31: THE TOGETHER ISSUE

RazZ ISSUE 31: TOGETHER

cover art by millie green check out our together playlist on spotify:

contents 4-5 editors’ note

6-7 meet the committee

8-9 looking out for each other: a call to coalition

10-11 coming out of lockdown

12-13 combatting loneliness at university

14-17 food with friends: recipes for sharing

18-19 a close-up on togetherness

20-21 exeter’s best group spots

22-23 kitchen dance party playlist

24-25 a summer of sport: celebrating together

26-27 which iconic friend group do you belong in?

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editors’ note Running for Print Editor and Co-President this year, after such a tough period of online learning and socialising, seemed like a risk – would I have to face another year of seeing people’s faces on a screen? Would we even be able to print the magazine? Working on this edition has given me so much hope – even when we are apart, we can create and share ideas. Hopefully you’ll be reading this in print, and maybe you’ve come to see us at Fresher’s Fair or at one of our events! It feels like things are gradually shifting back to normal.

Overseeing the first RAZZ print edition of the year (and the first since last freshers!) felt like such a daunting task, but at every stage I’ve been supported by my fab print team! From coming up with the magazine’s theme and content, editing articles, and deciding on the overall vibe of the edition, all with a pretty strict timeframe, it’s great to have such creative and hardworking people involved – perfectly illustrating the theme of this edition – TOGETHER. After well over a year of COVID-19 restrictions and isolation, we wanted to celebrate coming together again with friends both new and old. In this issue you’ll find recipes for sharing, ideas for places in Exeter to explore with pals, and a banging playlist for getting the party started. You’ll also find discussions of post-lockdown anxiety and loneliness at university. We really wanted this edition to explore everyone’s feelings regarding the last 18 months, so we hope you can find yourself in the pages.

We would love for you to be involved in future editions of RAZZ, as well as our online content. If you’re passionate about writing or illustrating, RAZZ is the home for you and your work.

Thank you to everyone who made this possible – to Daniella, Erin, and Aimee, to Francesca, to the Guild, and to all the amazing writers and illustrators you’ll find in these pages. Enjoy!

Caitlin Barr Print Editor/Co-President I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to our first print issue of RAZZ this academic year! I’m so impressed by all the writers who submitted work for this issue. You all produced insightful and uplifting pieces, managing to capture the spirit of ‘togetherness’ we were aiming for. Coming together at uni after summer, lockdown, and remote learning is certainly a scary prospect, but also very exciting. I’m thrilled to be involved in the editing process of the magazine this year. It was wonderful to see all the creativity and enthusiasm that RAZZ has to offer flourish under the leadership of Caitlin Barr, our Print Editor and Co-President. Likewise, our Creative Director, Francesca Sylph, has managed to bring all the separate parts together (no pun intended) into a beautiful magazine. Even with hiccups along the way, the team and I have managed to create something I’m proud of. I’m so looking forward to working with all of you this coming year. I hope this edition will inspire you to treat the people around you with compassion, to strengthen your community with empathy, and to dance around the kitchen with your flatmates!

Daniella Clarke Deputy Print Editor 4

Designing my first issue remotely and under a pretty tight deadline was, to say the least, not exactly a stress-free experience. However, I am endlessly proud of what the print team has managed to pull together in such circumstances. For our first print issue in a year (thanks, Covid), we have decided to celebrate coming back together - in-person and better than ever. You will have already seen our wonderful cover - designed by the lovely Millie Green - and now you can look through pages of articles that reflect the chosen themes of togetherness and community.

I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this issue, writers and illustrators alike. Most importantly, I’d like to thank Caitlin, our Print Editor and Co-President, Daniella, our Deputy Print Editor, and Erin and Aimee, our Print Copy Editors. Without all of their hard work, this issue would have never happened. I’d also like to thank Hollie, last year’s Creative Director, for teaching me the ropes and Lloyd from IT for helping me with all things remote desktop.

Francesca Sylph Creative Director

contributors Caitlin Barr Daniella Clarke Emma Fry Erin Zammitt Fabian Carstairs Francesca Sylph

Georgia Balmer Katya Green Kiera Riordan Lisa Greghi Mia Roe Millie Green

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meet the committee...

Caitlin Barr - Print Editor/Co-President I love hopping on a train to Topsham with friends - it’s got great pubs, charity shops and some amazing ice cream!

Senthur Shanmugarasa - Online Editor/Co-President Making a house roast dinner is a great way to bond with the people you’re living with, especially when you’re missing home comforts.

Daniella Clarke - Deputy Print Editor A really fun and easy activity you can do with your flatmates is a movie night! It takes minimal effort to organise and it’s inclusive for those who might be more on the shy or quiet side. Bonus tip: the weirder/scarier the movie, the more funny it is to watch with other people!

Phoebe Ovenden - Deputy Online Editor A good way to get to know a bit more about your flatmates and their respective cultures is to have a dinner party, in which each flatmate cooks a dish from their home town/country. It’s a lovely way to chat and bond over trying new recipes.

Amie Greenhalgh - Deputy Online Editor Heading out for a picnic is the perfect way to get to know your flatmates! You’ll also be able to explore one of the many incredible green spaces on campus or in the city centre too.

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Francesca Sylph - Creative Director Board games are the perfect bonding experience for strangers thrown together in student accommodation. However, if you happen to be aggressively competitive (I prefer the term enthusiastic) then maybe keep this delightful personality trait under wraps until at least reading week.

Aimee Fisher - Print Copy Editor Make a list of your flat’s top movies and try to finish your list by the end of the year.

Erin Zammitt - Print Copy Editor A great way to bond with new flatmates is a chill games night - it’s fun, inclusive and definitely helps to break the ice!

Josie Orr - Outreach Officer Kayaking on the quay, surfing at one of Exeter’s many beaches, or grabbing a Pret together in town or on campus are all great ways to spend time with new friends.

Maddie Lineham - Treasurer Going to Exmouth is a great way to bond with your flatmates.

After all, what’s not to like about sea, sand and fish and chips?

Bridie Adams - Welfare Officer As a raging shopaholic, I love exploring Exeter’s independent shops with friends. At the beginning of my second year, a friend and I vowed to try every coffee shop in Exeter - we still have a fair way to go!

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Looking out for Each Other: a Call to Coalition Print Editor Caitlin Barr discusses the need for coalition when it comes to discrimination in our community, and offers practical tips for coalition building.

In her acclaimed 2021 book, What White People Can Do Next, Emma Dabiri states her belief that the term ‘allyship’ actually exacerbates division, as it assumes ‘a fundamental and immutable separateness between ‘different’ ‘races’, offering charity at the expense of solidarity’. Instead, she focuses on coalition. The idea of coalition is to identify shared goals and work together to achieve them.

Building coalition benefits us all - a safer and more accessible town and campus improves our university experience, and the opportunity to learn about the experiences of others, no matter their race, gender identity or sexuality.

We should not view looking out for the people around us as an act of charity, but as an act of building community.

With all of this in mind, how can we advocate for members of our community when their safety and rights are at risk? Sadly, there have been 8

many instances of violence and intimidation against students and staff this year, both in town and on campus, as well as oppression on a national scale that is being discussed more than ever after last summer’s reckoning with racism and the #MeToo movement.

“We should not view looking out for the people around us as an act of charity, but as an act of building community.”

One of the first things to do is consider the privileges afforded to you by your background and circumstances. If you’re able-bodied, the world has been designed in a way that makes it easy for you to navigate through it. If you’re rich, money will probably never be a source of major anxiety for you. If you’re white, it is unlikely you will face institutional racism. If you’re straight, in most cases your right to love freely has never been in jeopardy. If you’re a man, you’re far less at risk (though not entirely immune) to gender-based violence. Identify these privileges not to self-flagellate and feel guilty (as Audre Lorde once wrote, ‘guilt is just another name for impotence’) , but instead to gain an understanding of what it is to live without those freedoms. Once you’ve understood this, you will be a far better coalition-builder, as you’ll feel more able to identify issues that may benefit from having a community of people working towards fixing them.

When it comes to the practical side of coalition, there are many ways that everyone can pitch in. Here are three ways we can all be supporting each other.

1) Turn up and show your support Protests on campus and in town always need more people to support them, whether that’s just by showing up, or offering particular skills like stewarding or first aid at bigger events. By showing up for each other, we build connections as well as fighting for what is right. Make sure your presence there is meaningful – listen to what speakers are saying, make space for others, and intervene if you see anyone being harassed. And don’t let your effort stop at just

turning up – stay involved with campaigns even when they’re not taking place on the streets.

2) Be an active bystander If you witness harassment or discriminatory behaviour, speak up. This could involve making sure that those at risk of assault during club nights get home safely, calling out discriminatory language and behaviour when it happens and making sure those being targeted are supported. Make sure you’re speaking up even when there’s no one around – if your flatmate drops a slur around friends, say something.

3) Read, read, read There are so many brilliant resources that you can utilise to gain a better understanding of what other people go through. The website gal-dem is full of articles about the experiences of people of colour of marginalised genders.

Emma Dabiri’s book (mentioned above) was really useful to me in understanding how to make my conversations and actions meaningful. Find the right resource for you and interrogate what you have learned from it.

“Identify these privileges not to self-flagellate and feel guilty... but instead to gain an understanding of what it is to live without those freedoms.”

Further Resources - What White People Can Do Next: From Allyship to Coalition by Emma Dabiri - https://gal-dem.com/ - About Race (podcast) with Reni Eddo-Lodge - Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado-Perez 9

Coming Out of Lockdown RAZZ writer Millie Green shares her thoughts on England’s transition out of lockdown, and how we should move forward as society comes back together.

When I woke up on the nineteenth of July, I didn’t immediately register that anything had changed. Of course, nothing had changed, physically: there was still a pandemic going on, and case numbers hadn’t dropped. I clocked it when I checked my phone and saw the headlines: restrictions were gone, and we were allowed back out into the big bad world.

I have decidedly mixed feelings about restrictions lifting. I know that I’m not alone in this — everyone I’ve spoken to has raised fears, ranging from a lack of conversational skills all the way to the very real fear that, before long, we’ll be sent back into another lockdown.

On balance, these changes are pretty good — if you’re vaccinated, fit, and healthy, that is. We’re able to see one another; to party; to finally live the university lives that we’ve been waiting for.

On the other hand, it feels like a lot of the population has been forgotten. Vulnerable groups, though mostly vaccinated by now, are still at risk of contracting COVID-19 — 50% of immunosuppressed people who are fully vaccinated do not show an 10

Illustration by Millie Green

antibody response to the virus. Some people are so sick that they haven’t been able to be vaccinated. What happens now for them?

“Everyone I’ve spoken to has raised fears, ranging from a lack of conversational skills all the way to the very real fear that, before long, we’ll be sent back into another lockdown.”

Furthermore, the scientific community has been decidedly critical of Johnson’s approach: in July, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) suggested that restrictions could be reimposed in a matter of weeks if case numbers do not begin to fall.

It is disturbing to see the country become a petri-dish. Other countries are watching on with a kind of perverse fascination to see how long it takes for something to go horribly, horribly wrong. It’s clear that the UK is being irresponsible. True, we may be vaccinated — but with transmission rates between vaccinated people unclear, we could be propagating new variants as we speak that are far more contagious or deadly than our current ones.

“Some people are so sick that they haven’t been able to be vaccinated. What happens now for them?”

Vaccine disparity is another issue here. True, the UK has been pioneering in its vaccine rollout — by 19 July, every adult in the UK had been offered a dose of the vaccine — but its approach has left other countries struggling. Many cannot afford enough doses to vaccinate their populations. Furthermore, the patenting of COVID-19 vaccines has been described by Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS, as a “vaccine apartheid.” Poorer nations are being left out in the cold as vaccines become another form

of disaster capitalism for Big Pharma. Further research has shown that a third ‘booster’ does provide additional protection against the virus – but if we are talking about giving our population another dose before almost half of the world has even had its first, we seem to be in a severe moral deficit.

It’s a pretty bleak picture when you look at all these things together. It feels strange to be citing these statistics when I have friends that were out clubbing just a couple of nights ago. But this is what a country looks like coming out of a lockdown. We emerge blinking at the bright lights and hurl ourselves into the day to try and make the best of it.

“My main takeaway from all of this is the necessity of empathy — we are only human, and have to treat one another as such.”

Going forward, all we can do is try and be conscious of one another. It’s jarring to try and be a functional human again after such a long time stuck inside. The pandemic hasn’t just affected us physically, but also mentally — the effects of being locked inside for over a year won’t disappear like laws overnight. Being understanding of this, accommodating, and respectful when people don’t feel comfortable doing things, is the key to exiting lockdown. This need for respect extends to other countries; we need to be empathetic and helpful in securing vaccines to prevent further waves both here and abroad. My main takeaway from all of this is the necessity of empathy — we are only human, and have to treat one another as such.

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combatting loneliness at university Print Copy Editor Erin Zammitt and RAZZ writer Mia Roe discuss ways of tackling feelings of loneliness during your university years.

‘Be your own best friend’ might be a cheesy, overused phrase, but I think that it truly is key to combating feelings of loneliness at university. Obviously making new friends is a big part of the ‘uni experience’, but don’t be afraid to spend a few hours in your own company. It can be really useful to embark on a solo expedition and explore the city of Exeter during your first days and weeks as a student – after all, you are less likely to feel lonely in a place that feels like home. Simply taking a walk around campus or a wander around the shops in the city centre can help you to feel more settled, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the Exeter area.

Perhaps you’ve had a close-knit circle of friends until now, and whilst the idea of no longer having this reliable group can be incredibly daunting, try to use this newfound independence as an opportunity. Who are you as an individual? What do you enjoy doing? Maybe university is the perfect chance to find out. Put yourself out there, step outside your comfort zone and join some societies, and not only will you be doing something for yourself, you are more than likely to meet like-minded people as a result.

Arguably the most important tip is the knowledge that you’re not alone in how you’re feeling; loneliness is so common at university and can strike at any time, and the idea that you’re the only one can exacerbate this mindset. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others, as it’s almost inevitable that they’ll have been in the same boat at some point. Wellbeing services such as Exeter Nightline, a confidential listening service run by student volunteers, are in place to make sure that you never struggle in silence during your time at university.

Erin Zammitt, Print Copy Editor

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Forming friendships at university is more of an active task than telling someone in year 7 science how much you like their pencil case and becoming best friends. These formative years can be just as much an isolating experience as a time of exploration, and with the impact of the pandemic, many students fear missing out on the ‘golden years.’ I hope these suggestions will help get you through any difficult periods.

- Podcasts: During lockdown, podcasts were a saving grace for me. There’s such a variety of genres and topics to tickle your fancy. The ones that take a more conversational approach helped me to engage in something other than reruns of Ab Fab. - Dating apps: This one may sound surprising but dating apps like Bumble have sections dedicated to making friendly connections. Chatting online helps ease the initial fear of conversing with new people, and you can establish similar interests before meeting up.

- Join societies: It’s all well and good for self-help articles to tell you to join a group, but actually going to these events is the first hurdle. Bringing a willing flatmate makes the situation easier, but if you have to brave it alone, choose a society event connected to an activity. Whether it’s a quiz or bowling, you’ll always have a topic of conversation to fall back on.

- Attend classes: Organic conversations often come from in-person seminars, however, should online learning continue, don’t be afraid to reach out to people in your Zoom classes. Studying for the formative over a coffee? Or a trip to the shops after group work? They’ll be grateful to know someone in a group full of strangers.

- Reach out: When loneliness hits hardest, speak to friends and family at home. Making summer or half-term plans with them can give you something to look forward to.

Mia Roe

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Food with Friends: Veggie Lasagne Al Lafrowda

by Fabian Carstairs

I dedicate this recipe to my first-year flatmate in Lafrowda who, after eating nothing but toast and vodka for four days, began to develop some low-key scurvy. We were worried, so we cooked him this hearty vegetarian lasagne that probably saved his life. It is extremely easy to cook under the influence of alcohol, as the roux sauce and tomato sauce are simplified to involve no whisking or frying. The mushroom and aubergine offer a meaty texture and an umami taste, and the mozzarella a satisfying stretch. I bought all the ingredients from the little Co-op on Pennsylvania Road for less than a fiver. It is best served with garlic bread and chilli oil, plus one metric fucktonne of parmesan.

Total cook time: 45 mins; Serves 4-5.

Ingredients: - 400g tin of chopped tomatoes - 1/2 an onion - 1 clove peeled garlic - 1 aubergine - 2 large flat mushrooms - 400g mozzarella (about two large balls) - Lasagne sheets - 4 tbsp olive oil - 100g butter - 2 tsps sugar - 2 tsps oregano - Salt & pepper - Fresh basil (optional) Equipment: - Medium oven dish (approx. 22 x 28 x 5cm, but not crucial) - Baking sheet - Saucepan

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Recipes for Sharing Method: 1. Heat the oven to 180°C fan. Put the tomatoes, sugar, garlic clove, onion, basil, pinch of salt & pepper, and half of the butter in a saucepan and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Remove and discard the garlic and onion at the end (they are only for flavour).

2. Slice aubergine into circles about 1.5cm thick, and toss with olive oil, a big pinch of salt, and the oregano. Place on the baking sheet and cook for 15 minutes until they start to brown.

3. Slice the mushrooms into fingers 2cm thick and fry, on a medium to high heat, with the rest of the butter and some salt and pepper. Stir for about 8 minutes, or until they’ve gone soft.

4. Slice the mozzarella into 1cm pieces.

5. Once everything is prepared, start by putting a third of the sauce on the bottom of the oven dish, followed by half of the mushroom and aubergine, and a third of the mozzarella, evenly spaced (don’t worry if there are gaps). Place lasagne sheets over the top. Repeat this with the next layer.

6. Finish by spreading the last third of sauce and mozzarella on top and bake for 30 mins until brown, stretchy and godly.

Tip: For a vegan version, substitute mozzarella for a stretchy vegan cheese, and the butter for margarine.

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Food with Friends: Nutella Cookies

by Daniella Clarke

This is, quite possibly, the easiest and yummiest cookie recipe ever. It’s the perfect choice for a baking day with flatmates. In my opinion, baking and sharing food with other people is the best way to make new friends. In terms of equipment, all you need is a mixing bowl, a spoon, two baking trays, and an oven.

Ingredients: 1 small jar of Nutella (450g) 1 large egg 1 cup (160g) self-raising flour Pinch of salt Small bag of chocolate buttons (optional) Method: 1. Preheat your oven to 200°C/ Fan 180°C. Spoon out all the Nutella (yes, all of it) into a mixing bowl. Crack in the egg, the self-raising flour and a pinch of salt. Next, mix it up until it’s all combined and forms a stiff dough. This is the most strenuous part of the recipe as it might take a bit of effort to come together.

2. To shape the cookies, grab a spoonful of the dough and roll it out on your palm into a ball.

Optionally, for an extra treat, flatten the ball and put a chocolate button in the centre, before sealing the dough around it and rolling it back into a ball. Continue this process until you run out of dough. It should yield between 15 and 20 cookies.

3. Place the balls of cookie dough on two baking trays lined with non-stick baking paper. Leave a couple of inches between each ball to prevent them all joining together and forming one huge chocolatey mess. Bake the cookies for 8 minutes, until they form a crisp, pale layer on top but are still soft on the inside. If you added chocolate buttons, they will have a gooey centre! I like them when they’re warm and soft but some of my friends prefer them the next day, when they’re a bit more crunchy.

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Recipes for Sharing

Illustration by Emma Fry

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a close-up on Creative Director Francesca Sylph and RAZZ writers Katya Green and Georgia Balmer discuss the shows and films they turn to to celebrate ‘togetherness’ and community.

this is us Creator Dan Fogelman has compared This is Us to a family album – the feeling of opening to a random page, and perhaps seeing someone who is no longer with us, but immediately being able to reminisce. This is Us chronicles the Pearson family across generations and reveals the events, big and small, which shape and define us. The adult ‘Big Three’ (siblings Kevin, Kate and Randall) exist in the present day storyline while the show flashes through time to explore significant moments in the Pearson story, from patriarch Jack’s Vietnam years to the next generation in 2034.

From adoption, addiction and abortion, to miscarriage, mental health and marital troubles, This is Us does not shy away from difficult topics and instead intertwines them with complex family dynamics and wider social and political issues. The most recent season follows the COVID-19 crisis and Randall’s repressed struggles as a transracial adoptee in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests. The ensemble cast, including Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, Justin Hartley and Chrissy Metz, is guaranteed to make you laugh and cry (perhaps even simultaneously). If you’re looking for a show that feels like home, there is nothing I would recommend more than my favourite TV family.

Francesca Sylph, Creative Director

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togetherness mamma mia Everything can be made better with a little bit of ABBA. Add in a stilted dream-esque appearance by a ‘white-trousered’ Cher, Pierce Brosnan making us all sound like good singers, and the calming waters of a Greek island, and you have the ultimate ‘group’ film. Watching Mamma Mia feels like crashing an incredibly intimate party; one that you can’t quite believe you’ve been invited to. Nobody is surprised that Meryl Streep didn’t receive one of 21 Oscar nominations for the role of Donna, but do we always need quality in a film? The magic of the Mamma Mia duo of films (here’s hoping rumours of a third are true) is in the outlandish campiness of their dedication to a nonsensical story. No plot is needed when you have ABBA. The delicious appeal of these films lies in their overpowering sense of fun; you can almost smell what a good time they are having. Never has Mamma Mia been played and everyone watching has not felt better for it. The brilliance of the films comes from the infectious sense of joy felt between the cast; a joy that will seep into TP as Voulez-Vous pumps out and you find yourself at one with a group of near strangers.

Georgia Balmer

tuca & bertie A criminally underrated show, I only started watching Tuca & Bertie after reading an article in the midst of lockdown on fan favourite Netflix programmes that are often overlooked. Much like BoJack Horseman, the world of anthropomorphic animals it creates takes a little getting used to. However, the real-world themes and complex character development will make you laugh, rage at the world and, on occasions, even shed a few tears. Tuca and Bertie’s relationship isn’t easy and neither are their lives but the show isn’t afraid to touch on serious themes. It takes time to frame them in an everyday context which allows women to see their real life experiences on screen, treating the topics with care and sensitivity. Above all else, the well-developed female friendship at the centre of the show is what makes Tuca & Bertie such an enjoyable watch: even when the characters are facing difficult and sometimes traumatic situations, they manage to turn to each other for support. Ultimately, it is a series about two friends finding their way in life whilst trying to be better friends, better people and better support for each other in hard times, which is something I think we can all relate to.

Katya Green 19

exeter’s best group spots Print Editor Caitlin Barr and RAZZ writer Katya Green share their top recommendations of the best places in Exeter to go with friends.

dawlish warren beach Dawlish Warren is the perfect place to go with old and new friends. It’s less of a tourist trap than Exmouth, and also has the benefit of a slightly less painful walk to the sea!

The sand is soft, the sea is (sometimes) clear, and the beach is right next to the train station… What’s not to love? It also boasts the most delicious warm sugary donuts I’ve ever experienced, perfect for sharing with pals, as well as fish and chips, hot dogs, burgers, cheesy chips (an Exeter staple) and lots of other delicious food for good prices. Dawlish Warren is my favourite place for watching sunsets with cider and friends, and the sea is always warmer than you’re expecting! If you’re bored of the beach, there’s also a funfair close by (though perhaps do that before you’ve tucked into chips and donuts, or it could get messy). In case it’s not clear, I think Dawlish Warren is the perfect spot for getting to know your new flatmates or cooling off after lectures with your coursemates. Buy an inflatable from the beach shop, tuck into some cheesy chips, and go for a dip in the sea at one of Exeter’s best beaches.

Caitlin Barr, Print Editor/Co-President

exeter phoenix As a first-year walking down Queen Street as a shortcut into town or for yet another Gandy’s social, I barely noticed the huge presence of the Exeter Phoenix just set back from the cobbled street. However, whilst easily overlooked, the Phoenix not only hosts music, theatre, cinema, and even drag, but its student discounts mean their events won’t break the bank either. The £5 student tickets to Studio 74, the Phoenix’s own eco-friendly independent cinema, will grant you access to a curated selection of independent films, whilst larger events, such as theatre and music productions, invite a diverse crowd of uni and college students as well as locals. The versatility of the space is shown in its hosting of Spin City, where you can learn or practice your pole dancing skills, as well as art exhibitions and craft fairs that showcase local talent and are often free to attend. The Phoenix is the perfect place to find something to do with old or new friends, to meet new people or even to just be around people when you’re taking some time for yourself. You can find more information on the venue and their events on their website: https://exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/.

Katya Green 20

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kitchen dance party RAZZ writer Georgia Balmer shares the best tunes for getting the party started.

Picture the scene: you’ve just poured yourself the first overly ambitious drink of the evening, half your clothes are littering the floor of your half-decorated new room, and a near-stranger walks in and says, “should we put some music on?”. Your answer is yes, and then you panic. Taking responsibility for a pres’ playlist is more daunting than any essay deadline, and far more important.

Choose wisely or risk being relegated to ‘that’ flatmate. Here are some classics to get you started: ‘P.I.M.P’ - 50 Cent When people think of Exeter, they think Gangsta Rap. Don’t question me on this, everyone will sing along.

‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor’ - Arctic Monkeys Chances are you won’t, but that is okay. None of us look good after a cocktail of VKs and £4.50 wine, so get your photos in early.

‘Last Nite’ - The Strokes A song about feeling down shouldn’t get a party started, but there is no logic to a good pres’ tune.

‘Murder on The Dance Floor’ - Sophie Ellis-Bextor Offering an overly danceable bass as well as a mellowness that prevents you from jamming a mascara wand into your eye whilst getting ready, Sophie Ellis-Bextor is a must.

‘Chelsea Dagger’ - The Fratellis Perfect for getting everyone going as you wait for your taxi driver to phone you like a frantic ex if you’re not outside waiting for them the second they roll up. The final chant WILL make a return on the way home from Sidwells at 3 a.m.

playlist

‘Tambourine’ - Eve If you too perfected Poppy Moore’s show-stopping dance to this mega tune back in year seven, this is your time to shine.

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‘American Boy’ - Estelle and Kanye West Perfect if you have an American student in the mix, but equally perfect without.

Stake your claim early.

‘Dancing in The Moonlight’ - Toploader A good pres’ song should set the mood for the night, so start manifesting that magical moment when, in a room of sweaty rugby boys and coursemates you’ll have to make awkward eye contact with all year after witnessing each other’s antics, it all clicks. You will inevitably fall down the TP stairs 10 minutes later and lose your phone, but that’s the fun.

‘She Moves in Her Own Way’ - The Kooks Another gentle track to set the mood whilst you’re labelling every item of clothing you own as disgusting and unwearable; after the first couple of rounds, nobody will care what you’re wearing.

‘Hips Don’t Lie’ - Shakira and Wyclef Jean The perfect way to show off your moves and assert your dominance as the best dancer in the room, or at least the most enthusiastic.

‘Yes Sir, I Can Boogie’ - Baccara A slightly left-field choice, but the opportunity to prove that yes sir, I really can boogie.

‘Does Your Mother Know’ - ABBA The whole playlist could be ABBA and nobody worth your time would complain. This is their best song however, I will not be taking questions on this.

‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?’ - Rod Stewart Old Rod may be the heartthrob of middle-aged women everywhere, but you will quickly learn that this is the true demographic of the ‘Exetah’ student. Cheesy tunes will always win out.

Illustration by Millie Green

‘Sweet Caroline’ - Neil Diamond Does this even need an explanation? The ultimate hands across the dance floor/kitchen/hallway song, it will definitely start the night off right.

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A Summer of Sport: Celebrating Together RAZZ writer Lisa Greghi reflects on the effect of sporting glory during a pandemic.

The past eighteen months have undoubtedly been challenging due to the ongoing pandemic and the continual restrictions people have had to adapt to. Therefore, the Olympics have represented one of the most important global occurrences to take place during these tough times. It wasn’t initially confirmed that the Olympics would be allowed to happen given that the movement of athletes to Japan caused a rise in COVID-19 cases. The final decision of the Japanese government was to allow the Olympics to go ahead despite the ongoing pandemic, and I believe it was a very smart choice. A sporting event on such a massive scale has the potential to bring together millions of people rooting for their own country to succeed. Athletes competing under the flag that defines their country is fundamental to ensuring unity among the audience. No matter how involved anyone is in sport, the Olympic Games always constitutes an entertaining spectacle that is more important than ever during a pandemic.

However, the Olympics were not the only event that brought unity to people during a challenging time: football brought people together during the Euros, as did the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. All of these sporting events encouraged people to support their own countries, uniting under the national flag.

A flag is more of a metaphorical element than a concrete one. Before men organised and divided the world into countries and states, there were no separations or limits. This choice to geographically divide the land is certainly a great way to get organised, but dividing people into groups can be considered harmful and 24

antagonising. However, a flag is also a form of personal identification that can unite people, highlighting how similar they are in their costumes and characteristics, united under the history of their countries. This is the positive aspect that sporting events bring out in people, reminding them of the fact that we can all strive to achieve objectives to a different degree, but we are all equal in what we want to achieve: the best possible outcome from what we do.

“It is important to unite under the flag of our countries to celebrate how similar and different we are at the same time.

All are separated by where we live but all are united under the same sky.”

Societies are founded on beliefs and constructions that serve to define who we are as humans, and give us a sense of purpose. Ultimately, sporting events such as football, tennis and the Olympic Games give us a great opportunity to confirm that, as well as showing other countries who is best, something that is highly influenced by economic factors and can therefore be considered less fundamental, everyone has the power to achieve anything they want.

Therefore, it is important to unite under the flag of our countries to celebrate how similar and different we are at the same time. All are separated by where we live but all are united under the same sky.

Illustration by Kiera Riordan

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which iconic friend group do you belong in?

You decide to spend an evening watching Netflix. What genre do you go for?

A. Comedy B. Romance C. True crime What is your ideal holiday?

A. Visiting a big city B. Somewhere sunny in Europe C. A roadtrip with friends Someone hands you the aux at a party. Who are you playing?

A. Spice Girls B. Fleetwood Mac C. Queen What do you look for in a friendship?

A. Support B. Adventure C. Common interests Where are you most excited to go in Exeter?

A. Independent cafes B. Clubs, pubs and bars C. Book shops Pick a quarantine activity.

A. Baking banana bread B. Crochet C. Listening to podcasts

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What subject at school did you hate the most?

A. Maths B. Physics C. History Your assignment is due tomorrow but your flatmates want to go out. What do you do?

A. Stay in and pull an all-nighter to get it done B. You’re already at Spoons C. You go out but you’re stressed all night What snack do you always keep in your room in case of emergencies?

A. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups B. Fruit and nut mix C. Pringles Which decade would you visit if you had a time machine?

A. The 90s B. The 70s C. The 80s

Mostly As... The F.R.I.E.N.D.S group You love hanging out with a close-knit group. Casual settings allow you to enjoy each other’s witty banter and individuality to the fullest. You will likely develop close attachments with the people you live with. But just because you love being in a relaxed environment doesn’t mean your friendships mean nothing. You attract friends who will be there for you throughout anything.

Mostly Bs... Donna and the Dynamos from Mamma Mia! To you, friendship is synonymous with fun. As an extrovert, you love sharing your time with one or two close friends who will go on adventures with you. Your openness draws out kind and encouraging people, and you have a talent for charming anyone wherever you go. Most importantly, you need people who don’t take themselves too seriously; who might break out into song at any moment.

Mostly Cs... The Scooby-Doo gang When people see you and your friends together, they might wonder what you have in common.

You tend to befriend people with very distinct personalities, but your camaraderie makes you inseparable. You might be united with people who share your thirst for knowledge; who you can talk with for hours about your favourite movies and never get bored. Your ideal friendship helps you develop as a person without losing your sense of individuality.

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