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Day: 11 April 2016

Burnout Generation

Written by Eva Katz on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Gone are the days where stress only reared its ugly head in the countdown to deadlines or exams. As if our parent’s incessant nagging has been ingrained into us, there are times where that second night out in a row or relaxed evening in front of the television inspires not bliss, but guilt and subsequent tension. Yet instead of heeding our mind and body’s warning, we, as a generation, seem to snowball from there on. Stress manifests into more stress until it’s all-encompassing. Work builds up, but focus is absent when we need it most. But how do you know if you’ve been burning the match at both ends for too long?

 

Exhaustion
We all need to get more sleep at the best of times, but if bed is beckoning from the moment you get through the door, then this could be the sign of a problem. Whether its emotional, mental, physical or all of the above—it’s the feeling of being completely drained.

Lack of motivation
Getting up in the morning even more difficult than before? Excitement may seem like a distant memory and you may find yourself neglecting activities you once relished.

Frustration, cynicism and other negative emotions
Effectively these all amount to the feeling that you’re stuck on a slippery slope of negativity. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t get that chip off your shoulder, but you don’t really know how it got there in the first place either.

Cognitive problems
When stress becomes an ever present shadow, it’s unlikely that your brain will be able to function at its full potential. Your memory too, may suffer and you may find yourself being more forgetful.

Interpersonal problems at home and at university
This can go one of two ways. Either you’re irritable and as such having more conflicts with others or you’ve become a recluse-opting for alone time in the place of socialising. Otherwise, you could find that even when you are around others, you’re elsewhere and not engaging as much as usual.

Not taking care of yourself
Self comforting is all well and good, but control is key. Drinking copious amounts of alcohol, sleepless nights and consuming unhealthy amounts of fast food may temporarily soothe but they are by no means a solution.

Generally decreased satisfaction
Home, university and other activities just don’t inspire the same sense of achievement anymore. You may feel lost with the absence of fulfilment in your life.

 

If these seem overly familiar then it’s probably time to take a break. Effectively, it’s a weigh-up between time out or burnout. As a remedy, you need to give yourself something to look forward to. Find something that challenges and engages you—television does not count. Unplug from technology—while it may increase productivity, it can also distract you from downtime and stop you from socialising with those immediately around you. Without sounding too much like your mum, sleep is key. As students, it’s easy to neglect the recommended eight hours per night of slumber, but ignoring your body’s basic needs will only end badly.

Now that you know how to spot when you’re burning out, it’s important to take care to prevent yourself from falling back into it. Recognise when your stress levels are becoming overbearing and giving yourself some deserved time to relax. Addressing the problem early on will allow you to be more productive in the long run.

Review: Gino D’Acampo, Corn Exchange

Written by Eva Katz on . Posted in Food & Drink.

An exceptionally busy restaurant at 5:30 on a Monday evening seemed like a good omen. Gino D’Acampo’s addition to the newly refurbished Corn Exchange bubbled over with chatter and the clink of glasses, while those surrounding it were only just beginning to fill their tables. From the menus to the stools, nearly everything was doused in a chic shade of Tiffany blue, which contrasted beautifully to the bare wood tabletops. We were seated in the wine bar, a view of the square behind us, the outside light beamed in on the otherwise sultry restaurant lighting.

Despite these serene colours, there was no harmony between the backdrop and that that took place within it. Originally, this dining experience was supposed to be a leisurely one. But our waiter resembled a rabbit in the headlights, and flitted from table to table seemingly failing to please any one of them. Hundreds of photos with Gino lined the walls, his sparkling eyes staring out at diners, gleaming in the blue neon signage. The majority of the staff were also Italian; however, that’s where the similarities end, otherwise, they couldn’t be further from the celebrity chef’s rather camp and approachable demeanour.

From the moment we ordered our drinks, the veil of the polished interior began to lose its glimmer. You’d have thought Prosecco and water was a rather simple drinks order. Rather no fuss, but also one that gives the server an inkling to the nature of your visit: Clearly some kind of celebration or special occasion. So when your starters are placed before you prior to your thirst being quenched it’s difficult to not feel a little saddened by this basic failure. To make matters worse, when the Prosecco finally arrived, it fizzed not in a sleek flute, but a rather all-engulfing wine glass.

Working in a restaurant under the umbrella of an advocate for classic, simple Italian specialities, you’d think that the chefs here had an easy ride, with a clear emphasis on fresh ingredients, naturally, doing half the work. Unfortunately, a lack of attention to detail really let the restaurant down. Our bruschetta was ill-prepared: The ciabatta had not been toasted and the toppings had merely been thrown on; the flavours of the ensemble simply hadn’t been given the chance to merge.

To follow, I selected the rather plain-sailing dish of risotto with scallops. The scallops themselves were well cooked, retaining the slight saltiness of their origins. The risotto, however, was less than satisfactory. Underseasoned and undercooked, I was forced to ask the table next to us to pass the salt and pepper (since our own were nowhere to be seen). My guest’s Buffalo Mozzarella and Sundried Tomato salad, too, might have seemed like a rather manageable demand. Yet, once again, attention to detail faltered, leaving the rather inoffensive yet unimpressive dish begging for more. The missing pecorino, the mozzarella too fresh from the fridge and a rather sparse offering of walnuts and sundried tomatoes did nothing to sweeten our souring palettes.

All in all, Gino D’Acampo’s restaurant left me eager to leave; even the bill was forgotten and in the end I had to corner another frantic-looking waiter who didn’t even give the opportunity to recount the experience. Apart from the celebrity chef’s presence within the photos that cover every inch of the walls, there is nothing of the cheeky, relaxed Italian charm that brought him fame to be found here. Prior to the visit, the reasonable prices had lured me to this selection; however, the extent to which the restaurant has cut corners in order to reduce costs is now stark naked before me.

Preview: Manchester City vs Paris Saint Germain

Written by Harry Newton on . Posted in Sport.

Injuries

Raheem Sterling remains injured for another week or two.

Vincent Kompany is not 100% fit so will not feature.

Nicolas Otamendi is fit for the game.

Samir Nasri is not in the Champions League squad, as the squad list was submitted at a time when his injury was expected to still be an issue.

The boos are back in town

The anthem played before the game of any Champions League match is famous worldwide for bringing goosebumps to every excited football fan in Europe’s skin. It doesn’t matter who you are or what nationality you are—when that song comes on you try your hardest to sing along and reach every high note! Well, unless you’re Manchester City.

Every Champions League game this season Manchester City fans have boo’d the anthem in a protest to UEFA. When quizzed about it at his pre-match press conference, Manuel Pellegrini seemed to have no problem with the booing. The Chilean suggested that the booing has been lucky, as City have had much more success in the Champions League this season since they’ve taken up the habit.

“It depends if you’re superstitious,” he said with a large grin. Pellegrini believes tomorrow will be a sell-out, despite the backlash from City fans about the ticket prices to the game, which range from £40 to £60. Although some even refused to purchase tickets at such a high price, there was, in fact, a notable surge in sales following the great result in the first leg of this clash.

Quote of the Presser: “Maybe there’s booing at the beginning, but after that they support our team. So I have no complaints or no doubts about the fans!”

Main Battle

Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs Eliaquim Mangala

Despite a few shaky performances this season Mangala played very well in the first leg of this quarter final tie, while Ibrahimović only managed to score once Fernando had made an error at the back. The defender’s strength and positional play was superb and kept improving as the game went on, keeping the super Swede at bay.

This time City will need him more than ever, as Ibrahimović loves big games and will be all over the Frenchman. With Vincent Kompany not quite being fit enough for the game, it will be the familiar face of Nicholas Otamendi alongside Mangala, which seemed to work so well in Paris.

Expect a few heavy challenges and arms all over the place, as both these players like to showcase their strength and won’t like to be out-muscled by the other. Most defenders in the world would struggle up against Ligue 1’s top goal scorer, so Mangala will need every ounce of concentration… and a bit of luck.

The First Leg

PSG 2-2 Manchester City

It was a Fernando error that took the headlines, as Zlatan so easily retrieved the ball from him in the penalty area to score PSG’s first goal—but City displayed a very professional performance, bagging two away goals via Kevin de Bruyne and Fernandinho. The game hangs in the balance.  A longer match report is available in the Manchester City vs WBS preview.

Attack over Defence

Pellegrini said that if his team were to play tomorrow in hope of a 0-0 draw they would lose. The Chilean was sure to make it very clear that City will be playing for goals and for the win, as this is how he believes the team play best.

City will certainly have to concentrate hard at the back to keep Zlatan Ibrahimović and Ángel Di María out but, so long as they keep the PSG defense busy up the other end, there’s nothing Zlatan and Angel can do. One thing is for certain though—if City play like Pellegrini is saying they will, it’ll be an exciting attacking game to watch!

Prediction

Manchester City 1-1 PSG

It’ll be tight though.

Death and rape threats made in feminist cupcake dispute

Written by Charlie Spargo on . Posted in News.

The organisers of a ‘gender pay gap’ bake sale held last week at the University of Queensland (UQ) have received death and rape threats after charging customers more or less based on their levels of privilege.

As part of the annual Feminist Week, Queensland’s Students’ Union’s (UQU) Women’s Collective sold cupcakes for which those identifying as men were charged AUS$1.

Women and members of other minority groups received varying discounts based on the pay gap of the faculty they were members of, based on data provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics which showed that men working full time earned an average of $1,587.40 a week, $298.10 more than women—with the disparity greater in STEM professions.

LGBT*, disabled, and BME students also received discounts based on the disparities in pay in their chosen industries.

While the cupcakes on offer were sold within an hour, a small number of fellow students complained with venom against the principle of the bake sale. “UQU, which is meant to represent all students, is engaging in conduct that’s blatantly discriminatory against men to try and make some asinine political point,” wrote one student on an unofficial Facebook group, UQ StalkerSpace.

The group has 37,500 members and is intended for general, often humorous discussion—including videos, memes, and requests for information—about student life at UQ.

Abuse was posted to the Facebook page for Feminist Week, which, according to Madeline Price, the gender and sexuality vice-president at the UQU, was “hearteningly” mostly from those not at the university. She received e-mails and private messages personally attacking her and making threatening remarks to organisers and attendees.

Price told the Guardian the event was only meant to be a conversation starter, but that the actual sale went ahead unhindered. “We did have quite a few students who identified with one or more factor and thus received quite heavily discounted items due to the pay disparity they receive in real life,” she said.

“The majority of men who approached the bake sale did so in solidarity to the cause—they handed over $1 without even considering the other factors.

“Many were surprised to learn that their status as a man with a disability or identifying as LGBTIQA+ also allowed them a discount proportionate to their economic losses in real life.”

Where there’s a Will there’s a way: History FC

Written by Harry Newton on . Posted in Sport.

Sports Editor Will Kelly turns footballer this weekend, as he puts on his shin pads and football boots to play for History FC. I asked him a few questions about his time at History FC.

Run us through the season, Will…

Well, first game of the season we played Econ, who we are challenging for the Division two title now. We lost 1-0, which is annoying and it’s the only game we have lost this season. We went on a winning run and Captain Dan Bunter’s philosophy of playing three at the back has done wonders for this season. We drew 1-1 to Business School in atrocious conditions, which meant we really had to beat Econ to stay in with a chance of the title. We won 3-1 and have won all our games ever since. We are just two points behind Econ and so hopefully they will slip up.

We had a good run in the Roy Little Cup (FA Cup) and we were one game away from the Quarter Final. We played Chemical Engineering who are top of the league above so we knew it would be a tough game. We lost 2-1 and I was pretty gutted because we were missing quite a few players and it was a very even match. Had we had everyone available, we could have won.

Nevertheless, The Road to Armitage dream is very much on as History FC are into the Semi-Final of the Alan Mainwaring shield after convincingly beating  NHSF (Hindu Society) 6-0. Our long suffering supporter ‘the Prof’ (Dr Robert Davies, retired history professor) has stuck with us through thick and thin. He has seen us get relegated in my first year at university, and has watched us in the past to some miserable battles of mid-table mediocrity. No other team has such a devoted supporter as ours (or even a supporter). He has kindly brought us oranges at half time and even offered a lift for our players after the match. We are doing this for him.

Who’s brought their A-game this season and performed especially well?

Everyone deserves a mention really because they are all a terrific bunch of lads who love playing football and I think the biggest strength of this team is that they play for each other. Henry Scanlan and Joel Standerwick have that Andy Cole/Dwight Yorke partnership and have been lethal this season scoring 32 goals between them. Joel is on 17 whilst Henry is on 15 so there is a bit of rivalry between them, which is great. Tom Russell has worked so well in behind them. He just puts his head down and takes the ball forward and he has scored some important goals this season, especially in the recent 1-0 win against Business School.

Credit to Dan Bunter, who suffered a nasty dislocated ankle at the end of last season. He worked hard to get his fitness back and he has simply been tremendous in midfield and has been an excellent leader. Same goes to Pat Harvey, who also suffered a nasty injury last season, and has been excellent at centre back. Tom Glover is like the Ander Herrera in the team, he is just here, there and everywhere. He puts in some big tackles and controls the tempo of the game superbly. Scott Doherty, who plays at left back, floats over the ground like a cocker spaniel chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind and is always a danger in attack. Ollie Brown is a workhorse at right wing back, I hope university doesn’t destroy his fitness because he really can bomb up and down that wing.

What’s been your favourite match?

I think the Quarter Final against NHSF (Hindu Society) was our best performance of the season. From kick off we pressed them high and they just couldn’t cope. We won 6-0 and I managed to score 2, not bad for a centre back! But of course at the end of the day, it’s all about the team and getting us into the semi-finals.

Also the 3-1 win against Econ, as that was a must win for us. From the warm up, everyone knew what was at stake and we were fired up for it. The magnitude of the event can be summed up by the fact Captain Dan Bunter led us in the warm up with some shuttle runs, very professional indeed. It was a dramatic game for myself; I scored a penalty to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half time and then gave away a penalty in the second half. I say give away, it was a complete dive but thankfully he missed. Then there striker was getting lippy at one of our players so I started giving some right back at him. We were waiting for a free kick and he swung around and assaulted me with an elbow. I was a rugby player at school and I don’t always think in the lens of football so I threw him to the floor. I picked up a yellow card. I know I shouldn’t have done it but I wasn’t just going to roll around the floor like a dying Swan in order to grab the referee’s attention.

We’ve heard that you are the fiercest man in Division 2 football! Is it true that you started on your own goalkeeper?

[Laughs] I wouldn’t say I’m fierce, I am passionate about playing but I am not starting fights here, there and everywhere. I like to tackle but I like a fair game too. No nonsense you might say! I did push our goalkeeper [Josh] once, yeah. I had the ball 25 yards out from goal and was put under pressure. I went to pass but my foot just got stuck in a divet and the opposition broke. Josh made a great save and I headed it off the line for the corner. It wasn’t the right time for Josh to swear in my face. Had it been three seconds after it’s fair enough but I had lost the ball some way from goal and had sprinted like a madman to get back and stop my error from being costly. I knew what I had done and I was already pretty pumped so it was just the wrong time and I over-reacted. But anyway, he’s my housemate so we are all good there and he’s passionate about his football too, which is great. As a defensive unit I think we have been solid, keeping several clean sheets this season.

Do the History Department actively support the team and sporting endeavours?

Absolutely not, and it’s nothing short of a disgrace. I remember in my first year I had to pay a contribution to get our team kits, as we were simply just playing in hi-vis bibs. They provide us with no funding or help at all, and the same applies to the history netball team. Registration is all paid by the captains, and last year the Netball captain had to pay £300 of her own money to set up two teams, there wasn’t even an option of borrowing funds and paying the money back once everyone had registered. I understand that societies are budgeted but no priority is given to Sport when it’s a great community within history. They can’t say that the sport teams are not popular because so many turned up to the football trials that we had to leave loads of people disappointed that they couldn’t play. We could easily have a second history team, and the netball team introduced one due to its popularity but this is always going to be difficult when the department won’t set out funds to help with registration.

Having spoken to other societies such as computer science, I have learnt that they pay for kits and help with funding for the team. The sport teams shouldn’t be about whatever is left in the budget, it’s clearly already a great thing and they should be actively helping it go from strength to strength. Otherwise, these teams could easily disappear as it costs a lot of money to register and match fees build over time.

How has campus sport been useful for you in your time at university?

It creates a great community playing for a team and it’s one of the happiest memories I’ll have of being at this university. You make great friends and the socials have always been a lot of fun. Moreover, it’s something you always look to in the week and I suppose it’s a great relief from working.

Whilst we are here, how have you enjoyed your time as Sports editor at The Mancunion, and what has been your highlight?

Again it’s another memory I will cherish. It might get stressful on a Friday (deadlines) and I might always miss lunch on that day but I have really enjoyed it. We have had the most wonderful contributors who are passionate about their sport and talking to the university sport teams, I have learnt so much of sports that I did not know about. Anyone who has a passion for sport should try writing and The Mancunion gave me that opportunity to express myself.

The EU is not perfect, but to run would be cowardly

Written by Edward Bains on . Posted in Opinion.

Many arguments have been put forward for leaving the EU, from both the left and the right (and everything in between) and these include: It’s undemocratic, unaccountable, beholden only to itself. It’s an expansionist super-state, intent on robbing us of our national sovereignty. It’s a glorified corporate racket, which exists only to serve the needs of enormous, multinational corporations. It’s an unwieldy behemoth, incapable of adapting to a rapidly changing and destabilising world. It’s a vast, expensive, bureaucratic nightmare, which wants to stifle business with red tape and regulate the curvature of our bananas.

There is of course some grain of truth to most of these arguments. In some cases, there is a whole bucket load of truth to them. The democratic deficit of some of the EU’s power structures, particularly the Commission, is clear to see. We all played witness to the will of the Greek people being shamelessly subverted by the cult of austerity that has gripped the EU at the highest levels. Its secretive negotiations to set up the anti-democratic TTIP are deeply disturbing. Its common policies in agriculture and fisheries have had some disastrous consequences. We could debate these all day.

But I say to everyone making these (perfectly reasonable) arguments: so what?

Are you saying we should run away from the whole European project with our tails between our legs? That we should give up? That we should surrender? That doesn’t sound very brave to me. That sounds like the coward’s way out. Are the British cowards? Do the British back away from a fight? Do the British surrender?

In 1940, after the evacuation of Dunkirk, Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany. We didn’t surrender then. We kept on fighting even when all the odds were stacked against us, and we carried on till the whole world was on our side and together we defeated perhaps the most evil power the world has ever known.

The EU (nor any country in it), of course, is not Nazi Germany. Far from it. Which makes walking away from it now seem all the more gutless. If we can triumph in the face of an adversity like Nazi Germany, can we not deal with the comparatively miniscule problems of the EU? Churchill wouldn’t have voted to give up and leave and neither should we.

Many would argue that we’ve tried to fight the problems of the EU, and all we got was Cameron’s pathetic so-called ‘reforms’. In other words, we failed. But when you set the bar for reform as low as he did, and, importantly, set yourself a ludicrously short timescale in which to obtain them before you put them to a referendum, failure was the only plausible outcome.

A future government (certainly not this one) can and should aim for far more fundamental, wide-reaching reforms. They will take much longer, and won’t be easy, but we’ll never know if we don’t try (I mean properly try, Cameron). The appetite for them is certainly there among the population of Europe.

And just why is it so important that we stay and continue this struggle for change? Well, to Britain, the EU has never been seen as much more than a glorified trade deal. But to the rest of its member states, it has been by far one of the greatest forces for peace and stability and economic development since the Second World War. A great unifier of a continent that has frequently been at war with itself.

But now it stands at a precipice. A lethal cocktail of economic woes, sovereign debt, terrorism and the refugee crisis have left the continent weak, divided and fragile, fuelling the rise of the far right. All across Europe, the enemy is at the gates. In countries such as Hungary and Poland, the enemy has already broken down the gates and become the main party of government (and are now hastily re-erecting the gates to keep others from doing the same). Do we run away and let people such as these determine the direction of Europe?

Half the EU member-states know they could easily lose in-out referendums were they to be held today. Britain leaving could be the spark that starts the fire that burns the whole trembling structure to the ground. A divided Europe is exactly what external foes such as ISIS and Putin would love to see. Which is exactly why we mustn’t give it to them. Just as in 1940, the fate of the whole of Europe may be in the hands of the British.

Part of the problem with Britain’s relationship with the EU is that we have always been passengers to the project. But we should aspire to be leaders. We can remake it into something better: more democratic, more open, more fair—but not if we vote to leave.

Don’t surrender Britain. Don’t give up the fight.

Vote remain.

Leave behind the EU and embrace Rule Britannia

Written by Colm Lock on . Posted in Opinion.

The EU is quite the hot topic these days. It seems to have a monopoly on our news outlets and will continue to do so until the 23rd of June when it will at last all be over. The sweet release after months of campaigning has taken its toll will be evident, and we will either have a vote to remain or a vote to leave. I would very much prefer the latter and I will explain briefly why.

But firstly, for the more attentive amongst you it may come as a surprise to see me pen another article this year. Indeed, I did say that I was spent for the rest of the semester. But when my editor put out a call for someone to write a piece on the merits of Brexit, the opportunity was too much to pass up. So back to this grim business.

The paramount reason for us to leave the EU, and hopefully trigger its collapse, is because of its basic threats to democracy. It has ridden roughshod over the parliaments of Greece and Portugal, is victimising Poland for electing a Eurosceptic government and has an all-powerful executive comprised of appointed bureaucrats who are unaccountable to the likes of you or I. I doubt they answer even to God at this point. Britain is therefore in very great danger of being sucked further into the project.

There is contentious argument over how many of our laws are made in Brussels. But whether it is 70% or just 15%, the figure is immaterial. Even a single percentage should be completely unacceptable. We have fought wars against two kings to establish the sovereignty and rights of the British people and the British parliament and yet we are willing to capitulate our legislative abilities to these continentals? The EU is not accountable to us. If we dislike a law imposed on us by the Commission, can we overturn it? Nope. This should be an affront to us all. For it was Britain who invented parliamentary democracy, the rule of law, the right to own property, habeas corpus; the list goes on. Much of this is threatened under the EU and so we must be away.

“But what about our influence in the world?”, the Remain campaigners screech as they hurl darts at a Nigel Farage cut out. They say we cannot go it alone. That we are too small a country to negotiate our own trade deals or that we will be at risk of attack should we leave. What do I say to that? Poppycock! I’ve heard more truths from Fox News on the theory of evolution. Of course we can go it alone.

We are the 5th largest economy on the planet and we have the strongest military in Europe. I like to think that we could cope outside the EU. Norway and Iceland seem to be doing okay and last time I checked they weren’t being annexed by Russia. Please note this could change by the time this is published.

In terms of trade deals, we have links to possibly the biggest community on the planet, the Commonwealth. Why not trade with countries who share our language, our values and our love of cricket? The Prime Minster of New Zealand recently said that we are forgetting who our friends are; many are emerging markets and healthy growing economies as opposed to the pitiful state of Europe’s economies.

We have bugger all influence in the EU as it is anyway. In the last 20 years we have objected to 55 pieces of legislation in the council of ministers and 55 times we have been defeated. That is not influence, that is irrelevance.

Now you could vote to remain and look forward to a United States of Europe being shackled to the likes of the French, with our flag to be replaced by that blue and yellow monstrosity and have Ode to Joy being our national anthem. We joined with the promise of free trade and instead have been sucked into participation of the early stages of a super state. We should strive for a Europe of independent nation states free to do as they please, and it is up to us to blaze the trail for them.

So on June 23rd, vote to leave the EU so that we might again completely govern ourselves and trade with the world as we should like. Because, to quote Tony Blair (I can’t believe I just said that): “The British are special. The world knows it. In our innermost thoughts we know it. This is the greatest nation on Earth.”

And by Jove we can go it alone.

Government to miss 2020 Higher Education Target

Written by Rebecca Noël on . Posted in News.

Recent reports from the Social Market Foundation think tank have found that the government is on course to miss its targets for widening participation in higher education. Whilst progress has been made towards ambitious targets set by the government for 2020, current trends are not sufficient enough to ensure they are met.

Widening participation in Higher Education is a topical component of government education policy in the UK and Europe. Its aim has been to increase the number of young people entering higher education, particularly those from underrepresented groups, for instance lower income families, ethnic minorities, or people with disabilities.

David Cameron set the target of doubling the proportion of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds entering Higher Education as well as increasing the number of students from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) backgrounds entering by 20 per cent. The Widening Participation report did note that 28.8 per cent more young full-time students from disadvantaged backgrounds entered Higher Education in 2014/2015 compared to 2009/2010.

However, this increase is thought to hide large differences between institution intake rates with many taking fewer disadvantaged students than six years ago. Only ten institutions contributed to 32 per cent of the increase in disadvantaged students attending Higher Education while nine decreased their number and 12 saw no change.

A further 24 institutions saw an increase but of only 25 students or fewer suggesting a need for intervention in a wider range of HE establishments.

Official statistics focusing on type of schooling prior to Higher Education from the government website actually show that there has been a 6 per cent increase in the difference gap between those progressing to Higher Education by the age of 19 from independent and selective state schools and non-selective state schools between 2009/10 and 2012/13. The percentage difference of those attending the most selective universities is larger still.

Michael Spence, University of Manchester Students’ Union’s Education Officer, speaking to The Mancunion, said: “The government’s so called focus on widening participation has always seemed to me to be little more than lip service. They care about statistics and not the actual people who need help, they’ve got targets but don’t know how to follow through. Also there is more to widening participation than just getting people into Higher Education, we need to ensure people have the support that they need to get through their studies.”

Following on from this, some have proposed that pushing for more students to become involved in Higher Education is not necessarily beneficial. For instance, when asked on the matter, some Manchester students commented that “whilst there have been increases in the number of young people attending university, Higher Education may not be the right choice for everyone. Therefore the drive to encourage as many as possible to go to university is not necessarily a good thing.”

Peter Horrocks, Vice-Chancellor of the Open University has said focus cannot solely be on 18-year-olds entering Higher Education if ministers are genuinely concerned with incorporating all societal groups into advanced studies, since mature students also “make a huge contribution to our society and economy”.

The government now needs to decide whether their focus will be on improving the performance of those institutions making little progress, which would involve more than outreach alone, or to put more emphasis on those who contributed the largest amount the widening participation. They also need to focus on raising prior educational attainment since these rates, along with Higher Education participation, are actually lowest amongst white populations as opposed to those from BME backgrounds.

This could be achieved through the provision of extra tuition or summer schooling and improved involvement from the institutions themselves, according to Emran Mian, director of the Social Market Foundation.

Similarly, Maddalaine Ansell, Chief Executive of University Alliance states that “more needs to be done right across the sector to identify potential and talent wherever it exists, so that intakes reflect the whole community.”  She suggests that institutions “collaborate in shifting the focus away from just recruitment to genuine outreach”.

The government needs to adjust its strategy drastically if there is any hope of reaching the targets set for 2020, perhaps through focusing on providing better support to students throughout higher education, determining whether it is right to encourage everyone into higher education routes, particularly university, and focusing on a wider demographic, including those who could enter into higher education at a later age.

To heel or not to heel?

Written by Sophie Soar on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

To heel or not to heel? That certainly is a significant question, especially when considering the correct or, rather, the comfortable and most appropriate footwear attire in the office. When preparing for a daunting interview or updating your office wear from that ill-fitting Marks & Spencer suit when 17-year-old you undertook a week’s ‘work experience’, most hit a wall from ankles down. Will one be taken seriously in a stiletto? Is a smart trainer a critical contradiction? Can the loafer achieve suitable versatility?

To somewhat ease a few knotted brows gracing many interviewees alike, some trends entirely flaw shoe etiquette: Karl Lagerfeld had Cara Delevingne saunter down the Chanel haute couture Spring/Summer 2014 catwalk in a wedding dress paired with bejewelled trainers; Carrie Bradshaw was, alternatively, one of the first few to wear Manolo’s with sweat pants; even Fallowfield’s finest wear Nikes through thick and thin, come rain or shine. You might therefore be forgiven for any confusion: the dress code needs decrypting before anything else.

At 5’11”, with the daily habit of wearing 5-inch heels, my inclination is nearly always sky high: stand up and out. However, this resolution will waver when confronted with demanding and unpredictable internship tasks. My power complex is compromised and instead, I must face a professional life fitting comfortably under doorways.

Therefore sacrifices must be made, for which I shall provide a few helpful guidelines to see you through the challenging transition (of student to employee or towering and tottering to sturdy and stable).

Unless you have legs like a Victoria’s Secret Angel, no one avoids looking frumpy in an over-the-knee skirt and pumps. So when confronted with the suit skirt/comfortable shoe approach, a subtle kitten heel enhances the figure while avoiding the crippling pain of six-inch stilettoed feet throbbing under your desk. (Please note, if this is a summer internship or office job, comfort is key because the removal of one’s shoes during sweltering heat is not okay. Think of your colleagues and whether you want to consider making this role permanent.)

Alternatively, should one wish to avoid any heel at all, the greatest other option is a larger-soled shoe, such as the brogue. Whilst the trusty pump provides comfort in short-term stints, the brogue offers structure, solidarity, and support. Racing up office stairs or, more realistically, running through the streets while still brushing your teeth when the alarm failed to wake you for the sixteenth time, is preferably tackled without feeling every cobblestone under one’s sole. The brogue will also greater emphasise a slender ankle, from which the pump detracts.

Should you shy away from skirts and alternatively opt for the trouser suit, one’s job becomes a little less tricky. When purchasing such trousers, aim for high-waisted and a slightly flared cut. These invariably flatter any figure by lengthening the leg and hanging softly, thus the shoe’s responsibility can take a back seat. Again, the priority revolves around comfort over anything else but when only half the shoe is showing, let that half be fabulous.

One should also accommodate for after-work recreation: never forgot the spontaneous Friday evening drinks with colleagues. Make your footwear fabulous, flirty, and flawlessly comfortable in case drinks turn into dancing.

The most important aspect of the office day is indefinitely travel. If you’ve found those heels that somehow compare to a foot massage every step of the way, spread the word and continue life as a shoe guru. For the rest of the unlucky masses, practicality sometimes overrides all else and a second pair of shoes in which your arches might sit wonderfully unstrained is a must. They’re a comforting companion and can be essential to retain sanity after a long workday. However, when five o’clock hits and you’ve flung the office doors wide open, leaving your desk behind you, some rules remain intact; as care-free as one might feel, the trainer should forever be an outsider to the professional climate. Avoid the temptation to pair trainer with suit; the odd frown of fellow commuters silently screams: ‘I sympathise but no’.

So as I too trawl the Internet for the perfect summer shoes and office attire, I have chosen to start feet first. Don’t compromise comfort: internships and employment can be stressful but your two feet shouldn’t carry the burden at all.

Fetishising the fuck-up

Written by Alice Williams on . Posted in Lifestyle.

In 1988, hundreds of impressionable teenagers visited the cinema to see Melanie Griffith clamber up the ladder and break the glass ceiling in Working Girl. Enter the cinema today, and the latest equivalent would be to see Rebel Wilson pissing around and showing us all How To Be Single. While there’s been a definite surge of toilet humour in films and TV shows in the past few years, just when did it slide from a good bit of harmless schadenfreude into a self-indulgent guidebook on how it’s okay to have totally fucked things up? TV shows such as Girls, Fresh Meat, The Inbetweeners and even as far back as Skins provide storylines with such hyperbolised screw-ups that we can all feel better about ourselves as we lie on the sofa, avoiding that pressing coursework essay.

“It doesn’t matter if I get a 53,” we tell ourselves, because that teenage plank on the TV has just driven their car into a lake—have a bit of perspective! In Girls, Hannah’s most recent career move was to show her boss her vagina and Oregon was disappointed with her 2:2 in Fresh Meat. Being below-par is ultimately cool these days. At least don’t be anything other than average or you might end up like one of the characters from the love-to-hate-it Big Bang Theory. Aim for your life to be a B-, because anything higher catapults you into the stratosphere of either a career bitch or on the autistic spectrum. Apparently.

But how much is it actually affecting us? Surely no-one is that stupid enough to be taking these shows as an excuse to settle back? Recently, in light of Fresh Meat finishing their final season, the media launched upon the idea that, actually, students don’t party all that much any more and that Fresh Meat is like, sooo unrealistic. I think they may have missed the point a bit there, but it does make very clear how some people believe that their chosen television programmes should at least give them some guidelines as to how they’re living their lives.

But surely someone making lifelong friends at university, having the emotional security to maintain a lasting relationship, and getting the perfect graduate job does not make good TV? Portraying a group of people who are spectacularly messing it up covers all viewing audience bases—if someone’s wildly successful, they generally are bored with a portrayal of someone supposedly equal to them and, worse, annoyed by one of someone more successful. If you’re a complete screw-up, then you’ll seek solace in society’s media reminding you that you’re normal. Unemployed, jaded, unhealthy and forever alone—the perfect starter kit to dive headfirst into today’s offerings of TV and film.

Classic Review: Barbarella

Written by Nadia Cheung on . Posted in Film.

Jane Fonda stars as Barbarella, the highly sexual heroine of a distant future. Adapting Jean Claude Forest’s erotic sci-fi comics from the early 1960s, Barbarella is sent to outer space by the President of Planet Earth to find and stop Doctor Durand Durand (Milo O’Shea) from unleashing his secret weapon, the Positronic Ray, and potentially starting a war. On her journey, Barbarella encounters a number of strange and wacky characters that either want to kill her, or have sex with her—and eventually, nearly dies of pleasure.

Not surprisingly, a lot of actresses, before the film went into production, had turned down the role. Amongst them were Raquel Welch, Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren, all asked to play Barbarella. Even Jane Fonda didn’t want to take the part, but married to the director at the time, Roger Vadim, she was somehow convinced. Fonda’s Barbarella is aloof, cheerful, and determined, and for a central female role, she even managed to get a Laurel Award nomination for Top Female Comedy Performance.

The script is pretty simple and at times, absurd at best, managing to bag a few laughs. Not a great deal happens in this film but it is an easy watch—enjoyable too, especially if you’re a nostalgic. Vadim seemed to be more concerned with how the film would look, putting a psychedelic spin on the tropes of erotica and sci-fi similar to those of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. And it goes with these two genres quite literally with its constant reminders of whacked-out space weapons and sex methods—did I mention the Positronic Ray is actually a sexual torture machine?

The film didn’t do very well when it was first released in 1968, but a couple of years down the line it had quite the cult following, and still resonates in pop culture today. The iconic space-age costumes, designed by Paco Rabanne, were particularly influential in ‘60s fashion, and even inspired Jean Paul Gaultier’s costumes 30 years later in The Fifth Element. Duran Duran also got their band name from this film, too.

Though the special effects aren’t really impressive (looking cheap, tacky, and almost laughable), I don’t think there’s any film out there that’s like it. And if there is, it was probably influenced in some sort of way by Barbarella. Coming from a time where attitudes towards sex and relationships started to change for both genders and different sexualities, paralleling with the sexual revolution that took place for the next few decades up to where we are now in the 21st century, I think Barbarella does best as a cult classic without being read into too much. But it certainly does well look-wise.

Lone wolf or pack animal?

Written by Eva Katz on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Effectively a rite of passage for students everywhere, travelling poses both a hoard of opportunities and challenges to prospective roamers. But one dilemma facing nearly every one of them is whether or not to travel alone. The ideal travel companion is no doubt an elusive concept—finding a close friend with the urge to explore the same destinations and a sufficient bank balance is a feat in itself.

But of course, a ticket for one is an option that cuts out the middle man completely. If you’re exploring the likes of South East Asia, many would even recommend it as you’ll undoubtedly meet fellow travellers along the way. What’s more, it can also bring the most introverted amongst us out, of our shell, thus returning a changed man or woman. Riding solo also allows sufficient freedom to go your own way, exploring every country as you wish to explore it.

But travelling alone isn’t for everybody—and unfortunately, the prospect can even deter some from travelling altogether. For the females of the species in particular, it can be a rather daunting prospect. Although Manchester may have hardened you in comparison to the likes of Oxbridge students, the big bad world gets far meaner than Moss Side. If nothing else, travelling with a partner will hopefully give your parents the peace of mind to permit them a wink or two of sleep during your absence.

If you’ve been fortunate enough to find a companion, don’t celebrate just yet. Travelling can make or break even the strongest of bonds. A little planning before you make concrete plans can help save conflict down the line. Compromise is invaluable when on the road. More often than not, that activity you just weren’t so keen on could be the highlight of your trip, so be flexible. “When in Rome” should always apply and a companion can often be the key to pushing you outside of your comfort zone and embracing new experiences.

Aside from all of the incredible stories and lifelong memories, travelling can equally be pretty damn scary. It’s important to evaluate how well you cope without the support system you have at home in the UK before you go off gallivanting. Ultimately, it’s a question of sink or swim. If you’re taking the plunge on your own, just make sure you’re not going to cave in and book an early flight home to see Mummy a week later.

How to: Job Interview Makeup

Written by Meg Roberts on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

If you’re in final year then graduate schemes, job applications and the inevitable assessment centre and interview is an overwhelming reality of everyday life. Personally, the ‘oh my god I can’t wait to finish Uni and be done with homework forever’ has evolved into a definite ‘I want to stay here forever and hide from the real world’ existential crisis.

Equally, if you’re just looking for a part time job, perhaps in a bar or (like me) in fashion retail alongside your studies, then you too will ultimately face the dreaded job interview, and whether we like it or not, first impressions count.

Here’s my guide to an interview-ready make up look that’s minimalist, professional, and oh so easy to achieve.

1. Base

The base is so important! The whole theory behind this look is that it’s not cakey and it stays on. Whether you’re travelling to London for an assessment centre or getting the 142 into town, it needs to look as fresh and flawless as it did in the morning.

To start, do your morning skincare as normal. I am a devout follower of the Clinique three-step system but it doesn’t matter as long as you cleanse with a facial soap, follow with a toner and moisturise. After you’ve moisturised, use a primer that’s right for your skin type and apply all over preferably with a flat foundation brush. I use Illamasqua’s Hydra veil which is part-primer and part-skincare and just made for my dry skin. This creates a barrier between the skin and foundation and ensures it lasts way longer. I then go in with my MAC Pro Longwear foundation and buff with a Zoeva 104 buffer brush which gives an even, diffused finish that’s medium coverage, flawless and anything but cakey. I then use half a pump of my MAC Pro-longwear concealer, I place product with a Morphe concealer brush and blend with a fluffy MAC eye brush. I then powder using NYX HD loose, translucent powder and a Zoeva luxe highlight brush to finish.

2. Eyes

I’d go really simple and understated with the eyes, either Make up Geek’s Latte or Motives Frappe; think coffee coloured nudey-browns, blended out with a fluffy brush paired with a not-too-dramatic black winged liner, using a MAC 266 or any angled eyeliner brush for the flick with any gel-based liner. Then pair with natural hair lashes in a wispy style, Morphe DW lashes are really underrated and a steal at £2.75 a pair and look gorgeously fluffy with the winged liner. For the brows, a natural but groomed look can be achieved with a gel-based product to fill in any missing hairs or to create shape, I use Illamasqua’s Precision Gel in strike or MAC’s Fluidline in Dip down for a dark brown brow, I prefer a natural, faded look towards the front so I use a brown powder from Morphe’s brow pallete and I apply all of this with a 266 angled eyeliner brush.

3. Lips

Lipstick can be high maintenance so I’d definitely go for a fuss-free but beautiful nude colour. I’d recommend MAC’s Stripdown, Spice, Oak or Whirl if you have any of those in your collection. Wear on its own or pair with a complementary lipstick shade. For this look, I’m really enjoying Stripdown liner with Taupe lipstick; for an even more subtle look, Oak or Spice looks fab with Honey love.

4. Highlight

Go in with a subtle, medium-toned bronzer. Hoola by Benefit and MAC Mineralise Skinfinish in Medium are both a good place to start, use with a generic powder brush and apply sparingly to temples and cheekbones. I then spray my Zoeva luxe highlight brush with MAC fix plus spray to intensify the colour and apply my highlight. At the mo I’ve been loving The Balm’s Mary-Lou Manizer and MAC’s Soft and Gentle for a gorgeously honey-toned shimmer. Ta-dah, beautifully highlighted understated, flawless perfection!

The raw food reality

Written by Elena Gibbs on . Posted in News.

Elena Gibbs imagines a more truthful alternative to the Raw Food health blog.

 

8:30 – Hurdle one. Something’s telling me this diet requires preparation despite its deceiving title. What is breakfast with no carbs? Is bread raw? Consider an egg, remember that it can’t be heated. Settle for a tomato and a banana.

9:00 – Think about toast while showering.

10:00 – Having difficulty concentrating, eat handful of raw almonds and Google search ‘raw food diet’. Leads me to a 4od documentary on Health Food Junkies, but I get distracted by recommended link to ‘Dogging Tales’.

11:00 – Feeling moderately disturbed, and momentarily relieved from the thoughts of my new raw life, I decide it’s meal time again. Or a caffeine hit. Wait, is coffee allowed? No hot drinks? I settle for a shot of tequila.

12:15 – I glance at the light and begin to see dancing spots of illuminations flash before my eyes. I remember something from childhood about carrots and night vision, so munch on two like a sick, sadistic reindeer with no Santa.

12:30 – Is there anything other than gazpacho on this regime that counts as a legitimate lunch? This soup seems to be the only thing even close to resembling a real human meal. If cold spiced tomato liquid is the beating heart of my life at midday, I’m already questioning whether I want to live.

15:00 – After excessive Googling, I’m pretty sure this diet is just veg and nuts. Unless I eat a raw steak, perhaps. Uncooked meat, broccoli and walnuts. I’m going to be popular in the office. Good bye friends, social life.

17:00 – Choose an aged rioja from the cellar to complement my 7oz rump and settle down with a nice book. This isn’t so bad.

18:30 – Still drinking.

19:30 – My husband arrives home with a takeaway bag of Chinese sweet and sour dumplings and sticky ribs with seaweed. My favourite! I smile, embrace him and mutter something about a brilliant new way of life I’ve found. He pats me on my grape-stained mouth and we tuck in. Perhaps I’ll just eat raw when I’m alone, I wouldn’t want to inconvenience anyone with my dietary requirements.

Sum up: Might work with a little planning ahead. You’ll hit a wall mid-afternoon, but the trick here is to allow in some of those fermented foods to wake your gut up (think: wine, sake, grappa, or even a mouldy piece of fruit). Good luck trying it. And it’s also super great because no calorie counting!! And oh yeah, I now feel AMAZING.

Bravely Second: End Layer – Review

Written by Stephen Lewis on . Posted in Games.

The sequel to 2013’s Bravely Default, Bravely Second: End Layer certainly has a legacy to live up to. Bravely Default is seen as one of the best games released for the 3DS and a great return to the classic style of JRPG gameplay found in the older Final Fantasy games, with some saying that today Bravely is able to outdo the newer games in the FF series (if that is what you’re looking for as FF has moved away from that type of gameplay, especially with the upcoming Final Fantasy XV).

Bravely Second, being a direct sequel, is set in the same world as the original, with some members of the original cast returning, two of them becoming part of your party. Before the game begins there is a brief recap video of the events from the first game, so if you intend to play that at some stage without spoilers it might be better to play Bravely Default first, but you can say that of pretty much any game series with a clear narrative.

The story opens two and a half years later with Agnes, one of the lead characters of Default, being kidnapped by Kaiser Oblivion and the overarching narrative of the game is to save her from the Kaiser’s floating castle in the sky. This feels more than slightly reminiscent of a series featuring a certain Italian plumber… Narrative is certainly not a strong suit of this game, I would go so far as to say it is the worst feature of Bravely Second as after the five-hour prologue (which was much much longer than I was expecting) you set out for this flying fortress but soon seem to lose your sense of urgency, getting caught up in side stories, and things that don’t seem to relate all that much to saving Agnes. You don’t even think about finding a way to actually fly until very late in the game when the story seems to pick up pace again. The character dialogue, which is almost entirely voice-acted, started off being alright but the more I played the more it became cheesy and cringe-worthy with recurring jokes that were not funny and made no sense at all. There was also one very forced Star Wars reference used to introduce the game feature that allows you to control the random encounter rate.

Moving away from the story, the gameplay is one of, if not the main reason why gamers wanted more Bravely games. Thankfully this aspect is pretty much unchanged from the original Bravely Default with the main differences being more character jobs and more overall choice. If you are not familiar with the system, it is similar to most turn based JRPG battle systems in that you select actions or attacks and targets for those items or moves. What differentiates the Bravely series however is the Brave-Default system. Each time one of your party makes a move they use up one battle point (BP); if you choose Default on a character’s turn they will go into a defensive stance and save up one extra BP, up to a total of three. By then using Brave on another turn your character can use your extra BP perform one extra action or attack per point, dealing more damage in one go if they are a swordsman or casting extra healing spells if they are a mage for example. You can only perform a maximum of four moves in one turn however so you cannot save up for ten minutes then launch an attack that goes on and on, possibly breaking the game balance. What you should also be aware of is that whilst you can be saving up moves, so can your enemies; mainly in boss fights but I did see it used elsewhere.

In terms of pure content there are more dungeons than in the original and still a large world to explore which you get access to (partially) from the beginning of the first chapter, until you upgrade your boat to go into deeper waters. Visually the game is very appealing and the cities look great when you stand still for a few moments and the camera zooms out to take in the whole vista. The music is good, but if you’re very familiar with the scores from the Final Fantasy games you will notice many similarities, possibly making the score a bit forgettable as they make you remember other pieces of music from that series which are arguably better.

Overall Bravely Second: End Layer is a good game, but it really depends on what you are looking for and willing to spend time on. If you want a game with a strong battle system, which is visually appealing and lasts about 50-60 hours on the main path alone, hundreds if you want it all, then this is for you. If you are instead looking for an enjoyable narrative experience that will last the for a long time then you won’t really find it here as the story is not as good as the previous entry and the characters can be deeply annoying at times, unless you find this style of humour to be part of the novel experience found only in certain JRPGs.

Easy no-bake Oreo cheesecake

Written by Ellen Fouweather on . Posted in Food & Drink.

Ingredients:

– 200g Oreos

– 50g butter

– 400g cream cheese

– 200g white chocolate

– Optional decoration: an extra few Oreos to crumble on top

 

Equipment:

– 20cm Cake Tin

– Microwave

– Rolling pin

– Large sandwich bag

 

Method:

Put the Oreos in a large sandwich bag and use a rolling pin to crush them up into fine crumbs. Cut up the butter into chunks and microwave for 1 minute. Mix the Oreos and melted butter and press into a cake tin to make the base.

Next, break the white chocolate into chunks and microwave for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave, stir, and microwave for another 30 seconds. Repeat this until the chocolate is completely melted. It is really important to only microwave the chocolate in 30 second bursts, stirring in between, so that it does not burn.

Once the chocolate is melted, beat it into the cream cheese and pour onto the base. Decorate with some more crushed-up Oreos and leave in the fridge to set for 2 hours.

Note:

If you don’t have all the equipment, you can improvise! Rather than using a cake tin, you can press the biscuit base onto a flat plate and then build up the filling on top. It won’t look as neat, but will still taste the same. Similarly, you can use pretty much any heavy object from your kitchen to crush up the Oreos (or you could bash the bag of Oreos against all the hard surfaces in your kitchen, though this can scare housemates).

You ‘wot’ m8?

Written by Stanley Johnson on . Posted in Food & Drink.

There’s nothing in the world quite like Ethiopian food. Unless you count Eritrean food, which is actually quite a lot like Ethiopian food.

Like their southern neighbours (Ethiopia), the good people of Eritrea are known for making all manner of tasty stews and sauces (called ‘wot’), which are served in generous dollops on top of a big, cold, sourdough pancake-style bread called injera. By tearing bits off to scoop up various dishes, injera serves as cutlery as well as a filling staple.

Unlike lots of places in the Northern Quarter, Asmara Bella is a low-key, unpretentious place, serving up very reasonably-priced grub. Its clientèle consists mostly of East African expats hankering for a taste of home plus a smattering of foodies seeking something a little bit different.

It has a fairly big menu, with lots of meat dishes and a couple of veggie options. Fun fact: followers of the Eritrean Orthodox Church don’t eat meat, eggs or dairy on Wednesdays and Fridays, so there are lots of vegetarian Eritrean dishes.

I went for the Yetsom Beyaynetu; a selection of five different dollops of tasty vegetarian stuff, served—you guessed it—on a great big piece of injera. There were also extra pieces of injera rolled up like edible bread flannels.

The spinach dish was mild and tasty, as was the chunky potato and carrot stew. The yellow split pea wot was deliciously creamy, and similar to an Indian dahl. The simple tomato and pepper salad dressed with a little vinegar and olive oil balanced nicely with the richer and spicier dishes.

The star of the show was the red lentil stew, Misr Wot, which had a deep and earthy spiciness imparted by a spice mix called berbere and which is used a lot in Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine. The injera itself was spongy perfection, especially after soaking up all the flavours of the dishes on top.

While the food at Asmara Bella is good, the price is incredible. Beers are only £2.50. The Yetsom Beyaynetu was less than £7 and easily big enough for two to share (that’s the best way to enjoy it, anyway). Split between two, it works out at a similar price to a Tesco Meal Deal. Especially hungry diners could share two dishes between three, if they don’t mind being unable to move for several hours after.

It was a bit quiet when I popped in, but then, it was a drizzly Tuesday night in March. It gets pretty busy on a weekends with diners and drinkers at the bar, with a lively atmosphere enhanced by the syncopated, synthy sounds of Eritrean pop music.

Price ££
Food 5/5
Drinks 4/5
Service 5/5
Atmosphere 3/5
Value 5/5

Is there any stopping Michael Van Gerwen?

Written by Joe Murphy on . Posted in Sport.

After a record breaking performance against Michael Smith where Michael Van Gerwen averaged over 123, he then went on to win the UK open in style, hitting four 170 checkouts and the famous 9-darter in the process. So after beating Dave Chisnall with ease this week, he seems as near as a guarantee to make the top 4 as possible. It would take a miracle the scale of turning water into wine for him to miss out on a place at the O2 arena come May. But who will be joining him?

Phil Taylor

Currently in second place and on the back of a 7-0 destruction of Robert Thornton, The Power looks in good shape to make the top 4 yet again. He faces MVG next week and would certainly take a point against the best player on the planet at the moment. There were doubters after his World Championship performance earlier this year, myself included, but he is playing well and if he continues in this form, he should qualify with relative comfort.
Likelihood : 8/10

Adrian Lewis

The jackpot is a funny one, he has the potential to beat anybody on his day but sometimes stutters and puts on a dreadful performance. He has only made the top 4 on two previous occasions in his career; that is really poor considering how good a player Aidy is. After a decisive win over Peter Wright this week in Nottingham, he too looks in good shape, but don’t be surprised if he falls just short.
Likelihood : 7/10

Peter Wright

Snakebite will be concerned after picking up no points in the last 2 weeks. Admittedly, he has played two of the worlds best, and had the UK open final to deal with, but it is easy to question whether he can find his form again. If he can, he will be assured of a top 4 finish, although he does have a tough run of fixtures, and does have a few players breathing down his neck.
Likelihood 6/10

Gary Anderson

It has been a rocky road for the reigning champion. Starting the season with illness before 2 defeats has made the task of achieving a top 4 finish harder. However, if anyone has the potential to make ground on players above then it’s the Flying Scotsman. He may be outside the top 4, but if he can win those games in hand, he will be confident of making it on judgement night.
Likelihood 7/10

James Wade

It surprised me that he won this week against Barney, but this doesn’t change the fact that he has played too inconsistently. He beat MVG but looked appalling against Phil Taylor. His doubles have hurt his chances of a top 4 finish, especially with players such as Gary Anderson and Adrian Lewis coming into such form. He needs to win all his remaining matches to stand a chance.
Likelihood 4/10, of Relegation 1/10

Raymond Van Barneveld

If you were to ask me a few weeks ago, this score would have been a lot higher, but he hasn’t been getting the results. If anyone in the world can scrape a place in the top 4 it would be Barney, but it’s not looking good.
Likelihood 5/10, of Relegation 2/10

Dave Chisnall

It started so well, a whitewash 7-0 win against Robert Thornton had people thinking he would make the top 4. However, he hadn’t won since the opening night and has left that gap too big to come back from. He has too much to do.
Likelihood: 2/10, of Relegation 6/10

Michael Smith

Much the same as Chizzy, he has left himself too much to do. Still in the relegation places, having played a game more it isn’t possible for him to make the top 4. His focus will be avoiding relegation, and if he does so, he will consider that a success. He is starting to pick up points so that may happen.
Likelihood 0/10, of Relegation 8/10

Robert Thornton
Poor Robert Thornton. At least he has a point to his name. He will finish bottom, it’s a shame, but he is playing poorly, and illness didn’t help his momentum.
Likelihood 0/10 , of Relegation 9.99/10

Introvert vs Extrovert

Written by Anon on . Posted in Lifestyle.

With the many social situations university puts you in, it’s often difficult to imagine approaching situations any differently to how you usually do. So, for the purposes of social experimentation, we asked someone who considered themselves an introvert and someone who considered themselves an extrovert about how they would deal with these particular situations.

 

Going into a seminar or lecture

Introvert

“I generally spend the hour before a seminar on edge because I’m so worried about being late for it. If I was late then I’d have to go into the classroom in front of everyone and potentially get called up on it by the lecturer. Because of this, I’m normally about half an hour early for everything. It’s funny though, because you can tell the other anxious people because we’re always so punctual. Once I get into the lecture or seminar, I spend the majority of the time hoping that I don’t get asked anything. If I’ve really got no choice or I decide that I’ve got something really worthwhile to say then I usually spend about a minute rehearsing what I’m going to say in my head before I actually say it. Getting asked something when I’m not prepared is my worst nightmare.”

Extrovert

“If I’m well prepared and other people are actually prepared to talk then I really enjoy my seminars since there’s a chance to talk through my ideas. It gets really frustrating when some of the quiet people literally won’t say anything. I don’t understand what the point of coming to the seminars is if you aren’t going to make the best out of them by voicing some of your own opinions. You are always told that there’s no such thing as a stupid question and no-one’s going to laugh at you making a well-educated point.”

Going on a date

Introvert

“I spend the day before panicking about how it’s going to go and freaking out that the conversation will be really awkward. Then I worry about having something on my face the whole way through. Don’t even get me started on panicking about the potential of sex. It’s a miracle that some of my dates have even gone well when I finally manage to get over my shyness.”

Extrovert

“I think everyone gets a bit nervous before a first date but it’s just human interaction, you don’t have to overthink it too much. I do have to try and not talk too much though, which is what my natural reaction is when I’m nervous. I’ve never had a date that’s gone horrendously—it’s just sitting down and talking to someone, which I’m pretty good at. Amongst other things.”

 

Going to a party

Introvert

“I think parties are generally seen to be the thing that would be most horrifying to an introvert, but they’re not always that terrible. People getting drunk tends to make things easier and I’m not so worried about what they might be thinking about me when I know they most likely won’t remember it the next morning. Potentially having to arrive on your own is scary, but once I’ve got over that I don’t mind them too much. I just have to avoid sitting in the corner on the sofa or only sticking to that one person I know really well.”

Extrovert

“It’s a cliché for an extrovert, but I do really love parties. I don’t really understand why you wouldn’t love parties. No-one cares or is judging what anyone else is doing and it’s an excuse to have fun. I have been known to get far too drunk but generally nothing can go wrong at a party!”

YA roundup – home and away

Written by Elizabeth Gibson on . Posted in Books.

Young Adult fiction is flying high, with titles from the UK, US, and beyond crowding bookshops. Primarily aimed at around ages 13 to 25, YA can just as easily be enjoyed by older readers, since it tends to deal with big issues often associated with adult literature. Here are some recommended recent releases. Between them they tackle illness, trauma, suicide, abuse, addiction, murder, but also love, including LGBT*, family, friendship, redemption, and empowerment.

Unspeakable by Abbie Rushton (UK)

Unspeakable is very much a setting-based novel. While its premise, the story of a girl who becomes mute after witnessing a death, is fascinating, it is the glorious descriptions of the New Forest that make this book. Prepare to be transported to a land of ancient trees, magical clearings, and camping under the stars. Explorations of many different kinds of love combine with a thriller element to create an engaging read.

This Raging Light by Estelle Laure (US)

Full of flowery prose and big ideas, the hugely hyped This Raging Light offers us a window on the sad day-to-day life of Lucille, who is responsible for her little sister after their mother’s disappearance and who is falling for a highly unsuitable boy. Poetry is integrated nicely into the story, as is art. The frilly metaphors can be over the top but there are some very strong moments and the sisters are great characters.

7 Days by Eve Ainsworth (UK)

Many books about mean girl behaviour are American, so to read one set in a British school was refreshing: the character, named Keren, who goes by Kez, brought the memories flooding painfully back of when everyone did that with their name. It is interesting to read the same set of events from two points of view: the chief mean girl and her victim. While it is slightly hard to believe that so many big things could happen to a small group of people in just one week, Eve Ainsworth’s debut is still a powerful and emotive novel.

The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain (US)

Although not officially a YA book, The Silent Sister has great crossover appeal because the two protagonists are 25 and 16 at the time of their respective narratives. In leafy North Carolina, Riley uncovers unwelcome secrets about her family and tries to bond with her veteran brother, while in hot, chilled San Diego Lisa tries to build a new life. Bluegrass music plays a major role and as in most Diane Chamberlain books, there are plenty of twists and turns as well as moving moments and one particularly tear-jerking reunion scene.

Love Bomb by Jenny McLachlan (UK)

Love Bomb is the sweet, sad, but ultimately uplifting tale of quirky Betty Plum, who is going through a hard time and wishes her mum was still alive. When she finds some letters written to her from her mum before her death, she begins to embrace life and discover love. Betty is an adorable protagonist and again, it was a pleasant change to have a British book dealing with some of the subjects that Love Bomb covers. Her mother’s final letter is genuinely heartbreaking yet simultaneously wonderful.

Dangerous Lies by Becca Fitzpatrick (US)

Dangerous Lies hops neatly between inner city crime drama and rural romance, with a major twist. Parts did feel a little sensational and the characters act much older than they are; however, it is lovely watching the development of certain relationships and trying to guess what on earth is coming next in this rollercoaster ride of a book.