rolla have sold out hometown shows at Night & Day Café and performed in Mexico City and Gothenburg, Sweden. They can often be found on tour with the likes of The Skinner Brothers, The K’s and Andrew Cushin. Fresh from performances at Leeds and Y NOT Festival this summer, they are making a splash and winning over audiences across the UK and beyond.

Photography: Tom Oxley

27

venue guide venue guide venue guide

With Manchester’s seemingly endless choices of venues, it’s difficult to know where to start. From great student deals to put your wallet at ease, to atmospheres you’ll only find in our great city, we’ve got you covered. Don’t worry, this year you won’t end up in Wetherspoons every time you go out…

ARTS & CULTURE Manchester Art Gallery

Reaching its 200th anniversary in 2023, Manchester Art Gallery showcases a massive collection of historical fine art, both with local and international significance. Also, it’s free to visit, how good is that? manchesterartgallery.org

HOME

Established in 2015, HOME has quickly become one of Manchester’s best places for contemporary and international cinema, art exhibitions and theatre that can’t be found anywhere else. homemcr.org

The Whitworth

Aiming to make a positive social impact with their inclusive art exhibitions, you’re bound to connect with at least one of The Whitworth’s 50,000 contemporary and historical pieces. whitworth.manchester.ac.uk

Royal Exchange Theatre

It only takes seeing the building of the Royal Exchange Theatre to get a taste of the amount of passion and talent that goes into their theatre productions. This is the place for theatre. royalexchange.co.uk

Science and Industry Museum

Artistic expression is cool and all, but there’s just something so satisfying about seeing how the world goes round. The Science and Industry Museum has everything you need to know about that exact thing, it says it in the name. scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk

FOOD & DRINK Escape to Freight Island

Bunny Jacksons

Southside Tequila Joint

NQ64

Bottomless food markets to satisfy any taste you’re looking for, drag shows, live music, comedy nights, you name it, you can get lost in it at Escape to Freight Island. escapetofreightisland.com

An American style dive bar with American sports, live music, any alcohol you could ask for and… What’s that? 25p chicken wings?!

Sign us up. bunnyjacksons.co.uk

If you’re in Withington, you have to try Southside’s rapper themed tacos and their wide array of tequila - they’re known for it. They even have veggie options too! tequilajoint.com

Beat your friends in the most iconic competitive video-games while sipping on NQ64’s video-game themed cocktails. Have fun destroying your friendships in Mario Kart! Only joking, just don’t use the blue shell. nq64.co.uk

The Footage

An ex-cinema student bar that is the best place to catch any live football and other sports events. Trust us when we say the screens are PERFECT. crafted-social.co.uk/footage-manchester

MUSIC & CLUBS YES

Mint Lounge

The Deaf Institute

Hidden

The Mint Lounge is home to Funkademia, the longest running club-night in Manchester that plays the very best soul, funk and disco to dance the night away. funkademia.net/location/

Stacked like a pancake and topped off with a beautiful roof terrace, YES is four stories large with daily music gigs, bars and freshly served pizza and vegan kebabs. Unreal. yes-manchester.com

The award-winning music and arts nightclub Hidden is the peak of electronic dance music in Manchester. Look out for their unmissable freshers events too, you definitely won’t want to miss them. hidden.club

Fans of alternative music won’t want to miss out on The Deaf Institute. Made for students, the independent bar and venue has live alternative gigs, club nights and even live comedy! thedeafinstitute.co.uk

42’s

No matter who you are, or what you’re into, there’s a place for you in Manchester. We’ve barely even touched the surface here, so don’t be afraid to explore the city! There’s more than meets the eye.

Known as a legendary student club, 42’s hosts regular themed DJ nights, whether it be for alternative rock legends, or 60s and 70s club bangers. It’s easy on the money, big on the music selection.

42sclub.com

By Finn O’Leary Design Kate King 29

STRESSED, DEPRESSED, BUT WELL DRESSED AVOIDING THE TRAP OF BUY NOW PAY LATER SCHEMES

T

he cost of living crisis has cast dark shadows across the nation. Energy bills are increasing, rent prices are soaring as the supply of affordable housing plummets, and the effects of climate change are unravelling before our eyes. So why is it that some young people find light in retail therapy?

While the outside world is rife with chaos, social media continues to promote a luxury lifestyle by encouraging users to keep up to date with the latest trends and fast fashion hauls. The promise of shiny new packages and polyester clothing offering a quick dopamine hit is obtainable for everyone – regardless of budget. How? Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL).

BNPL schemes echo similar traits to former payday lenders such as Wonga, which allowed customers to rack up unaffordable amounts of debt due to lack of regulation. Now, BNPL options like Klarna and Clearpay offer shoppers the appealing option to purchase items instantly but pay later.

“By the time I realised how deep in debt I was, it was too late,” shares Chloe, a 20-year-old student from Blackpool.

Surrounded by yesterday’s trendy clothing and parcels past their return date, university student Chloe noticed how easy it was to drown in outstanding payments and late fees: “I’d maxed-out [my] student overdraft and owed almost a grand in repayments.

“It got to the point where I was too scared to open my emails because my inbox was flooded with reminders for a next payment or that I’d missed a payment, so now I have to pay a late fee.”

One study from Credit Karma, found 58 per cent of BNPL users are utilising it to try and manage the rising cost of living.

This has sparked concern that younger people could fall into debt or end up with a poor credit score if they fail to make repayments on time.

Critics of BNPL have raised concerns over the sufficiency of their ‘soft credit check’ assessments given that lenders cannot see the borrowing status with other companies. This allows vulnerable customers like Chloe to be eligible for multiple short term agreements.

With the continued glamorisation of consumerism online, people aged 18-24 from lower-class backgrounds are disproportionately impacted by unscrupulous BNPL marketing tactics. And a surge in the cost of living has reflected in the price of clothing and footwear, perpetuating a vicious cycle of debt.

Sue Anderson, Head of Media at UK debt charity, StepChange, explains BNPL schemes are deliberately marketed to less financially experienced consumers - as a means of payment rather than as a form of credit.

Chloe explains shopping websites enticed her to continue using Klarna: “It was advertised as ‘safe’, so why wouldn’t I go for the option where I pay as little as possible?”

“There is currently very little friction to prevent consumers building up significant amounts of cumulative debt. These concerns become magnified due to the targeting of these products on social media at younger people – a group that has a greater risk of experiencing problem debt,” says Anderson.

Like Chloe, 26 per cent of shoppers regret using BNPL. “I was buying clothes I couldn’t afford just to make myself feel better, and in the end it made me feel worse,” she adds.

31

BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW

Research from Money.co.uk highlights a growing trend in BNPL due to social media influencer promotion. Responding to the consumerist culture promoted online, sustainable fashion activist Aja Barber says: “We are raised to think we are consumers from a young age. It is pushed upon you that buying things will make you feel better. “[BNPL companies] exploit the working class, dangling the opportunity to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ by buying the shiny new clothes that influencers are wearing now and worrying about the debt later. But this doesn’t just hurt people’s pockets; it harms the planet too.”

The fast fashion industry contributes 92 million tonnes of textiles waste to landfills every year making the industry one of the largest contributors to climate change.

A report published by Money.co.uk noted one in six shoppers admitted to using BNPL to fund their purchases because they got carried away and purchased more than they could afford.

“My generation is heavily influenced by what we see online,” says Chloe. “It’s easy enough for older adults to say ‘take no notice’, but the feeling of being an outsider for not having whatever the current trend is isn’t new.

“I remember being worried when I was in school for things like not having the same River Island bag that everyone else was wearing. It seems minor now, but it sticks with you.

“I think the reason people don’t talk about it much is because of shame. It’s not a particularly nice thing to admit that I got into debt because I was buying clothes I couldn’t afford.”

By Alexandria Slater Design Kate King

33

4 WAYS TO UP YOUR SUSTAINABILITY ON A BUDGET Sustainable fashion on a student budget is not always an easy task.

With rocketing price tags, it can be hard not to break the bank. aAh! wraps up four easy fashion tips to help you make more sustainable choices.

1

SLOWING DOWN & TAKING CARE

Losing inspiration for new outfits? Believe it or not, this does not mean you are in need of a shopping spree. Elle UK contributing editor and fashion activist, Aja Barber says it best when she tells us to “slow down and be more thoughtful”. Pinterest is a great way of finding endless ideas on how to style the clothes you already own.

Organisations such as the Manchesterbased cooperative, Stitched Up, also offer hands-on workshops teaching skills such as sewing and garment repair, that will help you take care of your clothes. So slow down and think twice before making new purchases.

You don’t always need a shopping spree.

2

UPCYCLING OLD CLOTHES

Let’s be honest, we all went through a phase in our early teens of watching DIY YouTube videos and taking a pair of scissors to our old clothes. Maybe our younger selves were on to something, as this is one of the easiest ways to up your sustainability and come out with a brand-new piece of clothing. YouTube channels such as Fashion Wizardry provide easy tutorials to transform old outfits into new stylish pieces. So, if you need a new skirt for that flat party you’re going to, save money and the environment by recycling that old pair of jeans you forgot about.

34

CHARITY & THRIFT SHOPPING

3

Manchester has plenty of trendy second-hand clothing shops such as Blue Rinse, Cow Vintage and Pop Boutique, ideal for sourcing interesting vintage pieces. Charity shops are also a great way of coming across unique vintage items at a bargain price tag. Buying second-hand can help us get out of this throw-away mindset which in turn, helps lessen our impact on the environment. It is also a good option when you’re on a tight student budget. Why spend a fortune on flimsy fast fashion when you can save money and fight climate change by shopping second-hand?

SELLING ONLINE

4

One thing university students always need is a little bit of extra money; whether that’s to buy new books, gig tickets, or simply restock the fridge. Selling a jumper that’s been long forgotten at the bottom of your wardrobe could be the solution to this. Green Living UK reports that 350,000 tonnes of used but still wearable clothing goes to landfill every year, so why not help reduce this staggering figure while making yourself some extra cash? Try websites such as Vinted, Depop and eBay to sell your old clothes instead of throwing them out.

By Phoebe Rawding Design Kate King

7 FLEXI-REMOTE WORK IDEAS FOR INTROVERTS

By Sarah Lane Design Hamnah Noor

Gone are the days when the only student jobs were flyering or working in shops or bars. The rise of flexible remote work gives us freedom and control over when, where and how much we work.

INTROVERT RATING VERY SUITABLE £££ Can be fully remote, no phone or video calls.

SUITABLE ££ May require calls, or not always fully remote.

SOMEWHAT SUITABLE £ Likely to require calls, or not fully remote.

TRANSCRIPTION £££

FREELANCE WRITING £££

If you can type quickly and adhere to formatting conventions, transcribe audio files from diverse fields such as law, medicine, sport, and marketing.

This ranges from short-forms like social media posts or product descriptions, to blog posts and web copy, case studies and ebooks.

Pay varies significantly, so work out your minimum hourly rate and stick to that when accepting work.

Pay is often per project rather than hourly, so to earn well you need high typing speeds.

Files with poor audio quality or featuring speakers with accented English can pay more highly.

For regular work, try job boards such as: problogger, bloggingpro and allfreelancewriting. To pick up ad hoc projects, try Copify and get started with free resources at Writing Revolt or elnacain.com.

Check if Rev, Scribie or TranscribeMe are accepting applications. Accuro is hiring now on e4s.com. Randstad also hire notetakers, scribes and proofreaders to work on campus.

36

ONLINE TUTORING £

SELL YOUR ART ONLINE £££

Teach your A Level or GCSE subjects, or even your hobbies. Often delivered in one-toone sessions, this can be less stressful than group lessons.

Create designs, sell prints and build up your network to develop regular freelance commission opportunities.

Hourly rates start at £10-15 up to £40-£50 (and beyond), depending on experience.

Teaching small groups or high value areas such as entrance exams or Business English can be more lucrative.

Explore Learning is a good place to start with pay at £9 per hour. Check if MyTutor, Superprof and Tutorful are accepting applications and look up ‘Teacher Nikki TV’ on YouTube.

Speak to a trusted tutor or mentor who can help you calculate a fair price for your work. Many artists are inclined to undersell themselves at first, so avoid this by taking advantage of university resources such as Rise workshops to support you to build your entrepreneurial skills.

Research Threadless, Redbubble or Etsy to find the platform most suitable for your artwork.

BE A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT ££ From small admin tasks, data entry, researching, or booking appointments, to managing client calendars or their social media accounts.

Some roles will require confidence on the phone and strong organisational skills help with progression. Pay starts low and can increase with the complexity of responsibilities.

Try FancyHands, which focuses on short tasks taking up to 20 minutes, or Vicky Virtual - both are suitable for beginners.

CREATE WEBSITES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES ££ Know your way around WordPress?

Approach small businesses and offer to set up a simple website for them. Many small business owners are daunted by the prospect of this and would welcome your help.

Basic websites can cost £100-£600. More complex sites pull in £1,000-£5,000 and beyond. Build your web design skills to charge more for bespoke themes.

List small local businesses and check their online presence. Approach with your offer and follow up once or twice. Complete a project brief and include up to two rounds of revisions in your price upfront.

WRITE BOOK REVIEWS £££ Usually under 500 words, giving a brief description of the story along with your thoughts.

Starting out, expect to get between £5-£15 for initial reviews. As your profile develops, experienced reviewers can draw £60+ per review. You may not make a lot of money, but if you read a lot anyway, why not get paid?

Explore Reedsy Discovery, Online Book Club and Writerful Books.

: T H G I L T O SP

MCR’S LITERARY SCENE

By Finn O’Leary

M

anchester is a city filled to the brim with literary knowledge and opportunities for any passionate student writer to explore. From its outstanding libraries, university and local events, it’s no wonder Manchester was granted the City of Literature status by UNESCO.

workshops in journalism, editing, pitching, magazine production and graphic design to boost your skills, confidence and portfolio. BBC Writersroom and web zine, Polyester, also have regular open calls – both creative and nonfiction – and are waiting for your submissions.

Did you know that Manchester Poetry Library at Manchester Met is the first one of its kind in the North West? If poetry is not your passion, The Portico Library offers events and exhibitions such as bookbinding workshops and discussions with writers. Other iconic libraries include Manchester Central Library, the stunning John Rylands Research Institute and Library, and Britain’s oldest public library, Chetham’s Library - each waiting for you to explore their own unique history and knowledge.

Want to speak your word to a crowd? There are tons of great venues waiting with open arms.

Chorlton bar, Dulcimer, is a great option. The same can be said for Young Identity, a spoken word collective which also hosts regular writing workshops. Looking for some festivals? The Switchblade Society holds one for local poets as well as our last pick Sayin, who, as well as poetry, support rappers and musicians who perform without a backing track.

Manchester Met’s societies are also a great community to tap into, welcoming writers from every field. MMU Creative Writing Society plans to accept a range of submissions, as well as hold workshops for writers of prose, script and poetry. There’s also the Borderline Theatre Society for playwrights, and the Hive Radio Society for writers of radio. If you’re looking to mingle with fellow bookworms, MMU Book Club Society will help you connect with other readers or expand your tastes.

When you’re not attending lectures, you’ll want to keep up with literature based events in the city. Look out for the Manchester Literature Festival in October, with highlights including the Manchester’s Multilingual City Poets panel, and in-conversation events featuring Ian Rankin, Nihal Arthanayake and David Olusoga.

In late November, be sure to support Manchester Met’s very own lecturers Helen Mort and Kim Moore, who are shortlisted for the 30th Anniversary of the Forward Prize.

Manchester Writing School will also host the 2022 National Creative Writing Industry Day and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Conference in November. Watch this space for events celebrating the book launches of alumni writers Minoli Salgado, Laura Barnett and Mark Pajak, too.

No matter which parts of Manchester’s literary scene you get involved in, make the time to link up with your fellow readers and writers.

Whether they’re classmates or friends, sharing your work with others will help you find more opportunities you never thought possible. Have fun exploring!

To stay in the loop with events sign-up to the Manchester Writing School mailing list at mmu.ac.uk/english/mcr-writing-school/joinour-mailing-list and follow @McrWritingSchl

If you’re a fellow writer looking to make your mark, get involved in zines like the one you’re reading right now. aAh! holds regular Rise 38

The first year of u nive of an exc iting journ rsity can mark th e start ey toward However, s self-dis this path covery. is differe we dive in nt for eve to a new ryone. As academic up our fa year, aAh vourite c oming-of! rounds age nove ls.

s e t i r W OF e g a s Pas

Design Joanne Xu

HANGSAMAN (1951)

By Shirley Jackson

THE IDIOT (2017)

By Elif Bautman

THE INSEPARABLES (2021)

By Simone de Beauvoir

This 1950s classic remains an immensely relevant novel.

Modern readers will find it both psychologically terrifying and cathartic. Natalie Waite, our 17-year-old protagonist, embarks on her first year of university.

While navigating its strange and confusing social dynamics, she experiences homesickness, the suppression of trauma, and other mental health issues. In her battle against loneliness, she escapes into her imagination. This coping mechanism causes her to question her reality and the existence of her ‘self’. Natalie’s ability to overcome her fear and insecurity makes Hangsaman a harrowing tale of self-realisation, sure to leave readers with a sense of hope for the journey ahead.

[Kayla Monteiro]

The Idiot, by Elif Bautman, is a quick-witted novel that offers an accessible, thought provoking analysis of the modern university experience. This 2008 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize examines a year in the life of Selin Karadağ, a Turkish linguistics student raised in America. It begins in the mid-90s, just as email is first being popularised. For Selin, the ability to hide behind a screen creates a confusing landscape of hyper-reality most readers will recognize today. Through its humorous style, The Idiot explores the cognitive dissonance between written language and physical communication, and how this affects our relationships with each other, and ourselves.

[Kayla Monteiro]

Sylvie watches best friend Adrenné blaze and disintegrate under the restrictive gaze of her orthodox family. When Adrenné joins Sylvie’s class they become inseparable, uniting against the oppressive notions of adults. Sylvie admits her adoration for Adrenné. The next morning it is forgotten. Adrenné opts for stimulants over food, suffocating under her parents’ refusal to allow her autonomy.

Adrenné is the fictionalised Zaza, De Beauvoir’s childhood friend whose death by viral encephalitis haunted the author throughout her life. Deciding not to publish this story in her lifetime, perhaps De Beauvoir wondered if the true messiness of real lives can be tidied into a story.

[Sarah Lane]

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a letter to you...

By Rebecca Redican Design Laura Sheridan

R

e-entering the world of academia can be seriously exciting but intimidating at the same time. You apply early, when the idea of actually heading back to university is a distant dream. Then, months later, you find yourself trying to spin the metaphorical plates of work, family and studies like a circus act hopeful on Britain’s Got Talent.

Don’t worry, last year the number of mature students returning to education saw an increase, so you’re not alone.

As well as: ‘Always read the assessment brief first,’ there is an important thing to remember, and that’s why you are good enough to be here. Yes, you may not always have the energy to stay out until the trundle of the milk float guides you home like you used to, but you have got what many undergrads don’t.

Firstly, you generally know who you are as a person. Yes, the years of balancing inner turmoil and introspection have finally paid off (well, in the most part). This means that as a mature student, you’ll often have a better idea of what you want to study and where you want to go in life (again, for the most part).

Secondly, you have probably had at least one full-time job by now. Think back to ‘that email’ about the job application you filled in as an undergrad which politely thanked you for your time but said no interview was required as you needed more experience.

At the time you probably opened a bottle of something cheap and exclaimed to your

closest pals: “How am I meant to get experience if no one will give me a job to get experience?!” But now, at least you have that catch-22 out of the way.

Yes, you may be one of the oldest in your class but that really isn’t a bad thing. I returned to student life to study for my Masters after 14 years of being out of education. Not only was I welcomed with open (slightly more youthful) arms but I also made wonderful relationships and know many will be connections for years to come.

It’s amazing to have a more carefree fun collective around you than the person you sat next to nine ‘til five each day, who always complained their feta salad had gone missing again. You get to grab a real lunch (using your mega student discount, obviously) and treat yourself to a cider at 4pm (after lectures, of course) with your new pals. Plus, we all know the best type of post-lecture chats work with a diverse bunch of people.

Possibly, the most important thing to remember is that it’s never too late. Whether it’s to develop your skills, change your career or just to pursue something you’re passionate about, it’s worth diving in. Also, an extra piece of advice from me to you: remember the free Advice Centre.

They can help out with things from housing to childcare, so you really are never alone.

Now go and take a well earned break from reading and enjoy your fabulous new adventure… Just don’t forget to take your student card with you, the discount really is a game changer!

Anonymous

sk aAh!

Q: I’m going into my final year of study in September and I’m worried about next steps. I have a part-time job that isn’t related to my area of study, but it does pay more than starting at the bottom of the career path I’m on. What should I do next?

A: We feel you on this one! Working part-time to cover the bills, while striving to make real progress in our careers is tough. We all want to feel like we’re moving forward and careerrelated anxiety among students is common, so you’re not alone.

We spoke to Careers Advisor Rob Bracey, who says: “There is certainly nothing wrong with needing to prioritise better paid work as a student. We as a careers service would never endorse putting yourself at risk financially, especially considering the current economic climate.

“Remember as well of all the transferrable skills you are gaining from a part-time job such as teamwork, time management, resilience, and professionalism. And that’s just to name a few!”

Q: Over lockdown, I started walking regularly and making a real effort to eat better, but with higher food prices and everything else going up, I’m worried I won’t be able to continue my healthier lifestyle. I also don’t want to fall into the trap of cheap takeaways when I’m busier with uni work.

Anonymous

A: First of all, it’s great that you got into good habits over lockdown! It can be difficult to prioritise a healthy lifestyle alongside the academic and financial pressures of university but the main thing to remember is to not hold yourself to unrealistic standards or to beat yourself up over having the odd takeaway.

For advice on affordable healthy eating, we spoke to MetMUnch student Aliyyah Sharnah Poyser. She says, “There are lots of nutritious, cheap and quick recipes available from MetMUnch, including recipe cards where most of the meal is cooked in the microwave.

“Buying frozen or tinned fruits and vegetables can also be a cheaper option. Opt for fruits that are tinned in their own juices rather than a sugar syrup.

Bracey encourages us to celebrate the win of having an idea of where we want to be in the first instance. “A positive action you can take is to research the skills you need for your long-term career and focus on developing those for when you finish university. If, like many reading this, you are unsure of your career options then now is the time to explore this,” he adds.

“Healthy eating is about having a balanced diet, so allow for the odd sweet treat or sneaky snack a few times a week.

Bracey also highlights some of the schemes you could look into to support you to try different paths such as the shorter-term paid internships via the Rise programme and MMU Volunteering - both of which could help boost your CV.

Follow @ManMetCareers and @MetMUnch for more tips and advice.

“I appreciate it is easier said than done, but prioritisation and time management is key,” says Bracey. “Remember you are not alone as the careers service is here to help. We are here to offer you advice through our various digital resources and through our great faculty career teams.”

“Keep up the activity with your daily walking and choose stairs instead of the lifts when you are out and about. A healthy and active lifestyle aids focus in learning, so we hope you reap great results!”

Have a dilemma that’s bugging you? A problem that just won’t budge? Life as a student can spring up all kinds of difficulties. Fear not, we are here to help.

Scan here to get in touch and #ASKaAh

By Anna Torrance Design Laura Sheridan

DOS AND DON’TS FROM AN EXCHANGE STUDENt

M

anchester is a vibrant city, buzzing with culture and heritage. Its illustrious nightlife and infinite academic opportunities make for a perfect student set-up.

International exchange student Scott Lam shares some top tips to help you thrive in your new home, as well as some things to avoid along the way.

By Scott Lam Design Hamnah Noor

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DO USE THE FIRST TWO WEEKS TO MAKE CONNECTIONS

DON’T GET CAUGHT UP IN AN UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE

You’ve got no idea how important it is for you to put yourself out there and take charge in making new friends – the more the merrier.

I know I just mentioned taking advantage of the nightlife above, and while I’ve had my fair share of partying ‘til dawn and drinking bathtubs worth of booze – don’t let it take over.

I know settling down in a new city without your family and buddies may be daunting, but the key step to becoming independent is making as many friends as possible during the first two weeks. Why the first two weeks? Because this is the time where everyone finds people they’ll most likely stay with throughout their studies.

There’s nothing wrong with going out and enjoying time with your new friends, but excessive drinking and junk food has got potential for you to neglect your actual needs.

It’s just as okay to say no to a night out as much as it is to say yes. Sometimes a quiet night in watching Stranger Things is a better idea than partying until sunrise in a club. Just manage your time well and find some balance, and you’ll live your best life over the next few months.

DON’T BRING TOO MANY BOOKS I started out with a great plan of finishing two huge business skill books throughout my exchange programme. Guess what? I didn’t even make it through the first chapter.

DO TRY SOMETHING NEW

You’ll have too much occupying you, both through work and personal experiences, to be able to spend large amounts of time diving into extra reading material. I did manage to write up a lot in my journal though. Additional books can end up being a waste of bag space, and potentially a waste of money.

As simple as this sounds, I truly discovered myself by constantly trying new things, and as cliché as this may sound too, it all started with a game of pool. I didn’t even know how to play pool, but because of my drive to try something new, it’s now one of my favourite hobbies. I even managed to beat the people who taught me how to play.

DO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NIGHTLIFE The library at Manchester Met is great for being open 24/7, but that doesn’t mean you’ve got to spend your entire life there.

Take advantage of the time you’ve got and spend some late nights in the city, having a dance and a laugh with your new friends. Manchester’s got so many clubs and opportunities for nights out.

It’s known as the second city after London, but I’d argue that it’s even better.

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Don’t be afraid to get involved. As the saying goes - if you don’t try, you’ll never know. I had a crazy experience during my five months in Manchester, and it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t hopped on that plane and given it a go.

Put yourself out there, it’ll change your life.

Issue 07 Autumn/Winter 2022