35: SHARE

EDITORS’ NOTE

Short and sweet, this edition was designed to give you a taste of what RAZZ is all about, an opportunity to share some advice, stories and recommendations in the hope that it might help our newcomers and entertain the rest of you. When I was first handed a copy of RAZZ, I instantly knew I wanted my name in it and I hope this is the feeling it gives you when you opened up this page. I’m always inspired by how friendly, inclusive and thoughtful our members are and how much they have to share. They make the magazine what it is, and I can’t wait to meet our new members this year.

After creating digital editions during the pandemic and then spending a year away on my year abroad, I’ve never been more excited to be able to hold a copy of RAZZ in my hands. So much hard work went into this Freshers’ Edition and I’m so grateful for the amazing job the print team have done – to my deputy, Chloé Jarrett-Bell, our copy editors, Natasha Matsaert and Faith Dale-Hughes, and, of course, Creative Director Bethan Oakley, whose artwork you can also see in the magazine. I truly hope that you, our readers, enjoy reading this as much as we enjoyed creating it and that it might inspire you to get involved in our society. For the committee, the writers, the illustrators and the fans, we are looking forward to another year of RAZZ and so much more to come…

CONTRIBUTORS

Anabel Costa-Ferreira

Bella Judd

Bethan Oakley

Chloé Jarrett-Bell

Faith Dale-Hughes

Gwenllian Page-Gibby

Katya Green

Lois Beasley

Luiza McDowell

Natasha Matsaert

Lois Beasley

Rachel McEwan

Rebecca Johnson

Katya Green, Print Editor & Co-President cover art by Bella Judd

MEET THE COMMITTEE...

& tips for surviving first year

Katya Green - Print Editor/Co-President

Go to society events! Don’t be discouraged if the first one you try isn’t for you, there’s so many options it’s worth trying a few out before deciding which ones to join.

Ana Anajuba - Online Editor/Co-President

Be open to everything. Get involved with as much as you can and don’t be afraid of failing.

Chloé Jarrett-Bell - Deputy Print Editor/BAME Officer

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself in any area, just stay focused on what you want and have fun!

Luiza

McDowell - Deputy Online Editor

Even if you feel homesick in the first few weeks, stick it out for as long as possible and don’t be tempted to book that train ticket home. Everyone is in the same boat and you don’t want to miss out on some potential friendships!

Esther

Humphries - Deputy Online Editor

Don’t be afraid to try new things and go outside of your comfort zone.

Gwenllian Page-Gibby - Outreach Officer

Be yourself and don’t change your principles to fit in - you can make friends by being who you are (and anyone who tries to persuade you otherwise is probably not the friend you want!)

Bethan Oakley - Creative Director

Remember that everyone is in the same position as you and probably worrying about the same things. Try not to compare yourself to everyone else or what you see on social media because it is a massive change for everyone!

Faith Dale-Hughes - Print Copy Editor

As much as you should focus on your studies in first year, make the most of everything the uni has to offer outside of your course – socially or with societies.

Natasha Matsaert - Print Copy Editor

Cultivate genuine passion for and engagement in your subject. Ultimately it is so important to start as you intend to go on and having deep interest and involvement in your course is what will make your university experience truly impactful and rich.

Rebecca Johnson - Publicity Officer

Embrace the change and the newfound freedom! It might be a shock at first, but you’ll soon get into the swing of things – don’t put too much pressure on yourself. While it may seem daunting, try to get involved with society events and try new things.

Alanah Swift - Treasurer

Say yes! Be open minded, try new things and get involved. There are so many people at uni to meet and there is no time limit on making friends. Be authentic to yourself and the right people will arrive in your life.

Emily Cooper - Welfare Officer

Take advantage of the events run by different committees during Freshers Week! You might you find a new activity you really enjoy, and it also gives you an opportunity to meet other students who are in the same boat.

Meg Hatfield - Disabilities/LGBTQ+ Officer

Throw yourself into societies straight away so that you can find your people and get to enjoy your interests. It may be overwhelming at first but stick with it and try things out of your comfort zone. You will find a brilliant community of likeminded individuals who will become like a second family.

THE BIG MOVE

Moving is something I’m used to, and I think because of that I rarely view it as a big deal. I’ve moved schools and I’ve moved boroughs. However, I realise that all of my moves have been within London. I’ve never really left my city until university. I’m London’s biggest fan and its worst critic. On some days I see angels in Peckham like William Blake, on others I lament my city with George The Poet. Either way, despite its good and its bad, London is a place I understand. Exeter, on the other hand…well, culture shock is an understatement.

When I was home, I had an idyllic view of what life in the countryside would be like (yes, I viewed Exeter as the countryside), until I arrived and faced my first hill. That’s when the asthma kicked in and the rose tinted glasses fell off. Because Exeter was different, I assumed it was bad. I’m glad to say, I was wrong. There are things I irrevocably miss about home, but it is actually through differences that Exeter began to feel more familiar to me.

image: pixabay.com

Deputy Print Editor/BAME Officer Chloé Jarrett-Bell shares her experience of culture shock after moving to Exeter from London for university.

‘‘Because Exeter was different, I assumed it was bad. I’m glad to say, I was wrong.’’

Firstly, I must say that American TV shows lied to me. I thought my first year was going to resemble Zoey Johnson’s or Rory Gilmore’s. Yet, all I remember feeling is overwhelmed that I didn’t know anybody. However, the more I tried new societies and groups like Nooma Society and RAZZ, the more this feeling faded. I soon started to find my people here and suddenly the smallness of the city didn’t irritate, but excited me.

‘‘I soon started to find my people here and suddenly the smallness of the city didn’t irritate, but excited me.’’

I also decided to change my mindset. Instead of noting the differences between London and Exeter in order to criticise, I started noting them from a place of positivity. The fresh air, the scenery, the sea - these things are easy to overlook in the cold of winter, but when the sun comes in the morning and you look outside your window, you feel grateful to be alive - grateful to be in a city with such natural beauty.

Staying in contact with friends from home and sharing your experiences, as well as putting up pictures of your loved ones in your room, are also ways to combat homesickness.

I complained nearly every day about moving from London, but I can imagine any type of moving is hard; whether that’s moving to Exeter from another city or another country.

My best tip would be to try new things.

I tried quite a few things in my first year… some of my choices were questionable. I learnt to forsake the things I didn’t like, and embrace the things I did. A move is a good opportunity to start afresh, to discover more, to connect with new people. Don’t put pressure on yourself to like everything and everyone all at once, the right things and the right people will come to you - you just have to take a tiny leap of faith and believe that: this place may not be familiar, it may not be home, but something good lies here too.

‘‘A move is a good opportunity to start afresh, to discover more, to connect with new people.’’

Illustration by Bethan Oakley

SOCIALISING AND SOBRIETY

One of the first things we associate with heading off to university is alcohol. It begins with a friend’s hilarious anecdote about a wild night out, it lines the windows of your shared kitchen and it dominates our weekly food shop receipt.

At Exeter, students spend 40% more than the average university on drinking, a fact that can be quite daunting on arrival.1 As a fresher, you might have mixed feelings about the alcohol scene. Rest assured that everyone comes to university with a unique drinking experience, so whether you have never touched alcohol or you’re a chugging pro, you’ll soon find your crowd.

‘‘When you’ve had just enough of that so-called ‘liquid courage’ for everything to feel a bit warm and fuzzy, you might feel like the most confident person in the world [....] I soon found out this wasn’t the best idea...’’

As someone who suffers with social anxiety, alcohol seemed like the perfect solution during Freshers. When you’ve had just enough of that so-called ‘liquid courage’ for everything to feel a bit warm and fuzzy, you might feel like the most confident person in the world. Of course, I soon found out this wasn’t the best idea when I woke up the next day with a sore head filled with embarrassing memories…

So, instead I went completely in the other direction, aka Kim K inspired sobriety. I soon found this didn’t work for me either. I felt way too self-conscious and awkward, my friends were confused why I was drinking water at pres, the songs at the club were too loud and annoying, and I found out to my dismay it is in fact freezing cold at 1 AM in January walking home with cheesy chips (which aren’t quite as good as they are when you’re drunk).

It took me a while to adjust and find my sweet spot - enough to keep me warm on the walk home and stop me yawning on the dance floor at midnight, but not enough for me to show off my new found pole dancing moves on a nearby lamppost on the way to Unit 1. But that’s me, and as I’ve said, drinking is different for everyone.

We all know the benefits of sobriety, ranging from mental health improvement to extending your lifespan. It’s great, but you might be wondering how to navigate uni while sober.

by Bella Judd

RAZZ writer Lois Beasley shares her personal experience with alcohol whilst navigating university.

Illustrations

Here are my tips:

1. Join lots of societies, but really hone in on 3

Sign up for as many activities and societies as you’d like to try at the Freshers Fair, but I’d recommend really sticking to a maximum of three. Firstly, you won’t socially burn out and secondly, by focusing your energy on certain clubs each week you’ll become a valued member of the society and it’ll give you an amazing sense of community. I would recommend Pole Soc, as the friendliest bunch of body positive humans ever, and of course why not try your journalism skills with RAZZ Mag. Both societies have super fun socials both with and without alcohol, and I’ve never felt pressured to drink while around them.

2. Join sobersoc!

Did you know we have a Sobriety Society here at Exeter (it has a nice ring to it, too). They do so many different types of activities, which will help you get to grips with the new city, and everyone is there to enjoy time with each other without alcohol getting in the way.

3. Do more activities during the day

Socialising isn’t just partying and clubbing at university. I’ve found I’ve made so many more friends that I’ve actually stayed in touch with by going on coffee meets, study seshes, cinema trips and beach trips! These friend dates are way more memorable, meaningful and let’s face it, affordable. It takes more nerve as you actually have to talk to them, but so much more worth it. (Top tip: organise a group activity if you’re not super close with your friend to make it less awkward and make more friends whilst you’re at it!)

1 https://www.whatuni.com/advice/money/howmuch-does-the-average-student-spend-eachweek/43865/

4. Fizz at pres and don’t stay out too late

I would highly recommend drinking an energy drink or something fizzy before you go out. It’ll give you energy for a long night of dancing, and feels more like an alcoholic drink than nonfizzy drinks if that’s what you like. Of course, water is always best (plus your friends will envy your hydrated skin the next day). If you have the energy to stay out until the bouncers kick you out whilst sober, I envy you. One of my flat mates would have nothing but a cup of tea before she went out and we’d have to drag her out of the club. However, if that’s not you, and you start to get tired of your drunken mates around 1 AM, be kind to yourself and go home early (just make sure you’ve organised it in advance with your friends so no one, including yourself, is walking home alone).

‘‘Enjoy your university experience as you want to remember it, not by how an outdated stereotype dictates it.’’

I think as long as you’re safe and comfortable with drinking, then enjoy your university experience as you want to remember it, not by how an outdated stereotype dictates it. Cover your cup, look after your friends and enjoy.

TRYING NEW THINGS

Three RAZZ writers share what they tried for the first time while at university and how it went.

WALKING

Now, I know it sounds odd to say that a new thing I learnt during university was walking, as if I haven’t been doing it nearly every day of my life. However, since arriving at university and living in a whole new city, I began to go on walks to explore the area and get out of my flat. Whenever I felt overwhelmed, I would go on a walk. It’s improved my mental health and sense of belonging. I loved getting to know the area on my own and I quickly discovered the best places to take my parents when they would come and visit.

One of the best things about Exeter is that wherever you go you are almost guaranteed to see remarkable countryside scenery. The sight of elderly couples sat on sunny benches outside their homes and welcoming next-door neighbours in with a cup of tea in hand, makes you appreciate Exeter and its community outside of the university. It wasn’t until I started going on these walks that I began to think of Exeter as my home. If you are ever stuck for things to do, I would recommend going for a walk and exploring the aesthetic places that Exeter has to offer!

Photos by Rachel McEwan

Rachel McEwan

YOGA

I was tentative to try yoga as whenever I had tried it in the past, it was at school during Physical Education (P.E.) But to me, nothing was soothing about attempting a sun salutation in a sports hall among my judgemental peers. Since coming to university, I found I needed a way to relieve tension, both physical and mental, from the comfort of my room. I did some positions on my bed in my pyjamas that I found on Google which was supposed to reduce anxiety. I instantly felt more relaxed as I took deep breaths with each move, and only changed position when I was ready to. I have noticed an improvement in my posture and general mental well-being. So, take it from someone who thought yoga was just another overhyped trend appropriated by middle-class hipsters, it’ll definitely change your life!

Luiza McDowell, Deputy Online Editor

DANCE

A brilliant way of keeping fit and making new friendsdance is a must-try for any prospective ballerinas, ballroom dancers or Bollywood fanatics. With an array of dance societies on offer, with beginners, intermediate and advanced classes, it would be hard not to find a style or atmosphere to your liking! While I did ballet for many years before university, the pandemic put a stop to my lessons. The university society was a friendly and low commitment way of easing myself back in and it was wonderful to meet so many lovely people who don’t judge your dancing a jot. So go out and dance like no one is watching! It just may become your favourite hobby.

Gwenllian Page-Gibby, Outreach Officer

Illustrations by Gwenllian Page-Gibby

COURSE SECRETS

Am I Blue by Alice Walker

My Anthrozoology MA is built on revolutionary discussions which break down entrenched cultural boundaries between the human and nonhuman. One particularly impactful concept which has fundamentally changed the way that I see and relate to the world has been Carol J. Adams’ feminist-vegan theory.

‘‘Western patriarchal culture sustains and validates the oppression of women in similar ways to the oppression of nonhuman life.’’

Adams broadens and amplifies the politics of food and discussions of animal rights by making links between meat-eating and patriarchal systems. Her argument is that ‘Western’ patriarchal culture sustains and validates the oppression of women in similar ways to the oppression of nonhuman life. Male power is partially constructed through the domination of both animal and women’s bodies in an “overlapping, interdependent relationship of sexual inequality and species inequality” – a “sex-species system” (Adams 2007: 175).

Put simply, sexism and speciesism are bedfellows.

What I believe makes this theory so powerful is that it also goes hand in hand with an ethic of care which transforms our approach to animal ethics. Rather than rejecting emotion as unreasonable or inappropriate – the unfortunate tendency in animal rights theory - Adams draws attention to its value for knowledge making and its power to draw us into new caring relationships. Empathetic relatedness and felt, embodied connection reject dualisms of mind/body, man/women, and human/animal and open into a new engagement with continuous, interconnected oppression. Adams (2007: 193) states, “a relationship exists between reclaiming the body and its full range of feeling, and reclaiming animals’ bodies, including women’s’”.

Print Copy Editor Natasha Matsaert shares something interesting from her course that has changed her perception of the world.

‘‘Adams draws attention to its value for knowledge making and its power to draw us into new relations.’’

“As we talked of freedom and justice one day for all, we sat down to steaks. I am eating misery, I thought, as I took the first bite and spit it out.”

This work has prompted me to reevaluate my consumption of animal products – not just meat but also dairy, eggs, and cheese, which rely on the exploitation of female bodies and their reproductive capacities. I now recognise that food decisions are inherently moral-political acts rather than personal choice or privilege.

As feminist-vegan activist Pattrice Jones (2011: 49) states, “’the personal is political’, which simply means that everything we choose to do (or not do) matters”. Veganism is a politicised ethic of care which allows one to act independently to a sex-species system of broad subordination. Rather than a kind of limitation, it hence emerges as an embodied form of empowerment.

I’ll raise a glass of oat milk to that!

‘‘I now recognise that food decisions are inherently moral-political acts rather than personal choice or privilege.’’

References and Further reading: Adams, C. J. (2015) The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist-Vegetarian Critical Theory. New York: Bloomsbury Academic.

Adams, C. J. (2007) ‘Caring about Suffering: A Feminist Exploration (1995)’, in Donovan, J. & Adams, C. (eds) The Feminist Care Tradition in Animal Ethics. New York: Columbia University Press, pp. 170-196.

Jones, P., 2011. Fighting Cocks: Ecofeminism versus Sexualised Violence. In: L. Kemmerer, ed. Sister Species: Women, Animals, and Social Justice. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, pp. 45-56.

Rothgerber, H. (2013) ‘Real Men Don’t Eat (Vegetable) Quiche: Masculinity and the Justification of Meat Consumption’, Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 14(4), pp. 363-375.

Illustration by Rebecca Johnson

KEEPING IN TOUCH

There’s a million cheaper, easier and much quicker ways of contacting someone than slow, unreliable snail mail but there is arguably nothing that beats the joy of receiving a letter (though maybe I just haven’t received enough of those notices from TV Licensing). Whilst I’ve never held a particularly long exchange with someone over mail, it is not only a really nice way of keeping in touch with someone you feel far away from but I find the process of writing out a letter to a loved one (maybe even a love letter if you’re feeling really old-fashioned) is a relaxing and therapeutic exercise in itself. Equally, receiving a letter always makes me feel a lot closer to someone than a quick exchange over Instagram, because you know they’ve taken time out of their day to handwrite and post it. Yes, it’s a bit of a hassle but if you’re looking for something that feels more personal and is a slower, less pressurising way of communicating, giving you much more time to think about what you really want to tell someone, I’d recommend giving it a try.

Whilst university life brings countless opportunities and freedoms, it is perfectly natural for students to miss their home life – even more so in the first term. As some of you settle in as Freshers, or are returning after a long summer off, here are some ideas on how to stay connected with those from home. After the wave in popularity for BeReal, I for one would advocate this app above other social media, as it prioritizes communication with friends but without the added invisible pressure of followers and likes. Though the app does allow its users to post ‘late’, it allows you to see what your friends are up to everyday at the same time and react to their posts. However, for those of you who are not keen social media users, letter writing is also a fantastic way to surprise your friends and allows you to write to them in however much depth you want. I opted for sending postcards, which gave my friends something to read whilst also providing a bit of room décor for the classic university accommodation pinboard. However far from home you may be, remember there is always a way to feel closer to it.

Katya Green, Print Editor/Co-President

Two RAZZ writers share their favourite ways of keeping in touch with people.

Anabel Costa-Ferreira

UNPACKING PLAYLIST

Print Copy Editor Faith Dale-Hughes shares a playlist perfect for listening to as you move into university this September.

I really had to rummage through my library of 130 playlists to select these songs, picturing the trip of first moving away from home. A lot of my playlists are a bit too specific (e.g ‘electric goths in Stroud’, ‘Amy’s chunning’), so I tried to make something with RAZZ style, and indie-ish music seemed right for that. The first song, by dodie, was on repeat when I was moving into halls and the other songs have stemmed from that memory. I’ve aimed to mix up the energies and release dates of each song, so hopefully, there’s at least one song that will stick for everyone!

There are songs for being alone, whether that’s dancing in your own space for the first time or simply being alone and welcoming the emotions that come with change. For ‘nobody’s-watching’ dancing, think: ‘She’s so High’, ‘Ooh La La’, ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’. For groovy dancing, why not try: ‘Sunday Morning’, ‘Harvest Moon’, ‘Big Yellow Taxi’. If you want a more chilled vibe, ‘See you Soon’, ‘Anxieties (Out of Time)’, ‘My Motorcycle’, and ‘Ready Now’ create the perfect downtime atmosphere. These tracks fit those meanings for me, but you should definitely create your own list to move away from home with, it can be so comforting.

Ready Now - dodie (2019)

See you Soon - beabadoobee (2022)

I Think We’re Alone NowTiffany (1987)

Sunday Morning - The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)

Anxieties (Out of Time) - The Regrettes (2022)

Ooh La La - Goldfrapp (2005)

Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell (1970)

Harvest Moon - Sunflower Bean (2016)

She’s so High - Tal Bachman (1999)