Vonnie’s Vittals
The first meal I ever cooked for myself at Brookes was frozen fish and chips, which I’d bought from M&S in a fit of “check me out, I’m an independent woman!” swagger as soon as I’d plucked up enough courage to leave my room on my own. Not really knowing my way around an oven I put the chips and fish on a tray in the middle of the oven and switched on the grill. About 2 hours later, I sat in front of my still-frozen fish and limp, pallid chips, and burst into... Read More
Things to Watch Out For
Here are a couple of things I have learnt when I was at university last year… A collection of basic items that may seem screamingly obvious, but my fellow Freshers and I came across these issues when we first branched out to live alone and join the real world. Do: Your washing at 8am when no-one else wants the machines or is around to look at your underwear in the see through dryer door. The early morning is a sacrifice worth making if you want to do any washing at university... Read More
Discovering Oxford
There are many travel guides describing Oxford. Pointing out the restaurants worth eating at, mentioning the nightclubs and bars which are supposed to fit your taste, dedicating pages to THE Oxford University and all the history that comes with it. I won’t try to imitate their style as first of all they are mostly for those who have a pretty limited amount of time to know the city (and I’m assuming you will be spending at least a year in Oxford, unless you are planning on... Read More
Slave Labour
The prospect of returning to the bustling metropolis of North Devon after an amazing first year at Oxford Brookes was pretty depressing to say the least. Sure I was excited to see my friends and re-ignite my love for pasties and clean clothes, supplied happily by my mum, but NOT at the necessity of a summer job. Devon, as you may be aware is the destination for many a tourist. Having lived here my entire life I really should be used to it but every year their presence makes me... Read More
Oxford: A Fresher’s Guide
So you’ve rocked up to Oxford, been sheep herded into your halls (bad luck for those in Wheatley or Harcourt; although whilst you’re miles out from town, you’re paying peanuts…so rejoice!), waved off the rents and met your new flatmates. Before you do anything you must seek out the infamous Cowley Road; a 10-15 minute walk from Cheney, Clive Booth and a frog’s leap from Warnford halls. Cowley Road is a stable part of any Brookes student’s life! With an array of... Read More
Exploring Chile
Once upon a time, I was on the other side of the world and I was in love with so many things, the view, the man sat opposite me, the friends I had met, the life I was planning for myself, the snow and the blue sky, the Chilean palms…I was in paradise and I’m not even sure if I was totally aware of it. I spent this summer in Santiago, Chile working as a part time nanny and not one piece of me wanted to come back. During the flight out, we passed over the Andes mountains... Read More
Shameful Students
CALM THE FUCK DOWN! Oh my god which nights out do we go on? That girl is in my block do I speak to her? SHIT I’ve spent £300 in my first week! Will I survive if I don’t like super noodles? To put it bluntly… Go on every night out, make friends with as many people as you can, that’s £300 well spent and we’re sure you’ll love noodles after a week or two. Stop bloody panicking, we have all been there before. The hardest part is over now, you’ve done the exams, you’ve... Read More
