Farewell InQuire and thank you!

Dear InQuirers,

This is it guys. Prepare yourselves from some sentimental InQuire loving; I’ve got a lot of emotions to force upon you.

For the last three years, InQuire has been a huge, nay, gigantic, part of my life and today, it all comes to an end. Today, I hand over my role as Website Editor and try so hard not to (not that hard) weep uncontrollably as I hand over my baby, InQuire Live.

Student journalism has been the best part of my university experience and I implore anyone to get involved. You don’t have to be the world’s best writer (are you reading this mushiness?), or the most confident person in the world, you just have to be a team player. From the weekly committee meetings to the writers’ meetings and from laying the newspaper to the mammoth proofreading sessions, it’s hard work, but we do it as a team and we are insanely proud of what we produce. We’re just a team of students who volunteer and work, because we enjoy it.

You may have noticed, or heard me banging on about, a few slight changes to the website this year and I’m immensely proud of the website you are looking at right now. It was my main aim when I started the year, to see the website get redesigned and we did it! It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty damn amazing, so here’s a personal thank you to you, Sophia Ppali for your website designing wizardry.

To the InQuire editors: I know I probably get on your nerves nit picking about everything, but it’s only because I want the best! I couldn’t appreciate everything you do more. I can’t say I relish proofreading absolutely every word that gets published online or in print, but without you, there would be no website or newspaper. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sticking by myself, Emma and Nat. Speaking of, you are the two best execs I could have asked to work with and you’ve become amazing friends. My oh my, this is soppy. Apologies.

And to you, the writers and readers: If you didn’t write for us or read what we published, what would be the point? There has been some amazing writing this year; whether it entertained us, informed us or shocked us, we have been proud to publish what you wrote.  Thank you for your hard work and please keep writing and reading.

Good luck to next year’s team and look after InQuire for us. I hope you have as much fun as we’ve all had this year.

We’re an odd bunch, but I think we’re pretty awesome. Farewell guys, it’s been great.

 

Lots of love from,

(For the last time) Your Website Editor

P.S If anyone needs me, I’ll be sobbing in the corner of the Student Media Centre for the next few weeks.

The Student Gym: Make the most of your membership

We’re already half way through the academic year and I’m betting there’s a lot of gym memberships feeling quite neglected and betrayed. The promises of a “New Year, New Me” are long gone and the whole “summer bodies are made in winter” just sounds like too much effort. So here’s how I keep myself motivated: gym classes. They’re led by professionals telling you exactly what to do, so you’re not left looking perplexed at what all those mystical machines do in the fitness suite. You’re surrounded by other wannabe beach babes just trying to get a little bit fitter so you’re not intimidated by the likes of the ‘weight room’ and best of all, they’re a lot of fun.

Here at Kent, our gym has a lot more to offer than just the fitness suite. And this year, there are 50 classes for the 50^th anniversary, and whilst trying them out, I’ve found a few that I really enjoy. Me? Enjoy? The gym? Yeah, I know, it’s laughable, so you know they must be good.

Release your inner drummer! Photo by healthylifect.com

Drums Alive

This is a new one for our sports centre, and it’s certainly unique. Imagine a room filled with aerobics balls and 20 people hitting them and jumping around them with drumsticks; well that’s it. Maybe not the most strenuous class but it was created to test your mental ability and coordination as well as your fitness, so it’s great to keep those cogs turning when essays are scrambling your brain. Every time I finish the class, I come out feeling so stupidly happy. I love it and would definitely recommend it (but if you steal my place in next week’s class, I swear to God, I’ll find you).

Photo by gym24seven.co.uk

Body Pump

The day after every class, my body feels like it’s been put through a mincer and then crushed by a truck. So at least I know it’s had an effect on my body! It’s lifting weights, targeted at different muscles, to music. It’s tough but I do enjoy it, because I actually see results with it. Plus, each of the instructors are incredibly well informed and great motivators, which is exactly what I need to stop me picturing the biscuit tin when I finish the class…

Ab Attack

It’s only half an hour and it simply focuses on strengthening and toning your core. Be aware, it hurts like hell to begin with it, but if you want that elusive summer body, a little pain here and there might be needed.

Legs, Bums and Tums

I mean, just look at that name, you know it’s going to be fun. It’s a bit like Zumba, but with more focus on those three typical ‘problem’ areas. It’s high energy and guaranteed to make you lovely and sweaty. If you fancy a bit of dancing (you don’t have to look good doing it), and you want to tone up those tums, I recommend this energetic workout.

See, no one looks attractive working out…
Photo by spellmagazine.co.uk

And then there’s Circuits

It’s the stuff of nightmares. I went once, long, long ago and walked (nay, crawled) out 15 minutes before the end. Enter at your own peril. You have been warned.

Surviving Work Experience

You HAVE to do work experience whilst you’re at uni. If you haven’t already, hurry up and get applying. Think about it, if you don’t try out your supposed ‘dream job’ before you leave uni, you could spend years trying to get it. Then, behold! You’re offered the job and… oh. It’s not quite what you had built up in your head all these years. If only you’d tried it out when you were young and free and still had the chance…

I have always wanted to be a journalist and I love to write, but it’s always good to check it out in the real world. That’s why I spent the week at The Salisbury Journal, a local newspaper and website near my home town. Here are my top tips on how to survive the experience of work.

Trying to be sophisticated and all that

Look the part

Don’t turn up looking like a student, you’ll only get treated like one. Ditch the jeans and converse and put on a shirt and tie or a skirt and blouse. You’ll instantly feel like you fit in and people will start to take you seriously.

I probably enjoyed the sophisticated, London, work look a bit too much, but I looked the part whenever I turned up to an event to interview someone. Nobody assumed I was the work experience girl when I had the pen and paper in my hand so I was able to really get into the role without feeling insignificant and inexperienced. People thought I was the professional (until they realised I couldn’t write shorthand and interviews were painfully slow. Alas, one day I might actually be the professional).

Be the tea maker

Who doesn’t love someone that’ll bring them a hot beverage throughout the day. It’s a sure fire way to get to know everyone (well, get to know how they take their tea) and get them on your side. Make them their perfect cuppa and who knows, they might just give you something fun to do.

More tea equals more responsibility, right?

Office life and the office cat

Muck in and do whatever anyone asks (within reason)

If they want you to type letters, write up press releases, proofread or just sit and read newspapers, do it. It’s all experience and it’s all worthwhile. Someone has to do it, so be helpful and take a load off of everyone else.

You’ve got to start at the bottom and earn their trust and approval. Do not march in their acting like you’re better than everyone, because, no offense, but you’re not. The people you’ll be working with (hopefully) know how to do their job, so don’t tell them how to do it better. That will get you nowhere fast.

Watch and Learn

And when you’ve got 10 mins left until you finish your work experience, and you get a call that the President of the United States is on his way to Stonehenge… Don’t think! Just go!

Hello Mr President

Basically, if you have the opportunity to do something, even if it’s scary and way out of your comfort zone, just do it. That’s what I did, and it will probably be the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me for quite some time. But after a week of writing about gardening clubs and old people’s homes, all surprisingly rather enjoyable, I got the chance to go and see the President of the United States, Mr Obama himself, turn up at Stonehenge. Maybe I didn’t get to put my new interviewing skills to the test but it was an amazing experience to watch the professionals do what they do best. From the moment they knew about his arrival, right up until the article was published online, the speed and professionalism at which the reporters and photographer worked was remarkable. It was an honour to see it all come together and a great end to the week!

So…

Just give it a go. Work experience looks great on your CV, it helps you decide what you do, or do not, want to do and it gives you a taste of the real world of work. If you get the chance to do it, go for it, and if you don’t, make it happen yourself.

Thanks to mine, I know 100000% that I want to be a journalist. On to the next step!

(Thank you to The Salisbury Journal for being so welcoming and letting me do so much during my work experience, you’re a lovely group of people and it was an honour to see you all at work)

Can you live the London life on a budget? Why not…

Every time I travel home from uni, I have to venture up to London, before I then head back down to the south. It may just be a part of my route home, but one day (in the very near future, pretty please), I want it to actually be my home. I love it. I’m obsessed with wanting to live that London life; busy, hectic, eventful. I know it doesn’t sound all that relaxing, but your 20s aren’t a time for slowing down, they’re when you’re just getting started. I know London is exactly where I want to be after I graduate. Fairwell uni bubble, the capital is calling!

My love of London means I’ve spent a fair amount of time roaming the streets, but when you’re a student, and money is not your best friend, London starts alarm bells ringing. Fear not, my fretful friends, I’ve got a few tips up my savvy student sleeves.

Note: This isn’t the way to live every day, let’s not be frivolous now, but for those odd days off, here’s how to reign in the spending.

Musicals mean money.

Theatre Old Drury Lane

From previous posts, you may be aware that I do love a good musical, and that they don’t come cheap. Before, I’ve suggested turning up at Leicester Square and grabbing whatever cut price tickets you can get. If you want to get more for your money, then here’s another suggestion. The last few times I have been to the theatre, I have purchased mid-range or low-range tickets, right near the back, where my fear of heights suddenly manifests itself, only to be upgraded to better, higher priced seats. I’m not saying this is a dead cert, but it is always worth inquiring on the day what the situation is. To make it even more likely, pick a mid-week matinee performance which is always less popular, because let’s face it, everyone else is busy working away while we’re off gallivanting to the theatre like cultured students. Just think: the less people who go, the more likely you’re all going to be shuffled up into the swanky seats. Winning.

I sat there! Photo by Byron Hamburgers

Eat on the cheap.

Even if you’re not off to see a show or a musical, go and pretend you are. The restaurants around the theatre district, close to Covent Garden, are surprisingly cheap. But isn’t Covent Garden a tourist money trap, I hear you say? Not necessarily. Pre-show menus are everywhere! Two courses for £9.95, drink included. Yes please. I know, I was surprised too. From lunchtime to around six, every restaurant around is touting for your business. There’s so many to choose from, they have to lure you in somehow, and if you’re as conscious of money as every other student, this is the way to do it. And when it’s a set menu, there’ll always be the crowd pleasers on there, so you’re sure to find something you like.

Hang around at Happy Hour.

On my last trip to London, I was celebrating a close friends’ 21^st, so I wanted to do something extra fancy. Following our extremely cultured theatre trip (to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory … (at the Theatre Old Drury Lane)), and a cheap but scrumptious after show meal, the next step was obvious: cocktails. And if you get your timing right, finish dinner just as Happy Hour begins. Two doors down from Byron Hamburgers (go there!), is Be at One, a small bar where Happy Hour lasts three hours.

Photo by thecocktailcard.co.uk

It’s trendy (I’m not sure that word is cool anymore), and it’s got a great atmosphere; maybe because everyone has finished work for the day, or they’ve just had one too many cocktails. Ah, that London life. After work cocktails in Covent Garden? See you there one day. The bar staff were extremely welcoming and incredibly skilled at what they do. I don’t know whether measurements are stronger in London, but wow, you get a lot for your money. Cheap, lethal pre drinks before heading back for a night out at uni sorted. You’re welcome.

So, there you have it. It’s very simple, but it’s all about timing: when to eat, when to drink, when to book tickets. We also managed to minimise travel costs and time wasted on the tube by staying in one neat contain area. The theatre, restaurant and bar were all within metres of one another. Maybe you don’t get to see as much, but you get to make the most of your time and try out a few new places you maybe wouldn’t have thought of going before.

And, remember, when in doubt; wave your student card around. You’d be surprised how many places accept student discount.

Pinch me, I’m blogging for The Telegraph

Apologies to those of you who have had to listen to me ramble and squeal about this for the last two months, but for those of you who missed it… I recently started writing for The Telegraph Student Life Blogs! They’re articles that fit perfectly with the theme of my blog so I thought it would be nice to share them with you too.

Below, the images are links to each article, so get clicking. Feedback and comments are greatly appreciated. Thank you to everyone to has read or shared my articles already. You’re, wait for it… “Simply the best!”

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