Student Life – Yellow Belly

Making the most of your part time job

April 26, 2013 Laura Wood Leave a comment

For some people a part time job at university gives them something to do on a weekend. For most, it tops up their student loan so they can afford to go out more than once a week. For others, like me, it means that I can be at university because I wouldn’t have any money otherwise.

No matter what the circumstances a part time job is very beneficial, to some it can be a bonus to university life.

The money

The most obvious benefit of a part time job is the money, that little bit of extra cash every month or week really does help. It can mean you can buy branded super noodles instead of budget ones.

The experience

Skills gained from a part time job are invaluable, although sometimes it means that you have to turn down work experience that relates to your degree. Future employers will look at your past work experience and if you have had two years working in a shop, restaurant or bar, you have examples of teamwork, leadership etc.

The people

One of the main reasons I actually look forward to going to work is the people I work with. Working whilst at university means that I have my flatmates, my course mates and work colleagues. Being able to have that different set of friends that haven’t got all the problems of university life really broadens your perceptions.

The career ladder

Working part time also gives you a chance to progress. Most workplaces will have opportunities for you to advance, even if it has nothing to do with what you wish to do in the future it shows commitment and that you will push yourself.

You may just surprise yourself. Many people get a part time job and discover that maybe they don’t want the career they thought. My own brother studied a accounting degree yet after working his part time job and advancing decided he wanted to go into retail management.

The motivation

Alternatively, you could be like me, I sit on a check out at a well known supermarket, although I have experience, money and friends, I know that I do not want to do this for the rest of my life and it gives me determination to do well at university so I can get into my chosen career.

If you decide that you want or need a part time job, think about everything that you can get out of it.

Student Life

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

Why is work experience so important?

March 20, 2013 Alice Rose Leave a comment

Getting a degree is undoubtedly one of the most important steps towards getting a job.

But because of the current economy crisis, employers are looking for more than just a degree; they want experience.

With little jobs available, the job market is extremely competitive, – so having work experience can put you one step above fellow applicants.

Depending on your university hours and the course you do, having time for work placements can seem impossible.

However, even just a few weekend shifts at your local radio station or elsewhere will instantly put some pizzazz on your CV.

Hannah Webster, a media student at the University of Lincoln, says that in many industries work experience can even be more important than the degree itself:

“You can make contacts and get some real life experience that academic projects can just never compete with,” she says.

Many employers love to see that graduates have gone out into the real world & taken responsibility of their future.

It may sound a bit odd to those with degrees that cover a wide range of topics, but even a small placement at somewhere local will boost your CV no end.

Alex Dunn works for the University of Lincoln Careers & Employability and says that work experience will help you stand out from the crowd in the eyes of your employer:

“There are so many things you can gain from doing work experience – it is a more hands on way of developing skills, and helping you decide whether certain types of work are right for you. Work experience complements degree work fantastically, allowing you the chance to put your new found knowledge into practice and allowing you to relate what you’ve learned to the world of work”.

So there you have it, work experience can do you the world of good. Getting a placement will bring your confidence levels up and help with producing your CV, but don’t forget the importance of your degree as well.

If you want more information or advice about work experience, the University of Lincoln Careers and Employability team can help. Contact them on their website or drop in to their office behind the Library on the Brayford Campus.

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

Hangover cures!

March 8, 2013 Samantha Thomas Leave a comment

You know the feeling: the rooms spinning; the stomachs churning; the light shining though the curtain starts to become painful and despite numerous attempts, you just can’t get your head off the pillow.

The pain doesn’t end here; in fact this is just the beginning. So, like most people you start asking questions. Why am I still fully dressed? Why do I have a number of messages from an unsaved number? Why have I responded to these messages? And why do I am stamps printed on the majority of my forearm?

Welcome to a hangover.

We’ve all been there, but how many people actually know what a hangover is?

Alcohol is poisonous to many of the bodies systems. Excessive amounts of alcohol can affect the liver, the brain, the gastrointestinal system, the central nervous system and sensory perception. It can disrupt your sleep and other body rhythms, affect your mood and affect your attention and concentration. The alcohol also has a diuretic effect which causes dehydration; which results in that horrendous dry mouth in the morning.

Although unavoidable, here are some handy tips on how to make a hangover just a little more bearable:

Powerade– Any energy drink will do; preferably not red bull after a heavy night at Superbull however. It’s packed with sugar and sorts out the dry mouth that comes hand in hand with a hangover. If you no you’re going out, purchase it the night before; seeing a bottle of Powerade staring at you in the morning will cheer you up instantly!

Food – So, the stomachs still churning, there’s a half eaten kebab on the floor and the thought of food pushes your queasiness to the edge. Food in this case though is a necessity. Bananas can replace potassium and other electrolytes that your body has lost so stock up on a couple of those. A good old fashioned round of eggs of toast is also a life saver in this situation; full of healthy nutrients and the combination of protein and carbohydrates is easy on the stomach!

Ibuprofen– Your liver’s already working its socks off to get rid of the high level of alcohol you consumed last night so steer clear of anything that could damage it further (Tylenol, Paracetamol). Make sure you’re safe with it though; no more than 2 every four hours and eight in total for the day.

Stay busy– Now I’m not advising that you try and climb any mountains on this day, however stimulating your brain is a great distraction from the hangover. Get some friends round, rent some films and have a good laugh.

Shower– If only you could wash away the night before! Although, having a shower in the morning will wake you up and get you started for the day. It will also rid you of any stamps you have on your arm and the make up from the night before.

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