Student Pocket Guide | FRESHERS 2026 | CAMBRIDGE

POCKET GUIDE

FRESHERS 2026

CAMBRIDGE

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS, STUDENT DISCOUNTS & MORE!

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Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no: XR43398.

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The Institution of Engineering and Technology is registered as a Charity in England and Wales (No. 211014) and Scotland (No. SC038698).

Futures Place, Kings Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2UA, United Kingdom.

Welcome to Freshers!

Welcome to one of life’s most exciting adventures.

Whether you’re moving away from home, starting a new course or simply looking to make the most of university, this issue is here to help. Inside you’ll fi nd practical advice, inspiring interviews, money-saving tips, wellbeing support and plenty of ideas to help you settle into student life.

University isn’t about having all the answers on day one.

It’s about trying new things, meeting new people and discovering opportunities you never expected.

We hope this issue becomes a useful companion throughout your fi rst term, and maybe even inspires your next adventure.

Every student experiences university differently. Some will discover a new passion, others will make lifelong friends or uncover talents they never knew they had.

Our cover star, Romesh Ranganathan, leaves this advice for anyone starting a new chapter: “Don’t be limited by what has happened before. Be open minded and follow your nose. You have got an amazing chance to do something that makes you really happy.”

Welcome to Uni, welcome to this new issue of Student Pocket Guide. Enjoy!

All Rights Reserved. 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.

S UNT CO S I D S JOB EY N MO

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MARCUS TISSON

THE TEMPER TRAP

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ROMESH RANGANATHAN

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Say hello, join in and talk to people. Most students are in exactly the same boat and just as keen to meet new faces as you are.

You don’t need to nd your best friends in the rst week. Give yourself time to settle in; the right people and places will come.

Get to know your campus, but venture beyond it too. Discover your new area and nd the places that make it feel like home.

Everyone experiences university differently. Ignore the pressure to have the “perfect” Freshers and enjoy it your way.

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TRY SOMETHING NEW Step outside your comfort zone and try something you’ve never done before.

STUDENT EVENT From gigs and club nights to comedy, quizzes and society socials, pick an event, get involved and see where the night takes you.

FAVOURITE SPOT Discover a café, pub, park or quiet corner that quickly starts to feel like your own.

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COMEDIAN, PRESENTER, FORMER MATHS TEACHER AND NOW APPARENTLY LIFE COACH, ROMESH RANGANATHAN IS BACK WITH HIS BIGGEST TOUR YET. WE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM TO TALK FRESHERS, CAREERS, BAD DECISIONS, AND WHETHER THIS INTERVIEW WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE...

ROMESH, FIRSTLY, HOW WILL READING THIS INTERVIEW CHANGE A STUDENT'S LIFE? Well primarily, depending on reading speed, it will take a couple of minutes from a student’s life that they might have been doing something else, like background reading for their course, or discussing the ethics of people they know going to see Kanye live, or whether my generation has completely let them down, which is a change of sorts.

SECONDLY, IF IT DOESN'T, CAN WE HOLD YOU PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE? If you are dissatissed with this interview, please feel free to email your local MP to ask for some sort of reimbursement. I’ve made an arrangement with them and they seemed cool with it.

NOW WE'VE GOT THE LEGAL DISCLAIMER OUT OF THE WAY, WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW, AND WHAT CAN YOU SEE? I am in my office at home and I am taking a break from writing stand-up to do the interview. I can see all my notebooks sitting on my desk like a threat, a printer that hasn’t worked since rst use, and a set of decks that I am still absolutely dreadful at mixing on.

YOUR HUGE TOUR, ROMESH RANGANATHAN WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE, RUNS INTO SPRING 2027, WITH EXTRA DATES ADDED DUE TO DEMAND. WHY SHOULD STUDENTS GRAB A TICKET?

PHOTO CREDIT: MATT CROCKETT

I think people should only spend money on a ticket if they want to. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for trying to pressure people to come.

But it’s a show that is a level beyond anything I’ve done before for a number of reasons, but primarily I am trying to deliver a show that might make you think differently about life. That’s the aim. Again.

ANY TIPS FOR FRESHERS? Immerse yourself in the social aspects of being a fresher as much as you possibly can and stomach, even the things you wouldn’t initially think you’d like. You are going to meet people that might end up being your friends for the rest of your life. I cut all mine off, but I imagine that’s how it works for some people.

PHOTO CREDIT: MATT CROCKETT

YOUR JOURNEY FROM MATHEMATICS TO COMEDIAN/ACTOR IS QUITE UNIQUE! WHEN, WHY AND HOW DID YOU MAKE THIS UTURN? I decided to give comedy a go as a hobby, and then someone at a gig told me I should deenitely do this for a job and then contacted loads of gigs on my behalf because they believed in me. The rest is history, but the bullet points are I host a few things and people think I’m on too much.

WHAT'S SOMETHING YOU BELIEVED AT 20 THAT YOU NOW KNOW WAS COMPLETELY WRONG? That there was such a thing as a make-or-break opportunity.

They might look like it, but they’re not. Achieving what you want is lots and lots of decisions and efforts that push you in the right direction. I would say don’t give up, but actually sometimes giving up is absolutely the best thing to do.

ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR STUDENTS ENTERING THE WORLD OF WORK? Do not be limited by what has happened before. You are extremely likely to spend a lot of your career doing a job that doesn’t currently exist. So be open-minded and follow your nose. You have got an amazing chance to do something or things that make you really happy.

IF YOU WERE A STUDENT WITH £50 IN YOUR POCKET, WHAT WOULD YOU SPEND IT ON? I'd buy a second-hand Switch with Mario Kart on it.

FASTFORWARD ONE YEAR: THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, I WILL… Be on a long post-tour holiday.

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Flexible work that fits around university life.

Freelancing is one of the most exible ways to earn extra money while studying. Instead of working xed shifts, you can choose projects that t around lectures, coursework and your social life. It's also a great way to gain real-world experience before you graduate.

If you enjoy writing, graphic design, photography, video editing, coding or managing social media, businesses of all sizes are looking for students with exactly those skills.

As you complete projects, you'll build a portfolio that can impress future employers and boost your CV.

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Content writing / Graphic design / Video editing Social media management / Photography Web design / Tutoring / Virtual assistance The best approach is to start small, deliver high-quality work and build your reputation one client at a time. Many successful freelancers began with a single project while at university, and some even turned it into a full-time career after graduation. Whether you're looking to earn extra money, build your CV or kick-start your career, freelancing is one of the smartest ways to make the most of your time at university.

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Creating s r e t c a r a Ch From Mario to Yoda, Jaws to Stripe, some fictional characters never fade away. But what transforms a character into an icon? in association with ManCave Mania

KEEP IT SIMPLE Many of the world's most famous characters are surprisingly simple.

Mario is recognised by his red cap and moustache. Yoda's ears and small stature make him instantly identiiable. Even the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are recognised by their coloured masks. Interestingly, Mario's appearance was partly shaped by technology. Early game designers had very few pixels to work with, so simple features made him easier to recognise. It's a reminder that great design isn't always about adding more detail. Sometimes, less really is more.

PERSONALITY MATTERS A memorable appearance grabs our attention, but personality keeps us interested. The four Ninja Turtles look similar, yet each has a distinct identity. Leonardo leads, Donatello invents, Raphael rebels and Michelangelo provides the humour. The same principle applies to lms, books, games and even branding. Characters become unforgettable when they have strengths, aws and personalities people connect with.

WHY DO THEY LAST? Decades after their creation, Mario, Yoda, Jaws, E.T. and Stripe are still entertaining new audiences. Their stories have been remade, rebooted and reimagined, but the core ideas remain the same. Strong design and memorable personalities allow great characters to outlive changing technology and trends.

Whether you're studying art, lm, games, marketing or design, the lesson is simple:

SIMPLE CHARACTERS ARE OFTEN THE MOST MEMORABLE.

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Retro gaming

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GAMEPLAY FIRST Early developers couldn't rely on lifelike graphics or massive open worlds. Instead, they focused on creating games that were fun from the very rst minute. Whether it was Super Mario Bros., Tetris or Sonic the Hedgehog, the gameplay always came rst.

LESS CAN BE MORE Compared with today's consoles, retro systems had very little memory and processing power. Every level, sound effect and pixel had to earn its place. Those limitations encouraged creativity, proving that brilliant ideas don't always require cutting-edge technology.

WHY RETRO MATTERS Retro gaming isn't just about nostalgia. Younger generations are discovering these classics because they're easy to pick up, rewarding to master and still incredibly enjoyable.

Physical games also offer something digital downloads can't: something you can collect, display and share.

Technology may continue to evolve, but one thing hasn't changed...

GREAT GAMES NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE.

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MARCUS TISSON • INTERVIEW

INTRODUCING

Comedian • Actor • Nostalgia Creator

cial From nostalgia-fuelled so stand-up t ou ldmedia videos to so built a shows, Marcus Tisson has people g kin ma loyal audience by him to laugh. We caught up withation cre nt talk comedy, conte and what's next.

Any advice for your 18-year-old self?

How does stand-up differ from social media comedy?

With social media, you can make mistakes and just re-shoot your videos. On stage it's different. If you mess up your set, you'll bomb, or worst case, get booed.

How did it feel headlining your own shows at London’s Secret Comedy Club?

It was amazing! I can’t believe hundreds of people are buying tickets just to see me.

When did your online following take off?

My following really started to grow when I began creating nostalgia content because so many people around my age could relate.

Where do creators go wrong online?

Not being themselves.

Any advice for aspiring creators?

Find something to do that stands out.

What’s next for you?

A UK tour in 2027.

MARCUS TISSON • INTERVIEW

@marcustisson_comedy

Eating well at university doesn't have to cost a fortune. With a little planning and a smart shopping list, you can enjoy tasty, nutritious meals while keeping your weekly food budget under control. Here's how to eat well for less without sacrificing flavour.

You don’t need a huge budget to eat well at uni.

A few smart swaps, some basic staples and a bit of planning go a long way.

Plan your meals and shop with a list. Save money and waste less.

Choose supermarket own brands.

They're often just as good for less.

Use what you already own.

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UNDERSTAND THE HARD STUFF

Ask AI to explain a difficult in simpler JOINtopic break IETY language, give you examplesAorSOC it down step by step. You can even ask it to explain the same idea in a completely different way.

TURN NOTES INTO REVISION Transform your own lecture notes into ashcards,

practice questions or a quick revision quiz. It’s an EXPLORE easy way to turn pages of information into

newstudying. s your for gemuseful ver themore something Disco town or city has to offer.

PLAN YOUR WEEK Give AI your deadlines, lectures and other TRcreate Y SOaME THING NEW commitments and ask it to realistic weekly plan. It can help you prioritise what Step outside your comfort needs doing and break bigger into zonetasks and try something manageable chunks. you’ve never done before.

STUDENT EVENT From gigs and club nights to comedy, quizzes and society IMPROVE YOUR socials, pick an event, get WRITING involved see unclear where the Use AIand to spot sentences, suggest night takes you. or check the structure of improvements something you've written. Think of it as a second pair of eyes rather than asking it to do the work for you.

FAVOURITE SPOT

Discover a café, pub, park or quiet corner MASTER THE STUDENT BUDGET that quickly Tellstarts AI your weekly budget and ask it to help to feel youlike make youryour own.money go further. It can suggest affordable meals, create shopping lists and even nd ideas for using whatever's already in your cupboard.

MAKE MEMORIES

Be spontaneous, take the photos and enjoy the random GET ORGANISED moments you’ll still be talking From packing lists and society ideas to from now. about years planning a trip home, AI can take some of the hassle out of everyday student life. Give it the details and let it help you organise the boring stuff faster.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Joe Langridge-Brown talks Stray Dogs, AI, authenticity, finding your people and why week one means very little when music lasts forever.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Stray Dogs seems to centre around belonging and finding your people. What does that title mean to you personally, and why did it feel like the right statement for this stage of the band?

Authenticity is discussed a lot on this record, probably because it seems hard to find. AI, imposter syndrome, American commercialism, online masculinity - they all seem to have some sort of falsehood about them. Turning that lens on ourselves, we were trying to find out what was authentic about what we do. It's the touring, our crew, our fans, the people we meet on the way and a lot more. Stray Dogs was born out of that.

You chose to return to Angelic Studios, where your debut album was recorded. How much did revisiting that environment influence the way you approached making this record?

I think it was more the decision of going back there, like a reseting of our foundations rather what actually happened there. I'm sure subconsciously it had an effect but I couldn't point to what exactly.

The catering was still great. For our last album it was slop.

You spent five months writing Stray Dogs together in one dedicated period. What did having that uninterrupted time allow you to discover creatively?

Pros and cons to that really. I wrote nearly all the lyrics before that five month period which meant I had as much time as I wanted and wasn't constrained by how the songs themselves sounded. I enjoyed that process. But on the other hand, before we would write in and around touring, which gives a limitless amount of inspiration. We had to find ways of making the writing studio have inspiration of its own which wasn't always easy.

"You need a bit of life."

'Evolution' talks about authenticity and embracing imperfection. In a world dominated by social media and AI-generated content, do you think authenticity has become more valuable than ever?

Yeah I think so. I feel like you can see it in the rise of bands like Geese. It's chaos, in the best way. I want a bit of that.

You could argue that artists are almost too consistent now, the technology is getting so good that you can iron out the mistakes before they happen.

"You could be ironing out the humanity though."

Many of our readers are about to start university and build entirely new friendships. If you could give them one piece of advice about finding their own community, what would it be?

Photo Credit: Steve Gullick

Dont force it. I studied History at KCL and I remember how alien everything felt, especially when maybe navigating a new city at the same time. One of the beauties of uni is how many opportunities come along to meet new people, and your people.

It's basically daily if you want it to be. Relax.

You've gone from playing small local venues to announcing your biggest world tour yet. Was there a particular moment when you realised Nothing But Thieves had become a truly global band?

No not really. It was the culmination of lots of little moments that got us to where we are now. I think that process really makes you analyse every part of what you're doing with the 'work'. You don't know what's going to be important down the line,

"We Never Chased A Trend" After achieving a UK number one album with Dead Club City, how do you stop chasing expectations and instead focus on making music that genuinely excites you?

With great difficulty. It's a weird life because how many tickets you sell and how many streams you do in week 1 and what chart position the album makes are all very numerical, visual and comparable. It's hard to not get sucked in. Now we aren't reliant on physical formats, music is essentially eternal so what does week 1 of eternity mean really? We have plenty of songs that took on new life years later. The aim really is longevity of inspiration. As long as we are enjoying it and feel like we have something to offer, I am happy.

Your music balances huge rock moments with emotional vulnerability. Has your perspective on songwriting changed as you've grown as a band?

From the off, we never chased a trend or scene which was probably the best way of looking at it. Again, those things are fleeting. I think it's more keeping that in mind rather than changing the perspective.

If listeners could take away one feeling or message from Stray Dogs, what would you hope it is?

The album is designed to be listened to as one, like a psychedelic Nothing But Thieves show. The track list is a set list. The album starts how we could start a gig, the transitions and feel between songs is all deliberate to create that world. It's not sporadic and playlist-y. If that comes across but doesn't feel gimmicky, I'll be happy.

You’re about to play some of your biggest venues yet, including The O2 and Co-op Live. Do you still get the same pre-show feeling as the early club days?

We've refined the ritual. Some drinks, but less than we used to.

Some music, hanging out. We don't wanna mess with what has worked so far too much. We decided not to soundcheck ourselves once as we were playing the same venue two days in a row. Disaster. Never again. I think we actively put ourselves in a mood for the show.

Photo Credit: Steve Gullick

"Like Athletes but with beer & no Branding Deals."

POWERED BY

Hailing from Essex, Tkandz has become a prominent name in the UK Rap scene, rst making waves in 2022 with his breakout hit No Sleep which has since accumulated over 20 million streams. His viral hit Now Or Never became the highest streamed hip-hop release of 2025 and was featured on Spotify’s Rap Caviar playlist.

At just 18, Trxy! is part of a new wave pushing shoegaze forward, blending the atmosphere of '90s and 2000s alternative music with a distinctly modern sound. With more than 436,000 monthly Spotify listeners, the Virginia artist is already building a sizeable global audience.

The Eiffels are a Los Angeles synth-rock band carving out their own space between rock and pop with infectious hooks and neon-soaked grooves. Their music has featured in Nettix's The Kissing Booth 2, Rock Band 4 and on MTV, while millions of streams have led to Vans Warped Tour and shows with X Ambassadors and Plain White T's.

NESYA is an LA-based artist blending alternative pop with darker, genre--uid innuences. Inspired by Billie Eilish, Nirvana and Lil Bo Weep, she has built a growing online following with music that refuses to stay in one lane. With viral tracks and millions of plays, NESYA is quickly carving out a world of her own.

Kold AF is a genre-blending Nigerian artist fusing Afrobeats, Dancehall, Pop, Soul, Hip-Hop and R&B. Drawing inspiration from Burna Boy, Rihanna and Sean Paul, she has been named an Apple Music Up Next artist and Spotify EQUAL Africa ambassador. Her latest releases showcase a versatile and emotionally vulnerable side to her sound.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Sweet Disposition has become such an iconic track for a generation. How do you feel about that song today, and what it represents?

None of us had any idea that song would connect in the way it did, and I guess its longevity continues to surprise us. It’s deenitely opened a lot of doors, and it’s always cool seeing how people reinterpret it through the various remixes and covers that have been released over the years. I think the most important thing is seeing the joy and meaning it’s brought to our fans. We never get sick of the energy the audience brings when we play it live.

It’s been a decade since your last album. What made now the right time to come back with Sungazer?

We’ve never been quick at making albums, but a decade between releases is a long time. AAer touring for ick As ieves ended in 2018, we took a break and focused on other things. en, aaer playing the AFL Grand Final and supporting Kings of Leon in 2022, we got back into the studio to see what would...

Guitar music i back into the

is stepping spotlight.

...happen. Kuru was one of the rst tracks we wrote, and it gave us real excitement for the album. Slowly, Sungazer came together.

2026 feels like the right time to release it. ere are some incredible new bands emerging, and it feels like guitar music is stepping back into the spotlight.

You’re supporting Muse on tour. How does it feel to return to those big stages again after time away?

It’s really exciting to share a stage with Muse. Bands like that are on another level, and the times we’ve toured with Coldplay or Kings of Leon have always been amazing experiences. It’s a brilliant opportunity to reconnect with old fans and reach new ones.

Creativity comes in waves.

Many fans found your music at university. What’s it like knowing it became part of that time in their lives?

You all explored different paths during the break. How did those experiences shape this new record?

It’s always cool hearing how people discovered us. We ooen meet young fans whose parents played our music to them, which shows how long we’ve been at it. For me, the music I listened to as a teenager still holds a special place, full of memories and experiences. It just hits differently than even the best new music.

I think we had the time to step back and really focus on the parts of those records that excited us most, and amplify them in our writing process.

Combining those foundations with some of the elements you’ve mentioned felt really natural, and I think all four of us would say this is the album we are most proud of.

The music industry has changed hugely. How have you adapted to streaming, social media and a new generation of listeners?

What advice would you give students and young creatives about staying true to themselves and avoiding burnout?

It’s been a learning curve, but we’ve embraced social media. We’ve got a great team guiding us, and it’s all about connecting with fans in a way that feels genuine. Seeing a new generation discover our music makes it all worthwhile.

We’ve been a band for more than 20 years now, which is preey wild. One important thing to remember is that creativity comes in waves, and it’s important to have the patience to let that happen organically and in its own time.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS Gorillaz Example Ed Sheeran Calvin Harris Tom Grennan Rise Against The Vamps KSI David Haye Ashley Walters Mystery Jets Fearne Cotton Maya Jama Ella Henderson Bakermat Rob Beckett Wilkinson Charli XCX Armin Van Burren John Newman Wretch 32 All Time Low

And many more...

www.thestudentpocketguide.com

Starting university often means late nights, early lectures and a brand-new routine. While it's tempting to make the most of every social event, getting enough sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health, mood and academic performance.

Try to go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time each day.

Comfortable bedding, a supportive pillow and a tidy room can make it easier to unwind.

Put your phone away 30 minutes before bed to help your mind switch off.

Avoid coffee and energy drinks late in the day, especially before bedtime.

Enjoy university life, but give yourself time to rest between late nights.

Thank you for reading!

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