Issue 145

Feeling lost and confused?

25th September 2006

You've just arrived on campus, and you're feeling a little dazed. Nothing is where it's meant to be, and everything costs a fortune. Here's Mick Sgrill to help you find your feet...

Aside from the obvious perks of living in the halls (extra lie-ins before lectures!), there are many benefits of being based on campus.

Spots to remember

One of these is the close proximity to the student's union building - and its bars. JC's is a great place to relax, play pool or watch sport on the big screen. Although in need of a bit of redecoration, JC's is a charming bar that is the centre of campus life. And the drinks prices are very good.

Diva's is the on-campus nightclub. If you fancy a cheap night out with cheesy music and lots of familiar faces then it's the place to go. But get there early because the queue can be, to quotemany a past waiter-in-line, a bitch. Once again the drinks prices are cheap-and they get even cheaper on Saturday nights. However, there's something about Diva's that stops it from feeling like a 'real' club, so for better nightlife venture into town.

If travelling in a group, the cheapest way to get to town is by taxi. There's a special red phone in Fulton house foyer. In this phone, a little taxi operator lives, and if you ask them nicely they will arrange a cab to pick you up. And the phone is free, so you can save your phone minutes for when you've lost your friends at the end of the night.

Caution with your food!

When it comes to eating, the locality to Fulton house means that you're really spoilt for choice. Sort of. For a quick snack 'Level 2' is the best - the prices aren't as pretty as Tescos', but it is reasonable, and you might strike it lucky with a bargain-priced-almost-out-of-date pot noodle.

Once you have dwindled through every variety of noodle snack, take a trip to the canteen. It lives up to its expectations; cheap, simple food. Buts its nice enough and the roast dinners are especially yummy. However, as a warning, if there is "curry" on offer, be sure to ask what meat is in the "curry". If the dining staff don't know, it's probably best not to eat it!

Another quick and easy option for food is 'Le Café'. An exquisite French bistro located within the cosmopolitan campus…or at least a take away selling burgers and baguettes opposite Divas's. It saves any cooking or washing up, and as far as takeaways go, this is one of the best. It also stays open late, which is great.

During the day, pop to the little baker in Fulton house; often forgotten about by the campus community. They do great pasties and cakes and other goodies that you'd expect from a bakery. These are extra yummy and hardly break the bank.

There are also some things you should watch out for when living in the halls.

Kitchens on campus with abnormal unhygienic growths can lead to the issuing of a '24 hour notice'. This means you have to clean up or cough up. Don't be silly and ignore these notices - simply hide all dirty dishes etc elsewhere in the flat.

Commit your flat to memory

Problems may arise from the uniformed layout of the flats/floors. This can cause some confusion (especially when inebriated) as to where you actually live, perhaps leaving you slightly bewildered when you notice that who you thought were your flatmates were have changed clothes/age/sex/height/race.

Finally, don't forget...

When weathers good, take full advantage of the on campus location and revise/avoid revision whilst relaxing in the park or on the beach. If you are not based on campus, befriend someone who is and reap these benefits for yourself.

The most important thing to remember about being a fresher on campus is to really enjoy it - sadly, it will fly by.

Mick Sgrill