ISSUE 46: SURFACE

Fresher’s edition

RAZZ

Editor’s Notes Nathan - Print Editor In Chief

There is a surface to everything – people, places, situations – more often than not, the surface is all we see. In this edition, through questionable wordplay and overwhelmingly good intentions, our RAZZ writers have pieced together what surfaces mean to us, as well as what they might mean to you – a new member of the University of Exeter.

Whether or not you are indeed a Fresher doesn’t matter; we are starting a new year and that means new encounters, new homes and new lives. Those, however, are surface-level changes. It is important that despite whatever dramatic shifts are now occurring, you still remember and hold on tightly to what makes you you. People change when they go to University – that’s a fact of life – but it is up to you to decide whether those transformations are led by your own aspirations or are dictated by others. Don’t let someone else, who might seem ‘amazing’ on the surface, change anything that is integral to who you are. Everybody contains multitudes and University is a brilliant time to discover yourself. Don’t be afraid. Break the surface.

I wanted to thank the people who have made this edition possible. Everyone on the committee this year entered with absolutely zero experience of RAZZ and yet, despite it being Summer and this edition having such tight deadlines, we have all managed to make it work. Thank you – you are brilliant!

Kitty - Deputy Print Editor Surface makes me think of the potential of everything. The surface is just the start, it’s the beginning when there’s so much more to be found, uncovered, and created. For our new members, you are surfacing, coming into this unfamiliar environment at University with new and abundant creativity that we hope you share with us!

Dig deeper and make this experience your own.

Catherine - Deputy Print Editor I always imagine the surface of a lake, or a still body of water. The calming, natural kind of surface. One that reflects and supports the environment, unlike the surface of an empty conversation, a social performance, or a media personality. Although these are issues that surround us constantly in the modern age, this year, RAZZ will work to rupture and dismantle these surfaces that often limit University life.

Meina - Creative Director People often intend to make their own surface but it gradually harms them. At its worst, the ‘surface’ invades and dominates their mind. However, we cannot stop creating our surface due to our desire for self recognition – that’s why we use social media and try to make our own page fancy. This isn’t a bad thing at all, except that it reflects nothing. Freshers have a thick surface, but I am only interested in what lies below.

CONTENTS 1 Front Cover 2-3 Editor’s Notes 4 Contents 5-7 Meet the Committee 8 What is RAZZ? 9 Surface-level Conversation 10-11 Surface of Self 12-13 Impressions vs Reality 14-15 Poems 16 Autumn Mixtape 17 Wellbeing at University 18-19 TOP5 Tips to survive 20 Creative Writing Prose 21 Back Cover

Hi! My name is Nathan and I’m going to be your Print-Editor-In-Chief for RAZZ. I am entering my third year studying English and Creative Writing, and I am so excited to host some competitions this year and see all the talent this University has to offer!

I’m Poppy, a third-year English and Creative Writing student and Online Editor-In-Chief for RAZZ. I’m eager to dip my toes into the editing world this year and I’m looking forward to reading submissions; hosting competitions this year will be super exciting!!

Hi guys! I’m Meina, Creative Director for RAZZ this year! I am studying Liberal Arts, majoring in Art History and Visual Arts. I am so glad to have such a wonderful and curious team and I hope as many freshers as possible will be interested in our mag and share their creativity!

Hello! I’m Kitty, Deputy Print Editor and Assistant Creative Director for RAZZ. I can’t wait to help shape a vibrant magazine while completing my third year studying English and Creative Writing. I look forward to seeing all the inspiring contributions!

Hiya! I’m Meg, an Assistant Creative Director for RAZZ! I’m in my second year studying psychology and I’m massively looking forward to developing the creative designs in the magazine. I can’t wait to meet everyone and share our talents!

Hi everyone! My name is Catherine, and I’ll be working as a Deputy Print Editor for RAZZ this year! I’m entering my fourth and final year of studying English at Exeter. I’m honoured to be a part of the RAZZ team, and I can’t wait to support as much student expression in the magazine as possible.

Heyyy, I’m Chessie and I’m in my second year studying Classical Studies and English. I can’t wait to take on the role of Copy Editor. A fun way to learn, meet new people and provide good food for thought... excitingggg !!

Hi guys, I’m Mila and I am beyond excited to be working with RAZZ as a copy and online editor. Really looking forward to meeting all the new members and working together to create some great pieces!

Hi everyone! I’m Vlad, and I’ll be your RAZZ Treasurer this year. I’m in my third year studying English Literature, which means I spend most of my time around books and coffee mugs. I’m excited to read all the amazing work this year, and can’t wait to meet everyone!

Hiya! I’m Hattie, your Publicity Officer for the year! I’m super excited to be working with the brilliant RAZZ team as I go into my 4th Year studying English. I can’t wait to collaborate with some amazing people and get creative on our socials!! :)

Hi I’m Issy, I’m a third year Liberal Arts Student specialising in Creative Writing. I plan to put the rizz in Razz, and am looking forward to the best socials in town!

Hi guys! My name is Emily and I will be your Welfare Secretary for RAZZ magazine. I am going into my 3rd year of Clinical Psychology and I cannot wait to welcome new and existing RAZZ members !!

The what’s-what of arts, lifestyle, and culture since 2007, RAZZ is an ever-evolving hybrid magazine with a main print edition supported by a further online platform. We keep you up to date on current cultural affairs, with reviews, articles, creative writing, mixtapes(!), and also photography and artistic submissions.

Every physical edition is themed with something suitably cryptic, as per this edition, Surface, giving our writers plenty of room to interpret the theme as they will. It’s such a brilliant way to dip your toes into the journalistic pool, to get involved in creatively exploring something that might have once just been a passing thought, but in fact has depth and power, and - more importantly - an eager audience.

Especially pertinent for new students at the University of Exeter, RAZZ sheds light on where to be (or not to be) in and around the city, especially its ‘Arts Centres’, such as the Northcotte Theatre. Why not take the chance to write about what you’re watching? We regularly offer free tickets for you and a friend to attend the biggest shows in Exeter, and tell us all about them in a review!

Even as you’re reading this, you’ll note the vibrancy of RAZZ’s character in its pages; personality packed into the design itself. Our online articles are likewise written fit to bursting with insight and unrivalled imaginative prowess! Movie watcher? Music lover? Theatre goer?

There’s nothing quite like the ardour of a well-written article on a topic someone is truly passionate about, and our Creative Corner of prose and poetry further showcases the ingenuity of our students.

After this fresher’s edition, there will be a much-larger RAZZ issue every term, which will include competitions with valuable prizes for creative writing and artistic talent - keep an eye out on our social media for information about content calls and future events. There is a sea of opportunities here - just waiting for Poppy Read - Online Editor In Chief

RAZZ Copy Editor Chessie Fernandes explores how to converse with new university friends.

Starting anything new is challenging. Starting uni is no exception. Full of new faces and environments, it’s often hard to find your feet. Freshers’ week becomes the feeding ground for surface level conversation. ‘What course do you study?’, ‘Did you take a gap year?’ and ‘What A levels did you take?’ are questions that dominate every discussion. But do any of their answers help you get to know who someone really is?

Reflecting on my own freshers’ week, and chatting to friends, we quickly concluded that these classic questions were a safety net. But in reality, ‘surface level’ does only let you dip your toes in, none the wiser about the people you meet. Whether they study Geography or Econ or French, chosen subjects barely scratch the surface of a person. I appreciate that friendships take time to build, but it is psychologically proven that people feel most comfortable when speaking with those who are open - who stray from the norm. So, are the default questions really the answers we want?

The key to avoiding a surface level conversation is to be yourself. Ask yourself, what makes you, you? With this mindset, the mundane facts will trickle in around other aspects of your discussion. I challenge you to push the boat out. Of course, ask someone’s name, but once that is established, there is no script. Instead of jumping to the standard questions, ask something more memorable. Avoid the ‘Who do you know?’ or ‘Where did you go to school?’ - instead, tell a quirky story, share a fun experience. This way, people actually get to know you.

Immediately, a relaxed vibe will allow you to push beneath the surface naturally and avoid the chat that no one really wants.

THE SURFACE OF THE SELF - HOW TO PERFORM AUTHENTICITY By Meg -Assistant Creative Director

Matchas, Labubus, feminist literature these character-defining items barely scratch the surface of what you might find in the tote bag of a performative male.

Social media regurgitates the same running joke, bashing the archetypal man competing in the race of “who is the most authentic”.

A “Performative Male” contest was even set up in Chicago. Filled with crowds of flannel wearing, nail polished men reading editions of Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar”, while nursing their Clairo vinyls with their iced matcha lattes.

But what does this say about the new generation, when even authenticity becomes a performance?

To counter hypermasculinity, a movement advocated by “meninist” influencers like Andrew Tate attempting to define “real men”, a new archetype emerged. Despite Tate’s criminal charges and brutal behaviour against women, controversially blaming them for global issues and sharing advice on how best to “handle” them, his “manospheric” communities idolise him.

Yet, as outcry against this toxicity grew, and women stated their distaste in Tate’s definition of “manly men”, a counter-figure arrived: the “soft guy”.

These men rejected overt displays of dominance. Rather than embracing interests coded as feminine, men were encouraged to appear in an almost polar opposition to the Tate persona.

However, both these performances shared the same hidden motivation: the validation of others.

Despite appearing contradictory, both types of men present their personas as a mask - fragments of an ideal online self. For Tate, his selling point to teach men how to be attractive and powerful evolved into “ragebait” for the public. He provided such comical controversy that millions of people - fans or not- would view his clips just to make sense of him.

Similarly, the “soft guy” or “performative male” emerged as a product for men. This image made them equally appealing to women, but

simultaneously powerful in a quieter, more manipulative sense.

or “OOTD” video, they are feeding back into the algorithm. They melt their own perceived individualism into the universal body of social media.

So why is authenticity so desperately sought after? Social media has brought a universal connection unlike anything before. Everyone has the freedom to share opinions, hobbies, fashion and political opinions.

Aided by marketing teams and financially motivated lifestyle influencers, each platform has terrifyingly limited restrictions.

Ignoring the explicit differences between these opposing extremes of masculinity, the underlying fact is clear: it isn’t enough to just be yourself.

You need a brand, a persona, an image to cultivate online and attract attention. But, simultaneously, you must remain unique. Your brand has to be a reflection of you: to be successful, you have to make your personality performance authentic.

This infinite output is filtered by algorithms, tailoring your feed to you.

Trends and popularities are made by the consumer, and then fed back to them for a price. No matter how unique your taste in content may seem, it’s still shaped by the same algorithm that feeds billions of others. This brings the lack of individualism online. An unnerving sensation that your thoughts and preferences aren’t truly yours,is what drives the need for authenticity.

For variety.

Performative men aim to appear different. Their end goal is to appear unique and authentic so that you choose them out of millions of sheep. But with each carefully curated Instagram post

However, the performance of authenticity online isn’t just a male phenomenon, it’s a generational one. The superficial advantages of media influence infects us all: our perceptions of the world, our communities, and ourselves.

Algorithms reward performance over sincerity, and in that scramble to appear authentic, we may reveal to each other and ourselves just how performative we have become.

Freshers’ week arrives, now, all at once – societie people you’ve never seen before crowding the unfamil effortless; everyone seems to know everything, and t

NO ONE HAS A CLUE ABOUT ANYTHING

Don’t know where Blackwell’s is?

Neither does the person you just met.

Struggling to find the XFi Building? So are hundreds of people, maybe thousands. The trick of Freshers’ Week is that everyone is pretending to know what they’re doing, while secretly trying to figure it out along the way. You shake hands, swap names, tell each other where you’re from and what home is like.

No one knows what to expect, and that’s the beauty of it; you’ll meet people (some will stick and some won’t, that’s ok), you’ll figure out which modules you love (and which you hate), and most importantly, you’ll find your rhythm and settle into your new life. But, a new life comes with new fears. Expectations can often be high, especially those self-imposed, and more often than not you’ll end up feeling overwhelmed, scared, or maybe even afraid to miss out.

Vlad - Treasurer

es crowding the Forum, neon wristbands, hundreds of liar paths of campus… On the surface, it all appears they’ve been everywhere. Yet, the reality is this – During that first week I would always think I wasn’t doing enough, but at the same time, the thought of doing It’s easy to think there’s a certain way Freshers’ is supposed to go, and easier still to feel like you did it wrong. So, instead, it’s best to reframe the narrative. Rewrite your definition of Freshers’ Week – make it your own, make it work for you. An easy way to start is to accept the You don’t know what will happen. But that is okay. Some friendships will last, some will fade, and both are fine. Shift your mind from the pressure of university to the opportunities it offers, and understand that this week is here for you to set yourself up for the next few months and the rest of the year. Take a day to explore the campus, another to see the beach, and maybe a day or two (or however many you want) to just go crazy and let loose. Truly, there is no right way to do this. While everything may seem impossible on the surface, you’ll quickly realise just how much it all makes sense, and before you know it Freshers’ has passed, and the year is underway.

Take your time, be yourself, and let this week speak for itself.

Tearoom Testimony A serrated knife clutched like a crayon in the hands of a child or a glass eye thrumming in slick orbit behind the wrinkles – perhaps the thick puddle of drool upon the polished wood of the countertop where I have seen currencies of countries which no longer exist palmed and prodded by rich fingers sporting costume jewellery – unless it is the ladybird you want to see, contorted in a jar of honey, pink and white and beautiful like the umbrella used to scrape shit from the corner of the toilet because the brush was stolen by the man who wore fur in summer but never sweated, and drew those foxy layers about his chin while he watched us work – maybe that is what you wish to hear – about the work and the heat and the jaws of a thin paper sheet or the howl of a tube with the diameter of a penny which spits and scalds our quickening fingers – is this what you require? To know that in this heaven where music fills the empty ear and sunlight gleams through spick windows there is a known and constant suffering hoarded and hidden by those select few who have witnessed too much for the sake of customer service.

Nathan Steward - Print Editor In Chief

My Second Dog My second dog lives under the weeds at the drowsy garden’s edge– an unwilling amputation dragged from too-young hands.

The weeds descend as roots that twist in his soil, cradling his silken body. They writhe deeper where beetles hurry and bones forget.

It’s a damp May day and I can almost see his outline shifting in sleep under the ground where I am now sitting, sinking.

I wait above, he waits below.

Beneath him are more roots, endless, and my grief is not.

Kitty Carter - Deputy Print Editor

Kitty Carter - Deputy Print Editor

For Emma- Bon Iver

‘For every life / Forgo the parable / Seek the light / My knees are cold’ A dialogue between two lovers from the ending of their relationship, but surprisingly uplifting nonetheless.

Cowboy Like Me- Taylor ‘With your boots beneath my bed / Forever is the sweetest con’ A wistful country folk song that describes meeting someone whose soul is tied to your own.

Incomprehensible- Big Thief ‘“I’m afraid of getting older”, that’s what I’ve learned to say’ A song for wanting to be unknown– incomprehensible– guarding Lenker’s fragile vocals.

For The Cold Country

- Black Country, New Road ‘I’ll take off my armour / If you promise to stay’ A sprawling expanse of medieval lyricism in a folk song about connection.

Stay- Leith Ross ‘I couldn’t be fed / and not share this altar / ‘cause I cannot be / human alone’ A gentle, tender and achingly vulnerable track on the upcoming album titled ‘I Can See The Future’.

Older- Lizzy

‘I wish I knew what the end is’ Contemplation, nostalgia, and piano - a perfect song for walking through the autumn trees in Exeter whilst reflecting on the movement of time.

Vienna (In Memoriam) - The Army, The Navy

‘And god I’ve lived a lifetime / Because I’m big and tall’ A haunting folk ballad that depicts our relationship with the smaller world.

AUTUMNAL EXETER: THE MIXTAPE

W

hile the prospect of starting university is exciting, it’s always important to acknowledge that feelings of isolation and anxiety are completely normal. While some may eagerly anticipate freshers week, it can be a challenging time for others. This is why selfcare should take priority when coming to university.

Be open to supporting your peers, flatmates and anyone else who is in a similar position.

When looking to establish a routine in a new environment, maintaining a good work-life balance is key to consider. It provides the structure and stability needed to ensure a positive mindset and lessen any strain on your mental health. These routines can be anything from waking up at the same time every morning, to loosely planning your day the night before. A little can go a long way in the hustle and bustle of uni life. Time outside releases endorphins and elevates mood in

Although it can be easier said than done, try to avoid assignments piling up or leaving deadlines to the last minute. This will help to reduce any added strain that could be intensifying stress and anxiety levels.

However, don’t forget about the availability of great student support which the university provides. If your problems feel too big to manage, or you just need some guidance, student counselling services are always accessible. On top of this, welfare support is readily available in many student-led societies, which also offer great advice.

Keep this in mind but remember, joining university is an excellent chance to immerse yourself in student life. It is also a step into adulthood, so embrace the experiences and opportunities that are at your fingertips.

Emily Braune - Welfare Secretary

MOVING TO EXETER Our Top Five Tip YOU have packed up the car, said goodbye to your parents, and officially

moved into your new accommodation. So, now that you know the name, degree and hometown of every fresher you have met so far, what’s next? If you’re starting to panic under the pressure aevof living independently for the first time in your life, just remember that everyone around you is feeling the same way. But fear not, here are RAZZ’s top five tips for moving to Exeter!

01

Of course, you’ve attempted that already. But often, it takes a little more patience than a few surface-level chats to really get to know someone. Keep your door open T A L K T O Y O U Ras much as you can. Cook (and eat!) your meals in the R O O M M A T E S ! shared spaces. Complete chores together – like laundry, food shopping, studying, or going to the gym. Brace the storm of Freshers’ together!

0

03

Get to know the local area!

EX

Take care of each other!

Whether you are living on campus, or in the city, Exeter has some incredible sights to offer. The campus is full of beautiful natural surroundings, Exmouth feels like a holiday abroad in the summer, and the city centre has tons of great shops and cafes. Try the Waterstone’s café, or the local Public Library – both are great places to lock in and focus.

Even as a decrepit fossil of a fourth-year student, I can vividly remember the drama of living with strangers for the first time. It can be a really frightening prospect, but it will help you grow a lot! Living in shared accommodation taught me the importance of patience, kindness and empathising with others, particularly when facing issues rooted in cultural differences, mental health problems, and individually affected social backgrounds. Don’t forget that everyone you meet, even that guy who always

D

R: ps for Surviving Catherine Beavis -Deputy Print Editor

02

Don’t worry if you hate talking to your room-

Okay, so maybe now you can ignore that first one. Obviously, not everyone is going to be your best friend, and that’s okay!

As long as you remain kind and respectful, you don’t have to be super close with everyone you live with. Sometimes the best friendships are made outside of living areas, like in society socials, lectures or even while studying on campus. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone; you might be incredibly grateful that you did! Also, don’t worry if it’s already October and you still haven’t found a close friend – I didn’t meet some of my closest friends until the end of first year!

Trust me, you will thank yourself later. Try and complete your online university registration as soon as possible. At least attempt to organise a budget for your maintenance loan – eightpound Venoms can be lethal on a Silly Fresher’s bank account. Registering for your University GP may seem unnecessary now – but just wait until you are struck down in your prime by the incessantly devastating waves of Fresher’s Flu. You will soon find your immune system, your grades and your social life a tired wreck unless you take care of yourself properly. Which leads me on to the fifth and most important point -

05 Ta k e c a r e o f YOU!

04

Get all the administrative stuff done NOW!

University life can be incredibly stressful. Trying (and often failing) to complete your compulsory readings in time for seminars, remaining endlessly interesting to your flatmates, all whilst keeping yourself alive for the first time in your life – it can all be a bit much. Be kind to yourself! Plus, the university’s Wellbeing Services are there to provide amazing support, advice and guidance – and all for free!

Boyancy During the glistening summers of my childhood, my Father enjoyed floating face up in the shallow end of our pool - when pools were still in fashion. The only reassurance seven-year-old me had that he was alive was the faint rise of his formidable belly. Rouged by Pinot Noir and hovering just above the water’s surface, it was like a warning buoy or a dormant volcano poking out of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

My Mother called this hobby his aquatic contemplation. I suspected it was an escape. His version of a sabbatical, conducted half a meter underwater but no farther from the house than necessary. Other dads manned grills or mowed the lawns, but mine lay motionless, absorbing the chlorinated silence through submerged ears.

Sometimes, he would sink to the bottom for minutes at a time. Once, I asked what he thought about down there. “Pressure,” he said. “Notice how everything important floats.” Then he would make a great show, inhaling a great breath, and float in what I thought was a greatly skilled way.

It was only much later that I understood that everyone can float, but not all of us can sink. The surfaces of our shallow pools demand performance, conversation, composure. Below, he found relief. When he died, Mother had the pool drained. Near the main drain, they found a chip he had stolen from a casino in Vegas in his youth. He kept it in his pocket as a lucky charm, or a trophy, I’m not entirely certain. I like to think it was a message.

Float when you can. Sink only on your own terms.

Issy Young - Social Secretary

SURFACE?

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