Laura Wood – Page 2 – Yellow Belly

Alternatives to a night of boozing

March 22, 2013 Laura Wood Leave a comment

Most of student life revolves around going out and the drinking culture. Sometimes it is nice to take a break from nights out and the hangover the morning after.

Here are a few ideas of how you can have fun with friends or flatmates without consuming alcohol.

Bingo

This sounds incredibly old fashioned, but going to the bingo is definitely a funny night. Gala Bingo in Lincoln offers students to play for a discounted rate on Thursdays.

Bowling

Lincoln Superbowl (not to be confused with superbull) offers student discount meaning that one game is no more than £5.00 and two games is no more than £9.00.

Cinema

If you feel like splashing out a bit of money then take the movie night to the cinema. At the moment there is only one cinema in the town centre, Odeon.

Create a meal

Flatmates do not generally cook together, so for a change go on a outing to the supermarket and make dinner together. Alternatively, spend the money you would take on a night out and treat yourselves to a meal out. It saves on the washing up and gets you in a different environment.

Play card games

You need a deck of cards to play drinking games, why not sit around and play some standard card games. You could also hold a poker night (you can play with 1p and 2p’s if you are skint), yes people may have alcohol but it’s a time to socialise and also do something fun.

Play games

Most people have board games at home that they may no longer play, if you’re group of friends aren’t too competitive, (my friends nearly fell out over a game of monopoly) then sit down and play.

Playzone

An indoor children’s play area that is open to students and over 16’s every Tuesday night. Only £5.00 with your student ID you can relive your childhood and play in the ball pit, go on the slides. If you have a large group then this is a fun couple of hours. However, it will leave you aching in the morning.

Student Life

Ten tips to get that drink first

March 14, 2013 Laura Wood Leave a comment

Most students will experience the dreaded bar queue. Fighting to get to the bar for the next round, but once you get to the front you can be waiting for ten minutes before you even get served. We have put together some tips to make sure you get that drink in time for the next song.

1. Get to know the staff

One of the hardest tips to follow, especially if you are at Superbull on a Friday night and the bar staff literally have no time to talk. On less busy nights simply ask them how they are, start a mini conversation. This way they will remember you as the nice person who wasn’t just shouting “oi, can I get served?”

2. Chose your spot wisely

Most bar tenders have sections of a bar which they serve. Try to stand in the middle of two sections which means you have two possible servers not one. Sections are normally divided by tills; standing in front of one would usually mean you are in the middle of one of the sections.

3. Make eye contact with the bar staff

Eye contact is important, once initial eye contact is made, which may only last a second, smile. This moment of contact will put you in the bartender’s mind. Being friendly can only improve your chances to be served next.

4. Don’t wave money

Barman at Home nightclub Sam Johnson says that it is off-putting when people wave money at him. However, it is useful to have your money ready as staff are more likely to serve you if they can see you are prepared.

5. Only signal when they are free

Most bartenders hate it when people shove their hands in their face. Be patient and wait your turn, snapping your fingers or waving can be seen as being quite aggressive. Keep calm even if someone approaches the bar and immediately gets served.

6. Use the space

At a crowded bar it is hard to get to the front, however once this is achieved try and get your friends to the bar too. Covering more of a surface area will mean you have more of a chance of getting served. Try and have exact change so you can hand this to whoever gets served first, they can then order all the drinks.

7. Don’t act drunk

Think about this logically, if someone looked like they have had too much to drink, would you serve them? Probably not. Even if you are on the less sober side stand up straight and try to speak clearly.

8. Tip the staff

This may be unpopular for students as nights out are normally done on a budget. However, a tip may mean that when you come back to the bar later in the night you will be remembered and therefore will get served quicker and before people that have been waiting.

9. Go to the quieter back bars

Most of the main clubs in Lincoln have smaller, quieter bars where it is easier to get served.

Superbull at Ritzy, Pulse – small bar on the middle floor, usually manned by one person

Home – The bottom floor (with the light up dancefloor) is usually the quietest, depending on the time the entrance floor can be a shorter wait.

Lola Lo’s – The bar at the back, near to the reserved booths is normally the quietest.

Tokyo’s – the bar in whichever room is open apart from the main room.

10. Go VIP

If you are prepared to spend a little bit more on tickets and drinks then using the VIP room is the best way to get served quickly. There are a lot less people so you don’t have to fight your way to the bar.

The main thing to remember in all of this, is that the bartender has the power. It is up to them who will get served next. Yes, it is unfair if you have been waiting longer, but they have a lot of people to serve during the night and they will forget who was there first. Make the right impression and you should ensure a speedy serving.

Drink responsibly.

Student Life

Search for Lincoln’s next top DJ

March 11, 2013 Laura Wood Leave a comment

Lincoln based Awooga are on the search for new DJ’s to help them on their quest to show Lincoln what real music is.

Established last year, the group aim to provide an alternative to the mainstream club events around Lincoln.

Playing anything from dubstep and trap to drum & bass and house music, the boys are now running a competition to recruit new DJ’s.

After asking them what the young DJ’s can gain from this experience, the group answered, “we’ll help them develop ‘tinnitus’ just that much quicker.”

They went on to say, “We feel it is better for them to destroy their ear drums with heavy bass music, rather than being raped by the Justin Biebers and Gary Glitters of the music industry.”

The competition is being held in partnership with Revolution Lincoln with the entire group and knockout stages being held there.

The winner of the competition will win a DJ slot at Awooga events and will effectively become one of the Awooga ‘wolf pack’.

The gang also shared their tips for becoming a top DJ, “you naturally need coordination, musical prowess and an ego that spans larger than Ant’s forehead, (from Ant and Dec – I canne see man!) Fireworks help too.”

The group stages are being held every first and third Tuesday of the month, with the knockout stages taking place on the 19^th March, 2^nd and 16^th of April. The final is on the 7^th May.

Here is the promotion video for the DJ tournament which also shows how good Awooga nights are.

Awooga DJ Tournament from Awooga on Vimeo.

If you are interested in Awooga or joining the ‘wolf pack’ visit their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/awoogagetloose

Music

How to survive Freshers’ week

March 1, 2013 Laura Wood Leave a comment

Freshers’ Week is the most daunting week of any student’s life; moving in to a new city, meeting new people and having to look after yourself for probably the first time in your life. Do it right and Freshers’ Week can be the best experience you will ever have. Here’s how:

1. Be approachable

Remember that everyone is in the same position as you; everyone will be nervous so try to initiate conversation. Think of unusual first questions such as “what is your favourite film?” or “what do you prefer pizza or pasta?” Asking something different will make you stick in people’s minds.

2. Buy a door stop

Propping your door open whilst you’re in your halls means that people can come talk to you and there isn’t a door to hide behind. If you do it then the others in the flat will follow meaning that everyone can talk while they unpack. Most of the halls don’t mind you doing this as long as you shut the door when you leave as it is a fire hazard.

3. Move in early

It can be daunting to be the first one at your new flat/home but it gives you chance to unpack and relax before your new flatmates arrive. If you do have to move in late at least make your bed so that you have a comfy bed on the first night.

4. Bring some goodies!

The best way to make friends is to bring something you can all share. A tin of sweets or even some homemade cakes can be a really good icebreaker and will bring you all together.

5. Stock up on food

If you have room left in the car after all your belongings, try to bring some essential food, beans, pasta, noodles, ready meals etc. During Freshers’ Week you may not have chance to eat properly so make sure you have food in your cupboard and save on the walk to the shop every time you want food.

6. Get your music prepared

Freshers’ Week involves a lot of going out and therefore music is a must. Making a playlist that you can play whilst you are getting ready or pre-drinking can get everyone in the party mood and also helps to show off your music taste and personality.

7. Be ready for the night out

It’s always a good idea to get an idea of where the main clubs are so that you can make your way back home in the dark. Familiarise yourself with where cash machines are near your flat/house and in town and taxi numbers if you need to get a taxi if you live further away.

8. Find out what’s happening in advanced

Facebook and the university website are normally full of information about the events during Freshers’ Week. Once you are at the university, take a trip over the rail crossing towards Tower Bar – there are always promoters who will be giving out leaflets on the nights.

9. Don’t go mental

Pacing yourself is definitely a must. You do not want to end up throwing up over your new friends/flatmates on the first day. Have fun but remember these people are still strangers. It may be a funny story to tell in the morning but this will be their memory of you forever.

10. Remember to go to university

During Freshers’ Week there will be important induction lectures for your course. This will give you an insight into who is going to be teaching you, what books you may need but also your fellow course mates. Some of your best friends at university will be from your course so go along and make new friends there too.

Feel free to share your own tips and advice below.

Welcome to Freshers'

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