The Student Pocket Guide Winter 2014 - Scotland

m cketGuide.co theStudentPo

In association with:

SCOTLAND JAN-APRIL 2014

KARL PILKINGTON FEARNE COTTON EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS:

DISCLOSURE

ALSO INSIDE: Student Discounts | Study Abroad Tips | Detox Plan | Jobs

Have you returned to the UK from your Christmas or New Year break?

Need to change your currency?

Check out your local Post Office today for fantastic deals on Travel Money

Post Office Limited is registered in England and Wales. Registered number 2154540.

Registered Office: 148 Old Street, London EC1V 9HQ. Post Office and the Post Office logo are registered trade marks of Post Office Limited.

Click online to find your nearest branch at www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder money

Handled with care

Edinburgh

Student Accommodation

RENT FROM

ÂŁ155pw

BOOK EARLY & SAVE

ÂŁ150 OFF YOUR DEPOSIT! Love where you live in a great en suite bedroom or spacious studio at iQ Edinburgh with all bills, free WiFi and award-winning customer service all included!

All inclusive rents

FREE 20MB Broadband including WiFi

Private en suite to every room 2 great buildings to choose from Fantastic social spaces & events

Group bookings available Find out more information online

www.loveiq.co.uk T: 0131 201 0111 | E: edinburgh@loveiq.co.uk | A: 114 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1AB * Terms & Conditions apply, visit www.loveiq.co.uk/serious for details

EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF SCOTLAND TOURS LY FROM ON

£69 SON

PER PER

Use Code

SCOTSPG *On standard tours only.

Exploring all year round! macbackpackers.com

Ê

/MacBackpackersTours

There’s only one man who could come out with the following bizarre yet strangely logical observation: “They say it all started out with a big bang. But, what I wonder is, was it a big bang or did it just seem big because there wasn’t anything else to drown it out at the time?”

Yes, ladies and gents, you have either guessed correctly or astutely worked out by the rather unsubtle front cover that this man is indeed Karl Pilkington. In this ‘Winter 2014’ edition he joins our exclusive interview line-up alongside one of the nation’s most treasured broadcasters, Fearne Cotton, and 2013’s emerging musical greats, the Disclosure brothers. We have certainly done all we can to ensure your new year kicks off with an equally loud bang. Or, quiet. Who knows..?

Rather like Karl Pilkington’s unique take on the world, it feels a little strange yet suitably normal that we have a brand new year ahead of us. A lot has happened, a lot is yet to happen, but what is happening now is that you are about to read a magazine packed full of helpful pages to get you through the impending academic term. In-between these glossy sheets you will find money saving discounts, stomach rumbling recipes plus a whole host of awesome prizes to be won at our online home, TheStudentPocketGuide.com. And if you’re a little hard up after your first term, fortunately for you we have a bundle of student jobs on offer inside which will help tie you over the coming months.

So sit back, relax, and take a few minutes out of your day to digest what we have on offer. Whilst you’re at it, you could even take your smartphone out of your pocket and tap a few like, follow and subscribe buttons to keep up-to-date with all things SPG...

I dare you!

The Student Pocket Guide Ltd, EPIC Studios, 112-116 Magdalen Street, Norwich, NR3 1JD. Tel: 01603 727768 Email: info@thestudentpocketguide.com Web: www.thestudentpocketguide.com All Rights Reserved Š The Student Pocket Guide Ltd 2014. The entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form. The publishers do not accept responsibility for any of the views or opinions expressed in this guide, errors or omissions which may have occurred, or accept liability for any services or facilities featured. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that all information is correct, changes may and can occur. The Student Pocket Guide is a trading name of The Student Pocket Guide Ltd.

#Competitions

Tommy’s University Diaries Term 1

I’d always wondered what it was like to be a Fresher. Moving to a new city, making new friends, house parties, having to do my own washing! ‘Growing up’ as my parents would put it. For me, this was a time to really let myself go. No more phone calls from mum on Sunday morning if I wasn’t home, no more nagging to do my washing up… And as for turning down my music, Dad - it’s time for new rules.

Term one was over quicker than my mum could shout “Tommy there’s a knock at the door and it’s gone10pm” and I had encountered more hangovers in three months than I had done in three years.

Having to learn to fend for myself was... ‘interesting’. I took to it like Attenborough in the Alps. I was finally getting the knack of how to cook for myself with as little cleaning and effort as possible – here’s my top tip from term one: 1 x plastic fork, 1 x steel knife, yesterday’s pizza box (not crucial), cheese, ham and coleslaw. Cut slices of cheese using the knife and then leave it in the sink. Hand feed yourself the cheese and ham and use the fork for the coleslaw. It takes 30 seconds to prepare and once you’re done, there’s only one item to wash (if your house mates don’t wash it for you). Plus this ‘healthy’ little number costs less than £4 and you can make it last for a few days. Sorted. Note to self: Use plates if you have company.

Washing clothes is simple - just put all the colours in together but wash them on a cold setting so the colours don’t run. If you forget to take your clothes out of the machine and they have that damp smell lingering about, hang them up and spray them with Febreze.

A few months into uni, a few lessons learnt, and now with a few hairs on my chest, it was time for me to leave my new city and go home for Christmas. Term one was over and whilst I was enjoying my time away ‘finding myself’, I was thoroughly looking forward to going home, seeing my old friends and dare I say it, seeing my folks.

“So son, you got yourself a girlfriend yet?” were the first words my father muttered. To which before I had a chance to answer, my mum politely said, “Bob, come on, give Tommy a break. Tommy have you got all of your washing with you? I’m putting on the darks”.

Home sweet home.

By the sound of things, the real work starts in the second term. With that in mind I think I’ll use my time at home wisely. I’m going to study hard, work some extra shifts at my local for some much needed dosh and try to complete Candy Crush.

Until next time…

Got a story to share? Email us: info@thestudentpocketguide.com

Student Accommodation

Birmingham ∙ Bristol ∙ Edinburgh ∙ Leeds ∙ London ∙ Nottingham ∙ Preston ∙ Salford ∙ Sheffield

BOOK EARLY & GET THE

BEST CHOICE OF ROOM! iQ offers awardwinning student accommodation in each of these great cities: Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Nottingham, Salford, Preston & Sheffield!

All inclusive rents FREE Broadband speeds up to 24MB & FREE WiFI

Private en suite to every room

iQ London

City centre locations Fantastic social spaces & events

iQ Edinburgh

Rents from just £89 pw Find out more information online

www.loveiq.co.uk T: 0207 478 9525 | E: hello@loveiq.co.uk

iQ Salford

with Get a PrePaid SIM

Unlimited data for £15 £12

Data Plus 500 also includes:

• 500 any UK network minutes • International calls from 1p/min • 3000 Lebara to Lebara minutes & texts • 3000 UK texts To Buy TexT 8885 To 65088 or vIsIT:

lebara.co.uk

Always by your side

Lebara Data Plus includes UK minutes, UK texts and Mobile data as outlined above and is valid for 30 days from activation. It also offers discounted rates to applicable international destinations, the full details of which can be found at www.lebara.co.uk. International calls will be charged per minute from your PAYG account applicable rate for this tariff, all other destinations will be deducted from your PAYG account credit at standard PAYG rates. On expiry, it will be automatically renewed. If you don’t have sufficient credit, we will try to auto-renew for 7 days or until you unsubscribe. To unsubscribe, you must send 8885*STOP to 65088 at least 3 hours before midnight on the day of expiry. For Full Terms & Conditions, please visit www.lebara.co.uk/passterms. The £12 special offer is only valid for UK Data Plus Passes purchased on or before 10th February 2014. From 11th February 2014, UK Data Plus Passes will be charged at full price of £15. Any passes bought for £12 that auto-renew on or after 11st Feb 2014 with auto-renew at full price (£15). UK landline calls are those made to area codes 01, 02 and 03, excluding the Channel Islands & Isle of Man. If you exceed these calls and texts limits, you will be charged at Lebara’s standard PAYG rate.

It’s a new year which means new opportunities for you to travel the world.

If you’ve lined up a short break away with your buddies over the coming months, there’s one very important item you need to pack in your bags this is of course your copy of The Student Pocket Guide! As well as keeping you entertained on your journey, it could also see you win an awesome prize and help you get your holiday snaps printed in our next edition!

It really couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is take a photo of yourself with your copy of the SPG, in front of a famous landmark, looking out over an incredible view, next to something weird and wonderful, anywhere you like – the more original the better! Then once that’s done, just send it on over to info@thestudentpocketguide.com, and we will pick our favourites to feature in the magazine. You can also submit your entries to us via Facebook and Twitter. Simply tag The Student Pocket Guide on Facebook or tweet us @TheSPG on Twitter using #SPGonTour.

Over the past five years we’ve seen entries from South Africa, America, Dubai, Borneo, Peru, and everywhere in-between! It doesn’t matter where you’re going, or who with, we want to see your picture. What’s more, it’s the perfect way to show off your jet setting lifestyle to the world! Happy holidays :)

Going somewhere special? Don’t forget to take your copy of The Student Pocket Guide and make sure you get some snaps. We’ll give away this chocolate fountain for the best entry. Email your pictures to: info@thestudentpocketguide.com

FB: The Student Pocket Guide Twitter: @TheSPG #SPGonTour

HOP OVER TO AUSTRALIA YHA has unique hostels in every corner of Australia.

They are so fun, you won’t want to leave.

A

N

A

C

WASHINGTON

D

M I N N E S O TA

N O RT H D A K O TA M O N T A N A

WIS O R E G O N

SOUTH

IDAHO

DAKOTA

W Y O M I N G

N E B R A S K A

NEVADA

I O W A

U T A H C O L O R A D O K A N S A S

CALIFORNIA

YHA.COM.AU A R I Z O N A

O K L A H O M A N E W

M I S S

ARKA

M E X I C O

LOUI T

E

X

A

S

100% America

100% Adventure

USA, Canada, Alaska & Central America

STUD ENT POCK ET

10%

DISC

OUN

*

T

Original Adventures since ’72

FOR 18-38’S GROUP ADVENTURESadven INCREDIBLE SMALL 50 tures to epic 80 day unique itineraries, from 3 day mini

usa, canada, alaska & latin america

over e!

With year-round departures and and have the adventure of a lifetim than you ever dreamed possible road trips, you’ll see and do more

FREEDOM TRAIL 7 DAYS

A

A whole heap of must see’s in just one week, including lively Boston nightlife, Washington DC, eye-catching wilderness and the spectacular Niagara Falls.

WAS FROM £549, SAVE £55

M A I N E

NOW FROM £494

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Berkshires Niagara Falls

Lancaster O H I O

ILLINOIS

Boston

RHODE ISLAND

CONNECTICUT

New York

P E N N S Y LVA N I A

INDIANA

MASSACHUSETTS

NEW YORK

MICHIGAN

NEW JERSEY

Philadelphia DELAWARE

Washington DC

WEST VIRGINIA

WASHINGTON WASHINGTON

MARYLAND

NOW FROM £1394 WASHINGTON

O U R I

SOUTH

DAKOTA

WISCONSIN

I N D I AI NNDAI A N A

I L L I INLOL II SN O I S

O H I O

WEST VIRGINIA

K E N T U C K Y

M I S S O U R I

RT NO TH NOR AR L IONLA C A RC O

NORTH CAROLINA

TENNESSEE

CALIFORNIA

SOUTH CAROLINA

O K L A H O M A

N E W

A R I Z O N A

ARKANSAS

ALABAMA

M E X I C O

A H O M A Angeles O K L AO HK OL M A

G E O R G I A

MISSISSIPPI

Texas/Louisiana LOUISIANA

S O USTOHU T H N LA I N A C A RCOALRI O

KANSAS A R K AAT NRE SX AA SS

New Orleans San Antonio MISSISSIPPI A L A B A M A

FLORIDA

W M E X I C O MN EE X I C O

MISSISSIPPI

M

Mountain

E

X

I

C

O

ALABAMA

G E O R G I A G E O R G I A

LOUISIANA LOUISIANA

VIRGINIA E

T X

E

A

X

S

A

C U B A

S

NORTH CAROLINA

Looking to get away last minute?

TENNESSEE

FLORIDA FLORIDA

SOUTH CAROLINA

Check out our great late deals and SAVE UP TO 20%.

ANSAS

MISSISSIPPI

ALABAMA

M

G E O R G I A

E

M

X

E

I

X

C

I

C O

O

SIANA

www.trekamerica.co.uk

M

G V I RV GI RI N

MARYLAND

VIRGINIA

K A N S A S

Route 66Route 66

Los Angeles N E W Los Angeles A R I Z O N A A R I Z O N A Salvation San DiegoSalvationMountain San Diego

INDIANA

C O L O R A D O

Las K E NK TE UN CT KU YC K Y S A N K S A A N S S A Monument K Vegas Valley M I S SM OI SU SR OI U R I Tennessee Grand EE Canyon NP T E N TN EE NS NS EE SE S Los

C A IL AI F O R N I A

Lake Lake HavasuHavasu

MASSACHUSETTS

NEW JERSEY

DELAWARE

I O W A

ILLINOIS

Sierra Sierra

NEW HAMPSHIRE

W E SWT E S T ISLAND I R GRHODE VCONNECTICUT VIINR IGAI N I A

NEW YORK

MICHIGAN

P E N N S Y LVA N I A

N E B R A S K A

U T A H

M A I N E

O H OI HO I O

New York Washington DC

W Y O M I N G

T

K E N T U C K Y

A W A I O WI O

M O N T A N A

IDAHO

O R E G O N

P E NPNE SNYNLSVYALNV IAAN I A VERMONT

M I N N E S O TA

N O RT H D A K O TA

N E B RN AE SB KR AA S K A

C O L OC RO AL DO OR A D O

Monterey Monterey Grand Grand NevadasNevadas NP NP CanyonCanyon Las Vegas Las Vegas Big Sur Big Sur Santa Barbara Santa Barbara

A

D

A

N

A

C

NEVADA

CALIFORN Pacific Pacific Coast Coast

M I C H I G A NI G A N MICH

WAS FROM £1549, SAVE £155

NOW FROM £1079 NP Yosemite NP San Francisco San Francisco Yosemite

NEW YO NEW Y

WISCONSIN WISCONSIN

S O U T H D A K O DT AA K O T A SOUTH

W Y O M WI NY G O M I N G

U T A HU T A H

A

M I N N E S O TA N O RT H D A K O TA M I N N E S O TA N O RT H D A K O TA

M O N T A N A M O N T A N A

IDAHO O R E G O N IDAHO O R E G O N

WAS FROM £1199, SAVE £120

A

D

A

N

A

C

D

A

N

A

C

Combine Washington DC, New Orleans and Las Vegas with mountains, canyons and cactistudded deserts, for an incredible varied snapshot of the states.

Cruise the Californian coast to San Francisco, then strike out for the desert oasis of Las Vegas via Yosemite National Park and the Grand Canyon.

N E V A D AN E V A D A

VERMONT

CONSIN

SOUTHERN SUN 21 DAYS

WESTERNER 2 14 DAYS

0844 576 1386

FLORIDA

* Discount is valid on all tours departing before September 30th 2014, please quote code 150211 at time of booking.

If you want to stand out from the crowd when it comes to ďŹ nding your feet in the world of employment, studying abroad could well be the answer.

The first large-scale survey to explore the long-term impact of studying abroad on a student’s personal, professional, and academic life shows that it positively influences their career path, world-view, and self-confidence. At a very basic level it offers something to talk about in a job interview post graduation, but more importantly, it will prove to potential employers that those with study abroad experience have the ability to stand on their own two feet, adapt to things outside their comfort zone and shows signs of initiative. Here is our concise guide on everything you need to know about studying abroad and the options available to you. Who knows where you could end up...

Studying abroad not only sees you gain a recognisable qualification but also lends you transferable skills in the job market which many may not have. Aside from setting yourself apart from the rest, the life skills and new outlooks you gain will be nothing but positive for your future, which, will also be recognised by future employers. Seeing the world from a different perspective and exposing yourself to different cultures will provide a constant and exciting challenge. By immersing yourself in the language, culture and people of your host country you will develop as a person and increase your sense of independence. What’s more, dependent on where you are, you also have the perfect opportunity to master a foreign language which is an invaluable asset to have when looking for work.

So, how do you go about it? What can you do?

Studying a full degree course This is probably the most obvious example of how you can study abroad. The UK currently has the highest imbalance between incoming and outgoing students in Europe, which has resulted in a number of educational bodies calling for a greater government emphasis on encouraging UK students to study abroad. If you are an EU national, you are permitted to live and study in any member country with the same rights and entitlements as citizens of that country, including the same fees. With the large increase placed on course fees in the UK, it is more than likely to be cheaper to study your desired subject in Europe.

Studying in non-EU countries slightly differs and it may well involve applying for a student visa and/or residency and permission to work. In most cases, there will be specific organisations that provide the relevant information to international students looking to study abroad.

Studying as part of an Erasmus programme/sandwich year Many university and college courses will offer students the opportunity to study abroad or enroll in a year’s experience in industry overseas. At university, this is commonly referred to as an Erasmus programme or sandwich year, which sees students take anything from a few weeks to a whole academic year studying at a partner institution or in employment. The British Academy have been quite public in their efforts to encourage the government to incorporate international study with degrees taught in the UK.

Not only will you acquire a broader range of skills to offer a future employer but you’ll have fun doing it. The majority of students who take part in an Erasmus programme frequently say that it is the best part of their university career and often find jobs far quicker than those who haven’t. Statistically, students with a sandwich year are also likely to achieve higher grades as they can draw on their added experience.

Summer placements Going on a summer placement is a fantastic way of making the most of your summer and boosting your chances of getting a good degree. For example, if you’re studying French language, spending a few weeks in France on a placement will certainly benefit you academically, whilst of course enabling you to enjoy a vacation. Those with a desire to travel will often find it a perfect balancing act for itchy feet and their commitment to making the most of university and campus life.

There are many organisations and government incentives which offer and encourage students to study abroad. Study China is a government funded three-week study programme, available to all undergraduate students in the UK, comprising of language classes, lectures, cultural classes, visits/excursions and business visits.

Name: Chris Mellor Subject: International Relations Where: Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Toulouse, France Duration: 1 Year How did you hear about the option of studying abroad?

I’d heard about study abroad opportunities during my first week at university but had never really seriously considered it as an option until well into my second year. I had the chance of meeting a few exchange students and could see how much they got out of the experience, both academically and socially. I was also pretty aware of the benefits that learning a new language would have, especially due to the international focus of my degree.

How was it arranged?

I had the choice of spending a year or a semester abroad, which formed part of my degree, or extending my course by a year and studying abroad without worrying about how my grades would be affected if I went to a country where I didn’t know the language very well. As I had an interest in working in Francophone countries in the future I decided that France would be the best place for me to go and, despite knowing very little French, once I had the idea in my head I just thought, “go for it”.

I went under the Erasmus programme which meant that I received funding to cover my living costs. After that it was pretty much just a case of turning up, finding the student halls I was staying in and enrolling on the courses I wanted to do.

Where did you study abroad?

The Institute of Political Studies in Toulouse was the only French university that was partnered with my home university, but the main reason I chose it was because I had heard how great Toulouse was from other exchange students. It is a massive student city with well over 90,000 students studying at various institutions and is also located fairly close to the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees and Barcelona.

I studied fairly similar subjects to my degree back home, but French classes were compulsory (which turned out to be insanely helpful), and all international students had to take classes in French political history.

How did you find your experience?

Adapting to taking classes entirely in French was really challenging at first and my lack of language skills meant that I initially made friends with other international students. This was an amazing part of the experience and I met people from so many different places.

In the second semester, once my French had improved, I started getting involved a lot more with the local students. This was definitely a lot more fun socially, as obviously they knew all the best places to go in town and they also helped me out a lot when I had essays to write.

It was definitely an amazing experience, both academically and socially. Overall, it really enriched my university learning experience and I have made friends and memories that I will keep for life.

What did you learn that you otherwise wouldn’t have done in the UK? In terms of academic learning, the extra year allowed me to branch out and study in more depth some of the things I had only touched on during modules back in the UK. This was definitely really helpful during my third year and gave me loads of ideas for my dissertation.

Obviously, I wouldn’t have learned French as quickly and as well as I did had I stayed in the UK, and it felt like much more of an achievement doing it this way, rather than just taking classes back home.

How do you think your experience will help you in the future?

Although I hate the phrase, “it looks good on your CV”, I have been surprised by how interested prospective employers have been in my study abroad experience during interviews. It definitely gives you a bit more to talk about and proves that you are adaptable and motivated. My language skills definitely enhance my employability in a number of sectors and also give me more options in terms of the jobs I can apply for.

"Despite the fact that England is already the fourth place where I have settled down, thanks to Student Mundial, for the rst time in my life I feel like I've got my "home, sweet home" here.

Brand new accommodation, perfect location, aordable price. I'm loving it!!!"

Jake: Maidstone, UK - Lisbon, Portubal "Thanks for your help, the place is great, sharing with some friendly people."

hola@studentmundial.com

studentmundial.com

+44 (0)207 193 2377

EXclusive interview with Karl Pilkington It’s a difficult task introducing this man. His deadpan style and rather bizarre observations have led to such claims that he is the ‘funniest man in Britain today’, all without knowing so and certainly without trying. The hit TV series, ‘An Idiot Abroad’ propelled this once simple guy into the realms of superstardom, reluctantly travelling the world and entertaining us on his way, all thanks to partners in crime Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Now he has returned to our screens having just embarked on his own travelling expeditions challenging life’s big topics, all on his own accord. Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, we introduce to you the one and only Karl Pilkington.

There really is only one.

Hi Karl, how are you? I’m alright.

of the road, but something that’s left you thinking. That story about the Chinese fella with a nose What have you been up to? I’ve just been picking growing on his forehead caught my eye. It’s the sort at a rack bolt on my back door for nearly two hours. of look I used to give my Mr Potatohead toy when I It broke whilst it was locked so I’d just been picking was a kid. at that with a bent coat hanger. Managed to open it though so saved myself about £90 by not calling out a Did you enjoy making your new TV series ‘The locksmith. Well pleased.

Moaning of Life’? What’s it all about? It’s about life’s big topics. Marriage, having kids, how to be Have you been stopped in your tracks by happy and dealing with death. I enjoyed it more anything recently? Not by a cow in the middle than doing ‘An Idiot Abroad’ as Ricky and Steve aren’t

It would be good if you could send Ricky and Stephen off on tasks for a change, don’t you think? Yeah, when Ricky mentioned about doing An Idiot Abroad 3, I said it would be good to have company, meaning him or Steve should come along.

He ended up sending me off with Warwick Davis who As you have travelled around the world so much was an Ewok in Star Wars, so he says. and encountered many different experiences, does anything faze you anymore? Just when I You once did a photo shoot with Ricky for think I’ve seen it all, something crops up that I find Shortlist Magazine where they made you wear mental. In the death episode [The Moaning of Life] I women’s tights and knickers. Have you had any had to help prepare a dead woman for her funeral and other embarrassing photo shoots? Listen, you’ve also remove a corpse from a grave in the Philippines. It got the story wrong. I didn’t wear knickers, it was just doesn’t always have to be that extreme, I saw a photo tights and I didn’t have a problem with that. It was of a big coconut crab climbing a bin the other day. the fact I had to take them off some woman who was Looked well weird. working at the photo shoot as someone forgot to buy me a pair. They were still bloody warm! It was odd at What have been your favourite places to visit the end of the shoot handing them back to her. whilst on your travels? Probably India. As much as it does my head in, and I always get ill, I’d say it’s a What are your views on students? I don’t really place that is worth witnessing. You don’t have to book have any. We’re all students aren’t we in a way as we’re any trips, just sit on a street corner and watch what learning new things all the time. I don’t really notice is going on around you. It all seems normal until you them if I’m being honest. They’re like clouds, it’s only take time to study what is going on. I liken it to that when there’s too many of them that they make me scene in Total Recall where it’s the future and every- miserable. thing seems familiar but then Arnie meets a woman with three breasts. That would happen in India if you If you went to university, what would you like hung around long enough. to study? Plumbing. I’ve spent a fortune on boiler engineers over the years.

You have a book accompanying the TV series (The Moaning of Life). How do you find the If you could pass down any advice to students process of writing a book? It’s the hardest thing today, what would it be? Don’t buy those plastic I do. I shouldn’t really be writing books. I’ve written clothes hangers, always get the metal wire type as more books than I have read. People seem to like them they will save you from wasting money on locksmiths. though so it makes all the hard work worthwhile. I’m slow on a keyboard too, so slow that a lot of the time Best and Worst: I’ve forgotten what I wanted to write. My spelling isn’t good either, sometimes even spellcheck can’t The best film you’ve watched at the cinema: work out what I’m trying to say. It’s like I’m giving I’m not a cinema goer. The last time I went was about spellcheck a little countdown conundrum. eight years ago to see King Kong. I get fidgety and I don’t like the smell of hot dogs. The film that comes What are the positives and negatives of work- to mind is ‘The Cat From Outer Space’. It was the first ing with Ricky and Stephen? Like with any mates film my dad took me to see. I seem to remember there’s always positives and negatives. They’ve enjoying it. changed everything I suppose. In the same way that I’m here cos my Mum and Dad had me, I’m here doing The worst film: King Ralph in about 1991. It was this job cos of Ricky and Steve. In both cases I didn’t really bad. I remember wishing it was a silent movie ask for either and now I have to deal with it. Both cos at least then I could have just closed my eyes. It cases happened by accident too. was that bad that I left. involved in this one so I got to stay at posher hotels. I stayed in some hotels that left chocolates on the pillow.

If that had happened in one of the hotels Ricky and Steve put me in it’s cos the place didn’t have a cleaner and it had been left behind by the last scruffy guest.

“If it wasn’t for jellyfish, we probably wouldn’t have to pay for carrier bags.”

The best album you own: Best of Elvis probably.

The worst thing about living in the UK: Everyone I know lives here.

The worst album you own: I don’t think I own a bad one.

The best animal: The sloth. Even if it isn’t the best, it’ll be asleep most of the time so it wouldn’t bother me.

The best meal you’ve cooked: I did a Barnsley Chop with veg and mash a couple of weeks ago when Su- The worst animal: The jellyfish. Ever since I was zanne was away. It was pretty good. Normally when stung by one. It’s their fault that we’re being charged I cook there’s something that isn’t good but I nailed for carrier bags too as turtles eat jellyfish, and now everything. I normally struggle with potatos. They we’re choking turtles as they think the carrier bags always taste of soil when I cook them but I even got that are left to float about in the seas are jellyfish and them sorted. I’m good at doing fried eggs. The trick go to eat them. If it wasn’t for jellyfish, we probably is to use a spoon to pop a bit of hot fat on the top of wouldn’t have to pay for carrier bags. the egg. Little tip there for students who have just left home and have never cooked an egg.

The best place you’ve been to the toilet: Japan’s toilets are impressive… when they work. They have The worst meal you’ve cooked: I had to cook a all sorts of settings and buttons. But I had a problem meal for the King of a Zulu tribe in South Africa and with the one in my room when I was in Tokyo. I couldn’t it was shocking. I was staying in a little caravan at the turn the heated seat off. Rooms in Tokyo are tiny so it time and didn’t have the proper equipment, so I had was baking. I don’t understand why the seat had a to cook toast on a gas hob. I gave him some wriggly setting that was so hot. I could have dried socks on it. worms as a starter. Thinking back, it was an odd choice of food but no weirder than the stuff Heston Worst place you’ve been to the toilet: Blumenthal gets away with serving.

Egypt. It’s a long story. I had bad guts, was locked in a toilet with no paper and no signal to get help. You’ll The best thing about living in the UK: I know my have to read ‘Idiot Abroad Travel Diaries’ for the full way about and everyone I know lives here. details, maybe buy that when you buy my new book ‘The Moaning of Life’.

Win signed copies of

Karl Pilkington’s ‘The Moaning Of Life’ Enter the competition here

Or go to: TheStudentPocketGuide.com

1st prize: 1 x signed copy of the book, 1 x signed illustration and 1 x DVD. 3 runner-ups: 1 x copy of the book.

Golden Shepherd’s Pie

By Caroline Marson, Banbury

Ingredients (Serves 6-8) • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 4 onions, peeled and roughly chopped • 1.35kg minced lamb • 2 level teaspoons tomato puree • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or thyme • 2 level teaspoons Marmite • 50g plain flour • 2 x 400g canned chopped tomatoes • 500ml water or meat stock • 1.35kg potatoes, peeled and chopped • 500g carrots, peeled and chopped • 100ml warm milk • 50g butter • 50g red Leicester cheese, grated • A sprig of rosemary • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Instructions 1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the onion until golden brown. Add the meat and cook for a further 5-10 minutes. Add the tomato puree, herbs, Marmite, Worcestershire sauce and flour. Cook over the heat for 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a saucepan and add the chopped tomatoes, water or meat stock, cover and allow to bubble gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Meanwhile, cook or steam the potatoes in a pan of water for 20-25 minutes or until soft. Add the chopped carrots to the potatoes for the last 10 minutes of cooking. Drain well and return to the pan. Mash the potatoes with the carrots and add the warm milk and the butter, and beat until fluffy and smooth.

3. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) mark 4. Put the meat mixture into an ovenproof dish or individual freezer dishes. Top with the potato and carrot mixture and sprinkle with the Red Leicester cheese, decorate with a sprig of rosemary. Cook for 35-40 minutes or until golden and bubbling.

Ingredients (Serves 2) • 3 large sheets of filo pastry • 250g ricotta cheese • Zest of 1 orange • 250g leftover Christmas pudding, crumbled • Vanilla ice cream or custard to serve • Ground black peppercorns • 25g melted butter Instructions 1. In a bowl mix together the cheese, black pepper, Set on the beautiful Llŷn Peninsula North Wales, orange zest, juice and crumbled Christmasinpudding.

Wakestock is always a highlight of summer. Starting 2. Lay outathe sheets filo park pastry, sheet with a off as party in aof car forbrush 800 each people during melted butter and place on top of each thea wakeboarding competition in 2008, theother. eventSpread has come filling at one end of the fi lo square. hell of a long way over the past five years or so and is now Europe’s largest wakeboard music festival. Split across 3. Fold end pastry onto mixture and continue threeone sites, theoffestival hoststhe professional wakeboarding rolling, tucking each end as to create a seal,across until you have aof competitions as well live music a range tight filo parcel log. in an exciting blend of extreme sport genres, resulting and party vibes.

The 1975with anda little Wretch 32 4. Brush the top withRudimental, butter and sprinkle made appearances year which suggests good things cinnamon and brownlast sugar. for 2014.

5. Bake at 200°C (400°F) mark 6 for about 25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy on the base. Serve in slices with vanilla ice cream or warm custard.

Head on over to TheStudentPocketGuide.com for more mouth watering recipes...

“SOCIAL MEDIA SHOULD BE BANNED”* *Facebook is banned in Tajikistan

This could happen anywhere – even here.

Make your opinion heard Visit www.changethingsnow.co.uk @changethingsnow #hearmyvote

4 NA 0 STO TIO R NW ES S NT LL YEA E E IDE R D TO STU ABLE A LL S A T L A I BLE AVA AILA * V A ION HER SESS IS VOUC H

T OUN R DISC

20% E E R F

T WITH

ALISUN V600 iDREAM

MYSTIC TAN HD iBED

ERGOLINE SUN ANGEL

STATE OF THE ART SPRAY AND SUNBED EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE

THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES AT....

Visit www.thetanningshop.co.uk to find your nearest store *Terms & Conditions apply. Limited time only.

Time to Shine

Detoxing has many health benefits: it can enhance your energy levels, aid weight loss, clear the skin and improve digestion. January is a great time to give your body a clean and a rest after the Christmas binge, but a seven-day detox at any time of year can help get things back on track if you’re feeling a bit under the weather, or want to kickstart weightloss.

Follow these rules for a general week-long detox, from nutritionist and co-founder of MyDetoxDiet Ilona Wesle.

Scan here for nutritional advice and a 5 day meal plan.

Avoid black tea, coffee and alcohol. Instead drink herbal tea. Nettle tea is great at supporting the kidneys, or try MyDetoxDiet’s 7x7 tea to cleanse the liver.

Drink at least 1 litre of water per day - ideally more. Keep a bottle by your desk and sip regularly - you’ll be amazed at how easy it is if you drink little and often.

Drink fresh juices. For example, carrot, beetroot, apple and cucumber juice, which are all both nourishing and cleansing.

Avoid processed foods. Steer clear of ready meals, savoury snacks and biscuits. Aim to eat only food in its natural state. Cook it by steaming, lightly boiling or poaching, to retain as many nutrients as possible and full flavour.

Choose organic food in order to minimize your intake of toxic pesticides. Even if you can’t make every item organic, do the best you can - it will make a difference.

Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables per day ideally more. At lunchtime and for dinner, aim to cover at least 60% of your plate with vegetables and eat as much variety as possible.

Cut down on animal products. Avoid dairy and replace milk with soya or nut milks. Lentils, beans, quinoa, seeds and nuts are good protein alternatives.

Thirty minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a day, such as walking or cycling will help you to get rid of those excess Christmas pounds, as well as having a vast range of other health benefits. Exercise is good for your heart, lungs, muscles and bones, as well as improving your mood and giving you a sense of well being.

- Interview: Nathan Wadlow -

As emerging artists from 2013 go, Disclosure are at the very peak. With four top-twenty charting singles from their number one debut album, ‘Settle’, the two brothers hailing from Croydon have certainly stamped their unique and sophisticated mark on the dance music scene. We caught up with the younger of the two, Howard, who shed light on their high-profile collaborations, bizarre venues and was also kind enough to play our, ‘Who’s Better?’ sibling rivalry game. Read on to find out who came out on top!

Hi Howard, I want to start off with a slightly different angle... As we’re a student magazine, we want to know what Disclosure were like as students? Well, we didn’t go to university but did school and then college. I think we were relatively normal students at school, pretty average stuff, but when we went to college we obviously chose what we wanted for our A-levels and we both turned to music and music technology. The other subjects we studied didn’t really matter to us! All of our attention was focussed on music, which I think was the right way to do it. Both of our music teachers at Reigate College were fantastic; they were really inspirational and had the right morals in music generally.

Have they been in touch since you guys have taken off? Yeah, we still talk all the time. We’re good friends.

That’s cool. Did you ever have to borrow your older brother’s (Guy) ID when you first started going out at college? Haha, I don’t think we look similar enough! I never really wanted to go clubbing until we started with Disclosure. I didn’t really know anything about dance music!

Who fits the student stereotype best out of you two? I’d say Guy. Just because when he went to college he didn’t have an older brother so he found it out for himself. He was in an indie band playing at house parties, that kind of stuff. I think we were both pretty normal A-level students, other than when we started doing this and I got kicked out!

I was looking through your ‘Settle’ [debut album] track-by-track guide on YouTube and you guys mentioned how awesome Ed Macfarlane’s [Friendly Fires] dance moves were. Just wondering if he ever taught you any?! Haha, well... no he didn’t specifically teach us anything, he explained a bit about it. When he first got into the band he wasn’t doing the dancing, he was just standing at the front like a lemon. He realised that he couldn’t just start dancing like that straight away because the other band members would take the p*ss out of him - he had to phase it in slowly! He said he started off with leg movements and over the course of about a year he just became this weird, Latin dancing frontman, which is personally one of my favourite things about him.

You’ve been lucky enough to work with people like Ed over the past year or so with your debut album. Do you see it as a privilege being able to work with artists that you’re already fans of? Yeah, definitely. I think that after the album there have been even more opportunities, which is great, although we haven’t been able to explore much of it as we’ve been on the road so much. Like you said, we were huge fans of Ed and Friendly Fires and also people like Jamie Woon which was a huge honour. It’s just been a really exciting couple of years.

One of the bolder collaborations was with Eliza Doolittle, taking into account her pop background. Do you think you’ll be aiming to push the boundaries with future collaborations? I don’t think we aimed to push a boundary with Eliza. I was a big fan of her first album so I just wanted to meet her and talk about music more than anything. That was the same with a lot of the collaborations; I wanted to find out what they were about just as much as I wanted to work with them. Like you say, with Eliza, it was a bit more out there and less expected, even from our management’s perspective in the sense that they didn’t really know who she was and if they did, they saw her as more of a pop act, possibly aimed a bit more towards girls. I just had this idea that it would work on a garage beat. When we met up through our mutual friend, Jimmy Napes, luckily enough it turned out she was a huge fan of 90s garage anyway.

I want to play a quick fire ‘sibling rivalry’ game. Quite easy, I’ll list a few things and you have to say who’s better out of you and Guy. How does that sound? Haha, yeah sure. Let’s do that!

OK. First one, Mario Kart? 100% me. Guy’s good at actual racing games like Need For Speed, but I’m better at the fake ones with weapons.

Cooking? I’d like to say me, but I think we’re pretty even. We cook very different stuff. Guy can do a serious fry up whereas I can cook some good Spanish food.

Playing the guitar? I think we’re about even on the guitar. We’ve both played it since we were very young and play very similar stuff. But, neither of us are amazing!

Fashion sense? Me. That was a very confident answer! Next, the ladies? At the moment Guy as I have a girlfriend. I don’t really partake!

Sports? Guy. Finally, academically? I’d have to say even. Our grades were exactly the same.

I make that two for you, two for Guy and three draws... Equally as good as each other it would appear! Haha, I’ll take that.

Moving onto 2014, the fact that so many of your shows have already sold out is surely an indication of what’s to come! Do you have a set plan heading into this year? Well, we had December off to regain our brains after touring constantly last year, and now we’re about to head into another six months on the road - more than that actually. It’s pretty constant until about September! Hopefully then we’ll take some time off and maybe do the second album.

What are your top three bizarre or exciting venues you have played during your time on the road? There are three that poke out straight away. One was Treasure Island in San Francisco which was absolutely amazing; it’s a ridiculous festival and there were about 25,000 people watching us on the main stage. Probably the most amazing venue I’ve ever played at was Red Rock in Denver, which is like this big, stone amphitheatre. Finally, there was this place in Romania. Have you heard of the People’s Palace?

The government building? Yeah, Top Gear once did a race underneath it. Anyway, we played on the roof to about 500 people two or three years ago. It was amazing because it’s the old house of the former Romanian dictator, so the people we were playing to were the first generation since then to have the freedom to go out and party. It was pretty cool.

Could you give us a rundown of your single that is out at the moment, ‘Voices’? Sure. We wrote the track with a girl called Sasha Keable, who is actually in the room next to me right now. Our management showed us her SoundCloud to see what we thought and she had this amazing cover of James Blake and Little Dragon.

She has an incredible, soulful voice. So we booked a studio session with her, showed her some beats we thought she might like, she didn’t like any of them, so we made another one and that turned out to be ‘Voices’.

Finally, do either you or Guy have any embarrassing childhood stories you’d like to share with us? It’s not really a story, more a regular occurrence. Our Dad would put on ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ by Michael Jackson and we would dance around the living room; he’d pick us up and play us like air guitars!

Read the full interview online: www.TheStudentPocketGuide.com

EPIC Studios, a high-definition TV studio based in Norwich, is among one of the most advanced in Europe and was formerly used for recordings of Trisha, Graham Norton, Vanessa Feltz and the children’s show, Knightmare. Recently taken over by Extreme Video, the studio now crosses over as a high-profile gig venue. The niche? Live streaming. Combining stadium style screens in an atmospheric indoor arena is an unbeatable combination. EPIC Studios has turned itself into a truly unique broadcasting venue with a multitude of events from traditional live music right through to professional boxing. For a unique experience in East Anglia, this venue is definitely worth a visit.

For listings, visit: www.theklabristol.co.uk

Proud Camden London

Thekla Bristol

The Caves Edinburgh

Tan Hall Inn Yorkshire

5

 

For listings, visit: www.epic-tv.com

Thekla is an award winning live music venue and club in Bristol. What makes it different? Well, Thekla is in fact a stationary cargo ship moored in the Mud Dock area of Bristol’s Floating Harbour, which houses a music venue of the same name.

Originally brought to Bristol as the Old Profanity Showboat, it was a late 1982 brainchild of novelist Ki Longfellow-Stanshall, the wife of Vivian Stanshall. The showboat was based on the idea of creating, owning, and running a theatre on a sea-going ship and using it to showcase music of every sort.

The Caves is a truly unique venue that makes up the sub-structure of the 18th Century South Bridge in Edinburgh. Every room has a story to tell and a special place in Scottish history – from vaults that served as stables to French cavalry who were at one time bodyguards for the Royal Family, to remains of the houses that pre-date the bridge itself. With nights such as Departure Lounge (which often features live bands as well as house, techno, funk and hip-hop DJs) and electronic specialists Kapital in residence, it’s a popular playground for clubbers seeking an open-door music policy.

For listings, visit: www.proudcamden.com

For listings, visit: www.thecavesed inburgh.com

Fancy going to a gig in an old horse hospital? Then Proud Camden is the one for you! (Not that I imagine there are many other alternatives if that’s your thing). Located in the 200-year-old Grade II listed horse hospital in the Stables Market, Camden, the venue is bejewelled by images of rock royalty throughout. It retains many of its beautiful and genuine features. An eclectic mix of live music is on every night, catering for a wide range of musical tastes, whilst during the day visitors can enjoy a chilled-out vibe with food and drink, HD flat screens and PS3s!

Tan Hill Inn sits at 1,732 feet on top of the Pennine Way making it the highest pub in Britain. The remoteness of it didn’t put off British Sea Power from once putting on their very own one-day festival at the high rising pub. The band played three different sets to a crowd that included Arctic Monkeys, Klaxons and Simian Mobile Disco’s, James Ford. They also made their very own ale for the occasion.

If you fancy a scenic stroll in the great British countryside with a live music and ‘pub grub’ pit stop on the way, Tan Hall Inn is your answer.

For listings, vis www.livemusicatta it: nhill.co.uk

Fake Club are a raucous girl-group who aren’t afraid to speak their minds. Their upfront punk style is raw yet anthemic and their LP which is due to be released next year will surely become a staple of any hard-hitting rocker’s record collection. We speak to Rosie Bones, the lead singer of the up and coming band, about bizarre names, gigs in Italy and late nights at Koko nightclub...

You’ve just released your new single ‘Midnight at Koko’, where did the influence for the song come from?

It came out of a jam at our studio in Holloway. We thought we might want to do a bit of a slower tempo track amongst a heavy-rock set, so we started writing it and ‘Midnight at Koko’ came out. We all thought it was quite a cool concept as we’ve all been at ‘Koko’ nightclub at midnight before, so it’s something we could all relate to.

Is there any particularly memorable night you’ve had at ‘Koko’ that your new single is based on? There’ve been so many. We once played ‘Koko’ at ‘Club NME’ which was awesome. It all inevitably descended into chaos though...

You had a launch party for the new single in Camden, how’d that go? We had two amazing bands play and it was both of their first gigs so there was some cool new talent going on. Kate Nash also came down and DJ’d and then we had a big party back at our warehouse!

Your track, ‘Beauty Queen’ seems like it’s portraying an anti-celebrity message.

Is that an ongoing theme for the band,

being against “celebrity worship”?

Well the thing is we’re not necessarily anti-celebrity. We just want to be a real band, play real gigs and touch people with proper music! If we were to get famous, sell lots of records and do what we want to do, that would just be a bi-product of us being good, not because we got naked in a magazine!

Leading on from what you were saying about playing ‘real’ gigs, you never play or record to a metronome, is there a reason behind this? Our main thing as a band is the live show, so we want any recording we do to be a good representation of that. We try and record as live as possible. We like it when it’s a bit rough around the edges, it doesn’t need to be perfect!

Do you have any plans for a tour next year? Well, we’ve already done some international gigs. We played in Berlin and we did a little tour in Italy. Next year we will literally be touring our faces off.

Any final words of wisdom for our readers... Do stuff because you enjoy it and love it, not because someone else tells you to. Make sure you do things for the right reasons. Have fun and buy our album!

Read the full interview onlne: www.TheStudentPocketGuide.com

FREE cookie

with

Have you returned to the UK from your Christmas or New Year break?

Need to change your currency?

Exclusive student rates when exchanging Euros or US dollars for ÂŁ Sterling* *Please note that a minimum amount to exchange has to be a value of ÂŁ250.

Scan here for participating branches

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/SPG Post Office Limited is registered in England and Wales. Registered number 2154540.

Registered Office: 148 Old Street, London EC1V 9HQ. Post Office and the Post Office logo are registered trade marks of Post Office Limited.

Click online to find your nearest branch at www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder money

Handled with care

2013

Hilarious #Hashtags Twitter is a glorious thing. Whilst often used as a tool to discover breaking news, celebrity gossip and as a means to communicate with our friends, sometimes people are simply more interested in its more ridiculous uses. The ingenious invention of the #hashtag has opened up a can of online hilarity. So popular has the sacred # been, it was in fact voted '2012 Word of the Year' by the American Dialect Society, calling it a “ubiquitous phenomenon in online talk".

So, in tribute, here we have compiled a list of Twitter #hashtags that went viral and prompted some truly hilarious responses.

#GeekPickupLines

Pickup lines are terrible in general but bad often means funny. Add a theme to a pickup line and voila, you've got pure comedy.

#TigerBlood

We can only thank Hollywood's Charlie Sheen for this one. Still, no one knows what it actually means - we're guessing along the lines of heroic. What we do know is that it blew up online.

#CrapSuperPowers Self explanatory fun involving tweeting a rubbish superpower. All the more worthless, the better!

People certainly got creative with this, with many brilliant tweets floating around the Twittersphere.

#11thCommandment

Moses would have needed a whole new quarry to put all of these suggestions together onto stone. Another life-observation-style #hashtag, this prompted all sorts of funny responses from people around the world.

#UnlikelySequals There have been countless movie #hashtags but this is one of the best that trended. Again, this saw ingenuity of a rather comical nature amongst Twitter users. Why not have a go yourself?

Pick a movie title and you're halfway there.

#PoopTweet

Possibly the less that is said about this the better. As you can imagine, there were some fairly gross responses, but hey, everyone can appreciate a little toilet humour every now and then!

#MyLifeisAverage

A rather light-hearted take on the simple day-to-day things we do, no matter how boring. It's no surprise that this #hashtag is still very popular on Twitter today given its simplicity and the fact everyone can relate to it.

#AngelinaJoliesRightLeg At the time this was a hugely popular trend. Angelina Jolie's thigh-high slit gown at the Oscars last year certainly caused a stir, as did her trademark pose that went with it. However, no one could have predicted the hilarious response from Twitter users.

Follow us on Twitter @TheSPG

Sponsored by:

Choosing the Right Student Property

It’s come to that time of year where for many of you the impending task of finding your first student property is on the horizon. If you haven’t yet, it’s worth thinking about who you want to live with next academic year. The student market only gets more competitive from this point on and after all, we’re sure you’d rather land the dream student house over a last minute alternative you aren’t best pleased about. Follow these three easy steps early on and you will be well on your way.

Establish a Budget

First and foremost, establishing a budget will determine the type of property you go after.

A major factor that will have an impact on this is determining the individual bedroom preferences for each of you planning to live together. For example, if there are five of you pitching in for a house next academic year, three may be set on a double bedroom whereas the other two may be happy with just a single room. This may sound simple,

but it can have a big impact on the price of a proper ty - a five double bedroom house will (99% of the time) cost more than a three.

Another important thing to consider is whether your total rent budget will include utility bills such as gas and electric. If so, it will be easier to manage, but be aware that it may cost slightly more per month. Another good tip is to check that your monthly utility bills are actual readings and not estimates. If the previo us tenants of the property used twice as much gas and electric, you will be paying for their usage also.

Find a Location

When searching for your student pad, there are many things that you should consider. Does it have a convenience store close by? Is there a bus route within walking distance? Is it a ‘student friendly’ area?

All of these things need to be thought about when choosing the right locatio n for you may find yourself spending hundreds of pound you. Get this wrong and s extra per year just on taxis.

Nightlife and socialising are other key factors to consider. You don’t want to be miles away from all of the action, and being surrou nded by more students will give you better opportunities to make new friends . Without sounding like your mum or dad always take in account your safety and wellbeing. For more info on the crime rate in your area go to: www.police.uk

Start Browsing Properties

Once you have a clear idea of budgets and locatio n, the search with local letting agents. Your college or univer next step is to begin your sity accommodation office will have a list of approved agents and landlords which is a good place to start.

You’ll find that many will have student promotions including free agency fees or half-price rent over the summer months when the property isn’t occupied.

When it comes to viewings, make sure that you have at least three to look at and take with you a set of important points that need to be addressed, including: • Rent - per week or month? How much?

• Deposit - how much and when does it need to be paid?

• Administration fees - are there any? Can they be waived?

• Contract length - are there discounts on holiday month • Council tax - you don’t need to pay this, your landlo s or an 11 month option? rd should be able to help.

• Utility costs - how much did the last tenants pay on average?

• Inventory - make sure you thoroughly check each room before signing anything.

If the above points have been met with each property you view and you are satisfied with the condition, area and contract, great yours! But remember, if you feel a little uneasy about news - the choice is now a house or area, or are unsure about the contract terms put in front of you, it’s worth reconsidering your choices.

It may be well and good getting it out the way but remember, it’s important to make the right choice for you. Happy house huntin g!

E f f i c i E n t. . . fa S t. . . r E l i a B l E . . . S a f E

21

1

CI

S

CAB TY

01

1 2 1 28

3

Get the City Cabs app ON iphONe aNd aNdrOid Book and track your taxi through GPS – go to www.citycabs.co.uk for info and to download

Need a lift?: Let City Cabs take you there! call

0131 228 1211 now CarbON Neutral

Student Membership just ÂŁ37.50 per month Based on 3 month rolling contract*

Enjoy a stunning range of benefits and services when you join the Scotsman Spa & Health Club.

Amenities at Edinburgh’s premier health, relaxation and fitness venue include: Stainless steel swimming pool 60 Station Gymnasium Sauna Fitness Studio Steam Room Full Range of Classes Tropicarium Spa Treatments

For more information and booking, please contact us on 0131 622 3800 - spa-reception@thescotsmanhotel.co.uk * Terms & Conditions apply

Artist: Hannah Scully Institute: Newcastle University Description: This is one of ‘The Three Faces’ created by Hannah which draw out and exaggerate prominent facial features.

Hannah began this piece using a large sketchbook to divide the face (which is based on no one in particular) into sections to give a 3D graphic feel. She then painted the artwork using a specific colour palette from emulsion samples and went over the initial sketch lines with a simple biro.

Hannah enjoys creating works that are opposed to traditional painting styles which have led her to embrace illustration and graphics considerably more.

START UD ENT

Artist: Aaran Burns Institute: Keele University Description: An illustration depicting Wonderland, one of Aaran’s favourite fantasy worlds. The idea was to capture the basics of Wonderland whilst giving it a ‘darker’ atmosphere. It was created with watercolour paint, pencil, ink and Prismacolor marker. The piece took around 17 hours to finish, not including the original sketch.

Artist: Chloe Jackson Institute: Nottingham Trent University Description: The concept behind the garment was based upon Japanese buildings and Victorian chimneys. The idea of looking at architecture in different cultures intrigued Chloe on how buildings could be so diverse. She wanted to focus on producing a 3D sculpture hence the white fabric allowing no distractions. This was a very challenging garment to make, testing all Chloe’s pattern cutting skills to create a garment which was fully wearable. This image has been photoshopped to produce a style which ties in with the concept.

Artist: Rasvanthi Shriya Institute: Birmingham City University Description: Rasvanthi used a standard pencil and black acrylic paint to create this sketch. The artwork itself means a lot to the artist and is an expression of memories and thoughts that have turned into shapes on a page.

For the opportunity to showcase your work in START within the next edition of The Student Pocket Guide, please send your work along with your name, institute, description and contact details to: info@thestudentpocketguide.com

The Student Pocket Guide

Home

Profile

Account

The Student Pocket Guide Media/News/Publishing See more results for The Student Pocket Guide

Displaying top result

Do you ‘Like’ Facebook?

Have you ‘Liked’ our Facebook page?

Free Stuff Discounts and competitions Gossip, banter and random trivia!

Elizabeth Windsor and 72,897 others like this.

£££ Saver!

3 Games of Laser for £10 Between 10am - 6pm Monday - Friday Pre Booking & Deposit Required

Laser Station Intu Braehead Kings Inch Road Braehead Glasgow PA4 8XQ

Tel: 0141 886 2233 www.laserstation.co.uk

Not available during Bank or School Holidays

63 UNION STREET GLASGOW 0141611822 9 WWW.GEEK -RETREAT.C OM

BOARD GAMES POP TARTS - HOT DOGS EVENTS - COMICS - FLUFFERNUTTERS - ARCADES TOYS - SUPERSHAKES - PARTIES - COFFEE MORE GEEK STUFF THAN YOU CAN SHAKE A DALEK AT!

lllustrations: Thomas Camp Words: Neela Kumar

Aries Ram into the New Year with a bang. Take control of your life

and this year, instead of getting a diary, why not do something different? Replace a pen with a megaphone, allow the world outside your window to be your paper and announce your feelings to the public every single morning. You may annoy some of your neighbours, but YOLO!

Taurus Well, you’re certainly grabbing the bull by the horns! Your

over enthusiasm can be a little tiresome for some but hey, you’re well and truly making the most of it and enjoying not giving a damn! Ever seen the Jim Carrey movie ‘Yes Man’?

Anyone would think you played the main role. Pint half full please bar-keep.

Gemini This will be a year of two halves, and as we know, two halves make

a whole. A hole you could fall down if you don’t look where you’re going! The best way around this is to carry a pocket cement-mixer to fill any unexpected holes that present themselves in your life.

NB - Cement will not work on holes in pairs of socks.

Cancer Though you may feel crabby at the start of January, cheer up because great things are on the horizon. Forget your bikes, your cars and sail everywhere by boat because Cancerians are proud members of the water signs. Take advice from the most famous crab of them all, Sebastian, and migrate ‘Under the Sea.’ (Cool Caribbean accent not compulsory.)

Leo Swallow your pride and allow this year to be a roaring success.

2014 is the one for you! However, the main concern you’ll have this year is ensuring that your head doesn’t burst. Even if you may look and feel like the cat that has the cream, it’ll turn sour quickly if you continue to act like a king. Hint - start playing the Spanish Lottery and let success come to you.

Virgo All the mistakes you made in 2013 are forgotten as 2014 brings

a fresh start. There’s a first time for everything, so instead of dreaming of going to the moon, why wait?! It will be in your constellation at some point this year so when it looks closer than usual, put on your stilts and jump on a trampoline at the top of a high building - you’ll be orbiting before you know it!

Libra There’s a fine balance between a great and a terrible year ahead,

depending on how you start it. If you eat all the chocolate in the fridge then things may not work out well. However, if you eat ANTI-GRAVITY chocolate (or invent some) you’ll feel a weight off your shoulders and tip the scales in your favour.

Scorpio Though 2013 crawled by slowly, 2014 will be a great year

for you. You’ll be inspired to write satirical comedy sketches about the changing of the seasons and though it may not seem like a stinger of a topic, there’s more potential than you think! Weather presenters worldwide sing your praise and you’ll be the envy of all your friends who will be left in the rain when you get an umbrella brand named after you.

Sagittarius Step out of the limelight this year as things won’t centre around you. In fact, an unlikely acquaintance in the form of a Libra or a Taurus may need an alibi as they secretly plot world domination. The best thing to do is come up with a reason why you’re too busy to do so and go into hiding straight after.

I hear, “I was washing my hair” is a beast of an excuse.

Capricorn 2013 was your year as goats became incredibly popular on

the Internet. 2014, unfortunately, won’t be. Depending on whatever the new internet craze is, you should invent a new horoscope around this. People may think you’re kidding at first, but they’ll be the gruff ones when you become a Ryangoslingpion as it will become the best decision you’ve made all year!

Aquarius Water has now been discovered on Mars, so don’t be afraid

to get your feet wet when they ask you to investigate if there is juice on Venus. Your job will come with a free rocket ship, spacesuit and curly straws. If you have a thirst for adventure, then grab this opportunity and don’t bottle it! (But do bottle the juice if you find any - especially if it’s orange! Good luck!)

Pisces You finished last year swimmingly well and this good luck

will continue into 2014. This is because you will find a four leaf clover growing in your garden and clone it to start a money making scam. People will be hooked on your product but if you start to feel guilty, plunge the evidence into the closest pond and go fish for a new idea!

Established in 2009 to ll a niche in the market for an ethical, environmentally aware coach company that works closely with music festivals, Big Green Coach is now becoming the largest provider of coach travel to the music industry and is the official travel supplier to the UK's favourite events including Virgin Media's V Festival, Creammelds, Download, Bestival, Secret Garden Party, Sonisphere, Isle of Wight Festival as well as many other festivals and gigs. They strive to make a real reduction to the festival carbon footprint and for every single customer who travels on one of their national coaches to an event in 2014, Big Green Coach will sponsor and protect 5 square foot of Amazonian Rainforest for the next 10 years!

How amazing is that! And now, we are pleased to announce that we have teamed up to offer you guys the chance to win a pair of return travel tickets to some of the UK's best festivals in 2014 which Big Green Coach work with. Here are some of the highlights...Lots more on their website www.biggreencoach.co.uk The highlight on every rock fans calendar, Download enters its 12th year in 2014. With three days of heavy rock music featuring around 150 acts over five stages at Donington Park, the spiritual home of rock, you can fully expect to experience a lifetime’s worth of moshing at this festival. Last year saw the likes of Slipknot, Iron Maiden, Enter Shikari and Limp Bizkit take to the stage so it’s fair to say great things can be expected this year. Download will be held over the weekend of Friday 13th to Sunday 15th June 2014. www.biggreencoach.co.uk/downloadfestival If dance is your thing then Creamfields needs no introduction. Featuring the biggest and the best from the world of dance, Creamfields is the only place to be this Summer. Set in the Cheshire Village of Deresbury, the three day event is always the non-stop party of the year with the worlds top DJ’s taking the stage. Last years headliners included a UK exclusive performance from the legends that are The Prodigy, alongside sets from Avicii, David Guetta, Sebastian Ingrosso and Afrojack. As always, the 2014 festival takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. www.biggreencoach.co.uk/creamfields

Magical, mysterious and beautiful are words commonly associated to what is undoubtedly one of the most unique festivals the UK has to offer. With hidden surprises scattered throughout a 10 acre landscaped garden bordering a river and a lake, The Secret Garden Party offers festival goers a chance to escape from the realms of normality. This is certainly one for those who enjoy alternatives to the major mainstream events.

Last year played host to established names including Bastille and Regina Spektor, so expect 2014’s festival to bring in names that attract the crowds. www.biggreencoach.co.uk/secretgardenparty V Festival has always been the front runner in the UK’s music scene, and was even the first festival in the UK to be hosted in two different locations over one weekend. Showcasing artists who top music charts worldwide, V Festival regularly boasts headliners who in the world of rock and pop simply cannot be matched. For this reason, the world stops when the V Festival announcement day arrives and we finally get to see which superstars are headlining the dates. It will be hard to match 2013’s headliner, Beyoncé, but good luck to whoever they choose to fit the bill this year. www.biggreencoach.co.uk/vfestival Set on the beautiful Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales, Wakestock is always a highlight of summer. Starting off as a party in a car park for 800 people during a wakeboarding competition in 2008, the event has come a hell of a long way over the past five years or so and is now Europe’s largest wakeboard music festival. Split across three sites, the festival hosts professional wakeboarding competitions as well as live music across a range of genres, resulting in an exciting blend of extreme sport and party vibes. Rudimental, The 1975 and Wretch 32 made appearances last year which suggests good things for 2014. www.biggreencoach.co.uk/wakestock

Use promo code ‘SPGFIVERFREE’ for an exclusive £5 discount.

Every passenger = 5 sq ft of rainforest saved Simple. www.BigGreenCoach.co.uk

YOUTUBE.COM/Stu

SPGTV Exclusive acoustic performances from the likes of Ed Sheeran, Gabrielle Aplin, Kodaline and Lucy Rose, through to interviews with the stars including Greg Davies, Jay Sean, Chase and Status, Conor Maynard and Pixie Lott. Host to an array of competition giveaways (which in the past has seen subscribers walk away with signed merchandise, mini fridges, festival tickets and designer clothing).

If you’re not subscribed to SPGtv then you really are missing a trick.

On a rooftop, on a lake, in a tour bus or back stage, SPGtv are always in the right place at the right time. Our camera guys are at the ready to capture those intimate, exclusive one-off moments for you lovely viewers.

With 1.6 million views and 230+ videos to browse there really is no excuse to be playing Farmville anymore when you’re bored. Head on over to SPGtv and don’t forget to subscribe!

udentPocketGuide

never baked. but perfect if you are.

s_95x66mm_ad_v3.indd 1

You can now get tested for STIs without visiting a clinic

30/10/2013

Graduate Careers in Audit, Tax and Advisory

To find out more go to www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/graduates

Š 2014 KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, is a subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative, a Swiss entity.

Do you want it sugar coated or straight up?

New Year, New Job...

It’s a new year and you want to start as you mean to go on. That means not starting off the year being skint; it’s time to make a change and earn yourself some money. At StudentJob we are consistently updating our website with new and exciting job offers on a daily basis so there’s always something that will suit you. Below we’ve listed the best jobs which won’t take too much time out of your busy student schedule.

Club Promotion All students love to party and what better way to earn some extra cash than getting paid to do so? The best thing about promoting is that it's exible and you can even do it from home if you need to. If you’re outgoing and sociable, then this is the perfect job for you. Club promotion also allows you to keep-up-to-date on all the hottest nights out.

Paid Surveys Participating in paid surveys is easy to schedule into your busy student life. It's hassle free and can be done entirely when it suits you.

The surveys are based on a variety of different subjects and are usually paid per survey, so you can do as many or as few as you like. We have plenty of these surveys listed on our website!

Bar Staff

Mystery Shopping Think you’re too broke to go shopping? Well think again! Mystery shopping has many different tasks to choose from. For example, you can get paid to eat out, go shopping or go for a drink with friends. It doesn’t even feel like you’re working when you’re doing things that you usually do in your free time.

All you need to do is report your experience and opinion of a brand - it’s that simple!

At StudentJob we have a wide variety of jobs available nationwide including part-time jobs, internships, placements and graduate jobs. Check us out on our website www.studentjob.co.uk for all our latest job vacancies!

For more information please contact Alison Beaton at: a.beaton@studentjob.co.uk

StudentJob

@StudentJobUK

We caught up with national treasure, Fearne Cotton, who shed light on her new life with baby Rex, interviewing royalty, her highlights from the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge and whether or not she would date Keith Lemon.

You can probably guess the answer to the latter...

Hey Fearne, I’ve just been looking at your new collection for Boots. Can you tell us a little bit about it? Yeah, it’s great to be doing another season! It’s basically a mix of make-up and toiletries with a beautiful design element to it using lots of black and white flowers with colour pigmentation and little gold stars. The packaging is really important to me because I love things to look pretty through and through. There are some great new bits to the make-up range, like lip crayons instead of lip sticks and

eye crayons which are so much easier to use than eye liner. There’s also a really great nail art set which I’m really excited about; there’s diamonds, nail art pens and it’s just really fun to use.

Sounds good! How is baby Rex getting on? Ah, he’s so lovely. He’s massive now; he’s nine months, crawling everywhere, grabbing and eating everything under the sun so yeah, I feel very lucky to be his mum that’s for sure.

When my brother was a baby he threw a bowl of Weetabix at my mum’s face…

Wow… Pretty hardcore. Has Rex done anything similar? I’ve got all this to come haven’t I?! He doesn’t throw things, but when I’m feeding him his lunch it will then be at that opportune moment where he sneezes and all of the food in his mouth goes flying onto me. I end up changing my outfit about a million times a day because of food abuse or puking.

Have you let any of your celebrity pals babysit? No… I am very cagey about who looks after him. The only person who is allowed to look after him is my cousin Katy, she’s his nanny. I trust her opinion more than my own sometimes!

My mum babysits occasionally though.

You wouldn’t let Keith Lemon babysit, for example? Are you mental? I’d rather leave him on his own than have Keith look after him! There’s just absolutely no way.

Moving onto the topic of Celebrity Juice, what would you say have been your top three moments? This doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve been my favourites, but big moments. One of them would be when I’ve played a game where I was blindfolded and had to move closer and closer to a certain object. When I took my blindfold off it happened to be this old, naked man with his willy out! Another would be with Ant and Dec, where we were in a glass box having to feel a mystery object which turned out to be a naked female chef who was rather curvaceous. There’s a lot of nakedness on our show! Another would have to be the Xmas special just gone, which had a very, very messy ending to the show. Probably the messiest ending to a show we’ve ever had.

I’ve been wondering for a while now where on earth you got the naked man from?! Well, there happens to be quite a lot of people from different agencies who don’t mind putting themselves out there.

It’s mad the amount of people who will do crazy stuff when they’re facing a TV camera. I think we’ve proved that as a whole with celebrities coming on the show and doing things they would never, ever normally do. People let their guard down and forget about their usual morals. It is quite a strange environment that brings out the filth in people!

You’ve obviously had a fantastic career. Have there been any particular highlights so far? Interviewing Prince William and Harry was and still is the highlight of my career. It was about six years ago now but a real honour to be asked to do it. I felt the interview went really, really well and I’ve been lucky enough to see them since then and have a nice relationship with them in that way. They’re just wonderful guys and an absolute joy to interview.

That for me is definitely one of the best things that I’ve ever got to do.

The Live Lounge has been a massive success for BBC Radio 1. What have been your highlights of the year just gone? We had such a good year! In September we had our ‘Even More Music Month’ where we had a Live Lounge everyday and that for me was pure bliss.

I came into work, skipping in, wondering what was going to happen and we had some amazing sessions during that.

The Arctic Monkeys always do the most sterling job in the Live Lounge and they are absolutely sublime live. Their cover of Drake’s, ‘We’re Going Home’ is my favourite cover, ever, so that was a great moment. Kings Of Leon, who had never done a cover before until the power of the Live Lounge convinced them, did Robyn’s, ‘Dancing On My Own’, which was really quite moving.

Have you got any hot tips for 2014?

I’ve become obsessed with quite a few people recently who are dead new. I’m really besotted with an Irish singer-songwriter called Hozier. He has the most wonderful, rich voice that I’ve heard in a long, long time. There are a lot of male singer songwriters who have come out of the woodworks recently. Nick Mulvey and Vance Joy I’m also really into.

A year for the dudes? Yeah, it’s a year for the dudes! The past few have seen

real strong female artists like Emile Sande, Adele, Ellie and Florence and the Machine. It’s now time for the guys to step up and tug on the heart strings and make some amazing music. I think that’s definitely going to be 2014.

We’re a national student magazine.

What advice would you give to our readers looking to build a career in the media industry, whether it’s producing, presenting or DJing on the radio?

The thing I would bear in mind is that there is absolutely no one set route to go about it. I don’t think I should be the one to say this is what you should do because everyone’s journey is so unbelievably different. Some of my great friends who are broadcasters have done it since they were kids like me whereas some got into it by accident through working as a floor manager or in a production house of a TV company. As well as being open minded you have to do everything you can to practice your skill because it is a skill and it’s one you need to hone. I don’t go into work thinking, “Right, that’s my job, let’s go”, I genuinely go in every day and think, “How can I do this better? What will I learn today?” Whether you’re practicing at home or on student radio, TV or local stuff, that’s the only way you’re going to get better at it. Words of wisdom. I hope so. I hope I can pass on a nugget or two!

Will you be attending any McBusted shows this year? You know what, it would be wrong if I didn’t! I absolutely love those guys. I don’t know Busted as well these days but the McFly boys are really great friends of mine. I feel like we’ve been in each other’s lives in lots of seminal moments throughout our careers. I’ll always remember when they came to my 30th birthday party at my mum’s house which was quite a drunken affair. They were loving life, having a great time and dancing with my mum and all her mates! I love them to bits and am really happy for them.

I saw on Twitter a few weeks ago that you slipped up in the middle of a restaurant. What happened? Ah yeah! I took my team out from Radio 1 for a bit of lunch because my Assistant Producer is leaving to BBC Glasgow.

So we went out and I had literally half a glass of champagne, maybe three quarters, and these days being a tired mum that will make me drunk! As I was walking out I spotted Rob Brydon in the corner and as I tried to discreetly point out he was there I did a very bizarre side skid… It was one of those moments where everyone goes silent and it really wasn’t very nice. Very bad, very awkward, and a very me moment!

Would you say you’re quite clumsy?

Oh, absolutely the worst! You’d have to talk to my boyfriend about this but I am one of the clumsiest, unintentionally loud people ever. If the baby is asleep I’d definitely drop the heaviest pot in the world which will wake him up. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

I have one final question from the guys in the office… If you and you’re partner Jesse weren’t to be, would you consider dating Keith Lemon? In a very simple, short answer, no. A big, fat no. He is the worst boyfriend material, EVER! Absolutely the opposite of the guy that I like.

Scan this QR Code to read the full interview:

Ibiza 10’s

6/7/8th June 2014 “It just got Bigger and Better!”

e. From the match “Every detail is ther DJ instant play screen, commentator, huge course , food stands and of stand, market stalls liquid refreshments. best” Summer rugby at its With packages starting at £299 for 3 nights,

(including Flight, accomodation plus 3 nights afterparties with Sunday night Headline Band)

what else would you do with your summer?

Official Kit Supplier

www.rugbyspy.com

Log on to www.rugbyspy.com and buy your tickets or contact us for group bookings or team entry at info@rugbyspy.co.uk.

For travel packages contact alister@venatour.co.uk www.facebook.com/RugbySpy

twitter.com/RugbySpy

SENSELESS CENSUS What was your New Year’s Resolution To get more technical with my beatboxing To go five hours without eating something

To stitch up my brother more

To drink more Yakult

Join SPG online www.TheStudentPocketGuide.com

students

To marry Matty from The 1975

Get my tremolo picking up to 220 bpm To learn Italian and find a job To start running again

SPGTV

Watch Senseless Census

Crossword Answers Across: 3. White 5. The Hangover 6. Minions 8. Powerful 10. Virginia 11. Muse Down: 1. Kirk 2. Fast and Furious 3. Wolverine 4. Fire 7. Google 9. Jaegers

BEFORE

spot u o y n Ca ences? r e f f i d 5

AFTER Watch the Gabrielle Aplin house party

r Know yooum r films f ?

2013

Across 3. Colour of the house that has been saved by Tatum and Foxx 5. Part 3 of the wild party with breast implants 6. Yellow henchmen, managed by super-villain Gru 8. Finish the movie title: 'OZ the Great and ____' 10. First name of Tony Stark’s girlfriend 11 British rock band that made the soundtrack for World War Z 11.

Down 1. Famous Captain of the starship USS Enterprise 2. Vin Diesel is back for this sixth edition 3. Marvel Superhero who lived in Japan for a while 4. Jennifer Lawrence is back in ‘The Hunger Games: Catching ____’ 7. The company where you would love to have The Internship 9. Machines built by Paciic Rim nations

Thank you for reading The Student Pocket Guide Ltd is a multi-award winning media company reaching students nationwide.

We provide students with a free, money saving and informative guide at the beginning of each academic term. We offer businesses a cost-effective and professional vehicle to advertise their products, events and services directly to the student community.

The Student Pocket Guide is distributed by hand and via email to hundreds of thousands of students nationwide, each term. To reserve your space in our next edition, please contact us.

The Student Pocket Guide Ltd Tel: 01603 727768 Email: info@thestudentpocketguide.com Web: www.thestudentpocketguide.com Web Corporate: www.SPGuk.com Facebook.com/TheStudentPocketGuide Youtube.com/StudentPocketGuide Twitter.com/thespg

AN ABSOLUTE GEM OF AN EVENT THE SKINNY A VERITABLE FEAST OF ANIMATION & VISUAL THEATRE TV BOMB

VISUAL THEATRE FESTIVAL #7 31 JAN - 8 FEB 2014 INNOVATIVE INTERNATIONAL THEATRE AND FILM TRAVERSE THEATRE, EDINBURGH THE LEMON TREE, ABERDEEN NORWICH PUPPET THEATRE Traverse Theatre Box Office 0131 2281 404

manipulatefestival.org @manipulatefest