Monday, May 20Royal Holloway's offical student publication, est. 1986

Features

Features

Yesterday, I was a different person

University will provide us with a degree, the chance to experience new things and to discover ourselves, and so consequently forming the building blocks that will shape our lives. However, what I want to know is did we think that this would ever happen; the time when we would decide what we ‘want to be when we grow up’ and how we can achieve this? Sat in my second year induction speech, the careers guide comes in to tell us that now, these next few months are some of the most important. A question resonates through the air ‘but what if I do not know what I want to do?" Everyone is still finding their feet, after the laid-back attitude we had in first year living on campus. Remember those times when we could wake up ten minutes before a lecture and turn the heating on at the first sign o...
Features

The House from Hell

When you’re looking towards your second year the matter of housing may consume your thoughts. Firstly, there is the initial struggle of working out who you can picture yourself living with, and then there is the more complicated process of choosing a house. But after the long, drawn-out process of securing your living arrangements and eventually moving in can be an exciting, fun-filled and enjoyable experience. You are able to become a more mature, wise and well-rounded individual as you embark into adulthood; this is, at least, exactly what I expected when I first moved in. Yes, being a student house you do expect some teething problems but what neither my housemates nor myself envisioned was to one day discover a month’s worth of rain cascading into our house. First of all we discover...
Features

A word from Community Action

SING–ALONG SURREY Sing-Along Surrey is a new Community Action student-led project since 2013 that was initiated by a student with the aim to encourage students from Royal Holloway to interact with the elderly generation of the local community. The weekly Sing- Along helps to build a rapport between the students and the elderly; it also helps both groups to gain a better understanding and appreciation of each other’s generation. This project musically gives students a chance to practice their performance skills to an unintimidating audience and also provides a chance to study the benefits of regular musical interaction on the memory and practice on the patient’s mental well-being. Placement: Sing-Along Surrey placement is an extraordinary opportunity open for all Royal Holloway stu...
An Interview with Alex Mytton
Features

An Interview with Alex Mytton

Features Editor, Emily O’Dowd, caught up with Alex Mytton, fresh from our screens after a brief Made in Chelsea NYC appearance, at Medicine’s Antidote. Performing an exclusive DJ set, Alex is one of several celebrity acts that graced Royal Holloway during Welcome Week. Are you still friends with any of the cast from Made in Chelsea after the outcome of the last series? Jamie is still a close friend of mine despite us falling out in the last series. On TV they showed the worst part – me travelling back to the UK and not spending the time with the boys. But Jamie and I did make up when he got back. I’m also still in touch with Spencer but he tends to be quite difficult to track down. Have you been travelling? Yes - I love travelling. I went with an ex-girlfriend Phoebe (who also ...
Features

General Meeting 14/10/2014: ‘The Devil is in the Detail’

Excited chatter fills the SU Main Hall as students file in, more or less thrilled about being at the year’s first General Meeting (GM). As the clock strikes 18:08, we’re still waiting to begin. Purple dots the SU Main Hall as the Executive Committee 2014-15 file in and spread out across the hall. Tonight, the students are joined by SU Contract staff, here to learn more about the GM and the democratic structures in place at the SU, in line with CEO Ian Dancy’s policy of taking staff back to the floor. Finally starting at 18:24 (24 minutes later than planned, but 6 minutes earlier than expected), Chair, Gillian Craig makes a tentative start, explaining how the GM works to newcomers: the fact that the GM is a safe space, that all are invited to speak and express their opinions, and that...
Introducing Sid, your Welfare & Diversity Co-President
Features

Introducing Sid, your Welfare & Diversity Co-President

Call me Sid. My name is Sidonie, but at college and uni I introduced myself as "Sid", to stop any "Sydney's" in their tracks. Besides, I like that it's often a guys name - a taxi driver came to pick me up the other day and said "ah, you're not what I was expecting..." Damn straight. My Freshers Week I was super nervous, I had spent a year abroad in Paris and was out of touch with just about everything. After I'd met a few people in my flat I felt a little better, and together we began to figure out where we were and where to go out. If you like to drink and party it seems like University will fit you like a glove, but not everyone likes that kind of thing. Call me an old fart, but after five years here, you can forgive me. Take a look at www.su.rhul.ac.uk for a whole variety of event...
An International Outlook: Royal Holloway from a Common Wealth Dweller’s Point of View
Features

An International Outlook: Royal Holloway from a Common Wealth Dweller’s Point of View

While not stunning in terms of organization, is a delightful university with a Hogwarzian aesthetic (though without the constant child endangerment). Trying to organize classes in an unfamiliar system, especially for me with my odd combination of Biology and Drama, was a nightmare, though a nightmare made far more relaxing by the intuition and kindness of the student advisers. The Founders dorm, originally built in the late 1800s, has modern day finishes seamlessly mixed in with the building’s original ornate, somewhat-Gothic charm. The result is a clean, spacious and inviting room perfect for studying and socializing. The food served in the beautiful sky blue Founder’s canteen is quintessentially British, with baked beans every morning and lavish quantities of custard. Only 40 minutes ...
The truth about having a roommate
Features

The truth about having a roommate

Emily: What was your first reaction when you found out you would be living in a shared room? Siobhan: I applied for my accommodation after clearing so there was limited availabilty. However I was disappointed because I really wanted my own room and scared that I wouldn't get along with her. Emily: Was it awkward at the beginning? Siobhan: It was a bit awkward because she struggled with English but it was fine at the end. Emily: So what advice would you give for other Freshers having a roommate? Siobhan: Don't get drunk and walk around your room naked because you forget you have a roommate... And don't allow your friends to raid their wardrobes. Emily: Will your friendship continue? Siobhan: If I see her around, I will say hello.
Personality Types
Features

Personality Types

Now whether you believe it or not, it is something interesting to consider. Have you ever wondered why on some occasions you click with an individual you barely know; or form a bad impression of someone without knowing them? Personality types are sometimes distinguished by personality traits which group together behavioural patterns. According to type theories, introverts and extroverts are two distinct categories of people. It is all part of a psychological study resulting in different personality types being defined. There are sixteen different categories which everyone in the world falls into based on our sensation, intuition, thinking and feeling. The information generated by this knowledge can aid social aspects in life with greater understanding of your strengths and weaknes...
Advice for Freshers they won’t tell you in the Welcome Pack
Features

Advice for Freshers they won’t tell you in the Welcome Pack

Here you are. A bright-eyed young student, arriving for your first day of Freshers at Royal Holloway. When you get to your Halls, you'll get given lots of information and bits of paper (which you'll most probably lose - I did). One of these is the Welcome Pack. However, the university only tell you the things they want you to know in the Welcome Pack. Here's the unofficial advice guide to Freshers courtesy of yours truly, The Orbital. Ps - make sure you enter our Golden Ticket competition to win FREE entry to Freshers events during Welcome Week. 1. Buy a toastie maker for a range of midnight snacks and friends will love you 2. Grow your beard out full length then shave it half way through the year so you fool others into believing you’re a post-grad 3. Ask for a sip of strongbow...