Top 10 things every new student should know

So the time has come. You’ve made your decision and you’re heading to Leeds for university in September. Adventures await you!

Before the nerves settle in, we thought we’d pre-empt any questions or worries you may have, by giving you a list of the top 10 things every student should know before they head off on their way to university.

1. Check your reading list early doors

Before you set off, your course tutor will have been in touch about the reading materials you’ll need, and have provided you with a module guide. Try and get to grips with what’s expected of you, and do any recommended reading before freshers’ week. It will help you to be prepared, and save you from studying in freshers’ week, when you should be having fun with your new friends.

2. Be you from day one

You only get one chance to make a good impression, and this is it. Smile, say hello to everyone, and most importantly, be yourself. A handy tip is when you get to your halls of residents or flat, keep the door open when you’re unpacking. This immediately welcomes others in, and starts you off on the right foot.

3. Give everyone a chance

Everyone dresses differently and behaves differently, but everyone at university has one common trait: they’re nervous, away from home and worried they won’t make friends. Get to know everyone who comes your way in the first few weeks, whether they’re someone you would’ve talked to at school or not. You could end up with a friend for life.

4. Learn to budget

Don’t let your first few months at university become a spending spree. If it’s the first time managing your own money, there’s no better time to learn how to budget. Work out what you have coming in – from your loan, parents and part time job – and what needs to come out. With what’s remaining, give yourself a weekly budget and stick to it.

5. Get a discount

Discounts go hand-in-hand with your budgeting. Be brave and ask about student discounts wherever you go. In Leeds, you can expect discounts from a range of different spots, including the Carriageworks Theatre, and 360 Champagne and Cocktails bar.

6. Take some time to get to know the area

In the first week or so, when your schedule will be a little more relaxed, take some time by yourself, or as a group, to get to know Leeds for yourself. Grab a student bus pass and head out exploring. There’s lots to see, including Roundhay Park, Kirkstall Abbey and Victoria Quarter. It’ll also help you find the best and most affordable pubs and restaurants.

7. Get a good handle on time management

With irregular studying hours, late nights and new people to have fun with, your routine can easily slip and you can end up having no balance to your day. Try and enforce a routine from the start, so you’re at lectures and studying during the day, and have the evenings to socialise, volunteer or get involved in societies.

8. Get work experience in your first year

It’s never too early to get work experience, and the sooner you add to your CV, the better. Your first year is a great time to get started on this, as it’s much less pressurised than your second and third years. Research companies and jobs you’re interested in, and send them a speculative email explaining your situation. Give every opportunity a try and see what you like or have a talent for.

9. Get involved in societies

University societies give you access to a group of people who have the same interests as you. There are weird and wonderful ones available, including film societies, baking, sports and wine! If there’s not a society you like the look of, you could always start your own.

10. Look after your health

When you’re away from home for the first time, you can end up not looking after yourself, in favour of late nights, partying and takeaways. Drink water, eat fresh fruit and vegetables and try and get a good night’s sleep once in a while, and you should be able to keep the dreaded fresher’s flu (which is a real thing) at bay.

The post 10 Things Every Student Must Know appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Leeds is undoubtedly one of the best cities for students and young professionals in the UK and with such a huge youth population it’s not hard to find someone if you are in need of finding a new flatmate.

Most first year students coming to Leeds will go straight into halls and take up house shares with friends during their second and third years studying. For those unfortunate enough to have a housemate drop out it can be a worrying experience. Although most estate agents will let you source a replacement you don’t want to get stuck having to cover the rent of the missing member.

You never truly know what someone is like to live with until you actually take the plunge, but more often than not it’s a wise choice to interview or talk to anyone interested in moving in to make sure you are all going to get on. Here’s a few things to keep in mind if you find yourself on the lookout for a new housemate.

Are they a student? Or do they work full time?

This is normally the first question you should ask and one of the most important things to highlight in your ad. If you and the rest of your housemates are students then would you be comfortable with living with someone who works full time? Likewise, if you work full time would you want to live with students?

Do you pay your bills on time?

If you house share in popular student areas like Hyde Park, Headingley or Horsforth that are dominated by the larger local agents like Parklane Properties and City Red that offer all-inclusive rent this is not so much of a problem. However, if you pay your bills separately you have to make sure that your new housemate is going to keep up with their share of the bills.

To protect your own interests and to avoid any arguments, select a date during the month that all bills must be paid by and ask them to set up a direct debit or standing order.

Do you smoke?

If you or your current flat mates don’t smoke and you don’t want anyone to do so make it very clear from the beginning. Agree this in advance with any other flatmates and make it plain in your ad too.

Do you have a girlfriend or boyfriend?

If you’re single, it would be understandable if you don’t wish to share your living space with a couple, no one likes being the third-wheel!

This question is also really important if you live in a small property. Having that extra person around for even a few days a week can take up a lot of valuable space in your home and can add a lot to your monthly energy bill.

How’s their social life?

You should get this out in the open as soon as you meet a prospective housemate. If you’re working full time or are on a particularly intensive course a housemate with a particularly active social life might not be the person for you.

If you think the person’s social life will clash with you, choose someone else to move in, it will save you both a lot of frustration and arguments

Do you mind cleaning?

If you have a cleaning rota in place, you should agree on who cleans what and when. If they’re not very keen on the idea of cleaning or can’t do it, ask them if they would consider paying for a cleaner instead.

George Webb

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Why Study in Leeds?

So you’re a prospective  student looking for the perfect city? The main things to consider should be the nightlife, the activities, the events on offer and the accessibility of the city. With Leeds, you get a thriving city, offering everything you need and loads more. From student hubs to cultural hotspots, from easy-to-use transport services to huge nightclubs – Leeds is the city that you’re searching for.

Leeds City Centre

We understand that the nights out are an important part of student life and Leeds offers every type of night out. Headingley, the student capital of Leeds, boasts a fantastic selection of modern bars and pubs while the City Centre offers just about everything you could want for a big night out. With a range of lively nightclubs, fantastic drinking and dining destinations and just about everything in-between at budget prices. Aside from being a fantastic night out, Leeds City Centre is a world-class shopping destination with high street shops, such as Harvey Nichols, and glamorous shopping malls, such as the Trinity Leeds and The Merrion Centre to mention a few. It’s worth noting that most shops, bars and restaurants will offer suitable student discounts too!

The Student Lock in at Trinity Leeds!

Leeds is a passionate sporting city with popular football, cricket and rugby teams. As a result of this, there are chances to watch lots of sport! However, more importantly, there are opportunities to play sport! With hundreds of amateur football, cricket and rugby sides, a wide variety of surprisingly affordable gyms to join and several sport centres just waiting for you to use them, it is easy for you to stay active while at university. You can see other ways here.

Don’t worry, though. Leeds isn’t just a good night out, a bit of sport and a nice day shopping. It’s a fabulous city of culture with dozens of places to visit including museums, galleries and theatres  – plenty free of charge! The Leeds Art Gallery showcases stunning collections and constantly changing exhibitions while the Royal Armouries Museum is Britain’s national museum of arms and armour! You can see more cultural attractions here and you can see what’s on at the theatre through December here.

With this much going on in Leeds, you’d expect it to be hard to get to each of them. The truth couldn’t be any further away! With buses, trains and various taxi services available all year round, it is easy to get from A to B at affordable prices. Plus most of the action is in the City Centre which is only a ten minute walk from the main universities!

You can find much more about Leeds on this website.

Why Live in Leeds?

Leeds is also a great place for students to live as the city has some fantastic properties available for students.You can find more details on where to live on our property page.

Where to study in Leeds?

Leeds University –

Leeds University

Leeds University boasts a student population of 33,500 students and, as a member of the prestigious Russell Group Universities, is considered one of the best universities in the country. The University is located near the centre, right in the heart of the city centre and  You can see their prospectus here or check out their website here.

Leeds Beckett University –

Leeds Beckett University

Formerly Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds Beckett University offers fantastic facilities  and teaching for all courses. It is ranked as one of the top universities for any sports-related course and came second in The Times’ University of the Year competition in 2006. With over 25,000 students, the university is popular all over the country. You can check out their website here.

Leeds Trinity –

Leeds Trinity has nearly 3000 students and specialises in specific subjects such as media, journalism, marketing and education. The university offer a professional, relevant work placement with every degree and due to this, 93% of all students are in further education or in employment within 6 months of graduating. Leeds Trinity is also famous for it’s fantastic postgraduates courses in journalism and teacher training. You can check out their website here.

For higher/further education, there are some fantastic colleges and sixth forms such as:

Notre Dam: They offer over 34 A Level Subjects to study and are ranked in the top 10% of sixth form colleges in the country. You can see their website here.

Leeds City College: Leeds City College cater to over 40,000 students and operate out of six main campuses and have dozens of provisions over the region. You can check out their website here.

Leeds College of Art

Leeds Art College: The College of Art offer a range of courses which range from BAs to smaller qualifications. It’s a great opportunity to study in a close-knit community with a creative possibility. See their website here.

Leeds Music College: Leeds Music College also offer a range of short courses and BAs. With an acclaimed music scene and a vibrant student population, it is a great place to be for any young musician. See their website here.

Leeds College of Building: The Leeds College Of Building offers something for everyone with a range of course awarding various different certificates on a variety of topics. See their website here.

The post Why Leeds is the Right Choice appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Today, it seems that so many of us experience crippling anxiety. For about 2 years I suffered with it on a daily basis, so I wanted to share 5 really useful tips that have helped me get to a point where I can live my life without the fear of anxiety holding me back.

Allow yourself to feel anxious:

Some people might ask, “If you have a roof over your head, food on the table, friends and family that love you, why do you feel so anxious?” This question basically implies that we shouldn’t feel the way we do, because we are actually quite fortunate compared to a lot of people. But this is the misconception that encourages people to deny their own anxious feelings. One of the reasons why anxiety and depression are on the rise is because we’re always trying to fight our negative experiences rather than learn from them. And we all know that when we start a fight, someone always ends up getting hurt. We need to embrace and accept our anxiety before we can even begin to deal with it. Give it permission to be there, you have every right to feel the way you do!

Make your life easier by gathering tools:

Whatever task we do we need tools to do it, so undertaking the task of gaining better mental health means collecting tools also. There is nothing shameful in needing someone to hold your hand whilst you go to the shop. There is nothing wrong with needing your iPod on the bus to relax you, or a book to distract you. There is nothing weird about choosing a bubble bath over a night out because you simply can’t handle the pressure of loud music and rowdy boozers. Stop being so hard on yourself and use these tools to your advantage!

Look for relief:

“What would bring me the most relief right now?” This is a question to ask yourself every time you feel anxiety arising. That feeling of relieving satisfaction you get when realising you have an extra hour in bed: this is the feeling that needs to be sought after. Overcoming anxiety really boils down to being gentler on ourselves and loving ourselves more, so just do what makes you happy!

Approach everyone as your brother and sister:

This tip might sound quite strange, but for people with social anxiety especially, it is so effective. when I used to get anxious with lots of people around I would just imagine that they were all my brothers and sisters, and we were just hanging out together, like you would with your family, sat around the TV watching your favourite episode of friends. It really did help. And actually, it’s not that hard to imagine because we are all like brothers and sisters in a way – we all share the same planet! The more you practice this technique, the less scary people and situations become.

Give yourself a foot massage:

At some point during the day, preferably when you first wake up, give your feet a massage, or if possible get a professional massage. Anxiety usually occurs when we get caught up in our thoughts, so physical touch really helps to ground us in the present moment. Not only does it care for your mind and soul, it cares for your body too.

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Students from Leeds Beckett University are set to reveal a diverse photography exhibition as part of their end of degree show.

Hosted at Hilton Court, Headingley, ‘Collection Seventeen’ will showcase work by 17, BSc (Hons) Photographic Journalism students.  The event will take place from Friday 13 May to Friday 20 May.  More information can be found on Facebook at http://bit.ly/1SxxuUC or on Instagram at @collectionseventeen.

Third year student Lucy Gray, one of the event organisers, explained: “The exhibition is an opportunity to showcase our key interests and the skills that we have gained over the three years at Leeds Beckett.  The chosen space at Hilton Court is the ideal venue to display our diverse array of work from all different angles and purposes in assorted rooms.

“The photos that I will be exhibiting surround the issue of endangered species and the future of our ecosystems.  Entitled ‘Endangered Echoes’, my work aims to portray the concern that species on the brink of extinction affects us all more than we realise.  Protecting endangered species and their habitats is crucial for our health and the future of our children, which is why I am emphasising the appreciation for wildlife through detailed head shots depicting emotion and beauty.”

Fellow student Emma Proctor added: “Having an exhibition module as part of our final year gave us a fantastic opportunity to utilise all the various photography skills we have acquired over the past three years and put them into action.

“The photographs I am exhibiting capture the serenity that blankets the metropolitan cities of New York, London and Paris.  Within each of these vivacious locations, millions of citizens have endured tremendous tragedy as terror attacks have ripped through the cities and claimed a multitude of lives.  In order to evoke an array of emotions and senses, I have designed a stimulating experience through the use of audio, text and images which will transport the public back in time to those griping events.’‘

Sarah Cooper, Course Leader and Senior Lecturer in Computing, Creative Technologies and Engineering said: “The students have shown themselves to be highly creative individuals.  Over the last three years they have produced work of an exceptional standard.  It’s going to be great to see some of it showcased during one event in such a wonderful space.”

Newly opened in 2016, Hilton Court is an 18th century mansion situated off North Hill Road in Headingley.  Chris Walton, owner, said: “Not only will ‘Collection Seventeen’ be the perfect first exhibit for the fresh canvas that is Hilton Court, but as a former student of this course at Leeds Beckett, I am looking forward to seeing it on our walls and following their work in the future.  The work is always produced to an incredible standard.”

Exhibiting a series of images depicting people who work night shifts, student Barney Curran said: “I am intrigued to meet and document those who are keeping our country running while the rest of us sleep.  With growing numbers of businesses now running 24 hour services, the numbers on night-shift work is on the rise and nine-to-five is becoming less of the norm.  Over three million people work night shifts across the UK and I am excited to exhibit my images showing the faces that keep our country running through the early hours.”

Selma Kesedžić, student, commented: “After three years of hard work, we are incredibly glad to have the opportunity to exhibit our work in such a magnificent venue.  The mansion oozes character and as a group we felt it was the ideal venue to host our exhibition.”

Collection Seventeen is on show at Hilton Court, 2 North Hill Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 2EN from Friday 13 May to Friday 20 May.

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The University of Leeds has been named as the sixth best university in the country, and the university with the best social life in the country.

In the highly regarded Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey, the University of Leeds received high praise. The best social life recognition is a testament to the city’s thriving social scene and nightlife, with some of the best locations in the country for going, dining out, shopping and leisure activities.

The survey questioned students on their activities and societies, their social life, the environment on campus, their student union and the overall experience to compile an extensive list.

Leeds University boasts a student population of 33,500 students and, as a member of the prestigious Russell Group Universities, is considered one of the best universities in the country. The University is located near the centre, right in the heart of the city centre and you can check out their website here.

Here is a list of the prizes received by the university:

Best Social Life: Joint 1st
Best Campus Environment: Joint 3rd
Best Activities and Societies: Joint 3rd
Best Student Union: Joint 2nd
Best University: 6th

The post The University of Leeds has the Best Social Life in the Country appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Two gifted young people working in Leeds-based arts organisations have had their achievements recognised at the prestigious Creative & Cultural Skills Awards 2016.

At an awards ceremony in Essex on Wednesday 2 March, it was announced that April Skipp (23), Marketing & Development Intern at Yorkshire Dance, is this year’s winner of the 2016 Intern of the Year Award.

Emily Kitchen, Workshop Apprentice at West Yorkshire Playhouse, was also one of three young people shortlisted for the Apprentice of the Year Award.

The awards celebrate paid interns and apprentices working in the creative and cultural industries who have shown exceptional commitment and ambition to learn new skills.

April, who graduated in ‘Art, Event, Performance’ in 2014 from Leeds Metropolitan University, and Emily, were the only Yorkshire-based young people among the six shortlisted for these Creative & Cultural Skills Awards 2016, which were judged by leading employers in the creative industries.

Antony Dunn, Marketing & Communications Manager at Yorkshire Dance, says, “April is one of four paid interns we’ve employed, alongside two paid apprentices, through the Creative Employment programme supported by Arts Council England, and we’re very proud indeed of her achievement, only half-way through her year-long internship.

“We’re passionately committed to employing paid interns and apprentices. It allows us to contribute to the workforce development of the arts sector, and offer valuable professional development opportunities to gifted young people at a stage in their lives when they most need some help onto the career ladder. When April leaves us, she’ll be a very well-qualified arts professional, with a fantastic career ahead of her.”

April herself says, “Over the last six months Yorkshire Dance has provided me with a wealth of training, whilst at the same time giving me the freedom to develop my own ideas and make an impact. I owe a huge thank you to Antony Dunn and the rest of the team who have given me excellent guidance and support throughout my internship. I am delighted to have won and excited to see what the future holds!”

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thrifty  [thrif-tee] – adjective, thrift·i·er, thrift·i·est.
1. practicing thrift  or economical management; frugal: a thrifty shopper.
2. thriving, prosperous, or successful.

Here at Student Dweller, we’ve assembled some money saving tips for students to help you make the most of your money and make that Student loan go that bit further. No doubt you’re parents have given you some advice, but there may be some hidden gems that have been overlooked….

• TRAVEL •

No doubt you’ll be hopping all over the place from City to City, whether it’s to visit you’re friends around the country or to go home and get your mum to do your washing! If you’re travelling frequently then it’s worth investing in a young persons railcard, which will save you a third on Rail Fares. If you book tickets well in advance you’ll also save loads as opposed to buying on the day. See 16-25railcard.co.uk for more info.

• DEALS •

Make sure you make the most of deals that bars and clubs have on. Making a note of what offers are on when will save you no end. Keep an eye out for happy hours and 2-4-1 deals. We’ve assembled some of our picks below in the Offers section of Thrifty Dweller.

• COOK TOGETHER! •

Instead of paying for each meal separately, if you’ve got a willing flat mate you’d be much better off cooking together and sharing the bill. You’ll save a bomb and it’ll make cooking more enjoyable and sociable! The more the better, if you cook with a few you can do a Sunday roast for a few quid each! Another thing, always look out for the reduced sections in supermarkets! If you live nearby, wander over late at night, just before closing, and you can pick up some bargains to freeze for the week!

• ASK! •

A seemingly obvious point, but you’d be surprised how many people just keep quiet! Ask if the store does a student discount before you pay – no harm in trying if they don’t!

The post Thrifty Dweller: Money Saving Tips for Students appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

On Sunday 24 April, three teenage cancer patients, will abseil down from Ripley Castle’s roof in aid of the charity that has supported them and their families from day one, Candlelighters.

Jodi Stonehouse, from Pocklington, and Caitlin Gott, from Harrogate, are both 15 and were diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Mia Addison, from Knaresborough, is 14 and is on treatment for Osteosarcama.

The girls met during their treatment and are now close friends. As Mia said, “good things can come out of being on treatment for cancer when you’re a teenager”. Caitlin met Mia and Jodi separately at the hospital, and Jodi and Caitlin met through Chomp & Chat, a meal out for teenage patients.

They have since done a lot together; sailing, make-up activities, and Find Your Sense of Tumour, a conference for teen patients organised by the Teenage Cancer Trust.

They wanted to raise funds for Candlelighters, as a thank you for all the support they and their families receive, and when they found out about the abseil they all went for it. As Jodi said, “it looked fun!”. Caitlin added “I would like to give back to one of the charities that has done so much for me while I was on treatment and the support I have now I am off treatment. The money we raise will help even younger patients than me go through treatment more easily.”

The girls are keen to raise awareness of how a cancer diagnosis can affect someone their age. Caitlin said “being diagnosed with cancer at a young age really affects your whole life: your family and friends, especially your education and social life. People should know that even though I may look ill, I don’t always feel ill. They say to us ‘I don’t know how you have got through this’ – we don’t have a choice. We just keep going and make the most out of the situation we are in. The biggest thing is to stay positive.”

Kay, Jodi’s mum, said “Candlelighters have been there for us from day one. There’s always someone to chat to on clinic, on the ward or at The Square. They also organise activities from brothers and sisters that Jodi’s sisters love going to.”

Candlelighters supports families affected by children’s cancer from across Yorkshire and the abseil is supported by their Patron Lady Ingilby of Ripley Castle. The charity needs to raise £1,5m each year to continue to support families, invest in research and fund roles and equipment within the NHS.

The abseil is open to anyone aged 8 and over making it a real family event. It will take place at Ripley Castle on Sunday 24 April, 10am to 4pm. Registration is £10 per person, and each participant will aim to raise £100 for the charity meaning the abseil could raise thousands of pounds. Places are limited, but some are still available.

Registration can be made on 0113 322 9283 or on www.candlelighters.org.uk.

You can sponsor Jodi, Mia and Caitlin on www.justgiving.com/Kay-Stonehouse1 or call 0113 322 9283 to sponsor them over the phone.

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The reality of being in a young band – Sam Carter

Last week I joined my garage rock band Bad Knaves on stage to play a lovingly crafted 40 minute set for one drunk man. He thought the set was “forgettable”, and if you’re drunk enough – I suppose it’s exactly that, but then so are your family. The truth is – it’s summer, and It’s hard to get people to nod to sounds in the dark when cigarettes and outside exist. There’s a reason it’s called “The Great Outdoors” and that’s because you have to smoke out there now. We need a few more bums in seats, so It must be time to record all these new songs and force a few people to listen to them. There’s just a few things to consider.

Creativity is something afforded to people who aren’t fleeing from something in terror or doing 17 hour shifts at the trainer factory, luckily we live in Britain, so we’re doing neither. Still, spare cash is hard to come by – If it wasn’t we wouldn’t be in a band, we’d be lying on a Land Rover chugging Moet and Chandon Dicentenary Cuvee Dry Imperial 1943 like bloated, elated babies (I have Google handy, but i’m sure it’s a “great year” for fermented grape sludge). Comfort doesn’t breed creativity, but lacking the funds to put out a decent record doesn’t help either. Congratulations – If you own a device to read this on then you’ve found the sweet spot, the Goldilocks zone. You’ve got enough free time for your creativity to flourish. You can probably afford to pay a robot to poo out some of those shiny plastic circles and then make some people to listen to them.

Do people even buy music anymore? How much is your music worth? How much is anything worth? Does a newspaper cost a pound? A newspaper probably costs a pound. Is it OK to steal this newspaper? In some ways, I understand the temptation to pirate the whole Beach Boys discography in perfect, lossless sound quality. Stealing from an established, popular artist feels like popping down the Shell garage and nicking a Peperami. Except Shell would have you fined less. “The Beach Boys: Christmas Album” is £29.83 new on Amazon but with a few clicks and some fibre-optic wizardry you can have their whole back catalogue for nothing, in half an hour, and it’s amazing. When you’re thinking about putting out your own EP or album that makes things confusing, almost as confusing as Christmas on a beach.

When you’re just starting out It’s hard to tell if the best approach is to give your music away for free, or to give it an enticing price like “£2.99″ – why not buy 200 neon, star shaped stickers while you’re at it?  A three track EP, recorded in a studio to a decent level, mixed and mastered can be anywhere from £200 to £800. Do you want to recoup some of those expenses or should you suck it up, give it away for free and hope that encourages more people to listen? Or does that devalue your work? Is it even work? Music for a little-known, unsigned band (Especially if 40 hours of your week is taken up by that inane nonsense they call “job”) can sometimes feel like a really demanding, expensive hobby. Like tennis to the death, played with expensive, free range eggs – And there’s 4 people watching. Except I wouldn’t think about tennis this much. And you don’t lament that day you smashed a tennis egg at the sports centre. We’ve been getting a lot of practice done and getting very excited, and I have my eye on a studio I’d love to record in – but like everyone else we have things like petrol and socks and beer to buy and it’s distressing.

The other approach is to do some recording yourself, which sometimes seems like the oddball antics of San Franciscan Garage Rock hipsters, but has the potential to be an endearing, empowering and genuine process. If you can’t quite pool enough cash together to get into the studio you’d like to use then keep in mind that sometimes a DIY approach lends credibility to things. Depending on whether you’re Nikki Minaj or not (And I don’t know about you, but I’m not.) it might even suit you. It might be an interesting problem solving exercise for you and your band pals, equipping you with some basic techy knowledge along the way. The music business might just be worth a try – buy some gear, get a nice space, record a bunch of tracks – and if it turns out you’re shit at it, just sell it all on Gumtree to a shivering hippy. The joys of fancy preamps and the comforting embrace of an experienced sound magician are a wonderful thing, but you may also like to consider spending a few hundred quid on an audio interface and a few microphones and doing some home recording with no constraints, monetary or otherwise. Take as long as you like! It’s personal, unique, characterful, and you’ll see your songs in a different light, with lots of room to adjust. Provided you’ve done your research, enlisted a few friends and worked hard – you’ll have translated all those little eureka moments you’ve had whilst making sure the label on the sweetcorn is facing the right way, or sat at your stupid desk into a final product. And you haven’t had to blow a shed-load of cash. Just make sure those songs are good, or you’ll feel rather silly.

I’ll give you an update once I’ve dealt with the hippy.

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