Issue 60 - University of Surrey's Student Union

12 FEATURES
The Stag | 29 th May 2013 features@thestagsurrey.co.uk Features Editor: Ellis Taylor | Copy Editor: Tessa Morgan
CAREERS
By John Watkins, Director of Careers Service
The Careers Service is
celebrating being accredited
with the matrix Standard; a
nationally recognised quality
mark for organisations that
provide support to individuals in
order to make learning and work
more accessible.
During a thorough review
of how the service operates, the
independent external assessor
interviewed members of the
careers team, students in groups
and individually, as well as
graduates, academic staff and a
range of employers.
There was one significant point
that arose for attention – more
people should take advantage of
the excellent support available.
Amongst the good practice
areas that are available for
students to access are:
Visit us in the Philip Marchant Building or at:
www.surrey.ac.uk/careers
www.uniofsurreycareers.wordpress.com
www.facebook.com/surreycareers
By Jhora Sangha, Features Team
Ahad is a DJ/Producer who
has hosted a radio show on
Nasty FM for almost two years
and currently hosts a show on
GU2 Radio. In the past he has
supported acts such as Jack Beats,
Beardyman, Dismantle and XXXY.
His "Elsewhere" EP received
support on many radio stations
including BBC Radio 1xtra,
BBC Asian Network, Rinse FM,
Reprezent FM and many more.
The Ahadadream remix of Ellie
Goulding's "Hanging On" was also
featured on the Spotify version of
her album "Halcyon".
What’s the #1 most played song on
your iPod?
I don't have an iPod but on iTunes
it's Novacane by Frank Ocean. I
was obsessed with that for a while.
- An informative timeline of how
to build your future career
- Comprehensive in-house and
online resources
- Personal support and
commitment to students whatever
their needs
- A fantastic programme of events
with a wide range of employers
- Some excellent initiatives that
develop employability skills
- Increasing effectiveness
in measuring the success of
interventions
- A philosophy of seeking to
continually improve
All this gives great
encouragement and allows
confident preparation for 2013/14
and beyond. It is not too late
for final year students to seek
information, advice and guidance
as the academic year draws to a
close.
If you could witness any event past,
present or future, what would it be?
Michael Jackson concert is the
first thing that comes to mind.
If you could throw any kind of
party, what would it be like and
what would it be for?
I'd run a festival with a lot of grime
artists and DJs. I don't think there
is one at the minute.
If you could choose anyone, who
would you pick as your mentor?
Kanye West
If you could learn to do anything,
what would it be?
I'd learn to fly.
If you could know the answer to
any question besides “What is the
meaning of life?” what would it be?
I'd wanna know KFC's secret
ingredient
What was one of the best parties
you’ve ever been to?
In Berlin at a club called Wilde
The Stag’s guide to graduation
By Pippa Tollow, Features Team
Graduation is nearing and we’re
sure you’re full of worries and
questions, but luckily for you, we
have Pippa to guide you through
the do’s and don’ts of the day
WHAT TO WEAR
DO book your robes in advance!
Last year there were some very
relaxed graduands strolling into
AP to collect robes they hadn’t
ordered, and then looking far less
relaxed when they realised how
essential pre-booking was!
DON’T wear anything under
your robes that is too ‘on trend’ or
that you don’t feel comfortable in.
You want to feel mega-confident
on the day and will potentially
have your graduation pictures
forever. It sounds boring, but a
classic look will never age.
DO take a pair of flat shoes
Renate. We didn't leave till 3 pm
the next day and even at that point
people thought we were tame for
leaving. At like 1 pm, the people
running the club started bringing
out watermelons and vodka jellies
for people. So good. Berlin is my
favourite.
What is something you learned in
the last week?
That doing a dissertation sucks.
What course other than your own
would you like to attempt?
Probably some kind of music
related course - I do chemistry
atm and its long!
What is the one thing you are truly
passionate about?
Music
What is the one thing that makes
you extremely nervous?
Heights.
You can get in contact with Ahad
via his email ahadadream@gmail.com
to walk across the stage. Girls,
there are steps and there are a lot
of people watching - the chance
of you tripping in flats is slim,
the chance of you tripping in
your heels is not worth the risk!
Leave heels with your guests, and
change back after the ceremony.
WHAT TO DO
DO get a picture of you in your
robes in essential Surrey locations.
Popular spots include; the Stag at
the entrance to campus, chilling
out with Alan Turing outside AP,
and various beauty spots by the
Lake. Equally, take advantage of
the weather for pictures. If it’s
sunny when you collect your robe,
don’t wait around, get snapping!
Sods law says it will be cloudy
later in the day.
DON’T forget spare batteries
for your camera, or a spare camera!
This is no time to be camera-shy.
In fact, also remember tissues for
tearful relatives, a safety pin for
securing your robe or unexpected
wardrobe malfunctions, and an
umbrella to protect against the
not so reliable British Summer.
DO take a disco nap between
Graduation and Grad Ball – after 12
hours of funfair rides and dancing,
making it to the survivor’s photo
and free breakfast feels like a
bigger achievement than your
degree!
WHAT TO REMEMBER
DO NOT stress out about the
day being perfect or if things don’t
go quite to plan. This is unlikely
to be the most important day of
your life, but it is certainly a day
to remember. Make the most of
the day, take a tonne of pictures,
and enjoy the moments that are
a product of many years of hard
work!
Want to get involved or know someome who
would be interested? We are looking for all types
of people including athletes, musicians, writers,
artists, actors, dancers, photographers, DJ’s and
producers to take part. Simply email:
features@thestagsurrey.co.uk
Awesome vs ugly
By Ellis Taylor, Features Editor
So, here we are, at the end of
the academic year, the end of
some readers’ degrees and the
end of my time as features editor/
fashion writer. It has made me
rather pensive and I have been
mulling over the fashion trends
that shouldn’t end and ones that
definitely should. Anyone who has
read my little fashion column over
the past two years will have come
to know that I hate a lot of stuff,
but I also get easily excited and
end up overusing “splendid” and
“awesome”, so what better way to
say “goodbye little fashion column”
then a piece about hatred vs. love?
There is no better way.
Things that should go away:
1) Any top that says “GEEK”,
“NERD”, etc. - Making a stereotype
(these particular terms generally
have negative/mean connotations
used by bullies) into a fashion
‘statement’ just makes me want to
cry. Would you wear a tshirt saying
“Chav”? No.
2) Jeffery Campbell Litas –
The spawn of Lookbook that once
were cool but due to a million
copies and additions of weird
prints/studs/various other things
they now just look tacky. Don’t
get me wrong, I love ugly shoes as
much as the next person, but these
have just crossed the line… Also,
how the heck do you walk in them?!
3) ‘Mom’ jeans – Honestly,
I’ve really tried to like them, but I
just can’t. They look super comfy
but super unflattering.
4) Sports Luxe – Go home
trackies, you’re drunk. This trend
reminds me of “fetch” in Mean Girls
i.e. “stop trying to make sports luxe
happen, it’s never gonna happen”
5) Flower headbands – It was
a tough decision to put this on my
list but basically it is down to the
highstreet feeding shamelessly
off of Rookie mag. I also partially
blame Lana (I still love you.)
Things that should stay…forever:
1) Crop tops – A slither of
waist (no belly button, cheers)
adds a little bit of excitement to a
standard outfit. A good crop top
also allows us to pretend that it’s
the 90s again and we’re part of the
Spice Girls.
2) Shirts/Collars – Smarter
than a tshirt and a nod to
androgyny. They have detail and
versatility…they also have my
eternal love.
3) Chelsea boots – Heeled or
flat they scream ‘classic cool’ and
are an absolute staple.
4) A good tea dress – You can
swish and prance and feel fabulous
in one of these bad boys. Another
key staple that suits everyone and
can be as simple or wild as you
like. Also it has the word ‘tea’ in its
name and tea is good.
5) Prints – Cover any item
of clothing in a nice print and it
shall have my love. Paisley, floral,
geometric, leopard, stripy, polka
dot, graphic, I want them all forever.
So this season, so interesting.
Well, there you go. Hopefully
you agree with me, and if not, well,
that doesn’t even matter because
you should wear whatever the heck
you want to wear anyway. Be free
fashion babies.
By Nicole Tillyrou, Features Team
Congratulations! The first year
is coming to the end and
you have realised the meaning
of independent life and shared
living. Now that you have to leave
halls and get a home, either alone
or with your friends, there are
some essentials that you need
to bear in mind in order to have
the best living experience. As
you have found the right place to
live for the next academic year,
you need to make a “to do” list to
provide your home with the most
necessary things.
Considering that halls gave
you the opportunity to be stressfree
by avoiding paying bills, now
with the new home you need to
know how you will manage to pay
for your own. Unless the landlord
hasn’t provided you with specific
bills, you will need to set up your
account for electricity gas, water
and broadband. Check out all
the companies like O2, Virgin,
The Stag | 29 th May 2013
BT and get the best offers. The
main benefit of living in your
own house with your friends is
that it is relatively cheaper as you
share the bills, the cooking and
commodities therefore the living
cost will be lower.
However, before you set up,
you need to look at the home
essentials and provide yourselves
with some of those. Considering
kitchen appliances, you could
purchase a kettle, microwave, and
toaster. Moreover, some dishware
and some storage for your food
will be necessary to purchase.
Argos, Homebase, B&Q are few
examples of where you can buy
those in better prices. Tip: If you
are environmentally friendly
people you could get some
recycling bins and recycle any
unnecessary things that you have.
For your bedroom, you will
need some linen, duvet cover,
extra sheets and some extra
storage as well. There are cheap
underbed storage containers if
FEATURES 13
Moving from halls to house
Terry and Garry were excited about their new place on Guildford Park Avenue
Do you procrastinate? For
many of us the dirty laundry
pile continues to grow, hoover
becomes dusty, cupboards
chaotic and revision is simply
left for another day. On average,
each person wastes 69 minutes a
day procrastinating, totalling 3
years over a lifetime. As we age,
the problem becomes worse and
females put off nagging jobs much
longer than men. However, some
claim that procrastination can
actually hold benefits by allowing
time to consider things with
greater thought and subsequently
act with a more rational decision.
Plus, life is short, so is getting
stressed over something met with
gritted teeth worth it? Frank
Partnoy has even written a book
about the matter, entitled; Wait:
The Useful Art of Procrastination.
He argues that not every e-mail
requires an immediate response
and the messy closet does not
necessarily have to be organised
today.
However, procrastination can
result in utter chaos with cluttered
environments and minds. A lack of
organisation and ignorance of the
jobs we simply have to do could
result in serious consequences
like bills left unpaid, unhygienic
kitchens, over-growing gardens
and failing grades, where revision
notes remain besides the thank
you note waiting to be sent to
the space in your room is not
enough and it is an easy way to
keep yourself organised. A desk
lamp will be necessary as well,
and if you have lots of books you
can buy a small bookcase.
And for the entertaining part,
you could provide yourselves with
a TV, cozy couches and a “home
cinema” to enjoy the movies with
your housemates. Speakers will
help you to organise your house
parties as well (if neighbors will
allow you to have house parties.)
Moreover, if the weather is
good, and you have a garden,
get a barbeque and some garden
equipment to enjoy the sunny
days with your mates. Although
do not purchase any unwanted
items as you may one day you
need to get rid of them.
We can certainly ensure you
that living in your own home is a
great experience. Hence, do your
lists, purchase the essentials, and
enjoy your new home with your
mates.
Procrastinate with this article
By Sophie Vickery, Features Team
Auntie Sue.
Yet, perhaps if trivial things
are avoided, then time can be
dedicated to more significant
things that bring enjoyment
and satisfaction, like building
careers, writing a book or actually
booking tickets for that dream
holiday. Many psychologists
claim that no one is remembered
for an organised DVD shelf or
chronological photo album, but
for much greater achievements,
which procrastination has allowed
them to do. Unfortunately, these
big achievements often come
from dedicated study, removing
another excuse so that revision
simply cannot be put off any
longer!